Flight of Fists
Well-Known Member
mine cracked too on the inside...if I brush my finger along where the crack is there is no noticeable ridge or crack
Here's your chance to buy a D-nail Sapphire Halo!
- Thread starter herbivore21
- Start date
alittledabwilldoya'
Sapphire Powered Dabstronaut.
^^^ Whoa.
That thing is shattered.
@Oneiric @humpi @Flight of Fists
Which batch did your Sapphire Halos come from?
My understanding is that there have only been two commercial runs, plus the beta halos.
oneiric, your photo shows that you were using the washer between the heater and halo.
humpi and Flight of Fists, were you guys using one a washer as well?
Thermal shock?
How quickly do your controllers get the halos up to temperature?
What temps were you guys running @?
I doubt it has anything to do with high temps.
I clean my halo @ 850* all the time and have dabbed the hell out it.
What kind of carb-caps were used?
How old are these things and how much use have they seen?
What was the scenario in which they broke?
I am dismayed.
Sorry guys.
SiC is great, but it's no Sapphire.
That thing is shattered.
@Oneiric @humpi @Flight of Fists
Which batch did your Sapphire Halos come from?
My understanding is that there have only been two commercial runs, plus the beta halos.
oneiric, your photo shows that you were using the washer between the heater and halo.
humpi and Flight of Fists, were you guys using one a washer as well?
Thermal shock?
How quickly do your controllers get the halos up to temperature?
What temps were you guys running @?
I doubt it has anything to do with high temps.
I clean my halo @ 850* all the time and have dabbed the hell out it.
What kind of carb-caps were used?
How old are these things and how much use have they seen?
What was the scenario in which they broke?
I am dismayed.
Sorry guys.
SiC is great, but it's no Sapphire.
My batch was from the beginning of June.
Mine cracked after being on for about 2 hours at 650, which is the highest I have dabbed with it.
It cracked during my dab, shortly after I placed the carb cap on top.
Washer was kept between the dish and coil.
Using Dnail v2.0 Universal Carb Cap, which I HIGHLY recommend for any of the Halo's, even though cost is high.
I have a High5 v2 LCD Omron PID enail and flat coil. I would have bought a dnail coil but my high5 is incompatible. The enail heats pretty quickly, but as I mentioned, the unit had already been on for 2 hours that morning and it was my third dab of the day.
I only put a total of maybe 1.5g through it before it cracked.
I can still use it for now, but I'm SUPER cautious with it. I'm afraid that next time I try to clean it I might break it if I'm not careful. With the crack there, I'm sure the overall structural integrity has weakened.
If the other two reporting cracks are from my same batch, I am going to argue with Dnail that this recent batch seems to have some issues. I'm also pretty sure that we all have been following this thread and have been hearing all the warnings and tips/tricks that others have come up with to ensure we don't break ours. Also, I don't remember reading anyone else's dishes cracking before I posted here he other day. I've heard about the quartz halo cracking though.
I'm so torn because I love the dish, but I can't justify buying another one when I don't feel I did anything wrong and my dish broke in 3 days...$300 every 3 days isn't sustainable... Lol
Edit: I've also never cleaned it by turning up my coil. Just alcohol soaks and some scrubbing with a q-tip. I only cleaned it once, and would have done a 750 heat clean per the included instructions, but I never even used it enough to warrant a real cleaning before it broke.
Second edit: I understand that they claimed no warranty, and that they are selling these pretty much at cost, according to the email I got. However, if there was a problem with manufacturing that snuck past qc and got into this batch, Dnail should do something more than just sell us another one, especially with no form of assurance that this won't happen again. These reports of cracks also don't help the other sapphire customers who now might be nervous now like Gnosis; I know I would be.
Last edited:
I haven't put my coil past 581 since I received my sapphire dish. I honestly don't recall the exact time it cracked. I just noticed a weird line on the dish when I was about to dab.
I have my enail set up as so: slim series base > coil > heat retainer > dish.
Using a custom made carb cap, it fits the halo series perfectly. Doubt this is the reason.
I have my enail on for at least 8 hours day. And probably run through about .5-1g of distillate a day.
Order placed on June 15. I have probably been using it for 2 weeks now.
My buddy with a sapphire, who also got his from the same batch, is ok for now. But he is also getting nervous about all these cracks.
I have my enail set up as so: slim series base > coil > heat retainer > dish.
Using a custom made carb cap, it fits the halo series perfectly. Doubt this is the reason.
I have my enail on for at least 8 hours day. And probably run through about .5-1g of distillate a day.
Order placed on June 15. I have probably been using it for 2 weeks now.
My buddy with a sapphire, who also got his from the same batch, is ok for now. But he is also getting nervous about all these cracks.
Kinda a bummer, but glad to hear honest feedback on the sapphire halos. Thanks guys. Have/had one reserved, but saw the issues with cracking and think I'll hold off. Would love to have the sapphire, but $300 for what appears to be a very real risk is a bit steep right now.
Gn0sis
Well-Known Member
herbivore21
Well-Known Member
To give my experience re the sapphire cracking discussion:
I have dropped my current sapphire halo (my second one overall) 5 feet onto very hard floor and it didn't break. The sapphire dish hit the hard floor directly too! This sapphire halo has been left on and never over 540f almost 24/7 for longer than the life of one heater coil with no cracking!
On the other hand, my first sapphire halo did crack (but remained completely usable) from exactly the same drop onto the same hard surface. I can't provide any ground breaking (rimshot) advise here but to say don't drop your sapphire halo like I did. It will make you sad.
btw @humpi that custom carb idea sounds great - would love to see pics!
I have dropped my current sapphire halo (my second one overall) 5 feet onto very hard floor and it didn't break. The sapphire dish hit the hard floor directly too! This sapphire halo has been left on and never over 540f almost 24/7 for longer than the life of one heater coil with no cracking!
On the other hand, my first sapphire halo did crack (but remained completely usable) from exactly the same drop onto the same hard surface. I can't provide any ground breaking (rimshot) advise here but to say don't drop your sapphire halo like I did. It will make you sad.
btw @humpi that custom carb idea sounds great - would love to see pics!
I'm still in d-nail sticker shock, but my god their universal carb cap is outstanding. Perfect tight fit on the halo, very small and light weight. I do like the forked tip for leaving less leftover oil. The angle the air hole is drilled at is excellent. I'm duly impressed!
Monsoon
Well-Known Member
They improved on it too, I bought one a year ago and then recently and the newer one is much better due to the smaller hole and lower ceiling on the inside. Could just be due to different manufacturers but whatever works.
@Flight of Fists
Have you submitted a claim to dnail about your halo?
They're saying they only have 2 claims filed regarding cracks so far. I hope everyone that has experienced a mysterious and seemingly non-abuse related cracking of their Sapphire will so that they can properly diagnose what went wrong.
Thanks everyone.
Have you submitted a claim to dnail about your halo?
They're saying they only have 2 claims filed regarding cracks so far. I hope everyone that has experienced a mysterious and seemingly non-abuse related cracking of their Sapphire will so that they can properly diagnose what went wrong.
Thanks everyone.
Do we have any rough ideas on temp conversions for the sapphire halo's? I see dnail doesn't have that information available. I need to be around 360F for my meds, just hate cranking the heat up too much. 600F is a bit harsh for me, the low-mid 500's seems like a sweet spot with my setup.
fatty_tattoos
CBD Addict
this looks exactly like my quartz nail, like identical. Not the crack that is but the complexion/color/translucency. as others mentioned previously it looks wayyyy clear to be sapphire...i dont have a sapphire halo but i have the sapphire dish and its noticeably whiter/more opaque than the quartz, maybe they fucked up and sent ya a quartz? still doesnt explain the cracking tho
So my sapphire halo has started to show some cracks. 2 small cracks, they dont seem like they go all the way through, but I can see the end of this halo's life as it's now compromised. I plan on buying a SiC as a replacement because I don't feel like this product has the durability to reflect the cost. I have been extremely careful. =/
alittledabwilldoya'
Sapphire Powered Dabstronaut.
So my sapphire halo has started to show some cracks. 2 small cracks, they dont seem like they go all the way through, but I can see the end of this halo's life as it's now compromised. I plan on buying a SiC as a replacement because I don't feel like this product has the durability to reflect the cost. I have been extremely careful. =/
GAAAAHH!
That is very disappointing.
Where are the cracks?
Pics if you're bored.
Which batch did your Halo come from?
To my knowledge there have been two batches, one released in March another in June.
I think that most (if not all) reports of cracked Sapphire Halos are from the June release.
SiC is great, but it's no Sapphire; but it is w/o a doubt the best performance/cost material.
Ouch, What do you think caused this? Was it prolonged heating or thermal shock in your opinion? Can you tell me the thickness of the sapphire used in the Halos?
Maybe we can figure this issue out before the Liger sapphire inserts drop so it doesn't happen to them as well.
Maybe we can figure this issue out before the Liger sapphire inserts drop so it doesn't happen to them as well.
Here's the crack, the other one is in the clear base area and it's hard for me to get a good picture. The one in the base looks like it's inside the sapphire, whereas this one here appears to be coming from the outside in.
This halo was shipped out on June 14th.
I have no idea what caused it. I run mine between 530-740F. Usually at 620F. I've let it sit for 24 hours at 740F before. I've heard of people doing this at much higher temperatures? I pretty much just heated it, vaped off of it, and wiped with dry qtips after session. Never iso cleaned or any liquids touched it. As to the thickness? Maybe 2mm on the dish side and 3mm on the bottom?
fatty_tattoos
CBD Addict
Here's the crack, the other one is in the clear base area and it's hard for me to get a good picture. The one in the base looks like it's inside the sapphire, whereas this one here appears to be coming from the outside in.
This halo was shipped out on June 14th.
I have no idea what caused it. I run mine between 530-740F. Usually at 620F. I've let it sit for 24 hours at 740F before. I've heard of people doing this at much higher temperatures? I pretty much just heated it, vaped off of it, and wiped with dry qtips after session. Never iso cleaned or any liquids touched it. As to the thickness? Maybe 2mm on the dish side and 3mm on the bottom?
What type of bases is everyone who experienced the crack using? Type of coil? Wonder if theres a pattern...
Was on the list for a June batch halo myself and SOOO glad I backed out.
Having cracked a bunch of glass and quartz myself, dollars to doughnuts this is from thermal shock.
Lots of the pics I've seen have the retaining nut above the coil, this lack creates a lack of coverage between the bottom of the dish and the heater and would def be enough to cause the thermal shock required to crack a sensitive material like polycrystalline aluminum oxide. ( sapphire )
These dishes should be walked up and down in temp very slowly and with the heat distributed evenly to reduce the thermal shock.
Since most of these dishes came from the June batch I suspect a defect in crystalline structure. Perhaps grown too quickly, with impurities or gaps in the structure.
I wouldn't expect the future liger inserts to do any better and I'm shocked people actually believe d-nail is selling these at cost when their probably getting them for 50 to 100 tops and gauging price.
I have my own polycrystalline sapphire dish made to fit a 6mm Quartz banger due to arrive tomorrow and I'll be sure to report back how it goes when I get more oil. Hell maybe I'll even sell em, for a lot less than 300 tho.
Just so everyone knows aluminum oxide has three forms, the first d-nail dish and inserts that looked tan/ceramic which is allumina, the cloudy ones they use know which is polycrystalline, and a clear monocrystaline structure that's more clear.
Happy dabbing all.
Having cracked a bunch of glass and quartz myself, dollars to doughnuts this is from thermal shock.
Lots of the pics I've seen have the retaining nut above the coil, this lack creates a lack of coverage between the bottom of the dish and the heater and would def be enough to cause the thermal shock required to crack a sensitive material like polycrystalline aluminum oxide. ( sapphire )
These dishes should be walked up and down in temp very slowly and with the heat distributed evenly to reduce the thermal shock.
Since most of these dishes came from the June batch I suspect a defect in crystalline structure. Perhaps grown too quickly, with impurities or gaps in the structure.
I wouldn't expect the future liger inserts to do any better and I'm shocked people actually believe d-nail is selling these at cost when their probably getting them for 50 to 100 tops and gauging price.
I have my own polycrystalline sapphire dish made to fit a 6mm Quartz banger due to arrive tomorrow and I'll be sure to report back how it goes when I get more oil. Hell maybe I'll even sell em, for a lot less than 300 tho.
Just so everyone knows aluminum oxide has three forms, the first d-nail dish and inserts that looked tan/ceramic which is allumina, the cloudy ones they use know which is polycrystalline, and a clear monocrystaline structure that's more clear.
Happy dabbing all.
I have a lot of quartz and sic inserts, no cracking at all and I torch clean the piss out of all of my stuff. In fact I intentionally abuse them as I feel that is part of a beta testers responsibility. To be at least as rough on a product as the worst case scenario will be. I am actually involved with the CCA process and I know first hand that the owner cannot find a manufacturer to produce quality sapphire Liger inserts for the low prices you are quoting (but he may just not know where to look?). They are getting quotes of at least $200 per insert to meet the quality specifications needed to last. So CCA figures they won't be making much profit on their sapphire in hopes that it sells more Ligers. Josh was able to find plenty of lab grown sapphire, just none that met his expectations at a lower price point. Perhaps Dnail did the same, I have no idea as I don't have inside info on D-nail products.
If you really do know a source for inexpensive quality custom lab grown sapphire pass me the info and you might save everyone some money.
Gn0sis
Well-Known Member
I have a sapphire halo from the June batch....also shipped out June 14th. Mine is still going strong with no issues (knock on wood). One difference I notice in pics of people's cracked sapphires is that I put the heat retainer/spreader below the flat coil instead of above it. Also, this it's probably less relevant, but I'm using all d-nail gear as recommended on the sapphire halo purchase page.
The sapphire dish runs at 650F every day. Have pushed it to 900F before for an hour and left it on for about 5-6 hours at 860F several times as well.
The sapphire dish runs at 650F every day. Have pushed it to 900F before for an hour and left it on for about 5-6 hours at 860F several times as well.
Last edited:
alittledabwilldoya'
Sapphire Powered Dabstronaut.
Here's the crack, the other one is in the clear base area and it's hard for me to get a good picture. The one in the base looks like it's inside the sapphire, whereas this one here appears to be coming from the outside in.
This halo was shipped out on June 14th.
I have no idea what caused it. I run mine between 530-740F. Usually at 620F. I've let it sit for 24 hours at 740F before. I've heard of people doing this at much higher temperatures? I pretty much just heated it, vaped off of it, and wiped with dry qtips after session. Never iso cleaned or any liquids touched it. As to the thickness? Maybe 2mm on the dish side and 3mm on the bottom?
I have a sapphire halo from the June batch....also shipped out June 14th. Mine is still going strong with no issues (knock on wood). One difference I notice in pics of people's cracked sapphires is that I put the heat retainer/spreader below the flat coil instead of above it. Also, this it's probably less relevant, but I'm using all d-nail gear as recommended on the sapphire halo purchase page.
The sapphire dish runs at 650F every day. Have pushed it to 900F before for an hour and left it on for about 5-6 hours at 860F several times as well.
All of the Sapphire Halos pictured above have a much different appearance than my Sapphire Halo.
Mine is more opaque, and much whiter in color:
Brand new, never used:
Two from today:
It's still a bit dirty in those later two pics, but it cleans up clean as a whistle and looks brand new.
Mine comes from the first batch that was shipped in April.
I have been dabbing the hell out of it for the last four months @610*-620*.
I will clean it @850* and leave it @850* for hours on end.
All night.
All day when I'm at work.
And in between each set of dabs.
It's a workhorse, or more accurately an Arabian or some such.
I'll typically do two dabs, then crank it up to 999*, which will get a heater temp of ~850*.
What do other people's Sapphire Halos look like?
Are all the cracked halos of the more translucent variety?
It looks like the first batch are milky white and not very translucent (polycrystalline?), while the second are much more translucent (monocrystalline?).
Different lab/method/QC methods?
Regarding hardware I'm using a D-Nail Standard Flat Coil and a D-Nail V1.3 base with an Auber RDK-200 control unit.
I'm the only person here that I've seen using the old V1.3 base with a Sapphire Halo.
There's definitely more metal in the 1.3 base, so all other things being equal, it would heat at a slower rate + it's heat radiators are quite a bit more pronounced.
Probably a non-issue.
To me, with this small sample size, it looks more like a specific problem with the second batch.
I would keep the heater retainer between the heater and the halo.
I really think that the heater itself (Kanthal nichrome) will expand more when heated than the titanium heater retainer.
I'm afraid that heat expansion coming from below my Halo will cause it to become too tight and crack.
Another precautionary method is to keep it barely finger tight (I know that's old news).
Last edited:
herbivore21
Well-Known Member
Guys, my sapphire halo is still set up with a flat coil on top of the heater retainer and the halo bare on top of my coil (no retainer in-between). It has sat in this position for > 6 months with the heater left on the entire time (except for cleaning). My sapphire is still unbroken with no cracks/chips. I will say that I am and have always been ultra cautious about only very softly tightening the lug and only just enough to keep the halo on the base. I also do not ever raise the temp to clean it anymore. It sits at my dabbing temp and when I need to clean it I take the nail apart and use pressurized steam.All of the Sapphire Halos pictured above have a much different appearance than my Sapphire Halo.
Mine is more opaque, and much whiter in color:
Brand new, never used:
Two from today:
It's still a bit dirty in those later two pics, but it cleans up clean as a whistle and looks brand new.
Mine comes from the first batch that was shipped in April.
I have been dabbing the hell out of it for the last four months @610*-620*.
I will clean it @850* and leave it @850* for hours on end.
All night.
All day when I'm at work.
And in between each set of dabs.
It's a workhorse, or more accurately an Arabian or some such.
I'll typically do two dabs, then crank it up to 999*, which will get a heater temp of ~850*.
What do other people's Sapphire Halos look like?
Are all the cracked halos of the more translucent variety?
It looks like the first batch are milky white and not very translucent (polycrystalline?), while the second are much more translucent (monocrystalline?).
Different lab/method/QC methods?
Regarding hardware I'm using a D-Nail Standard Flat Coil and a D-Nail V1.3 base with an Auber RDK-200 control unit.
I'm the only person here that I've seen using the old V1.3 base with a Sapphire Halo.
There's definitely more metal in the 1.3 base, so all other things being equal, it would heat at a slower rate + it's heat radiators are quite a bit more pronounced.
Probably a non-issue.
To me, with this small sample size, it looks more like a specific problem with the second batch.
I would keep the heater retainer between the heater and the halo.
I really think that the heater itself (Kanthal nichrome) will expand more when heated than the titanium heater retainer.
I'm afraid that heat expansion coming from below my Halo will cause it to become too tight and crack.
Another precautionary method is to keep it barely finger tight (I know that's old news).
To add to the above, both of my sapphire halos (I was one of the very first to have one and have had sapphire halo for over a year) were white like my bro's halo in the post above. Never had any real translucency and the clear looking halo that is being commented on earlier really looks like a quartz halo to my eye.
Has anyone received one of the much more recent sapphire halos? I will say that between my first and second sapphire halo, the wicking pattern in the dish changed. This I was informed was a design choice that improved the wicking aspect. Have noticed little difference to the last one though in function, but this may be a subtle change.
alittledabwilldoya'
Sapphire Powered Dabstronaut.
Agreed.
What did the Beta wicking pattern look like?
My Halo's wicking pattern, which hailed from the first batch for public release, looks like a bunch of concentric circles (to the naked eye).