BittenBagel
Member
So from what I see most people are buying the Pax from VapeWorld rather than Ploom is there a reason for that?
Discontinued Pax Vaporizer by Ploom
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JoeKickass
Well-Known Member
The key with the Pax is getting the bowl really compressed/packed in there, not just full with volume.
I think you'll find that find ground bud packed halfway (but press it tight down) will perform similarly to your full-to-the-brim bowls
HSIHP
Well-Known Member
Honestly Joe, I wouldn't doubt that but the stuff I have been able to get recently just does not pack down into half bowls. It is always a little bit loose and ends up not staying a block for long. I look forward to getting some better bud to see if that does the trick though!
JoeKickass
Well-Known Member
Honestly Joe, I wouldn't doubt that but the stuff I have been able to get recently just does not pack down into half bowls. It is always a little bit loose and ends up not staying a block for long. I look forward to getting some better bud to see if that does the trick though!
I think you'll be amazed how much of a difference it can make... try turning your grinder upside down to get a finer grind to see if it will pack better tho
Shrimpanzee
Member
Same price and same warranty, but VapeWorld throws in a free grinder. Also, Ploom is West coast and VapeWorld is East coast, so that might influence people who want speedier shipping.
I ordered mine (onyx) from Ploom on Wednesday before 2pm PST, but I still haven't received any shipping information
![:\](/i/s/hmm.gif "Hmm :\")
. Still says "processing" for my order on Ploom website when I look at my invoice.
Deadshort480
We're here to fuck shit up.
So, I've switched from the puffing technique to a single long, steady, slow draw. Works like a charm. Starting on low and moving up in temp offers many hits as well as the best taste IMO.
As much as I don't want to admit it, there is a slight learning curve to using this thing properly. I let someone try it today and he was pulling like he was trying to rip a bong hit. He just wouldn't listen to me. When he asked if he could pack a new chamber he tried to put a whole nug in it. Palm to face with a mighty head shake. Vaping isn't for everyone.
Oh, and a sprinkle of kief made for an even more pleasurable experience.
As much as I don't want to admit it, there is a slight learning curve to using this thing properly. I let someone try it today and he was pulling like he was trying to rip a bong hit. He just wouldn't listen to me. When he asked if he could pack a new chamber he tried to put a whole nug in it. Palm to face with a mighty head shake. Vaping isn't for everyone.
Oh, and a sprinkle of kief made for an even more pleasurable experience.
willieR
Been here since 2009
So just a touch did the trick. I'm thinking that the more metal that is left, the better the mechanical action. So I'll just slightly remove some stock. Did you try and cut more of a sharp edge or rounded edge?
Sure appreciate the insight. I'll probably head to hardware store for the file today
skrap
Well-Known Member
This also happened to my first pax. Very alarming when it doesn't stop heating up, overheats and begins flashing orange, which i assume is the overheat auto shutoff. I'm about 99% sure that the cause was a little iso got onto the electronics. This accidentally happened when I was trying to get the old mouthpiece un-stuck by putting a few drops around the stuck mouthpiece.
My replacement pax works perfectly, but no more iso, just cleaning when it's warm.
willieR
Been here since 2009
The Dude would be proud.
JoeKickass
Well-Known Member
Non-pax users can still hit it fast but the key is to preheat first. It helps if you wait several seconds after green and then do a few very slow draws to warm the bowl for them. When they take their hilarious hit it will cool down the bowl a bit so make sure to draw slow afterwards as well but as long as you space the newbies in-between slow draws I've found it isn't really an issue.
And like you discovered, they'll soon be wondering why you get bigger clouds drawing slowly
You want the right edge to be sharp and file down the left edge like Ploom did:
Now, I think I might have an interesting project/experiment for the mechanically inclined. Since I did my post on how the mouthpiece catch worked, I've been thinking about how to improve it to avoid sticking, and today I did my first try:
Can't see it?
Well, I realized we might not be able to do anything about the ring getting rough or sticky, but we cando something about increasing the grab on the catch that pulls the ring down. So I used a needle file:https://www.google.com/search?q=Needle Files&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS492US492&sugexp=chrome,mod=7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
The half-round one specifically, and I filed the notch to look more like the casing on a bullet. The flat side of the file is smooth so keep it at a / kind of angle and use the edge of the file to grind the left ridge only!
This way the little metal hook inside the body has more of an edge to catch onto and can pull down with more force on the little ring which should reduce sticking and give you a better chance if it does get stuck. I cleaned my mouthpiece right after I did this so it will be a while before I can say for sure, but it does feel and sound like a more solid mechanism though. I do have one of the original serial number mouthpieces and it has got sticky in the past so it should be a good test.
I can't even edit a post from yesterday!? Now I shall forever be know as "bowling out your cheeks guy"
JoeKickass
Well-Known Member
I think we want to copy the flat ramp of a bullet casing for maximum anti-sticking:
That way there's more room for the hook and it can grab more of the edge:
willieR
Been here since 2009
This is getting better by the minute. Hopefully more people besides me will benefit from this, JoeKA.
The left edge only gets filed down. We're copying the profile of the flat ramp of that bullet casing.
Your much appreciated drawing looks like we're also deepening the groove so the contact point (red) changes from the one on the left to the one on the right. Are you filing that left edge (bullet bevel) as well as deepening that groove?
Thank you and sorry if I'm testing your patience.
The left edge only gets filed down. We're copying the profile of the flat ramp of that bullet casing.
Your much appreciated drawing looks like we're also deepening the groove so the contact point (red) changes from the one on the left to the one on the right. Are you filing that left edge (bullet bevel) as well as deepening that groove?
Thank you and sorry if I'm testing your patience.
Shrimpanzee
Member
Ordered on Wednesday 1:40 PST. Delivered today. 2 day shipping for free, nice!
(I live in CO).
(I live in CO).
jambandphan03
in flavor country
shrimp...did you order from Ploom?
Shrimpanzee
Member
Yep. I never received the "tracking email", but they sent me the USPS tracking link via their support chat.
Shrimpanzee
Member
Small and cute, just like my bonsai!
jambandphan03
in flavor country
Cute 
I love my Pax too! So far I find it to be the most attractive portable vape on the market.
I love my Pax too! So far I find it to be the most attractive portable vape on the market.
JoeKickass
Well-Known Member
Yes that's right, originally I was worried about making it too deep but we can see Ploom made their version 2 deeper than I would ever want to take the time to file. And not at all! I'm more curious about why you don't like the feeling of the new mouthpiece so much...
Great pic! I love how easy it is to make art with the Pax!
Shrimpanzee
Member
Cute
Absolutely. Products that are packaged this well often exceed my expectations, and the Pax has succeeded in that regard.
This thing definitely works.
willieR
Been here since 2009
Thanks much JoeKA. I don't like the looser feel of the new mouthpiece and the rattling clunky operation. I think removing all that steel gives the travelling pieces less contact and stabilization.
Shrimpanzee
Member
I don't know what the original mouthpiece was like, but I agree with willie in that the new one has "rattling clunky operation".
Dammit
Well-Known Member
Still waiting for my mouth piece. I talked to a customer service rep at ploom on Wednesday and got my tracking number. It was shipped on the 11th, and last it shows leaving the USPS sort facility in Des Moines, IA on the 13th. It's probably held up at the border. I'll be pretty pissed if I get dinged for customs fees or something on a free replacement part. Customs can keep the damn thing!
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