Vapman
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Thank you for the compliment, @Bolano!
So far I used quite a few local and exotic woods but I never used Thuya. Don't know what sort of Thuya they have in Morocco, the one which grows here is quite soft and may be not that well suited for making vapman?
Of all the woods I used so far, I like the wood of the yew tree best. The ratio between density and firmness is most ideal with this wood. Lots of woods work well with vapman, for the clients it is often a question of aesthetics only.
@204Markie: A ceramic bowl on vapman would never work as well as copper! The conductivity of copper is many times better, this matters a lot on a conduction vaporizer! I doubt if it would work at all, even a steel bowl wouldn't work properly on vapman.
vapman
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OF
Well-Known Member
Exactly so, excellent "Materials Science" there. To give credit where it's due I think the shape of the pan is also a key to success. Heat energy is stored there and delivered to the herb over time in a controlled/predictable manner. Again, very solid Engineering in an elegant design.
The pan shape could be altered to help compensate for material changes, but Copper seems ideal. Unless you want to consider Silver (which would also need to be Gold plated to control oxidation.......
A ceramic body might have advantages over wood (where we don't want heat conduction and would like immunity from heat damage in use) but wood is aesthetically superior I think. And that's important too. Perhaps a ceramic liner?
OF
Vapman made of some kind of mineral material would definitely be handy in lots of ways. There must be a post with pictures of a prototype I made of a mineral material. On this one the handle ring gets very hot after a short time hence some heat protection is needed , let alone the mid-section holding the mouthpiece, it just gets too damn hot.
Wood is the only material meeting the requirements of vapman. Wood is somehow high-tech, really.
What could be done, I think, is mounting ceramic protections, just around the bowl, instead of the mica lining. This would make a classic model which could also be entirely soaked in acetone. It would need two types of conical shells with holes in it, I fear they could be very expensive parts.
vapman
204Markie
Well-Known Member
TAKE MY MONEY!
OF
Well-Known Member
I'm not so sure about the expense. Classically this could be done with molds made of plaster of Paris. Like fine china. Or 'cheap china' for that matter. They could easily be cast in volume from a single wood model, or perhaps two models for the two halves. Slip (very watered down clay) is pored in to the mold and the moisture is absorbed by the (dried) plaster over time. Wood or pins from other materials could 'mold in' the necessary holes, or they could easily be drilled in while the clay is 'green' (before hard firing). The molds are then washed, and dried before next use.
I once worked for a company that had custom insulators made this way by a local 'hippie ceramics shop' that made tea cups, ashtrays and such. Plaster casts made from waxed wood models we sent them. We got them unglazed of course, but glazing opens up other possibilities?
Or molds could be machined in the conventional manner from metal, plastic or even many woods and thicker clay pressed between them under moderate pressure (even a large bench vice?).
Firing of course would follow.
I'm thinking a liner, not the entire body.
Some effort and fiddling, of course, but cost for tools could be very low. And once established, per unit production cost could also be modest?
Fun idea.
OF
Gourmet
Well-Known Member
The question of price would then be particularly interesting if the Vapman were produced a million times over.
I see the main problem with technical ceramics in the very low fracture toughness. However, this is not an issue with mica. I admit that not many Vapman sail from my table, but every now and then this can happen, depending on the condition and playful mood of the Vapman operator.
Another important question would be to discuss the advantage of ceramics over mica in terms of how ceramics would insulate better. I think the differences are negligible with the small layer thickness.
I see the main problem with technical ceramics in the very low fracture toughness. However, this is not an issue with mica. I admit that not many Vapman sail from my table, but every now and then this can happen, depending on the condition and playful mood of the Vapman operator.
Another important question would be to discuss the advantage of ceramics over mica in terms of how ceramics would insulate better. I think the differences are negligible with the small layer thickness.
OF
Well-Known Member
If the 'Vapman in every kitchen' movement ever catches on it could be interesting to see what happens when the automated lathe guys quit wasting their time making napkin rings and golf tees and make bodies instead in serious volumes. We'd lose the 'hand made by Swiss craftsman' aspect perhaps, but the per unit cost could become mighty attractive.......
Not all 'technical ceramics' are born alike. Ever try to break Zirconia? Pack a lunch. Remember the videos of Thermovape driving nails with Cera as the hammer? Even mass produced Alumina would be pretty tough (being a ring as opposed to a plate) and would have a wood shield? Should the heat shield actually break, it should be fairly easy to replace, being held by only the 3 clamp screws......
A risk I think, but a small one. Especially if the per unit cost could become a fraction of what it is now.
Fun ideas, but for now I suggest the models we can buy today.....and tomorrow of course. Until the movement overtakes us at least?
OF
204Markie
Well-Known Member
My post on reddit made people curious!
https://www.reddit.com/r/vaporents/...pman/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
Ps: the smoke escaping is from the wood, it's still fairly new and I have to heat longer for the hash.
@vapman I'd love to get a WPA that doesnt have holes so I can inhale without using two hands
https://www.reddit.com/r/vaporents/...pman/?utm_medium=android_app&utm_source=share
Ps: the smoke escaping is from the wood, it's still fairly new and I have to heat longer for the hash.
@vapman I'd love to get a WPA that doesnt have holes so I can inhale without using two hands
OF
Well-Known Member
Easily done. For a temporary (and easy to reverse) solution simply tape the holes in the mid section up or cover them with a rubber band. If you want a 'permanent fix' use the tips off wooden toothpicks instead.
I suggest you try before terminally plugging the ports, most of us who tried discovered they were put there for good reason, didn't really dilute the vapor much at all, and went back to the as designed configuration.
Holiday regards to all.
OF
A bit more clean semi permanent option would be to plug the holes with some reclaim/oil, can be reversed with eg a hot needle or a acetone bath...
204Markie
Well-Known Member
I was experimenting and I believe I found the best option. I had extra screws for the screen and they fit perfectly; while easily being able to reverse it. It doesnt look too bad either!
SquanchKava
Well-Known Member
Anyone know of US vendors that sell the Vapman. I struck out doing Google searches?
Melting Pot
Sick & Twisted
flammy
Well-Known Member
Just ordered more Yew Tree that I was out of as well as a couple stations. Happy to help!
Melting Pot
Sick & Twisted
I'll take that as a no! Thanks
Melting Pot
Sick & Twisted
