Firewood Vaporizer

[moondog]

How does a proprietary battery alleviate the first point? You can still run out of juice mid session, now you just slide on a $30 molicel instead of a $5 molicel.

The difference is that with the bare battery on the FW7 you have to open the oven chamber and lose all your built up heat and then you have to maneuver the fresh battery into it's position, taking care not to damage the wrapping, all while being under the influence of the first part of the session. Not a major issue, I know, but I was surprised at how much I appreciated not having to deal with that on the FW8. Now I just pop out the spent pack and pop in the new one and get right back to it. Old guy being lazy? Yes. But it works for me.

Edited to add: The FW8 is finally up on Marc's site: https://firewoodaromatech.com/. Got it's own page and everything! Better sit down before you look at the price of a replacement battery pack, though. It's worth it to me and I'm fortunate to be able to spend that kind of money on a proprietary battery, but I imagine if someone is on the fence about the battery pack idea, this might push them over to the "no thank you "side of said fence.

Edited again to add: I just recalled Marc saying something at some point about maybe offering a battery replacement service where he would swap in a new cell. That would certainly cost less than a whole new pack. We'll have to wait and see if that becomes reality once he gets through the early adopter rush.

 

[gordontreeman]

The difference is that with the bare battery on the FW7 you have to open the oven chamber and lose all your built up heat and then you have to maneuver the fresh battery into it's position, taking care not to damage the wrapping, all while being under the influence of the first part of the session.

Yeah, I guess that seems like a pretty contrived example to me. It has similar controls to the 7, right? You can just check the battery level before you begin a session. Normally I'd say if its below 50% you can just pop a new battery in, but I guess since the price premium for the proprietary packs is a bit over 1000% relative to molicel from someplace else not everyone will be rotating through several batteries.

We don't need to relitigate the battery pack issue, its just hard to read any of that as a "pro" for the FW8 if you are being objective at all to my mind. That isn't even touching on the capsule issues. I'm not personally convinced that buying yet another 3d printed accessory and some precision tweezers so I can load and unload my bowl is a great improvement either, but don't let me yuck your yum if you find the capsules convenient in some fashion. Just seems like this isn't much of a refinement or improvement over the 7 unless you meet some very specific criteria that I don't think most people really meet.

Its tough because I would have loved a 7, I'm sure Marc is a great guy, and I guess FOMO or whatever still has me on the fence, but I don't know that I have seen anything that convinces me this was an improvement or iteration on the 7 yet.

 

[cx714]

Its tough because I would have loved a 7, but I don't know that I have seen anything that convinces me this was an improvement or iteration on the 7 yet.

That’s funny bc I was content to ride my 7 to the next iteration until all the raves for the 8’s extra convection gave me a bit of FOMO.

Luckily, I’m broke so it’s casual at best. Also, try as I might, I just can’t get down with the 8’s looks. The 7 is just so clean…

 

[gordontreeman]

That’s funny bc I was content to ride my 7 to the next iteration until all the raves for the 8’s extra convection gave me a bit of FOMO.

I can see that, but for me if I wanted a convection vape there are other models that I would look at. The appeal of the fw to me was actually that it was a hybrid, as well as the looks and the form factor. I actually don’t mind the looks of the 8, though I am in the crowd that thinks the 7 looks a little better put together.

The ux of the 8 with the capsules and batteries (and I guess do we know if there’s a wpa option yet?) just makes me question if it’s something that would pass a reach test for me, or be just enough of a pain that it comes out but once a blue moon.

 

[cx714]

I can see that, but for me if I wanted a convection vape there are other models that I would look at. The appeal of the fw to me was actually that it was a hybrid, as well as the looks and the form factor.

I wouldn’t want it for just that but the FW7’s my go-to travel vape— unbeatable mix of form factor, performance, and flavor. If the 8 were that with more convection…

 

[Steel28]

I write this without pretension ...
I am pleased to have a chance today to own a large collection of vaporizers : P80 lamart, OWW, dreamwood, TRWW, edstnt, vapman, dougswoodery, dovetailwoodwork etc ...
And today, I was pleasantly surprised to discover this vape. What a wonderful surprise !
After Anvil by Vestratto, I didnt think it would be possible.

https://imgur.com/a/zDMXsfC

As much as I love Anvil I forgot last time I used it since getting FW8

 

[noobvaperct]

Hey all. I received my group email to order the 8. I’ve tried to skim some pages here to see if it’s worth grabbing and honestly I feel like i’ve read mixed reviews so I don’t really know what to do here. I know this is off topic but I am happy with my TM2, just wanted to know if the FW8 is worth it?

 

[games-loaves0t]

I received my group email

What group are you in? Also, there is a TM2 vs FW8 thread that you might find useful. I think the summary is that they compliment each other. Though, you’re asking a bunch of people with a disease called VAS, so what else would you expect.

 

[gordontreeman]

Hey all. I received my group email to order the 8. I’ve tried to skim some pages here to see if it’s worth grabbing and honestly I feel like i’ve read mixed reviews so I don’t really know what to do here. I know this is off topic but I am happy with my TM2, just wanted to know if the FW8 is worth it?

I don’t have a fw8 so massive grain of salt with my response: I think the people enthusiastically embracing the capsules and battery packs are honeymooning or just really like the maker. I don’t think it has the ux that the 7 did, and as it leans more convection it seems like it wouldn’t be as great a complement to the tm as the 7 was. If you enjoy collecting and aren’t on a budget go for it, but if the money is tight or you’re looking for a daily driver I don’t think you’re missing out by saving your money.

Obviously this is just my opinion based on impressions from this thread, and I suspect many 8 owners will disagree. Only posting to provide a counterpoint; as someone else acknowledged many of us on fc aren’t necessarily making these decisions from a place of logic .

 

[attackpoints]

Agree with @gordontreeman

I'm in group D and also got the email to put in an order.

I'm gonna pass for right now personally. I have other vapes that I've purchased recently and mostly it's just that I'm very happy with my 7 as is. I think I would be tempted by the 8 if I didn't have it but the battery pack and capsules are negatives to my use style and I don't find the looks as nice.

If you're a collector it makes sense, and if you don't have other vapes that are satisfying you/missed a 7 and want a firewood, the 8 seems like a great option.

 

[Shit Snacks]

Hey all. I received my group email to order the 8. I’ve tried to skim some pages here to see if it’s worth grabbing and honestly I feel like i’ve read mixed reviews so I don’t really know what to do here. I know this is off topic but I am happy with my TM2, just wanted to know if the FW8 is worth it?

Most of the mixed reviews I've seen are about the capsule system, which really is a removable swappable chamber system, so I think as long as you can figure that out for your needs, if it can fit for you, then there's nothing to worry about... Anyone who bought it seems to already be fine with the battery pack situation, not seeing any mixed reviews on those (or performance) really?

And even though the design has changed a bit for more convection heating with the hybrid system, the user interface is exactly the same actually... True I don't know how well it would compliment a TM now, but they are still quite different from each other. I think you just need to decide if the FW8 style, use, and specifics appeal to you??

 

[gordontreeman]

And even though the design has changed a bit for more convection heating with the hybrid system, the user interface is exactly the same actually...

Just to clarify in case this was something of a response to my post, I get that the ui is the same as the 7 in the sense of controlling the vape via the same combinations of button presses and vibration counts. I meant the overall user experience of having these swappable capsules/chambers that need to be managed if you need to load another bowl while still hot, or needing to swap in a $50 molicel that is wrapped in wooden paneling (granted it’s nice looking paneling, but it’s still just a molicel in there) potentially precluding/dissuading users from having multiple batteries to swap out when one is dead.

That’s all going to be part of the overall user experience is all that I was highlighting.

 

[Shit Snacks]

Just to clarify in case this was something of a response to my post, I get that the ui is the same as the 7 in the sense of controlling the vape via the same combinations of button presses and vibration counts. I meant the overall user experience of having these swappable capsules/chambers that need to be managed if you need to load another bowl while still hot, or needing to swap in a $50 molicel that is wrapped in wooden paneling (granted it’s nice looking paneling, but it’s still just a molicel in there) potentially precluding/dissuading users from having multiple batteries to swap out when one is dead.

That’s all going to be part of the overall user experience is all that I was highlighting.

Ah I see now, the term UX confused me to apply more to the actual software related to the button pressing haha all good Thanks for the clarity, I think you've been very clear about this, as has everyone, about those being the two biggest drawbacks with the FW8? Just is what it is I guess... I don't really care about the battery situation frankly, but exactly what you are describing about the user experience with the swap/ removable chamber capsules, that is going to be a total adjustment since it is tricky if they do not lock secure into the oven (maybe that is an improvement that can be made in the future)

 

[gordontreeman]

Yeah, for sure. I am not meaning to beat a dead horse with those two points . In this case since most of us are admittedly hobbyists or down bad with vas I was just providing a counterpoint. I think they’re not ideal and maybe Marc will consider incorporating some of this feedback in a future fw9, but I respect that he’s also mostly doing this out of love rather than building vapes as some kind of get-rich-quick-scheme. He can kinda do whatever he wants.

 

[Shit Snacks]

Yeah, for sure. I am not meaning to beat a dead horse with those two points . In this case since most of us are admittedly hobbyists or down bad with vas I was just providing a counterpoint. I think they’re not ideal and maybe Marc will consider incorporating some of this feedback in a future fw9, but I respect that he’s also mostly doing this out of love rather than building vapes as some kind of get-rich-quick-scheme. He can kinda do whatever he wants.

Haha yeah, and likewise, I think the battery discussion especially though, it's never going to change, he was always headed toward this conclusion (after FW4 fiasco)

 

[EarthworldTim]

The new proprietary battery can be charged externally via a USB c port correct? To me that's a huge difference maker for a proprietary battery and something I don't think I knew until recently.

 

[games-loaves0t]

FW4 fiasco

What was the FW4 fiasco? I tried to search this thread, but I couldn't find the situation you've referenced.

 

[Shit Snacks]

The new proprietary battery can be charged externally via a USB c port correct? To me that's a huge difference maker for a proprietary battery and something I don't think I knew until recently.

Yes exactly

What was the FW4 fiasco? I tried to search this thread, but I couldn't find the situation you've referenced.

There was a problem with a batch, something not correctly done and there was safety issue damage and recall... After that Marc fixed them for everyone and didn't have any sort of issue like this with the five or six, nor the seven, but the seven had its own problems with batteries here and there as the others probably did, so it was always a goal to improve... Finally the mailing laws for e-cig and battery stuff has gotten much more restrictive, I think that was a very large driving factor as well!

 

[gordontreeman]

If you go back some pages there was a small issue with the first batch of the 8 too. I think it’s going to be hard for anyone but the really big outfits (with the resources to build a qc team) to totally avoid the inherent risks of storing a lot of energy in a small form factor. I guess it’s why to me just telling users to source an effective 18650 seems like the move to me.

E: to add the note about qc from a place like e.g. s&b.

 

[Not Invented Here]

I think the actual performance of the 8 is better than the 7. It extracts insanely fast and evenly. It's a lot harder to combust than in the 7. I like the capsules for the pre-loading and reloading very much, however the spent abv capsules are annoying, they spill abv every time when I dump them out of the chamber, if you just cashed the bowl they're too hot to go on your hand, if you let it cool to dead cold they get stuck because of the thermal contraction and/or coagulating condensate. I notice the simplified glass mouthpiece tends to get clogged with honey oil easier than the one with plastic grommets holding it together. I miss a WPA on the 8. I haven't cleaned it yet but pretty much all the ceramics come out to be soakable so that's awesome. I rather like the look of it. Sure the 7 looks clean as fuck (stunning, flawless, iconic) but the 8 is still obviously a masterwork in craftsmanship. I love the lil screw oven lid. Overall, it's not perfect but it goes kinda insane-o-style with cloud production. As a thermal extraction device it meets/exceeds expectations. Absolutely a cherished member of the family.

 

[DaVapeGuy]

I think the actual performance of the 8 is better than the 7. It extracts insanely fast and evenly. It's a lot harder to combust than in the 7.

Is the 7 easy to combust in? I feel like it is... some of my abv looked black while on default setting 2 (380F) yesterday.

I thought you couldn't combust at that low of temps? Or is it my technique causing the issue?

 

[Shit Snacks]

Is the 7 easy to combust in? I feel like it is... some of my abv looked black while on default setting 2 (380F) yesterday.

I thought you couldn't combust at that low of temps? Or is it my technique causing the issue?

Temp settings are relative, try holding the button down for less amount of time and drawing faster, packing less tight, less fine

 

[Not Invented Here]

I thought about my comparison for another day and vaped some dozens of bowls for science, I don't agree with my own suggestion that the 7 is any weaker than the 8. I think they both can extract as good as the other one for the most part. They both rip like mad. I think maybe the 7 just requires a bit more skill/technique compared to the 8. When I let other people try the 7 I usually feel obligated to tell them things like "let go of the button before you're done with your hit, otherwise the carry-over heating can char the edges" the 8 doesn't really do anything like that from what I can tell. The 8 is a bit more consistent with a low battery or a full one. You get clouds pulling fast or slow. You can hold the button in and take multiple hits off one heat cycle at all the default temps and clear the bowl without it running away into combustion. I fill the caps completely every time too and pack it tighter than I would pack a 7 bowl, and the draw resistance is never an issue, for comfort or combustion. So I guess the 8 is a little more reliable and consistent. Between the two vapes there's a flavor disparity, because of the 7's extra conduction I guess. I grew up on the mflb so I'm hardwired to like that direct conduction flavor. There is a slight drawback with the 8, that from dead cold, there is a longer time between the warm-up buzz and vapor production. It's not noticeable on the high settings but it takes a while to get vapor on the lowest setting starting from cold. So I guess the 7 leans more into immediacy and instant first draw vapor production at the cost of relatively easier combustion, while the 8 leans towards towards more accessible peak vapor production and less charring at the expense of some immediacy in the low-temp fresh-bowl use case.

 

[games-loaves0t]

Between the two vapes there's a flavor disparity, because of the 7's extra conduction I guess.

Can you elaborate more on the flavor disparity? Do you find better flavor/longer lasting flavor with the 7 or 8?

I find the FW7 provides the most robust flavor profile, of any vape I’ve used, in the first two hits and then transitions to more of a popcorn flavor.

 

[MMJane]

So I was using my wood conditioner on my FW8 and a teeny bit got by the air intake holes. I used a tool and cleaned it asap. I didn’t think anything of it as it was a mere trace.

Well, I’m an idiot and I had forgotten to remove the inner ceramic air path elbow. Apparently the teeny bit of conditioner was enough to soak into the elbow and leave what looks like a damp spot.

Is this like…bad to use? Will an ISO soak clean it up ok? Should I get a replacement and not use it in the interim? Am I blowing this out of proportion and it’s fine? I have no idea.

I feel like one of those lost 15 year olds on Reddit asking if their weed has mold on it.

Am I gonna die if I use my vape? Heheh. Ok maybe not that dramatic, but I don’t want to make myself sick. I got enough issues already!

Can someone offer suggestions to put my overactive brain at ease? In the interim, I’ve swapped to my backup TM. I’m awaiting… something. /shrug

(Maybe for my vape to fix itself, but I’m pretty sure that won’t happen)