Discontinued Pax Vaporizer by Ploom

[tokin1]

Just a quick thank you to all the helpful folks on this forum. I've been enjoying herbs for almost 30 years now, but never tried vaporizing before. I finally decided to take the plunge and after many days of research, you guys sold me on the Pax. I do not mind the cleaning issues, and I wanted to see what all the hype was like for myself in person.

This little device really has changed everything for me. The hits are so amazingly smooth unlike bongs and joints, etc. I can medicate practically anywhere I want and no one has any clue what the device is used for.

Even though I've been enjoying herbs for a very log time, I am still a notorious 'lightweight', and really do like to be as frugal as possible with my meds. So far I think the pax is a lot more efficient than burning in a pipe, but I can see where it can be improved. I've been playing around with different loads, and have been working with plume tech support on the proper loading methods. I'm now going very light (about 1/2 the bowl uncompressed) and then pushing that down as much as possible. That seems to be hitting very nicely with using a lot less herb on each load.

Again, thanks to all for your contributions here, especially people like Jambandphan, TehDude, Pakaloco, & many others. I'm just sorry I haven't discovered vaporizing years ago!

Peace & Pax!

 

[pakalolo]

I'm now going very light (about 1/2 the bowl uncompressed) and then pushing that down as much as possible. That seems to be hitting very nicely with using a lot less herb on each load.

That's the load I eventually zeroed in on. That's a bit more than a full trench in the LB. I tamp it down firmly but I don't bother trying to get it as tight as possible. In my experience I couldn't tell the difference.

 

[BittenBagel]

I asked them where can I get the lubricant and they ignored me =\

Well maybe they do not want to bring it out in the open yet? Not sure why they "Ignored" you? Did you go on the support chat?

 

[Purrito Purrpants]

Sorry if this is a little off-topic, but I was wondering if anyone here also has an HerbalAire. Now that I'm a vapor convert, I need a back up. I don't want to have to fuss with whips or balloons on the daily, so I think it might be the best choice. How does the vapor production compare to the Pax? I'm conflicted as to whether I should go for the HA or just get another Pax, since I like the Pax so much. However, I have found the Pax is a hungry beast when it comes to material, so I was looking for something that might also help me conserve a little. Thoughts?

 

[JoeKickass]

Now fellas tell me if any one knows the answer to this... Pax was made for tobacco only; why then do I get no clouds unless I fill her with mj instead...

That's hilarious, it doesn't even work with tobacco?

I'm now going very light (about 1/2 the bowl uncompressed) and then pushing that down as much as possible. That seems to be hitting very nicely with using a lot less herb on each load.

My god... no wonder I go through so much flower! I fill full and compress at least twice

 

[hydr0ge0]

Just tried the half pack method. Working really nice. Bunch of rips on low and now big clouds on med. I had been doing mostly full packs.

 

[tokin1]

The support team gave me that suggestion. I had originally written them asking about performance if I were to get a manufactured steel spacer (removable, cut to fit the size of the oven opening) put in the oven on top of the herbs to shrink the volume down a bit. Basically I was thinking you would pack the herbs in first, then drop in the removable spacer, followed by the magnetic cover.

They suggested I just try packing lighter amounts with some good compression & see what happens before getting a spacer made at a CNC shop.

So far I am pretty happy with the result, but I am still thinking about trying the space idea.

 

[hydr0ge0]

I read earlier in the thread that some ppl thought about using a second screen on top. I'm not sure if anyone ever tried it.

 

[tokin1]

That is not a bad idea at all.
It would be very cheap for a screen pack. And would obviously fit perfectly.

 

[DcTokeMan]

Sorry if this is a little off-topic, but I was wondering if anyone here also has an HerbalAire. Now that I'm a vapor convert, I need a back up. I don't want to have to fuss with whips or balloons on the daily, so I think it might be the best choice. How does the vapor production compare to the Pax? I'm conflicted as to whether I should go for the HA or just get another Pax, since I like the Pax so much. However, I have found the Pax is a hungry beast when it comes to material, so I was looking for something that might also help me conserve a little. Thoughts?

the HA is a solid device. it is more of a bud saver compared to the pax imo because it gets every little bit out of ur stash. ur abv comes out all evenly browned, more so than any other vape ive used. my gf has a pax that she gave to me, but i wasnt too impressed. since getting into logs i just love conserving. if conservation is ur real goal, look into an Underdog or some other log. i get 10+ packs per gram using em.

 

[JoeKickass]

I don't know about everyone else, but I find a significant difference in the effects and vapor density with a half full oven packed solid when comparing it to a thin layer (conserving style) packed down on the screen.

A half-full Pax is like a "I can't believe it's not a plug-in!"

 

[ipax]

The support team gave me that suggestion. I had originally written them asking about performance if I were to get a manufactured steel spacer (removable, cut to fit the size of the oven opening) put in the oven on top of the herbs to shrink the volume down a bit. Basically I was thinking you would pack the herbs in first, then drop in the removable spacer, followed by the magnetic cover.

They suggested I just try packing lighter amounts with some good compression & see what happens before getting a spacer made at a CNC shop.

So far I am pretty happy with the result, but I am still thinking about trying the space idea.

I was thinking of doing this too, but now I'm thinking the oven might be as big as it is to provide air space needed for the vapor. Worth a shot though, I think.

The thing im thinking of doing right now is cutting a filter that air can move through. so instead of going around the filter (like now) it would just go through it.

 

[mollee]

I'm falling more in love with my pax as I spend more time with it. (That always seems to be the case w/vapes, lol!)

It forces me to slow down and enjoy the herb a lot more. It's pretty gorgeous too, which doesn't hurt.

Only issues for me are bring terrified to go near the temp switch w/any ISO (or pretty much anything at all) + uses more herb, imho (tho saving the abv)...

 

[JPB]

It works but less visible vapor, tobacco taste gone sooo fast, you get best nicotine effect tho, out rips a cig in effects department... All on low, it's slow but gets few good effective doses of nic.

Weed is best performer... More visible vape and positively better effect than smoking.. Go figure they all made for weed.... Period. Rest is politic bs.

Borrowed t1 thermovape from Freind what a ripoff 250$ for a tube in a tube bunch of batts, one heat core which won't last long. Best crud is has no overdischarge circuit nothing, no wonder batts die. Coil is 2.0 ohm at six volts its over 3 amps! Poor little batts cannot cope and will discharge fast indeed.. Pax rocks as porta vapes go. Solo is king of taste they live together and come out together... Best combo. Mflb waits as backup... Just in case, gets hit for nostalgia too at times...FC ok vape on

Mod note: When possible, please avoid making back-to-back posts in a thread. Use the Edit feature located at the bottom of your posts. Last three posts merged.

 

[pakalolo]

I read earlier in the thread that some ppl thought about using a second screen on top. I'm not sure if anyone ever tried it.

That is not a bad idea at all.
It would be very cheap for a screen pack. And would obviously fit perfectly.

I think that is a bad idea. The screens are slightly longer than the oven and stay in place by friction. If you put a second screen atop the load, how would you remove it?

I was thinking of doing this too, but now I'm thinking the oven might be as big as it is to provide air space needed for the vapor. Worth a shot though, I think.

The thing im thinking of doing right now is cutting a filter that air can move through. so instead of going around the filter (like now) it would just go through it.

Remove the mouthpiece and draw through it. Now remind yourself that no matter what you do to the screen, you'll never get more airflow than that.

People seeking a less restricted draw are pulling too hard on the Pax. They still haven't grasped that the Pax responds best to a slow relaxed draw. If you're doing it right, the Pax doesn't feel like it has a restricted airflow at all.

 

[Spliff]

I have been testing different ways to use my oils/waxes in the Pax.
So far making a sandwich, with the dab on the opposite side of the stem opening in the oven, seems to work best.
Does anyone else have a technique for the more wax to liquid concentrates to be used in the Pax?

 

[ILoveCollege]

I was wondering if you could come up with something to make a press out of it.. What I can think of a grill press, like you could put another screen on there, if you soldered a little handle to it that you could pull out..

Like this..

 

[hydr0ge0]

I think the probably with a press or something on top of the bowl pack is that it will further restrict air flowing through the pax.

 

[ILoveCollege]

I think the probably with a press or something on top of the bowl pack is that it will further restrict air flowing through the pax.

It would be smaller than the screen, and what truly restricts the pull is the oven door.

 

[pakalolo]

It would be smaller than the screen, and what truly restricts the pull is the oven door.

No, it is the screen that is the most restrictive. Look for yourself. The gap around the oven door is much, much larger than the gaps along the edges of the screen, and it extends all the way around the lid while the screen gaps are intermittent. Try the draw in each of these cases:

• The mouthpiece alone.
• Pax without the oven lid.
• Pax without screen.
• Pax without oven lid or screen.

 

[JPB]

How about buying an oven door and modding that to have a built in light spring to gently push herbs to oven screen. As it vapes it shrinks no. The slight constant pressure would compact all and allow better heat conduction no? Will ploom sell me spares I live in Australia and ploom only sells to USA. Pax good as is tho just its battery drains fast in my opinion, price to pay for size. Eh.

Correct pakalolo, screen has to be so too. Got to allow vapor to form.. Slow steady is a pax way.. It feels right then.

Mod note: When possible, please avoid making back-to-back posts in a thread. Use the Edit feature located at the bottom of your posts. Posts merged. Again.

 

[CarlosSpiceyWeiner]

I just ordered these ceramic magnets to use as a spacer.

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1295124

They seem to be a perfect fit. If not i will grind them down a bit. Since they are magnetic they should stick to the bottom of the oven lid making it easier to remove a super hot magnet.

If you want a cheap effective spacer you can make right now.

I took some aluminum foil cut to size and folded it into a nice rectangular brick.

I'm sure some of you are worried about inhaling the aluminum foil. But even on the highest setting the foil doesn't change color. It works extremely well especially when i just coat the bottom of the screen with herb. It keeps the herbs tight against the screen which is important for killer rips.

You can even make a couple in different sizes for different size loads.

The only bad thing is that the foil gets really hot. It will cook the top of your herb if your not finished with it yet. I usually just put in enough to finish in one session. If you put more in and want to finish the rest later. I usually pop out the foil when I'm done to stop cooking the rest that's left over.

I will chime in to let you guys know if the magnets are working.

 

[TheDudeNextDoor]

JPB, I'm pretty sure the mods want you to edit your posts in one rather than posting multiple times in a row. I'm not sure what the policy is, but I'd hate to see you lose posting privileges.



EDIT: Hold your kids close today, FCers. God almighty.

 

[tokin1]

Let us know how the ceramic magnet idea works for you Carlos. I'm curious. Thanks.

 

[BittenBagel]

So I haven't been on the thread latelyso I do not know if you Paxers have covered this but 4 days ago I finally got my Pax shipped out after alot of procrastination and it arrived at Ploom HQ yesterday(Which is pretty fast having that I'm on the east coast). I received a email from my Ploom chat support guy telling me that they have fixed my issue(which is when the mouthpiece is attached, some pressure on a certain side will make it think that the mouthpiece is not attached(off) and wont warm up aka yellow, orange, red light). He told me they fixed the issue by applying "on the mouthpiece stem we have used a small amount of food-grade lubricant to replicate original factory conditions. No need to do anything to clean this off, as it is ready for use (feel free to sanitize the black, plastic part as desired)."

Then I asked, "Thank you! Hopefully that clears up the issue. But what happens when I clean my pax? Will it completely rub of all the lube and return me back to my original problem?" and replied, "Thanks for the follow up. We're currently working on a new cleaning kit that will contain specialized lubricant packets. If you would like, I can sign you up for the delivery list of said kit?"

And of course I said I would like a shipment for free. So just a little heads up for something new Ploom will be offering for DIY fixes for this certain Pax issue *If it resolves my issue". Vape On

So I received my Pax back and the food lube seems to be working for the problem I had. Though it is a little messy. When I first took out the reclined mouthpiece there was some lube around near the metal connection points where you dock and charge it. I hope that the lube wont have any effect on the charging aspect of it because I'm not sure if any got in it or not. There was also a bit of lube hanging around near the temp button. So for now, this is working but now my goal is not to touch the lube crap when I pull out my mouthpiece which is going to be on more thing to watch out for. And I also need to be careful where I place the mouthpiece because you don't want any dust or other miscellaneous things to get stuck on the lubed up part.

Here is a picture of where they lubed it up (mainly the metal piece that moves)