OF
Well-Known Member
I have a suggestion for an 'unclog tool' for our favorite device. I too have had to clean the 'flue' out a few times (more often I think with some oils than others). Not doing so seems to lead to a tarball getting blown up the pipe into the mouthpiece.
At first I figured I was clearing out the condensed vapor on the inverted 'sail maker's needle' I use. I've set it in a pin vice with just enough exposed to almost contact the heater before the chuck of the pin vice hits the tip of the tube. The eye of the needle was a big help stripping the oil from the walls and getting it out. Then I realized I was going about it all wrong, and wasting oil to boot. When I didn't clean the needle with IPA after each pass, it eventually pushed the extra back into the second chamber where it vaporized again.....no loss. Too much could no doubt swamp it, but once the air path is again clear, the excess oil seems to get used up quickly.
The issue is the needle and pin vice don't travel well.
The solution was just a bit further down the 'sewing stuff' counter, the humble safety pin! Turns out the standard number 3 pin (two inches OAL) is spot on for length near as I can measure. The ones I have are about 1.5 inches from spring to tip, the spring stops the point just shy of the spot my carefully adjusted needle and pin vice allow. The pin fits very neatly in the carry case, in the small plastic bag with a couple of spare (different) oils in one of the nets. Since I sometimes go out with just the unit in my pocket, I'm considering putting one in my wallet (I'm well past the age of carrying a condom there, so I've got the space.....), and will no doubt put a few in the car 'just in case'.
BTW, I also scrapped the AC adapter that came with the kit. Too big IMO, the inch or so cube made for the IPhone and other 'Apple stuff' is much smaller, provides more power and leaves space for one of those small 'car cigarette lighter to USB' supplies. Now I have ability to charge from a computer, the wall or a car as needed.
Just in case anyone cares?
OF
At first I figured I was clearing out the condensed vapor on the inverted 'sail maker's needle' I use. I've set it in a pin vice with just enough exposed to almost contact the heater before the chuck of the pin vice hits the tip of the tube. The eye of the needle was a big help stripping the oil from the walls and getting it out. Then I realized I was going about it all wrong, and wasting oil to boot. When I didn't clean the needle with IPA after each pass, it eventually pushed the extra back into the second chamber where it vaporized again.....no loss. Too much could no doubt swamp it, but once the air path is again clear, the excess oil seems to get used up quickly.
The issue is the needle and pin vice don't travel well.
The solution was just a bit further down the 'sewing stuff' counter, the humble safety pin! Turns out the standard number 3 pin (two inches OAL) is spot on for length near as I can measure. The ones I have are about 1.5 inches from spring to tip, the spring stops the point just shy of the spot my carefully adjusted needle and pin vice allow. The pin fits very neatly in the carry case, in the small plastic bag with a couple of spare (different) oils in one of the nets. Since I sometimes go out with just the unit in my pocket, I'm considering putting one in my wallet (I'm well past the age of carrying a condom there, so I've got the space.....), and will no doubt put a few in the car 'just in case'.
BTW, I also scrapped the AC adapter that came with the kit. Too big IMO, the inch or so cube made for the IPhone and other 'Apple stuff' is much smaller, provides more power and leaves space for one of those small 'car cigarette lighter to USB' supplies. Now I have ability to charge from a computer, the wall or a car as needed.
Just in case anyone cares?
OF