Custom CARBLESS VapCap Ti stems

[Diggy Smalls]

That's a beautiful stem! Wow. I would love to see the hammered part anodized in some bluish greenish hues, and then keep the bands polished and uncolored (with pink and purple hues mixed in here and there?). Ooolala that would look sexy as hell. lol
Anyway, I really like that stem style a lot. It's classic.

 

[Polarbearboy]

Do you mean this baby!

It's fine ma! I've been too busy with the head line act.

I present to you!The interstellar, The incomparable, Calais XL!

I'm confused! (and not for the first time!) Are Szai and SDS the same person? How else could a civilian like Szai have the screen setter and the newest most amazing, the Interstellar, the Incomparable Calais XL. Either that or there's a warp in the space time continuum connecting Florida and Greece. The newest DynaJewel: With the new lathe and new tools, they just get more and more beautiful. To my eye, this is the best yet. [I have a carbed(omni cocobolo) and an uncarbed(Winegums wood) and I am finding I like the carb. SDS explanation a few days ago of the venturi effect really helped me understand why.

 

[Polarbearboy]

That's a beautiful stem! Wow. I would love to see the hammered part anodized in some bluish greenish hues, and then keep the bands polished and uncolored (with pink and purple hues mixed in here and there?). Ooolala that would look sexy as hell. lol
Anyway, I really like that stem style a lot. It's classic.

I would love to see it anodised too, but a dark copper, as SDS did on one of Squiby's beauties.

 

[szai]

I would love to see it anodised too, but a dark copper, as SDS did on one of Squiby's beauties.

Yeah I want golden bands with I guess a grey body or maybe a grey body and red bands!

I suppose I need to add. I tried the setting tool it works! A very interesting thing I learned was that torching the time CCD on the tool left a resin. Not much but I got a couple hits from it and the tip resin!

Two things it's not long enough to remove the CCD however it perfectly demonstrate the use of a tip and carb cleaning rod. Desipe being designed to not clean the tip it does and a larger diameter rod would make cleaning and reclaim easy as hell!

 

[stardustsailor]

Another idea .
Lately I'm in the search for more " exotic " materials for Vc stem manufacturing .

Check out something I'm particularly interested of :
Composite Carbon Fiber -Kevlar (aka Aramid ) tubing !

https://www.fibermaxcomposites.com/shop/index_files/carbonkevlar.html

 

[stickstones]

reminds me of the Ti-Carbon. I wonder how many different designs you could source...

 

[Megaton]

Those carbon fibre stems look lovely!

Sorry, i think its probably been covered already in this thread, but is a condenser redundant with the carbless stems?

 

[stardustsailor]

Yessssss. I lust greatly for one of these. Although that one doesn't appear to have a hole for a lanyard/keyring like I'm hoping the eventual ones he's ready to sell will have

They just arrived today !
Two 250 mm long Titanium grade 5 rods, of 8 mm diameter .
They should be enough for about 20x CCD setting tools .



I'm not sure If I will make more of them.
I think it will be a LE (Limited Edition ) item .
I will try to offer them as cheap as possible ( About $15 ,shipping included )

reminds me of the Ti-Carbon. I wonder how many different designs you could source...

Many types of weaving are available .Thing is that they do not come in every size .

Sorry, i think its probably been covered already in this thread, but is a condenser redundant with the carbless stems?

Yes ,carbless stems can do without a condenser .
Inside a carbless stem ,a condenser acts as a mere " diameter reducer tube ".

 

[stardustsailor]

I had to make a new mp for the Twin End Twister stem ,as I've noticed couple of flaws at the
old mp .
Titanium is extremely difficult to machine.
It takes long ti,e ,due to low lathe spindle rpm ,
it does not dissipate heat ,thus the tool inserts get overheated ,
it galls ("sticky metal " ) ,it bends under the force of the tool
and quite a few more that make Ti a real PITA to machine ...

https://www.kennametal.com/en/industry-solutions/aerospace/machining-titanium.html
https://www.sandvik.coromant.com/us...s/troublesome-titanium-tips-on-machining.aspx
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Why_is_difficult_to_machining_titanium_and_titanium_alloys
http://www.cimcool.com/wp-content/uploads/tech-reports/machiningtitanium.pdf
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10940349908945686
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00170-013-5326-x


So after two destroyed mouthpieces ( two days of work ,just vanished into thin air )



I've managed to make a really nice mp for the stem !

 

[stark1]

Now SDS just needs a Maker’s Mark,
like those of jewelers of olde....

 

[szai]

I had to make a new mp for the Twin End Twister stem ,as I've noticed couple of flaws at the
old mp .
Titanium is extremely difficult to machine.
It takes long ti,e ,due to low lathe spindle rpm ,
it does not dissipate heat ,thus the tool inserts get overheated ,
it galls ("sticky metal " ) ,it bends under the force of the tool
and quite a few more that make Ti a real PITA to machine ...
So after two destroyed mouthpieces ( two days of work ,just vanished in to thin air )



I've managed to make a really nice mp for the stem !

Not wasted! Time spent learning how not to waste time making mps!

 

[stardustsailor]

CCD tool update !

Please stop pm-ing me about the CCD tool .
I will let you know when the first pieces are going to be ready.

Now,some updates on that ...

Titanium grade 5 is a no-no for my small lathe.
Lathe lacks the amount of torque & rigidity needed ,
in order to machine this really PITA of a metal.

I've alredy destroyed one PVD carbide insert...


Just to make this mess ...


So ,nope Ti grade 5 is not a good candidate for the making of CCD tool.

I've to test stainless steel now.


Cheers.

 

[Irish vaper]

Introducing my newest, and now favourite VC, 'JASON'

79mm carbless SDS stem, LE 7 fin tip and a new etched cap.
Im in love

 

[stardustsailor]

I wonder how a carbless Ti stem combined with a LE Ti Tip ,"hits" ...

 

[needalift]

I had to make a new mp for the Twin End Twister stem ,as I've noticed couple of flaws at the
old mp .
Titanium is extremely difficult to machine.
It takes long ti,e ,due to low lathe spindle rpm ,
it does not dissipate heat ,thus the tool inserts get overheated ,
it galls ("sticky metal " ) ,it bends under the force of the tool
and quite a few more that make Ti a real PITA to machine ...

https://www.kennametal.com/en/industry-solutions/aerospace/machining-titanium.html
https://www.sandvik.coromant.com/us...s/troublesome-titanium-tips-on-machining.aspx
https://www.researchgate.net/post/Why_is_difficult_to_machining_titanium_and_titanium_alloys
http://www.cimcool.com/wp-content/uploads/tech-reports/machiningtitanium.pdf
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10940349908945686
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00170-013-5326-x


So after two destroyed mouthpieces ( two days of work ,just vanished into thin air )



I've managed to make a really nice mp for the stem !

Sorry to hear about your troubles , but that thing came out great . I hope you can sit back and look at how nice it is and have the troubles of the last few days drift away . If that doesn’t work , just use the damn thing and you will definitely feel better !!! Very nice work ....

 

[Irish vaper]

I wonder how a carbless Ti stem combined with a LE Ti Tip ,"hits" ...

Its soooo good.
The extra airflow with the new tip, which isnt much but is enough, allows for massive direct lung pulls.
By far this is my favourite VC experience

 

[needalift]

@Irish vaper , I am so jealous !!! I missed that one and it is super nice !!! I hope you enjoy it

 

[DirtyD]

I wonder how a carbless Ti stem combined with a LE Ti Tip ,"hits" ...

Hits great, BUT imho you must adjust your heating time and inhale strength. Me myself, I prefer the 5 fin t i tip on my xl banded treebark stem. .(my dd!)... ps. I cannot even use cannabis while working anymore, this system just gets me too high. No shit it has changed my usage habits for the better as I use way,way less material now. Cheers, D

 

[Irish vaper]

@Irish vaper , I am so jealous !!! I missed that one and it is super nice !!! I hope you enjoy it

I got really lucky, i seen the ad in d classifieds about 5 minutes after posting and jumped straight on it

These things don't hang around.....

 

[Polarbearboy]

Now SDS just needs a Maker’s Mark,
like those of jewelers of olde....

Sort of what I've been saying. He's really a fine arts craftsman extraordinaire. I think the idea of a stamped or something impression would add to the stunningness, longevity and collectability of these extraordinary pieces. SDS's pieces are like small flashes of universal light. I feel honored that we are allowed into the creative process. I'm serious.

Re: Irish Vaper--That's how I got mine. Luck! Happened to check at the right moment. Judeo Celtic. I really do feel lucky. And it hasn't even arrived yet! The tree bark with central band carb, anodized--Zetes! I only go to the mailbox every day in hopes it is there!

Gotta say: I love the way SDS democratizes the sales process. Adds to the glory!

PS: SDS's pieces are works of high craftsmanship, artisanship. They need to be signed in some identifying way.

 

[stardustsailor]

CCD tool Update .

I've placed an order for 1000 mm length ( ~3 feet ) of 8mm Dia 304 stainless steel rod .

304 stainless steel ( aka A2 INOX or 18/10 food grade stainless steel )
is a non-magnetic austenitic steel and it is used for a variety of household and industrial applications such as screws,machinery parts and food-handling equipment.

Each CCD tool is going to be 30 mm long
and the price is going to be 10 Euros -worldwide shipping included .

First batch is going to be of about 32 pieces.
So no worries ,those of you that want one ,you 're going to have one.
Just be patient for some days .

Cheers.

 

[stardustsailor]

Another interesting material for Vapcap stem making ...

Micarta

Micarta Canvas Phenolic is a course weave cotton or linen fabric based phenolic laminate and is strong, tough, and has high impact strength.

As a class, phenolic compounds are characterized by low cost, superior heat resistance, high heat deflection temperatures, good electrical properties, flame resistance, excellent moldability and dimensional stability, and good water and chemical resistance.

They are of interest to the building and transportation industries due to their fire retardancy, low smoke generation and low smoke toxicity. Special purpose phenolics are formulated to meet specific requirements such as maximum dimensional stability at high temperature (in automotive transmission valves), cracking resistance (pump housings), stability in steam environments (steam irons, coffee makers), electrical resistance (high voltage switch gears) or good machining qualities (fine tooth gears).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micarta

Cheers

 

[needalift]

My favorite knife has micarta scales for the handle . They feel great in the hand . The issue I’ve had though is that the have absorbed sweat and oils from carrying and handling causing a slight discoloration and a slightly ( I mean ever so slightly ) slicker feel . Just something to think about ...

 

[stardustsailor]

3 meters ( ~ 10 feet ) of 8mm Dia. rods ,made of 304 stainless steel have arrived !

Tried machining a bit.Hard like titanium,but somewhat easier to machine.
More rigid ,does not bend under tool pressure.

Have to revisit and rework the design of the CCD tool.
I might make two versions of it .One small for keyring attachment and one larger .
But ,there's another reason that this weekend I'm not going to do anything.
Nor stems,nor CCd tools.

I miss a draw bar and machinery & tool shops open at Monday ...

 

[stardustsailor]

It was about time I got rid of that chunky 3-jaw lathe chuck .
Not precise at all .


Instead I got a collet chuck and a basic set of collets .



Now ,the work pieces (stems ,mouthpieces and CCD tools ) clamp much better to the lathe
spindle .With high centricity .


Thus the work is going to be far more precise and of higher quality .


BUT ...
I miss the collet chuck drawbar.
A long M12 screw that holds firm and steady the collet chuck inside the lathe's spindle.
Have to make one .
Shops are closed for the weekend .
On Monday.
...

Anyway .It was about time I got a totally free weekend.
I need some rest big time !