Stellar review
@RushVaporTrails , and much appreciated as always. The 2 amp switch has caused a lot of problems, and adapting the LB to the 3 amp switch hasn't been without its issues (big switch, little cavity), but at this point I've ironed them out, and now have 3 sources for 3 amp switches.
DNC CHIP UPDATE
DNC chips (2) arrived, along with some of the accessories necessary. Just like the LB Classic, the Elite is being driven by
@Alan 's imagination and design expertise, while I will execute and tweak every step of the way. That's a very powerful formula, and the reason we are rapidly moving forward on this project. Unfortunately (not for people waiting for their Classic), I can't even open the boxes until batch 7 has sailed.
Support for the project has been great. Beside the prototype sales (thank you), the down payment / waiting list option is beginning to sell, and I already have a list of parts / tools that I need to purchase to get started. DNC stuff is a little more expensive than just LB Classic parts.
Best way to support the project is to put $50 down and get on the waiting list. I just added an option to make a larger down payment, incrementally up to $300 (projected bare bones price). Any brave soul who opts to put down $300, I will lock your price in now, waive shipping, but accessories (mouth pieces / batts) will be added in later. Thanks FC, once again.
LB CLASSIC UPDATE
Our *old* standby is still improving. With each build I uncover a few nuances that improves either a process, or final result.
Improvements Discovered / Implemented During the Build of Batch 7
- Tighter / smaller coil
- Deeper groove for rear coil post
- Improvement in foil lining design, better coverage
- Two vent holes at 180 degrees apart, slightly higher
- 3 amp / 16 mm switch
- Larger, mortised switch box to accommodate switch / wiring
- Slightly deeper taper for mouthpiece (1mm)
- Use of bench top planer to achieve 100 percent consistency in thickness and width
- Upgrade of tablesaw joinery ability (new blade, better approach to cutting switch box).
- Improved wood finish
Maybe this is why batch 7 took so long. Once I figure out a tweak, I can't let a unit leave here without it. Some of the above tweaks have added some time to get just right (especially at first), but that's what it takes to do it right, and I'm doing my best to do that.
MID MORNING SHOP UPDATE
It's solder city as I create the mesh / post combo (tennis net) that'll form coils later today or tomorrow. The coils are really the only thing between and final assembly on the remainder of batch 7 - ahhh...
I've got a dozen coils working, and even today, I started to do something slightly different when attaching the wire to the mesh. Always looking for a better way, because there usually is one. Gonna look pretty as well as roast your herb perfectly.
The camera contraption will come out, and I'm really loving the idea of the birds eye view. I'll have to clean up my work bench cluttered with the dozens of different hand tools I use. For the coil forming, I only really need my trusty long philips (be lost without it), and a little end work maybe with a tweezers and / or really thin scratch awl to tweak the final product. I do have a flat needle nose pliers that sometime will come into play as well. You'll see...