Custom CARBLESS VapCap Ti stems

[stardustsailor]

!!! Caution : The custom handmade stems do not have a carb hole !
CARBLESS all the way ,every each one of 'em !
Enjoy the ultimate joint-like VapCap experience !

Info
-Material : Titanium ASTM Grade 2
http://asm.matweb.com/search/SpecificMaterial.asp?bassnum=MTU020
http://www.arcam.com/wp-content/uploads/Arcam-Titanium-Grade-2.pdf

-Highly polished inner side for minimum O-/X- ring abrasion.
No lubricating is needed when inserting the condenser and/or the tip.

-100% Hand-made .

-Can be coupled with either a Ti tip or a 316L stainless steel tip.

-Every hammered (HMR) stem is unique.Practically impossible to duplicate.

-Slim,lightweight,stylish,durable,inert.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

From top to bottom : HMR61CN ,HMR62CN & HMR61NF (under artificial LED lighting )



HMR61NF


If you're interested pm me for details.
Include the stem code you wish for /you 're interested in : YYY xx zz

Code
YYY= Stem finish
HMR : Sculpted-Hammered
STN : Plain-Satin
MRR: Plain-Mirror
xx = Stem length
( tolerance -/+ .5 mm )
61 = 61 mm short stem
62 = 62 mm standard stem
63 = 63 mm long stem
78 = 78 mm short XL stem
79 = 79 mm standard XL stem
80 = 80 mm long XL stem
zz = Stem colour
NF = Natural / Not anodised
BZ = Anodised " Antique Bronze "
PR = Anodized " Hazy Purple "
BL = Anodised " Abyss Blue "
CN = Anodized " Aqua " (Cyan)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HMR61BL (under artificial LED lighting )


STN61NF & HMR61BL (under natural daylight )

Price list
HMR 61/62/63 NF : $35 (USD)
MRR 61/62/63 NF : $30 (USD)
STN 61/62/63 NF : $25 (USD)

-Add $10 (USD) for XL lengths (codes: 78,79 and 80 ).
-Add $5 (USD) for anodising ( codes : BZ,PR,BL and CN ).

*Paypal only.
*Shipping and postage fees are included in price.
*Send worldwide via registered mail.
*Tracking number provided.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notes on Anodised stems

* For an anodised titanium stem is quite difficult to show it's real hue on a pic.
On the pic below you can see a quite accurate reproduction of the real hues.
Real life hue also depends on the quality ( spectral distribution) of the incident light.
For example the "Abyss Blue " tint while appears to be a deep -almost electric-vivid blue under natural daylight ,under a 3000°K living room's LED lighting appears to be as a dull grey-blue hue.


* Also ,both "hazy purple" and abyss blue" tints are " water and fingerprint sensitive ".
No ,the anodising does not get altered or damaged in any way by touching/handling or wetting the stem,but it changes hue or even color/tint -at least until you wipe it clean & dry with a soft cloth ( soft wool or microfiber are best for the job ).
Then the stem gets back it's original hue.
Learn more : http://mrtitanium.com/anodizing.html

*Although titanium and its colorful oxide coating are immune to time and any chemical that won't send one to an emergency room, oil and dirt can temporarily dull some of the colors.
Also, abrasives can gradually wear away the surface coloring. Protect your titanium from scratches.
To clean: Use alcohol or non-moisturizing soap and water and a soft cloth to gently wipe away dulling dirt and oils.
Avoid metal polishes or scrubbing soaps, because these contain abrasives which may scrub away the sub-micron thick color layer.
Learn more :
http://mrtitanium.com/titanium.htm
http://mrtitanium.com/interference.html

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheers

 

[DirtyD]

I feel so so cool to be one of the first lucky people to own a custom custom ti hammered stem. @stardustsailor is a master craftsman and complete gentleman to deal with. My aqua blue purple stem is stunning to behold and fits my M SS tip and my gen 5 ti tips nice and tight, better yes than on my M stem . if you want an exquisite, funxtional stem that you will not be able to stop spinning and staring at, most importantly hits like a train... O and cool artist to deal with with super fair price, stardust sailor is your guy. Extremely satisfied customer, Dirty D .... Edit.. Pics do NOT do anodized colors justice... Looks WAY different in your hands and in different types of light. Get one. I'm already planning my next order....

 

[stardustsailor]

I feel so so cool to be one of the first lucky people to own a custom custom ti hammered stem. @stardustsailor is a master craftsman and complete gentleman to deal with. My aqua blue purple stem is stunning to behold and fits my M SS tip and my gen 5 ti tips nice and tight, better yes than on my M stem . if you want an exquisite, funxtional stem that you will not be able to stop spinning and staring at, most importantly hits like a train... O and cool artist to deal with with super fair price, stardust sailor is your guy. Extremely satisfied customer, Dirty D

Allow me to make few questions brother :

- Does it get hot enough that begins to be bothering to hold/spin ?
-Is it easy to spin ? Does it slip ?
- Was it easy to insert the condenser and tip?
You 've used new set of O-rings ,If I remember correctly .
- What about the whole aesthetics ?
- Is there something you did not like or was "missing " ?

Thank you,for the kind words ,D.

Cheers.

 

[DirtyD]

Easy. Easy . insering M condenser and x rings was easy. It is way easier to spin than M stem. Just enough texture. Light, gorgeous and plain old fits the tips better,. I like it more and more as I use it. Next one I get will be an XL and I'll just buy XL condenser from dv and x rings. I am a happy camper!..... No hot, cooler than SS stem

 

[stardustsailor]

Some updates :

-I'm running out of Ti tubing.
I've enough for 4 or 5 stems.
Next stock is going to arrive in about 3 weeks !

-I 'll try to make available another type of surface finish.
Sculpted ,Tree Bark ( code : BRK ).
I'm refining the technique .Soon I will post some pics .

-I'll also try my best to provide more hues for anodised stems in the near future.

Cheers.

 

[stardustsailor]

Just a peek of the new textured/sculpted option ( available soon ) BRK aka "Bark" .
Still working on some details ( mastering some secrets ) .


More details later on.

 

[stardustsailor]

New surface finish available !
Sculpted - Textured : " Bark "
Code : BRK
Price : BRK 61/62/63 NF : $35 (USD)
----------------------------------------

1 ) Here you can see the texture ,right after the final polishing / smoothing,but before cleaning.Dirt (a mixture of Ti dust and polish compound ) is left on purpose to give enough contrast for the bark texture to show better on the pic .


2 ) Below at the pic is shown the same bark stem ,after cleaning .


3 ) Next follows anodisation ."Antique Bronze " with "hazy purple" here and there .




4 ) And lastly an experiment.Lightly sandpapered with wet 2500 grit.







Cheers.

 

[stardustsailor]

Might be looking as a ingenious vaporiser device.
Look closely and you'll discover that actually is a jewel with a soul.
Keeps making you feel high enough , in various different ways.

 

[KeroZen]

Cool!

I don't use my VC but I love the whole ecosystem this vape has generated on FC. Good job!

 

[stardustsailor]

! UPDATE !
By tomorrow I 'll have my micro anodiser power supply !
https://www.reactivemetals.com/anodizers-accessories

So,now the code system has to be changed into :

xx YYY zz

xx = Stem length
( tolerance -/+ .5 mm )
61 = 61 mm short stem
62 = 62 mm standard stem
63 = 63 mm long stem
78 = 78 mm short XL stem
79 = 79 mm standard XL stem
80 = 80 mm long XL stem

YYY= Stem finish
HMR : Texture-Hammered ( 2M )
BRK : Texture-Tree Bark ( 2M )
STN : Plain-Satin ( 2J to 1K )
MRR: Plain-Mirror ( 1P to 2P )

Spoiler: Surface Finishing Designation

http://www.imoa.info/download_files/stainless-steel/euroinox/Finishes.pdf
http://www.worldstainless.org/Files/issf/non-image-files/PDF/Euro_Inox/RoughnessMeasurement_EN.pdf

zz = Stem colour
State the two digit number of the wished color :

00 -Not Anodised.
Natural color of Titanium .

01 -Bronze

02 -Antique Bronze

03 -Hazy Purple

04 -Abyss Blue

05 - Aqua

06 -Gold

07 -Bright Copper

08 - Infra Pink

09 -Ultra Violet

10 - Sky Blue

Example: I want a standard 62 mm Ti stem and I'd like to have a plain satin finish
and I wish to be anodised into a nice sky blue tint .
My stem's code is 62-STN-10



Cheers.

 

[Drexciya]

I am really liking your system.

 

[stardustsailor]

Sy-stem ...

 

[fågel]

holy.... since i've got a decent amount of metal in various parts of my face i've drooled over those lovely anodized titanium colors for ages.. and then, these textures!! omg.. i will definitely be putting in an order when i'm not so broke

i can't wait to see where these go from here!!

 

[DirtyD]

Not only stunning looking it hits like a train. Super impressed. It is my new favorite thing, no doubt...

 

[stardustsailor]

holy.... since i've got a decent amount of metal in various parts of my face i've drooled over those lovely anodized titanium colors for ages.. and then, these textures!! omg.. i will definitely be putting in an order when i'm not so broke

i can't wait to see where these go from here!!

Niobium is also nice for various parts of the face ,too !

As for the textures ..
I'm not a jewellery maker ,nor a blacksmith.
Actually I'm an electronics engineer .
But I 've just found a great hobby !
Handmade Titanium jewellery for the usual ( both wealthy & poor @$$ ) VapCapers.

I get some ideas from the.... Lord of the ( Titanium ) rings .

Check some surface textures that I really like
and be sure that I'll try to replicate in the near future .
But still ,I 'm not quite sure how on earth they are actually achieved :

" Chunky "

" Cracked "

" Moon Crater "

The above seem that can be made by hand .
But there are also many-many others that need a CNC machine to be made .
Like :

Wood Grain

Tiger Stripes

Knurl

Golf ball

Cheers.

 

[phattpiggie]

@stardustsailor excellent work, welcome to my world.

All the best for the future.

 

[stardustsailor]

@stardustsailor excellent work, welcome to my world.

All the best for the future.

Thank you very much ,brother.

 

[stardustsailor]

Got my new anodising equipment .


Also made a stem at 59 mm !
Super short .
And played a bit with the anodiser .
59HMR03 " Stone Washed " .





Made it so short ,in order to fit in the small side pockets of my wallet .


Cheers.

 

[V-apE]

Ehh I saw a carbhole!?

@stardustsailor: Beautifull stems sir!

 

[stardustsailor]

Ehh I saw a carbhole!?

It was an " old type " stem of mine from my ...carb era !

Used as a "testing specimen" ...As a mere lab-rat !
But ,since you've noticed the carb ...
You've won that tree-bark stem with the carb hole.

Pm me an address and on Monday is going to be shipped to you .
Free of any charge.
Seriously.I mean it .
The last stem with a carb hole made .

Cheers.

 

[V-apE]

Ehh I saw a carbhole!?

It was an " old type " stem of mine from my ...carb era !

Used as a "testing specimen" ...As a mere lab-rat !
But ,since you've noticed the carb ...
You've won that tree-bark stem with the carb hole.

Pm me an address and on Monday is going to be shipped to you .
Free of any charge.
Seriously.I mean it .
The last stem with a carb hole made .

Cheers.

Holy Smoke! are you serious?? i don't know what to say and that happens not very often.

The only thing i come up with: WOW what a great day!! many thanks!!!!! very happy!

 

[stardustsailor]

Holy Smoke! are you serious?? i don't know what to say and that happens not very often.

The only thing i come up with: WOW what a great day!! many thanks!!!!! very happy!

You deserve it .
My hard guess is that you 've inspected it quite carefully.
Afterall ,that stem is a ...dead lab-rat !

 

[V-apE]

You deserve it .
My hard guess is that you 've inspected it quite carefully.
Afterall ,that stem is a ...dead lab-rat !

Well trust me i will kiss it back to life.

 

[mephisto]

Damn fine work @stardustsailor! , sending pm now. Quite generous of you to give away your art as well.

 

[stardustsailor]

I'm having a small problem.
Before I've used white vinegar ( contains acetic acid ) for anodising Titanium and almost got
up to the green hue ,without even etching the metal surface.

Did some searching on the web and found out that quite a few professionals of the anodising art ,are using oxalic acid to anodise Titanium.
Dilute and cold ( < 15°C) it serves as an electrolyte for the anodisation bath ,
while in more concentrated solutions and rather burning hot it etches lightly and nicely the Titanium ,thus making it easier to achieve the 2nd order* colors
-being from yellow gold to green -
So ,went to the local chemist store and got it .
Ain't the cheapest chemical,that's for sure.

But ...
Up till now I get really wonderful and vivid 1st order hues.
When I try for second order hues ,nope.
The surface gets really dull (looks like it is covered with thick transparent varnish )
and the 2nd order hues barely show.


-The amperage is not that high ( must not be ,it dulls the hues ).
-The electrolyte solution is very cold ,as it has to be.
-the aluminium cathode has about 1/4 more surface of the stem surface
and it sits deeper than the stem.

The set up is close to ideal .
Oxalic acid has double strength of acetic acid (white vinegar)
( both are organic acids ,relatively safe to handle and with low toxicity).
What goes wrong or what's missing ,I can't tell ,right now ...

I really do not wish to use other electrolytes such as dangerous inorganic acids ,
like phosphoric and sulfuric acid .
Both the latter are the most preferred acids to anodise Ti ,
but also both are extremely dangerous to handle and work with.

Anyway.
Maybe I'll make a small electrolyte batch ,
just mixing white vinegar and oxalic acid and test it.
Now it's late at night.

I'll leave alchemy for next morning.
Feel a bit-but only just a bit - disappointed and really tired right now.

Cheers.

* orders are for hues ,what octaves are for music notes