Custom CARBLESS VapCap Ti stems

[stardustsailor]

Uh-oh !
It seems that the knurling tool is going to be a bit more "tricky" than I thought !

With a better placement and adjustment,on it's second test ,
it gave a true diamond knurl .






Comparing with the texture of the first trial ( where the tool was not at the center of the Ti tube
and was placed a bit diagonaly at the lathe's tool holder -you can notice that at the previous pics with the lathe operating.


The first trial tube (left-anodised part) gave a "twirling" texture ,
with one of the knurling wheels teeth cuts really pronounced
(deep cuts ) while the other wheel made a less pronouced cut .
At the second trial tube (right-non-anodised),both wheels did the same thing .
the result is a clean "diamond" knurl,without any "twirling"


Cheers.

 

[Kalessin]

Uh-oh !
It seems that the knurling tool is going to be a bit more "tricky" than I thought !

With a better placement and adjustment,on it's second test ,
it gave a true diamond knurl .






Comparing with the texture of the first trial ( where the tool was not at the center of the Ti tube
and was placed a bit diagonaly at the lathe's tool holder -you can notice that at the previous pics with the lathe operating.


The first trial tube (left-anodised part) gave a "twirling" texture ,
with one of the knurling wheels teeth cuts really pronounced
(deep cuts ) while the other wheel made a less pronouced cut .
At the second trial tube (right-non-anodised),both wheels did the same thing .
the result is a clean "diamond" knurl,without any "twirling"


Cheers.

I think the 'twirling' pattern is cooler than the diamond

 

[stardustsailor]

I think the 'twirling' pattern is cooler than the diamond

Both look nice ,me thinks !

 

[szai]

Both look nice ,me thinks !

Huh I think I'm going to need one of those special stems with the fins!

@Kalessin I too prefer the twisty knurling. It looks high tech.

 

[Phenix]

That’s also what I think: the twisted one (left) got more character to it..
Totally personal preference tough

 

[stardustsailor]

And a first test of the round insert tool .
Did some shallow cuts.
The insert that came with the tool (gold TiN layer ) is not suitable for working with Titanium.
It is a"general turning" insert ,mainly for steel turning.
Titanium needs special inserts (usually black tinted ones -PVD coated ),
that's why I took only shallow and brief cuts .

 

[Polarbearboy]

You are having way to much fun with way too many new toys! Just wonderful to see someone with both engineering knowledge/precision and such a creative and artistic soul

Sadly, I will force myself back to our fantastic nightly-groomed xc ski trails on a gorgeous sunny afternoon. -4F/-20C here this morning and 3'/1m of snow on the ground, but its spring skiing this afternoon. And yes, I might have another toke or two before heading back out.

 

[ArthurJ]

I like the alternating bands.

 

[MAbud]

@stardustsailor I want to make sure I understand you correctly...Are you saying if I were to use a stem without a carb hole on my Omni that it would not provide correct usage and airflow?

 

[Phenix]

@MAbud

Omni needs a carb as the Omni can regulate how much air comes in: if there is ni airflow from the carb there is nothing to regulate
However you will get a little airflow from the rills in the tip and maybe some air if you do not create a seal to the MP

 

[stardustsailor]

@stardustsailor I want to make sure I understand you correctly...Are you saying if I were to use a stem without a carb hole on my Omni that it would not provide correct usage and airflow?

Yes,as Phenix said (or rather wrote )if you will use a CARBLESS stem on your OMNI you cancel out the OMNI condenser system .

Your VC will still be operational ,but as a carbless vc unit ,where mouthpulls are the oneway ticket into
medicating.
The OMNI condenser whether is fully open or partially open ,would not make any difference ,
regarding vapor:air ratio (no cool air to mix with vapor ) and draw resistance .

As I 've already fore mentioned the VC has two operating modes.

If you like the vapor to be cool and not so "harsh" (aka concentrated ) and you are not that fond
of mouthpulls or high draw resistance (which actually is a key factor on producing clouds of vapor ) ,
then you should prefer the "Carbed Operation Mode".Meaning you should use a carbed stem with
a SS standard condenser or the OMNI system.

From the other hand ,if you miss the toking experience of joints (high draw resistance ),
you do not mind that much about vapor being hot and "strong" and you like big clouds (thus fast extraction/shorter on-demand sessions ),then you should opt for a carbless VC stem.

Both modes are great.They are different ,but still both get the job done .
It's just a matter of personal taste.

Cheers.

 

[vajra]

hi stardustsailor!
I would like to order a stem from you. what is the best way to do it?

 

[stardustsailor]

hi stardustsailor!
I would like to order a stem from you. what is the best way to do it?

At the moment ,none.
I'm not making custom orders for the time being.
Not much free time .
That most probably will change in the near future.
But for now ,the only way to get a stem is to check regularly the "Classifieds "section of this forum.

Cheers.

 

[vajra]

oh that is too bad. I will check back again in a couple months I guess. good luck with whatever you are up to. love your work.

 

[Phenix]

In that case i guess I should have bought the 93mm one back then..

 

[stardustsailor]

In that case i guess I should have bought the 93mm one back then..

There will be other XR stems to come ...
Don't worry .

 

[stardustsailor]

Today's evening was free time !
So I decided I should train myself with the new tools.





At first made a carbless stem ( 77 mm long ) .
Texture ?
" Fading Twister Grip Knurl "

 

[stardustsailor]

Then I made Titanium mouthpiece from some Ti Grade 2 tubes ,that so kindly George has provided
( 10 mm OD / 5 mm ID ) .








------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On top there's a OMNI mp from Dynavap (used to be sandblasted ,used to have threads )
Beneath is the SDS custom MP.
O-rings are nicely fit ,but next time I have to use a different insert
(This time o-ring seats were done with "diamond 80° " ( CCMT type ) ,
but next time will be done with a "diamond 55°" ( DCMT type ),for tighter lateral fit



More info about carbide inserts types :
https://www.ttake.it/media/cataloghi/inserti.pdf

 

[stardustsailor]

And as a full unit ( nope,not for sale ,this belongs to me )











Now I have to eat something and finally get some rest .
Tomorrow is going to be a hard day at work.
During weekend I will prepare two or three stems.

Cheers.

 

[phattpiggie]

@stardustsailor it's all looking great and as with everything it's just a matter of getting the time in for a bit of practice.

 

[needalift]

And as a full unit ( nope,not for sale ,this belongs to me )











Now I have to eat something and finally get some rest .
Tomorrow is going to be a hard day at work.
During weekend I will prepare two or three stems.

Cheers.

That knurled stem is super tough looking . It looks like it belongs in a tool pouch ( my tool pouch ) . Great work as usual !!

 

[stardustsailor]

That knurled stem is super tough looking . It looks like it belongs in a tool pouch ( my tool pouch ) . Great work as usual !!

And you 've just became the godfather of the series.
The greek word for " tool " is "εργαλείο" ( erghalio ) and comes from the word "έργο" ( ERGO )
which means work / task / doing /deed .

The ERGO VapCap Titanium stem series.
I like it .

Cheers.

 

[needalift]

^^ AWESOME !!!!!

 

[ArthurJ]

Sounds very ergonomic therefore put me down for one.

 

[stardustsailor]

Sounds very ergonomic therefore put me down for one.

Definition of ergo-nomics
1 : an applied science concerned with designing and arranging things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely — called also biotechnology, human engineering, human factors

2 : the design characteristics of an object resulting especially from the application of the science of ergonomics

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ergonomics

Sounds very ... true!

Cheers.