The Nomad From Morwood

[Dan Morrison]

@HerbieVonVapster Thanks for the feedback man! I think that your comments pretty much confirm that the buttons definitely DO require cleaning, at least in this first batch. And after the vaseline is applied... perhaps cleaning a few times a year... we will see.

And it also confirms the importance of proper electrical contact points.

Now that the dust has settled on the release of the first batch of Nomads, I feel like I can finally relax a little!

Update On the Second batch of Nomads

After the first batch went out, I wanted to really stand behind my creations, and make sure that everyone was truly setup properly to enjoy their Nomads to the fullest.

Initial feedback prompted the creation of the Care Package. Putting these together took time away from starting the second batch.

As a result of this feedback, I also came up with some design improvements that I would like to implement into the second batch. These changes will take some time to research, test, and tool up for.

So, I am moving back the shipping date for this second batch, to give me enough time to get these Nomads where I would like to see them. I originally said August shipping. But now I am aiming for September.

Really, I should just be a lot more careful with promising ship dates on such a product... but, the shipping date is also for myself... it gives me a goal, and I think that's important.

I hope that everyone will understand the change, and the minor improvements made to the design will be worth the wait I am sure. I won't be going too far off-script... mostly everything about the Nomad will stay the same, and I won't be setting up many more tools or jigs.. so the basic process is already all figured out and should be a relative breeze!

To tide everyone over, here is an album of the burl woods that I have got in stock to be used for this batch... so excited about these! They're going to look incredible!

I'm Going On Vacation

I am taking some time between batches to unwind! This will be the first real time off since I started the Nomads... pretty crazy I know.

Working for yourself... life and work are one in the same... so it's hard to find a balance so that you don't get burnt out. I am only just learning the importance of time off to reflect and re-energize for the next big project.

I will be doing a little road trip through northern Ontario, car camping on crown land, hiking, sight seeing...

So, I will be out of touch from tomorrow morning, till next Thursday the 19th.

I may check in, I may not!

I'll be hitting the pavement as soon as I get back on the next batch, and I am sure I'll be super eager to get back to it! haha.

 

[Mr. Me2]

Well deserved, @Dan Morrison. Enjoy, and maybe send us some pictures.

Okay... you don’t even have to think about fc while you’re away.

 

[tepictoton]

Enjoy the views,

Please come back inspired more then ever!!

And it is amazing seeing your devotion to your creations.

Thanks for making this trip feel so real

 

[Dan Morrison]

Well deserved, @Dan Morrison. Enjoy, and maybe send us some pictures.

Okay... you don’t even have to think about fc while you’re away.

I'll take photos for sure! To be shared on Instagram.

@tepictoton , Thanks!

 

[HerbieVonVapster]

@HerbieVonVapster Thanks for the feedback man! I think that your comments pretty much confirm that the buttons definitely DO require cleaning, at least in this first batch. And after the vaseline is applied... perhaps cleaning a few times a year... we will see.

It really wasn't hard to do. It was and dirty around where the back of button connected. With the vaseline there now think problem is solved. I don't cleaning couple times a year. Not many vaporizer out there that allow user serviceability. Rather have the option to clean it myself than have send it out for service.

Not sure if I would enlarge the battery opening in the brass.
Every battery I have fits that opening. LGHE4-LGHG2, VTCT5, SANYO GA(IQ battery) and even 2 rewraps fit. They where getting caught up against the wood. Maybe wood even expanded slighly.
If you do enlarge it I'm going suggest not by much.

Once wood inside was sanded down they slide thru perfect. I used the round dermal sanding tubes inside a marker stacked them as i moved up the opening. Wobbly or loose would take more away than it will supply.
Rather it tight even if a couple batteries might not fit.

Enjoy the vacation. I'm sure use first batch can try out different battery type. If find any don't don't fit thru brass can let post them here.

 

[ZC]

Enjoy your vacation, it's well deserved!

And yeah, no worries about the delays on the second batch. We should all know by now that any delay in your vapes just means the end result is going to be even better. Well worth the wait.

 

[nickdanger]

Not a problem waiting for the 2nd batch! BTW, that burl is gorgeous!

It definitely can be a challenge having your own business, and sometimes hard to find time to take a break and get away from it all. Have a relaxing vacation - well deserved.

 

[KeroZen]

After applying the fixes and using the care package, following the provided guide, no more inconsistencies, no more dicky contacts (so far) and seemingly hotter device overall, easier to use.

At first I lost the loud "click" when pressing the button, thanks to the vaseline, it was a bit disturbing. Now it's coming back but a bit muted.

I just had the 3rd session out of a cell using the high power heater and it was too wild. Ended over dark chocolate with a crappy taste. I keep contradicting myself as I just said it wasn't that wild...but hm, maybe let's say it's too wild for me but your mileage might vary!

On the other hand yesterday I was watching a TV show and made a session last with the low power heater. At some point I thought that it was getting pushy and that I needed to hold the trigger long. Took a couple last hits nonetheless, then checked the cell voltage: 3V!

So cleaning all contacts made even the low power heater module hotter, at it was previously really anemic past 3.6V or less. This time it kept going happily way longer. I don't think I'll need to swap heaters anymore.

 

[HerbieVonVapster]

After applying the fixes and using the care package, following the provided guide, no more inconsistencies, no more dicky contacts (so far) and seemingly hotter device overall, easier to use.

At first I lost the loud "click" when pressing the button, thanks to the vaseline, it was a bit disturbing. Now it's coming back but a bit muted.

I just had the 3rd session out of a cell using the high power heater and it was too wild. Ended over dark chocolate with a crappy taste. I keep contradicting myself as I just said it wasn't that wild...but hm, maybe let's say it's too wild for me but your mileage might vary!

On the other hand yesterday I was watching a TV show and made a session last with the low power heater. At some point I thought that it was getting pushy and that I needed to hold the trigger long. Took a couple last hits nonetheless, then checked the cell voltage: 3V!

So cleaning all contacts made even the low power heater module hotter, at it was previously really anemic past 3.6V or less. This time it kept going happily way longer. I don't think I'll need to swap heaters anymore.

Awesome it made a huge differance in mine. I'm still getting some weird resistance on draw with low/med heater. Feel like the draw airflow becomes restricted for no reason then start flowing normally.

The med/high was acting that way too was stumped by it. It's fine now I adjusted it per your instructions. Really no biggie just going have to adjust that one too. More wondering what's causing it? I think it has to be something with way these heater expands idk?

 

[Xelatsok]

After some tuning, my Nomad fits Samsung 30Q, which is rated of 15A continuos discharge. Is it safe for high temp heater?

 

[sixstringsmash]

After some tuning, my Nomad fits Samsung 30Q, which is rated of 15A continuos discharge. Is it safe for high temp heater?

You're good to go. Even the high temp heater has a CDR of under 10 amps so the 30q works just fine, glad you got it to fit!

 

[Xelatsok]

You're good to go. Even the high temp heater has a CDR of under 10 amps so the 30q works just fine, glad you got it to fit!

I’ve just checked Dan’s guide. He recommended 20 CDR, so I will avoid 30Q.

 

[sixstringsmash]

I’ve just checked Dan’s guide. He recommended 20 CDR, so I will avoid 30Q.

A 20a cdr would also rule out the vtc6a and the LG hg2 since they only have a cdr of around 15-18 also. You'd have to stick with something like a 25r or vtc5a for that.

 

[KeroZen]

@Xelatsok: Nah 30Q is 18A CDR like HG2 and VTC6, I sound like a broken record so check mooch's tests if you want solid proof.

@sixstringsmash beat me to it. I currently prefer the HG2 over the HE4 inside the Nomad. With the HE4 if I try to get a last session when the starting voltage is at or below 3.6V, then it tends to discharge too deeply and I end up too close to 3V to be comfortable (i.e. not good for the cell cycle count)

With the 30Q (when it fitted) and the HG2 I can safely continue and get a good session under 3.6V. I know most people will swap cells earlier, but 3.59V corresponds to over 45% charge available when I put the cell inside my evic VTC mini (running ArticFox) so there's really plenty of energy to tap into.

But tonight I drank a little too much and had a mishap: I grabbed a cell from its pack, I assumed it was fully charged. Then I had a very crappy session or two with the low power heater, I don't remember. But since I just cleaned my stem screen (more on that below) I thought the session was poor and airy because it was too much free flowing.

It reminded me the fact I prefer the Zion, Milaana and iHeat when the screen is partly clogged, as it adds some restriction and makes them easier to use. So I thought it was the same... but damn, it was a crappy session! It pissed me off, so I thought, let's swap and get the high power heater at least it should be able to cope! I swapped and it was crappy again... so I blew inside the stem with my finger close to the heater disc and the air was lukewarm...

Damn it! I thought: oh no, the dicky contact has come back like previously! So I wiped the contact arm a dozen times on the heater pin, rotated the heater module also, made sure the button did click... and still lukewarm...

This is when I removed the cell and put it in the evic which didn't even turn on! When back home the cell was resting at 2.62V on my multimeter.... doh! doh! doh! Needless to say that the second I put a fresh cell back in the Nomad it came back to life in a split and I got instant vapor...

But yeah this is a bit of a PITA with these unregulated devices, there's no charge gauge nor undervoltage protection and it's easy to lose track of your cells charge when you don't carry a meter with you at all times.

-

Now about the screens: this double stem screens method is really cool in fact. I won't even bother testing the screen above the heater. It's so much more convenient when no crumbs fall ever. But it's not just that! With my other stem based vapes, I usually have to torch the screens clean from time to time (far too often with the MVT ones for instance, less often with RBT ones) as alcoohol is not practical when away from home (it's easier to borrow a lighter than find ISO... and I also like using the abrasive part of a sponge to remove the black soot once everything has been burnt)

But here with the dual screens system it's a thing of the past really! The idea is not from me, I probably read it in another thread or even in this one. Once the top screen starts clogging (the bottom one stays pristine at all times) you just need to invert them! Put the clean one in the stem and the dirty one at the edge to tamp the load. It will clean itself and as a bonus you will be able to vaporize all the resin that's on it instead of burning it.

Mine wasn't cleaned once since I got the Nomad, yesterday it was really caked. I did the swap trick and in about two bowls it was clean again. I gently brushed it over the content of the 3rd bowl and it was 98% clean at that time.

-

I realized I didn't not comment a single time about the taste in my pre-review. It's simple it's amongst the best I tested so far. Less woody than Milaana and iHeat which have some "contamination". Even better than Project Pure SF where I can detect the silicone o-rings slightly when it's getting really hot. Close to MVT and Zion I'd say, just slightly under due to the faint metallic smell.

You can see all the way down when looking inside the stem. The air/vapor path is straight and open and there's no bad surprise inside. Wood or PEEK shield > nichrome + stainless steel heater > minute amount of exposed wood > stainless steel screen > load > screen > glass.

 

[HerbieVonVapster]

Glad was user error with the batteries and not the nomad.
The double screen ideal sounds like a good one. I still prefer just to blow the spent herb into a little drawstring pouch. Then suck up a refill. Messing with those little screens with my hand issue's just doesn't work well

Less of a mess and very quick and easy. Really works well when doing back to back stems. If materials cool doesn't blows out easy just warm the stem again in the nomad.

 

[KeroZen]

Ah but I still do the suck from palm with straw then blow out like a trumpet technique! It just adds one extra step: push second screen in or remove with pinky. That's the beauty of it, I still retain the advantages of stem-based vapes (compared to say oven based vapes like conduction ones) but without the disadvantages (debris falling and having to torch screens)

 

[namasteIII]

@KeroZen Is it self cleaning because the the dirty bits are getting vaporized in subsequent sessions?

Thats cool, I like cats because they are self cleaning so I'll like this too.

 

[KeroZen]

Yeah it's getting vaporized. You know when you have the screen with the dome end pointing towards the mouth and the basket end used as a bowl pointing towards the heater (sorry for being pedantically precise, but I keep mixing the dome/basket terminology all the time) for some reason the reclaim seems to accumulate on the dome side of the screen... you almost get like some very powdery hash piling up on that side.

Well when you invert the screens, this side and its hash end up in direct contact with the load when you tamp it. So whatever gets vaporized detaches and gets caught in the load, where it keeps getting vaporized (instead of say recondensating higher in the stem) It works surprisingly well, I couldn't believe how well it does in fact!

And since it's very close to the heater it gets ample heat... so yes, it simply works and it's so simple, I love it!

 

[RelaxedNow]

Yeah it's getting vaporized. You know when you have the screen with the dome end pointing towards the mouth and the basket end used as a bowl pointing towards the heater (sorry for being pedantically precise, but I keep mixing the dome/basket terminology all the time) for some reason the reclaim seems to accumulate on the dome side of the screen... you almost get like some very powdery hash piling up on that side.

Well when you invert the screens, this side and its hash end up in direct contact with the load when you tamp it. So whatever gets vaporized detaches and gets caught in the load, where it keeps getting vaporized (instead of say recondensating higher in the stem) It works surprisingly well, I couldn't believe how well it does in fact!

And since it's very close to the heater it gets ample heat... so yes, it simply works and it's so simple, I love it!

I’m glad you touched on this topic. It made me realize that since installing the screen above the heater, I haven’t tried using two screens in the stem. I think I’ll try it, just to see what effect it has on heating, in terms of hot spots and combustion risk. As I mentioned earlier, inserting the stem just past the first o-ring works well for me, but I’m thinking that’s going to gunk up the wood. Also, when I was using two screens, I regularly swapped them as you describe, and agree that it’s an easy way to keep them clean.

 

[HerbieVonVapster]

As illustrated in my previous size comparison post pictures, the stem system falls between the more common 14mm and 18mm standard glassware. T

Anyone know where can pick up stems?
Looking for something that is a curved bend in it.

I messed more with the top hat inserts still have mixed feelings on them.

Pros
They fit in the nomad
Build in glass screen
It's a milder the first few hits with med/high heater due to the extra distance load is from heater. Can flip insert and brings load 4 mm closer to heater to finish off.

Cons
Price
Raises stock stem. If I used these inserts it be when away from home. A longer stem is less stealth.

I could see a using them with a 2" stem instead of the 3" stock stem. They hold a bit and are a easy load option.

 

[KeroZen]

I received a few cells to play with and got mixed results:

- the latest Vapcell 38A doesn't fit at all (being most probably a new Samsung cell it was expected)
- the LG MJ1 doesn't fit either (so all LG's don't necessarily work, a shame as it could have been interesting to test this one with the low power heater...)
- I finally got one Sony VTC6 and against all odds it fits like the LG HG2.

 

[HerbieVonVapster]

I received a few cells to play with and got mixed results:

- the latest Vapcell 38A doesn't fit at all (being most probably a new Samsung cell it was expected)
- the LG MJ1 doesn't fit either (so all LG's don't necessarily work, a shame as it could have been interesting to test this one with the low power heater...)
- I finally got one Sony VTC6 and against all odds it fits like the LG HG2.

Are they stuck at the brass opening or within the nomads body? It took a lot sanding inside of body to get mine to fit.

 

[KeroZen]

Nah this time they don't even go through the brass, especially the Vapcell being rewraps. Surprising for the LG's though.

I'm a bit wary of enlarging that battery slot... There's very little room for error...hmmm..

 

[HerbieVonVapster]

Nah this time they don't even go through the brass, especially the Vapcell being rewraps. Surprising for the LG's though.

I'm a bit wary of enlarging that battery slot... There's very little room for error...hmmm..

Yeah I think will just stick with LGHE4 or LGHG2 really not up to sanding the brass down either.

Had a nice session earlier on med/high heat. Almost combusted love the power of this little guy need be careful with fresh batteries. Going need to try kerozen ideal of using low/med with fresh battery.

 

[Hogni]

Have read some stuff about accus and their developement.
Dan, wouldn't it make sense to use 20700/21700? They nearly need the same space but probably have/will have a better performance potential (in the future)?