stark1

Lonesome Planet
The “Intercooler” is a nice concept, wonder where he got it from.


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The rock bottom price of $150 is stellar, but add the surcharge for this, and a little extra for that, and the “Lamborghini”
Leaves me choking in its dust.

His pricing is disproportionate to the wallets of some of his target consumers. Guess I’ll be one to
Keep out of the radius of his circumference. Titanium, indeed.

How difficult is it to fabricate a Ti spiral twisty, I wonder.
 
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Gorillaz7

Bern it Up or Bern it Down
Just get the 7 pipe or road runner nectar collector and fill them with 3mm beads, is gonna be way cheaper than all these expensive custom stems!
The Road Runner looks the best to me!

I paid like $25 for the riad runner and $10 for the 3mm beads (beads drom the Vape Critic website)
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stark1

Lonesome Planet
Just get the 7 pipe or road runner nectar collector and fill them with 3mm beads, is gonna be way cheaper than all these expensive custom stems!
The Road Runner looks the best to me!

I paid like $25 for the riad runner and $10 for the 3mm beads (beads drom the Vape Critic website)
20190627-084920.jpg
20190627-084950.jpg


Vaquero, you may be going overboard with the marbles?
By the time your poor lungs
Finally get the vapor to your lips, there will be but a wisp o’ remaining, if any.

The draw restriction must be excruciating. YMMv
 
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RogueGuy

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
I really like Troys (420Vapezone) videos. Love that he licks his o rings, I dont know anyone else that does that ;)

Ok, so I'm going to be the contrarian in the Simrell Vortex price discussion. I think $150 is a reasonable price. First is just my gut reaction. Its beautiful, its hand made, its a functional work of art, its limited in its production, it takes more time and effort to make than people give it credit for.

Then there is just the pure logical price comparison. An Omni XL cost $190 the same Simrell Vortex with Ti tip cost $215. Thats only an extra $25 for something none of your friends have. Now you may argue that the Omni MP condenser is more complex. After using the Omni condenser i would not spend the money on it. I prefer the spinning MP, that entire setup is $155 making the Simrell an additional $60.

I dont really think that spending an extra $25-60 is too much for a custom piece.

JMHO
 

stark1

Lonesome Planet
I really like Troys (420Vapezone) videos. Love that he licks his o rings, I dont know anyone else that does that ;)

Ok, so I'm going to be the contrarian in the Simrell Vortex price discussion. I think $150 is a reasonable price. First is just my gut reaction. Its beautiful, its hand made, its a functional work of art, its limited in its production, it takes more time and effort to make than people give it credit for.

Then there is just the pure logical price comparison. An Omni XL cost $190 the same Simrell Vortex with Ti tip cost $215. Thats only an extra $25 for something none of your friends have. Now you may argue that the Omni MP condenser is more complex. After using the Omni condenser i would not spend the money on it. I prefer the spinning MP, that entire setup is $155 making the Simrell an additional $60.

I dont really think that spending an extra $25-60 is too much for a custom piece.

JMHO


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(dare’s a bit of history behind the story)
 

phattpiggie

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
@RogueGuy the use of spital as a lubricant has been discussed quite a few times. Mostly smuttily :lol:

I think you'll find the Simrell stem is CNC machined and not 'hand made'.
It will be a very simple piece of code compared to the Omni.

Machining time will also be much less and overall costs will be low in comparison to the multi facetted helix DV design.
 

mrb

Accessory Maker
Accessory Maker
Troy seems to be saying it works completely differently to the regular vapcap airflow, at one point he suggests the air intake from the airport only flows towards the mp not the tip???

How tricky is it to clean all the recesses?

Rather than start a string of debate on the gentleman's pricing or value, i was hoping for answers to the above :)

If i had been trying to make a business of my stem making my prices would certainly have been higher the titanium cost and postage costs me half of what i sell them for, let alone cutting, polishing, sandblasting and anodizing... These things do take time and care...
 

phattpiggie

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
@mrb your prices are in no way commensurate with the amount of work you put in.

I use a CNC shop to keep the costs down.
They can replicate parts more accurately and quicker than I ever could.

The best way to show the air flow would be to use a glass stem and some close up slow mo video.

Regular VC's flow towards the MP as well. The air port creates the pressure drop which will attract vapor but I'm certain it's going to be minimal headed north rather than south.
 

RogueGuy

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
@phattpiggie thanks for chiming in. If anyone has a meaningful perspective on this its you.

I see your point about CNC machine time and the Vortex being machine made v "hand turned". But isn't the DV stem also CNC machined?

I think I put a higher value on the Vortex than the DV Ti because of scarcity and uniqueness. The DV Ti seems ubiquitous. For this same reason I would pay more for a @mrb, @stardustsailor, @danielj and there is this other guy who makes some pretty nice stems.

My feeling is that the artists doing this work, that is every bit as beautiful and unique as DVs (and in many cases more so), deserve a premium.

That being said, @phattpiggie I would love a custom hand made stem. Dropping a few bucks in my Phatpiggie Bank right now. :2c::2c:
 

danielj

Accessory Maker
Accessory Maker
I dont bemoan the Vortex price point. The Ti Omni is a pricey bit of kit as well... both are above my pay grade both financially, and in their machinist complexity.


Integrated condenser, vortex, and cleanability...i have rejected many a thought design that did not hit all 3 aspects. I think I have a concept that works, but there is no customer adjustability in the amount of air introduced into the unit. As if an Omni was set at the factory, and welded, or lke an airport you were not allowed to touch. Not convinced it would sell...,will prob do a P O C anyway
 

phattpiggie

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
@RogueGuy get in touch anytime.

Yes the Omni is CNC'd.
In really basic terms imagine I'm the CNC machine.
Turning a basic cylinder and tapered MP is going to be much quicker than me filing a twist.

At the end of the day a product is worth what people will pay for it.

@danielj if you ever want a fresh mind on any of the ideas you are mulling over get in touch.

Sorry for the edit
The triple stem is doing the rounds in the UK if any of my 'local' customers would like to be a Phattguineapiggie then get in touch.
I'd appreciate the feedback.
 
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Squiby

Well-Known Member
Love that he licks his o rings, I dont know anyone else that does that ;)
Many of us lick our rings. It's all I've ever done. In the old days it was one of the first suggested methods to help smoothly fit a tip or ring into place. Eventually other lubrication methods were suggested, but at the end of the day, spit is the one commodity I always have on me.



I love custom pieces and have purchased from several of the after market artists. Something is worth what you're willing to pay and only the customer can determine what that payment represents.

For me, I Like to deal with people who demonstrate integrity, fairness and honesty. These qualities have been the impetus for my love of the Vapcap. I love my Vapcap. Everything about it; It's size and efficiency. It's modularity and the plethora of custom options. But, I would not be the fangirl that I am if it weren't for the way George conducts himself and the way he has consistantly treated me over the years. Same goes for the after market artists. I am a repeat buyer, but I will only do repeat business with people that I respect. I will only buy again when the transactions make me feel good.

So, the question each of us need to answer is; Is this a piece that attracts me and is the maker/seller someone that I would want to do business with, interact with, give my business to and recommend to others? The answer to that question will determine value.
His pricing is disproportionate to the wallets of some of his target consumers. Guess I’ll be one to keep out of the radius of his circumference.
Agree, it's a nice looking piece but it seems really pricey. I hope he's improved his customer service, too.
For these reasons I won't be partaking..... As they say "Fool me once...."
 

RogueGuy

Well-Known Member
Accessory Maker
@Squiby thanks for sharing your experience. I only know the work, not the people and personalities behind them. I see a pattern here. @stark1 "Grump Cat" says it all! I agree 100% that the experience is as important as the piece and the price.

As far as body fluids as lubricants goes, I'm on board. That was my not so cleaver way of saying "I do that".
 
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