Discontinued Lil' Bud by Vapwood

[Bravesst]

Greetings ppl !
Last night was Lil' Bud waxing night! I have made a paste that i use to polish my lathe woodworking projects which contains beeswax and drug store parafin oil. I melt them together in a bain-marie and let them cool. The paste u get is soft and spreads amazingly well on wood. I used a hairdryer to warm the wooden body and then applied the paste. Let it get absorbed by the wood and then wipe with a cloth. The results were amazing. That wood feels damn smooth.
After the cleaning and waxing,i grabbed a fresh battery and... Heaven!
Three stem loads in about 3 hours.
Load material was homegrown Malawi x PCK which cures for about 8 months now. Its kinda "oily" strain and that long curing period time really brought things out. Damn amazing floral taste at the beginning but when the real roasting time comes, it has an unbelievable "roasty nut with caramel" profile. Plz dont laugh, its true!
Its a 60/40 sativa indica strain so the more u push the temps, the more "stoney" u get.
So, three stems and each stem with a different way.
The first one was "hitted" for about 4 draws with really dense and tasty vapor. No "roasting nuts" here. Didnt want to "go for sleep" so soon .
For the second one i pushed it a bit further and after 4 draws of tasty vapor, i stirred and took two more hits, with dense vapor but now the "roasty" profile emerged. Damn nice high.
For the last stem, since it was sleeping time, after my first 4 draws i stirred for about 4-5 more times to really roast that load. Damn amazing caramel and nut profile. And the eyes were shutting
I really love the way u can cook the load in that unit. U can really tell when u need to stir and when u need to push a bit more on temp to get the most out of it without scorching the load ( that also requires some learning curve, since when i first got my Bud, i was almost scorching my loads every time till i get the grip on it and get familiarized with the "push-draw" technique).
So, right below i am posting my "after session" results with Fresh herb at the left edge, side by side with my three different load after vaping.
The one on the left was from first stem.
The middle one was from the second stem and the right one was from my third stem.
I also took a pic from my charger to see what happened to that battery after all that. It shows 3.8V from 4.20. Not bad at all !
Cheers guys!

My Lil waxed Bud !

Three stems material after vaping.

Charger at CH1 show 3.8v from a 4.2v fresh battery after an almost three hour "session"

A very cool post indeed.

One visit to the master and my coiling skills have improved . More consistent results, more easily achieved. As I watched @Alan *roll* a coil with his fingers, and thought i could never do this, I now know I was wrong. That alone was worth the entire trip, not to mention all the other ideas i was exposed to. Fascinating experience, and one we will all benefit from. Big day.

Batch 4/5 is gonna be awesome.

 

[beyond6strings]

There may be better ways to prepare for a busy day ahead than with the Lil' Bud with a fresh batt, clean screen, and well-ground and tamped Blue Dream with a side order of Amnesia Haze. But I'll be damned if I can think of one...especially now.

Have a great day FCers.

 

[P.A.M.]

That's great news , Mike. The coil is pretty much the only area you had posted having some sort of "writter's block" with. Happy for you the trip paid off and that coil building is becoming easier and consistent, just like you managed to do with other steps of the build. Congrats on another breakthrough !

I can't speak for all of us but can read from posts and reviews that the Lil' Bud is a great vape. Most of us have shared similar and positive results, indication the Lil'Buds are of quality and consistent.

Looking forward to batch 4/5 . Proud to have a pre-Denver era LB, you already had nailed it with the first batches, great days ahead for the Lil' Bud!

 

[Alan]

@Bravesst - It was great to see you during your vacation to Denver. Seemed like it was too short (as vacations always are). So many more ideas to discuss and products to make. At least you got to try my sourdough waffles. I have still tasted no better.

Glad I was able to provide you with a few more tips on creating the perfect spiral coil shape. It is responsible for the efficiency of Lil’ Bud. So the better the coil shape, the better the performance. My new Lil’ Bud performs so well too. Very comparable to the iHeat which is no surprise as they both use the same spiral coil design. I’m using my LB as much as my IH now. My Lil’ Bud weighs 123 grams with and 77 grams without the battery. It is amazingly light in weight and so easy to use.

I may have come up with the overall design concept, but you created Lil’ Bud. It is the precision wood working that really makes LB special. The seam between the switch box and body is very tight and precise. The wood is so smooth and flat that I am amazed. The battery cover is just great the way it fits. Many people can conceive of an idea, but it takes someone special to actually create the object. You definitely nailed the design for Lil’ Bud. It can only get better from here. So nice to see all the positive reviews from Lil’ Bud owners. Hope to see many more great reviews. In my opinion, Lil’ Bud is the best unregulated, on-demand, convection portable unit on the market today. Just wait until they see what comes next for Lil’ Bud.

Cool! I didn't know there was a thread for the vapor lung . Awesome , thanks @chimpybits !

Here's a freshly made Vapor Lung with the LB

Edit : @kaisersosay415 , from the website :

Button Switch & Draw Speed
The unit is *turned on* by the depression of the switch. Press to generate heat, but be sure to adjust draw speed to *pull* the heat into the stem. Coordinating button depression and draw speed is the key to good performance, but be sure to never press button without inhaling. Limit continuous button depression to 10 to 15 seconds. Feathering, or intermittent depression of the button may help you control the amount of heat that enters the herb chamber.

....
Looks like you are good to go when I want a faster hit or on a low battery I give the heater an extra second prior to drawing .

Thanks for posting the Vapor Lung video. So neat to be able to see the density of the vapor leaving the wood tube and entering the bottle. It demonstrates how effective LB is at producing thick vapor. That is so cool that the wooden tube stays in the LB well enough that you can pull on the bag without pulling the tube out. No worry about lip stick accidents when using a wooden tube with LB. I like how quickly and easily you can inhale the entire bottle of vapor. The flavor is just amazing. They are perfect for parties and people new to vapor. No way they can accidentally damage the vaporizer by coughing back into a bong which can send dirty bong water into the vaporizer. Accidents do happen. If there is no way to open / clean the vaporizer, some nasty things could start growing inside. This is a concern with any vaporizer made from any material when using a water pipe. Lil’ Bud is unique in that it can be taken apart (as you know) and totally dried out if a water accident happens. A hair drier blown through the 18mm hole to warm up the vaporizer will evaporate any water remaining after shaking out as much as possible. A hair drier is also a great way to heat up the wood so that the wax finish can be polished. A bit of beeswax on the heated wood will eliminate most water stains. Lil’ Bud also allows you to shine a pen light into the air inlet holes and see the condition of the wood inside without having to take it apart. You can easily see the spiral coil heater which is very neat. There is really nothing to go wrong with the Lil’ Bud and it will last a long time if proper care is taken.

 

[Bravesst]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have to say, I was a bit apprehensive when @Alan took his first hit on LB. Took him about 20 seconds to figure it out. What an amazing experience, getting the seal of approval from someone so talented, with such high standards. I'm humbled. Yes, I did take LB to fruition, but without that genius design, I'd still be trying to figure it out. People are amazed at how LB went from drawing board to on the market in a few months. Great design.

The honest truth, I want to put an ass kicking vape in your hands. It's not just about profit, but rather pouring my heart and soul into every piece I produce. I couldn't ask for a better *new career*. I hope to build many, many LB's, as well as other ingeniously designed vapes.

Pre and post Denver... I like that. I'm sipping on a post Denver unit now - assembled a few of them today. The coil fit the unit like a glove. Yes, Lil' Bud has gotten bumped up to a new level, once again. Even cosmetically, LB will improve based on some simple suggestions. But man is it smooth. I am so happy I went to Denver, and those truly were the best waffles I ever had.

@P.A.M. knows the deal, the coil can be a formidable aspect of every build. It just got faster to build, with even more efficient performance. The unit body seems to be staying a little cooler, which is probably why it's more efficient (more heat in the load).

Seeing the lung in person makes it that much better. For a party, it's a great idea. I hate having to explain vaping to a non vapist. Watching it pull all that vapor out of LB was pretty incredible. I have to make one for guests. For the most part, I vape alone, but every once in a while I'll have someone over who smokes.

I love the post Denver concept. I guess it was inevitable that LB would get bumped up a bit, and the reason I went. I was lucky enough to meet some really good friends and quality people, and be exposed to a tremendous amount of fascinating information and creations at the same time.

Thanks for all the great words, both @Alan and the rest of FC.

 

[Zabou]

"THE THREE HOLES"

I think theese three little cute holes are a whole individual chapter and their use is mandatory. They take Lil Bud to another level and if some of u guys that already got a Lil Bud dont use them, its time to start practicing . I find the way they are drilled genius. Its not just airflow holes that lets air enter the coil chamber. The way they are positioned , makes it easy for the user to close one of them (or all of them for extra experienced users) and regulate the cold air that gets to the coil bumping things up. Since i am very well familirized with my Vapcaps, the option of pumping temps up by closing air intake holes is awesome. I really LOVE how easily i can "build" amazing clouds just by loooong slow draw with one hole shut and when that air feels hot, to release the button and open the hole, letting fresh air come inside coil chamber, load and lungs making the hit super smooth.
Today i crack opened a vase of a three months curing Malawi. A 100% sativa strain which is so frosty and covered with trichomes that at noon i got almost one hour of happy sipping session with one fecking stem. I I got amazed from the fact that even after 10-12 draws the damn load was still light brown. Damn blond ! And the clouds were really nice.
Conclusion for those lucky guys that live in towns with weed dispensaries ***
Top notch weed and Lil Bud rocks !!
Get the best and test! U ll be amazed
Cheers!

 

[DirtyD]

Went and partially (mostly) plugged the three holes with small pieces of wine cork. Each hole still has a lil bit of air coming in though. Oh boy. Amps up clouds big time. I left a bit of cork sticking out, for easier removal. Nice to leave 2 side ones plugged and just use front one open also. Loving this thing... Cheers, D.

 

[P.A.M.]

"THE THREE HOLES"

Lol , yeah man, what I referred to as "playing the flute" in one of my vid's . I like em' a lot. I wouldnt say they are mandatory, as the LB works pretty good without fiddling of the holes. They do bring a whole individual chapter as you say I always use them, it's now a natural, thoughtless process that doesn't make the operation any more difficult . It's fun if anything !

They act as temp control or what i like to call "choking and stoking your fire " , in relation to controlling a fire with your wood stove's air intake or blowing on your campfire .

its as intuitive as smoking a pipe or bong with a choke hole , or like the vapcap M for example. Told a friend to come pick up my vc since I haven't used it since receiving the LB, i have my HI log for back up and pretty confident my LB won't give . If anything a post Denver LB on the other hand could make for a fun double fista

Edit : good idea on the cork @DirtyD , I thought of blocking them, I personally like keeping one open , use my thumb to cover one side and index to cover front. I can partially cover the remaining hole with the inside of my hand if 'going there' lol. It's cool we're all using the holes in different ways

 

[Zabou]

Lol , yeah man, what I referred to as "playing the flute" in one of my vid's

True! If i remember correct it was in your early videos. Damn happy to discover what u meant back then. Tbh i thought it was the push-release button technique

Went and partially (mostly) plugged the three holes with small pieces of wine cork.

Hahaha, u remind me with my woody-ti. I have the carb closed full time and i use mouthpulls every time with my vapcaps. Hehehe

I wouldnt say they are mandatory, as the LB works pretty good without fiddling of the holes.

Well said. Mandatory if u want to get Lil Bud's experience to a whole new level is the right word indeed.

Cheers and good morning!

 

[Bravesst]

Batch 4 / 5 - Cherry / Cherry

I'm glad you guys are finding your way so nicely, and that LB can lend itself to so many preferences. I'm working feverishly on batch 4/5. About 8 units are ready to go, need 20. I still need to form coils for the remaining units, but I've got most of the bodies built, may have to crank out another few. On a break right now, gonna try and prep another few for final assembly before I call it a day. Can't make coils as I stupidly ran out of wire (I know a roll is here somewhere). Having some overnighted, but not here yet. Not like there's that many parts.

Parts List

1. 18 gauge stranded wire
2. 12 mm switch
3. 2 battery terminals
4. 2 wire ring connectors
5. COIL (2 but splice connectors, wire mesh)
6. wood disk
7. 20 mm basket screen
8. 6 wood screws (#2 and #4)
9. wood
10. beeswax

You'd think it would be pretty easy to not run out of stuff.

 

[Bravesst]

I should mention that in the pic above the units have been roughed up after their first coat of beeswax. I'm still not sure if I'll just apply heat, allowing the already soaked in beeswax to flow, or apply a finishing touch of beeswax as well.

Did something interesting on my last load. I pushed the 12mm basket screen way back in the stem. The session was smooth, cool, tasty. Not sure if it will be harder to load, clean. It's set in there about an inch, but my throat has been a bit sensitive lately, and this seems to help.

 

[beyond6strings]

Did something interesting on my last load. I pushed the 12mm basket screen way back in the stem. The session was smooth, cool, tasty. Not sure if it will be harder to load, clean. It's set in there about an inch, but my throat has been a bit sensitive lately, and this seems to help.

And I did something just the opposite and I love that too. Last night, after a very, very long day that started at 4am and didn't end until after midnight, I thought that I should try out a domed screen on the LB. Holy fuck. For the way I grind, load, and draw this works the best for me. I'd actually shipped out a bunch of domed screens to a friend here on FC cuz I wasn't using them. I only sent him fresh un-used ones so I still had a few laying around.

Most of the decisions I make after midnight don't turn out nearly as well as the domed screen decision last night.

Happy Day LB FCers

EDIT: I've loved my LB since day 1. So tasty, such thick vapor, great extraction and really lovely ABV. But the domed screens took it to another level. As a fan of Spinal Tap, it turned it up to 11

And just proves again how everyone can tweak this vaporizer to suit their needs. I tried a session convection vaporizer last night, one of mine I've not used in 4-5 months, and it just can't compare to what the LB provides. Not even close. And kills batteries way faster than the LB too.

My VAS is currently quenched.

 

[P.A.M.]

Right on @beyond6strings , love reading your posts . Same for @Zabou and @DirtyD . Indeed the Lil' Bud is one excitement after another . It really never ceases to amaze and surprise me as well. I'll say it again, LB is very versatile and seem to work no matter what you do or how you do it. The beauty of it is , everyone finds a way that works well for them!

I received my ten screens I won in auction . Not bad for 0.25$!!! (2.5 cents a screen lol) Is that what you mean by domed screen, @beyond6strings ? I flatten the dome (screen on the Right) abit to make it more like a basket , nO air gap between screen and stem wall at all

 

[beyond6strings]

Right on @beyond6strings , love reading your posts . Same for @Zabou and @DirtyD . Indeed the Lil' Bud is one excitement after another . It really never ceases to amaze and surprise me as well. I'll say it again, LB is very versatile and seem to work no matter what you do or how you do it. The beauty of it is , everyone finds a way that works well for them!

I received my ten screens I won in auction . Not bad for 0.25$!!! (2.5 cents a screen lol) Is that what you mean by domed screen, @beyond6strings ? I flatten the dome (screen on the Right) abit to make it more like a basket , nO air gap between screen and stem wall at all

I think I may have used the wrong phrase; I think what I'm using are actually top hats. Not domed. My bad.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073WQJYRS/ref=nav_timeline_asin?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[DirtyD]

Those basket screens, (Not top hat) pushed in " backwards " from mp end of stem. Keep it a bit over 1/4 inch from bowl end of stem. Just flatten out the screen with tool. = you happy!

 

[Bravesst]

Good Saturday. No shop time today, off to work in Manhattan, teaching fire safety at Rockefeller center.

Yup, i where many hats, but my passion is building Lil' Buds. Ill be back at it tomorrow. Ive ordered some cool new hand tools, and im like a kid in a candy store just dying to try them out.

Its time to form the remaining coils for this batch. All wires, connectors, disks, are prepped, nothing left to do but form the magic coils.

 

[beyond6strings]

Those basket screens, (Not top hat) pushed in " backwards " from mp end of stem. Keep it a bit over 1/4 inch from bowl end of stem. Just flatten out the screen with tool. = you happy!

That's how I'd been using the screens that came with the LB. And I liked it. But the top hats work even better. For me. Not sure why, but I'd guess they just work better for the way I grind, load, tamp, draw and use the button. Everybody's formula for success is a little different. Which is why I like un-regulated on-demand vaporizers. I have a decent session vaporizer, but never use it, and don't think I even list it as part of my 'kit' because I can't customize it to fit my 'style'. With the LB, Mi & vapcaps I can.

 

[DirtyD]

Had great results with top hat screens, need to revisit using them, they were awesome.
Love the backward basket screens, microdose- push screen to 1/8 or 1/16 inch from hot end of mp. Make any size bowl u want. Every day I use this vape I like it more... I just keep getting better at getting the type of hit I want... what a fun yet face melting vape. Still learning but getting really really good at using this versatile, simple ,amazing machine. Cheers! D. ( face melted)

 

[Bravesst]

Great job personalizing your sessions. You should know, the heavier the screen, the more heat will be required, as the metal will steal it away. No big deal, LB has plenty of heat, you just might notice a slight decrease in battery efficiency.

Any one who's purchased LB, and doesn't already have one, will be in this upcoming batch (4 and 5). I'm going to keep it open for a couple more days, so if you want to be in this upcoming batch, now's the time.

Those who already are in batch 4/5, who just made a down payment (balance due), I'll be sending out individual emails. I realize not every reads the thread, but if you do, you can pay that balance at any time and save me some work.

Batch 6 will really start to dig into the waiting list!

paypal: vapwood420@gmail.com

 

[Bravesst]

Today was a very productive day. I have 15 wire mesh little tennis nets ready to be rolled, by hand, into the spiral coil form that powers LB. It took a few days of prep work, but tomorrow it will pay off.

Gonna try and take some coil porn pics.

 

[namasteIII]

If you ever get bigger, maybe take the 420 out of that PayPal email. The don't seem to like what we do around here.

 

[P.A.M.]

My Combusting Buddy came over to pick up his "new to him" vapcap M . I don't use it anymore , knew he had liked it when trying it before, thought I'd hand it over in hopes he fucks combustion for good!! He got to try Lil'Bud . He made some huge clouds and found it tasty . I finished the bowl , packed another one for him to try it more , he said he was "good " , meaning was high enough lol.. he did give it a couple more draws to taste another strain. needless to say he was late home for supper .

I liked how easily he got it working, just like if we were smoking a joint or pipe . I find that important when initiating people to vaporizing . No training required . All I had to say was, press button and inhale .

 

[Bravesst]

If you ever get bigger, maybe take the 420 out of that PayPal email. The don't seem to like what we do around here.

Yes... let me make a correction.

paypal email: michael.stefano@gmail.com
NOTE - both will work

 

[beyond6strings]

So...Regarding my top hat screen use. It hasn't negatively affected my battery life. It's actually better. And here's why I think that's happening.

The SS screen does in fact gather heat. And holds it, much longer than wood does. I've got SS vpacaps and Ti vapcaps and the SS holds heat much, much longer. I'm not sure it's creating any conduction heating as it does on the vapcap, but it keeps the flower hotter than before, and because of that I'm not holding the button down nearly as long in my pre-heat or during the draw.

I'm also getting fuller and more even ABV, and longer sessions. BTW, I know this is personal to me, and the way I use my Lil' Bud. There's enough variables that I realize this wouldn't yield the same results for everyone. But it is for me, and that makes me happy.

 

[Bravesst]

Ten formed, five to go. After forming ten, my eyes look like the spiral coils.