Welcome to Modding Mavericks, where I introduce you to the people behind the vaping scenes.

I introduce you to Oliver Warburton, one of the Founders & Owners of Electronic Cigarettes LTD, which comprises of the following ecig companies:

• NeatCigs
• EcigWizard
• UK-Eliquid

TUC: How long have you been vaping?

Oliver: Two and a half years now!

TUC: What was your very first e-cigarette?

Oliver: Oh wow, it will have been one of the very first ‘takes’ on the Ego system…with a primitive atomiser on the end….with a generic RY4 tasting e-liquid. I still remember the first night, sat in bed toking on it and thinking ‘these aren’t bad!!!’. If I had know what I’d have in my hand right now (an Octopus RDA), I’d have probably not believed you!

TUC: Who or what do you believe has had the most influence on you in the vaping community, and why?

Oliver: Misinformation from those not in the know about ecigs! That’s probably an odd answer, but as Marketing Director for Ecigwizard and Neatcigs, it’s a very large part of my job to dispel some of the rubbish that is circulated about ecigs. In the UK, the media can and have been quite naughty in not properly researching ecigs and e-liquids. As a result we are very often faced with statements such as ‘you don’t know what is in your liquid’. We do- we source all our UK E-liquid from pharma grade suppliers, and all our flavorings. We have full GC-MS tests on the liquids as well as strict batch control.

Up until now, the media in the UK haven’t done a great job of promoting ecigs in a fair light….so as to who has had the most influence- I think it’s the informed vaping community itself that has done the best work for ecigs and vapers.

TUC: What would you say is your all time favorite movie, and why?

Oliver: I’ve actually spent the last year and a bit making my way through the IMDB top 250….and still going! In recent times though if I had to pick, The Dark Knight (specifically Heath Ledger’s almost schizophrenic performance).

TUC: What are some of your favorite foods?

Oliver: Who doesn’t like Pizza?!

TUC: What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Oliver: I am a huge sports fan. I have an obsession with fast cars, Psychology and while I’m still single..video games!!

Other than that, Vaping- I’m in the process of setting up ecigarettemag to collect independent product reviews and vaping stories.

TUC: Which ONE word do you feel best describes you?

Oliver: Pensive.

TUC: Which ONE word do you think your friends would use to best describe you?

Oliver: Quirky (I hope nothing more extreme than that ).

TUC: What flavor e-liquid are you vaping right now?

Oliver: Actually, 2-3 at the moment. We’re putting the finishing touches to our new Wizmix range and I’ve got a few concoctions on the go including a minty chocolate, a take on melon and a menthol that clears your airwaves out to say the least! All in 6mg.

TUC: What e-cigarette, or mod are you vaping right now?

Oliver: I’ve got a Zmax V2 RMS with a RSS Genesis Style RBA on the end. The latter is just about to be launched on our site, and is absolutely awesome. I’ve never tasted such a pure and clear vape before.

TUC: If you could live anywhere in the World, where would it be, and why?

Oliver: New York….because I could never get bored. I hate being bored!

TUC: What was the driving force behind the launch of your business?

Oliver: When we started it was because we were absolutely wowed with the product and concept. As a smoker, something that was a real viable alternative to smoking. That’s still a big driving factor, but on a day to day basis….fun. The flavours, the mods…we really enjoy what we are doing.

TUC: What do you feel was your largest challenge when first starting your business?

Oliver: Definitely cash-flow. Within the first 2-3 months, we were outselling so quickly we couldn’t keep up demand. Now we’re doing 100+ e-liquids in up to 6 different strengths, keeping stock is still very tricky…something that is a logistical challenge and difficult to explain to an outside person just how hard it can be at times.

TUC: What advice would you give someone who is thinking of going into business for themselves, in the e-cig industry?

Oliver: One of our big concerns is that there are many seeing the ecig market now as a quick buck. As a result there’s a rise in knock off devices and liquids with zero warning labels or care taken in manufacture. This gives our industry a bad name, so to anyone entering – please be responsible and take due diligence.

TUC: What one thing would you like people to know about you, the man?

Oliver: I like walking on fire

More about Oliver of EcigWizard…in his own voice

Taking a break EcigWizard style!

Electronic Cigarettes LTD comprises of Neatcigs.com, EcigWizard.com and UK-Eliquid.co.uk. Ecigwizard was originally formed over two years ago. We serve approaching 100,000 vapers across the world. You’ll be very hard pressed to find any e-liquid supplier in the world with the mega range of e-liquids we offer.

Customer service is paramount to all our brands as is reflected here. We have a 10,000sq foot warehouse and offices in Peterborough UK. What makes us different is we have the organisation and professionalism of one of the multi-million pound companies here in the UK (although we started with a self-funded £500 investment, not like the ciggalike brands). However we are vapers (not businessmen in for a quick buck) that offer the range and personal touch of a normal vendor.

Find Oliver Warburton on the internet~~~

Websites::
EcigWizard
NeatCigs
UK-eliquid

The electronic cigarette industry, by comparison, is just a few years old and still evolving rapidly. Before you buy your first electronic cigarette, familiarize yourself with the basics to gain a better understanding of the products available and decide which type may be right for you.

What is an Electronic Cigarette?

An electronic cigarette is a device that allows a smoker to consume nicotine while replicating the act of smoking a real cigarette as closely as possible. The electronic cigarette – or “e-cigarette” – vaporizes a solution of propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerin, flavors and nicotine, creating a mist that feels similar to smoke in the throat and lungs and tastes like tobacco or a wide array of other flavors. This solution is called “e-liquid.”

Although all e-cigarettes have the same basic components – a battery, a heating element and e-liquid – there can be many differences in the types of components used and how they are implemented.

Electronic Cigarette Basics

Learning the basics of the electronic cigarette will get you on the right path!

Electronic Cigarette Types

Atomizer-Based Electronic Cigarette

In the first few years following the introduction of the electronic cigarette, atomizer-based or “three-part” e-cigarettes were the most common devices available. In this e-cigarette design, the component that provides the heat needed to vaporize e-liquid is called an “atomizer.” An atomizer contains a heating element and a wick to hold e-liquid.

Above these components is a metal bridge that draws e-liquid toward the wick when a cartridge is installed. Originally, the e-liquid for a three-part electronic cigarette was stored in the inner capsule of a disposable plastic cartridge. Today, however, a three-part e-cigarette generally stores e-liquid in a tank that fits more tightly and delivers e-liquid to the atomizer more reliably than a cartridge.

Some people use atomizer-based electronic cigarettes for “dripping,” or using a hollow tip in place of a cartridge and feeding the atomizer with e-liquid directly from a bottle. Without a cartridge to hold the e-liquid in suspension, you have to feed more e-liquid to the atomizer after every few uses of the e-cigarette. However, using a “drip tip” rather than a tank or cartridge eliminates the sponges, plastic and other filler material that can muddle flavor and prevent some of the vapor from reaching the mouth.

Cartomizer-Based Electronic Cigarette

Atomizer-based electronic cigarettes have certain benefits, but they lack the convenience that many people need when they first switch from tobacco cigarettes to e-cigarettes. For this reason, many e-cigarette refill cartridges now include their own heating elements. In this system, the cartridge and atomizer are combined to create a single component called a “cartomizer.”

Cartomizers eliminate the need to purchase new atomizers periodically because each time you replace a cartomizer, you get a new heating coil. Many cigarette-shaped e-cigarettes now include cartomizers. Third-party companies also manufacture alternative cartomizers with different colors and sizes, different types of heating elements and different filling methods.

Personal Electronic Cigarette Vaporizer Mods

While cigarette-shaped e-cigarettes are chiefly manufactured in China, hardware development has evolved differently in the United States and elsewhere in the form of “mods.” Mods – originally given the name because the first examples were constructed from plastic boxes and metal tubes modified to hold e-cigarette attachments and batteries – are electronic cigarettes that aren’t cigarette-shaped.

To differentiate mods from the conventional electronic cigarette, many people refer to them using the term “Personal Vaporizer” or “PV.”

Real cigarettes are small; any device that mimics one must, therefore, have a small battery. Long-term and heavy smokers may find that the shortcomings of small e-cigarettes – short battery life and decreased voltage under load – make it difficult to transition from smoking to “vaping.”

A PV mod may have more than ten times the battery capacity of a small electronic cigarette.

In addition, manufacturers of mods are free to select the most appropriate batteries for their devices and frequently choose batteries that can remain at peak voltage for the majority of their discharge cycles. Because the battery in a PV mod does not tend to experience decreased voltage under load, PV mods often produce more vapor than small e-cigarettes.

PV mods are also the only electronic cigarette that can use low-resistance atomizers and cartomizers reliably. Some even give you the ability to vary the voltage of the device to produce the vapor quantity and flavor intensity you want.

Electronic Cigarette Terms: What You Need to Know

Atomizer and Cartomizer Resistance

Electronic cigarette attachments such as atomizers and cartomizers are classified according to their resistance – how readily they allow electrical current through – in ohms. Resistance isn’t a concern if you purchase atomizers from the same vendor that sells your e-cigarette.

If you want to buy third-party attachments, though, the resistance should be appropriate for your e-cigarette to avoid damaging the attachment or the battery. Most e-cigarette attachments have a resistance of about 2.5 ohms.

High-resistance attachments rated at 3.0 ohms and higher are intended for high-voltage mods that operate at five volts and above; these attachments allow high-voltage operation while restricting the electrical current slightly to avoid damage.

Low-resistance attachments rated at 1.5 ohms and lower restrict the current less, allowing low-voltage e-cigarettes to produce more vapor. However, they also cause battery strain; a low-resistance attachment is only safe to use on a battery with a capacity of 450 mAh or higher, which precludes most devices except PV mods.

Electronic Cigarette Battery Types

A small electronic cigarette may have an automatic or manual battery.

In an automatic battery, the terminal is mounted on a flexible membrane that moves when air passes through. This allows the battery to touch the atomizer or cartomizer when you puff on the e-cigarette, vaporizing the e-liquid automatically.

A manual battery is engaged with a button instead. Although the experience of using an e-cigarette with an automatic battery is closer to that of smoking a cigarette, many “vapers” prefer manual batteries for more control over vapor production.

Larger e-cigarettes and PV mods always have manual batteries as people who buy these devices generally prioritize high vapor production over convenience.

Electronic Cigarette Battery Capacities

Battery capacity is measured in milliampere-hours or mAh; a battery with a higher mAh rating provides more puffs between charges and more puffs at its maximum voltage level than a battery with a lower mAh rating.

The smallest electronic cigarette batteries have capacities of approximately 90 mAh, while batteries in PV mods can have capacities of 2000 mAh and higher.

Electronic Cigarette Battery and Device Voltage

Most e-cigarette batteries and PV mods operate at 3.7 volts. However, some PV mods utilize two batteries stacked in series to achieve five-volt or six-volt operation.

Others include boost or buck circuits, allowing you to vary the voltage on demand. At higher voltages, an e-cigarette produces more vapor with a more intense flavor.

Electronic Cigarette Attachment Threading

When you shop for third-party attachments, you will see designations such as “510” and “808.”

These numbers refer to the threading of the attachments; a 510 attachment has male threading and an 808 attachment has female threading. Other threading types include 801 and 901.

If your electronic cigarette battery or PV mod doesn’t have the same threading as the attachment you want to use, you’ll need to purchase an adapter.

To find the right electronic cigarette for your needs, take a look at the reviews of electronic cigarettes, and personal vaporizor mods I have compiled here. ]]> http://invape.com/electronic-cigarette-basics/feed/ 0 http://invape.com/understanding-variable-voltage-electronic-cigarettes/ http://invape.com/understanding-variable-voltage-electronic-cigarettes/#comments Sun, 27 May 2012 21:20:44 +0000 tuc http://invape.com/?p=2702 A tremendous performance variance exists among the products available to electronic cigarette buyers. Although your e-cigarette’s battery is most likely rated for operation at 3.7 volts, you’ll find that your vaping experience changes when you use different e-liquids, atomizers and cartomizers.

Some combinations may produce rich flavor and full-bodied throat hit, while others may leave you wishing you could “turn up the volume” a little.

Variable-voltage electronic cigarettes allow you to do exactly that, making it possible to change the voltage of your device to achieve the vapor production, flavor and throat hit you want.

It’s All About the Watts

The key benefit of variable-voltage electronic cigarettes is the fact that they produce more vapor than the small e-cigarettes most people buy when they start vaping.

To understand the difference, consider the specifications of a standard electronic cigarette; most devices use 3.7-volt batteries and 2.5-ohm cartomizers, thus producing a little under 5.5 watts of power. To squeeze out a little more performance, some e-cigarette owners buy large batteries and couple them with low-resistance atomizers and cartomizers.

When you pair a 3.7-volt battery with a 1.5-ohm attachment, the vapor production of the e-cigarette increases to over 9 watts. However, this still doesn’t equal the performance a variable-voltage e-cigarette can achieve: up to 12 watts at 6 volts with a 3.0-ohm attachment.

Understanding Variable Voltage Electronic Cigarettes

Forget the math…read on!

How Do Variable-Voltage Electronic Cigarettes Work?

Variable-voltage electronic cigarettes use 3.7-volt batteries, just like standard electronic cigarettes. The difference is in the fact that a variable-voltage e-cigarette includes a booster circuit that stores and regulates power from the battery, delivering it to the atomizer or cartomizer at the voltage you select.

Many variable-voltage e-cigarettes also include microprocessors for safety and precise control over vapor production. These advanced internal electronics often make variable-voltage e-cigarettes more expensive than standard e-cigarettes.

Is Variable-Voltage Vaping for Me?

Variable-voltage devices produce the best performance currently available in the e-cigarette industry.

If you’ve never owned an e-cigarette before, though, a variable-voltage device may not be right for you. If you smoke infrequently or prefer ultra light cigarettes, you may find the extreme vapor production of a variable-voltage device too intense at peak power. If you have to dial a variable-voltage e-cigarette down to 3.7 volts to achieve the desired vapor production, you may be better off buying a 3.7-volt e-cigarette.

In addition, variable-voltage e-cigarettes can be finicky. When operating at six volts, an atomizer will produce a harsh, dry vapor with an unpleasant flavor if the heating coil isn’t kept wet. If you add too much e-liquid to the atomizer, though, it could flood and leak. The people who have the best results with variable-voltage devices tend to be experienced e-cigarette users.

Variable-Voltage Electronic Cigarettes vs. Stacked Battery Mods

If you’re looking for information about variable-voltage electronic cigarettes, it’s probably because your current e-cigarette isn’t delivering the vapor production and flavor you want.

You may have also read about another type of electronic cigarette that delivers more power: the stacked battery mod. These e-cigarettes – usually shaped like tubes – use two 3-volt batteries stacked in series to achieve 6-volt operation and generally cost less than variable-voltage e-cigarettes.

However, these e-cigarettes have two major problems: flexibility and safety.

A variable-voltage e-cigarette can work with any atomizer or cartomizer with compatible threading. If you want to use a low-resistance or dual-coil attachment, you can simply lower the voltage level.

A stacked battery mod doesn’t have a microprocessor to calculate the resistance of the attachment; if you connect a low-resistance attachment, it will burn out immediately. The only way to prevent this is by removing the two 3-volt batteries and replacing them with a single 3.7-volt battery.

The second – and more crucial – difference between variable-voltage e-cigarettes and stacked battery mods is safety.

The microprocessor in a high-quality variable-voltage e-cigarette can automatically detect when the voltage selected is unsafe for the connected atomizer or cartomizer. Depending on the e-cigarette, the device lowers its voltage automatically or displays an error code.

A stacked battery mod doesn’t have this ability; if you use it improperly, you may ruin the attachment, the batteries or the mod itself. In rare instances, improper usage of a stacked battery mod can even result in a battery explosion.

Variable-Voltage with Stacked Batteries

Some variable-voltage electronic cigarettes forgo a boost circuit in favor of a buck circuit.

In this case, the electronic cigarette uses two 3.7-volt batteries stacked in series for a native power level of 7.4 volts. The buck circuit then lowers the output voltage to achieve the desired flavor and vapor production.

In most cases, this type of electronic cigarette doesn’t have a microprocessor or digital controls. Instead, you change the voltage by turning a screw or dial. These devices may cost slightly less than variable-voltage electronic cigarettes with boost circuits.

When stacking batteries, however, it is extremely important that you only use the batteries the manufacturer recommends.

Why Should I Buy a Variable-Voltage Electronic Cigarette?

If you’re a current electronic cigarette user and you occasionally feel tempted to return to smoking because your current e-cigarette doesn’t deliver quite the vapor and flavor you want, you are the ideal candidate for variable-voltage vaping.

However, increased performance isn’t the only reason to buy a variable-voltage device.

Because variable-voltage devices hold much larger batteries than standard e-cigarettes, they can also help you avoid the untimely battery deaths that happen all too often with smaller devices.

If your electronic cigarette is the same size and shape as a real cigarette, it has a battery capacity of about 90 mAh. You can use it for around an hour before the battery dies.

Variable-voltage electronic cigarettes are large enough to hold batteries with capacities of 1600 mAh and higher; for many people, that’s enough for a full day of vaping or more.

The second item to consider is the fact that variable-voltage devices are some of the safest electronic cigarettes available.

The intelligent microprocessors in variable-voltage devices prevent you from using them in unsafe ways. With a well-designed device, you can’t insert the battery in reverse, discharge the battery to an unsafe level, hold the activation button long enough to cause overheating or operate at a voltage too high for the connected atomizer or cartomizer.

In all of these conditions, the device displays an error code, adjusts the voltage level to compensate or simply shuts off. In addition, variable-voltage electronic cigarettes use high-quality batteries with cells produced by reputable companies such as Sanyo and Sony – batteries that won’t overheat or fail, even during your heaviest vaping sessions.

If you think a variable voltage device is for you, be sure to check out my variable voltage pv mod reviews.

This way, you can always go check them out for yourselves, or check out any other reviews that may have already been posted by others.

The Bolt 18500/18650 PV Mod

The Bolt is a 510 threaded E-Cig Mod for use with 18500 or 18650 batteries (with included sleeve). The Bolt is constructed from aluminum, with a durable finish. Available in Gun Metal, Chrome, Black, Light Gray, or Burgandy.

The Bolt is an excellent, inexpensive choice…especially if you are wanting to try out a true PV Mod for the first time.

Price: $44.95 (with 18650 sleeve)
Website: Elite Vaporworks

The Gripper 18350 PV Mod

The Gripper is another inexpensive mod. Utilizing a 510 connection, the Gripper is designed for XL size cartomizers. Utilizing an 18350 AW IMR battery, the Gripper is designed as a more stealthier mod.

Price: $20.0
Website: Elite Vaporworks

Janty Neo Classic Auto E-Cig

The Janty Neo Classic is an excellent choice for those that are intimidated by the larger PV Mods, yet desire something with a little more kick than a Blu-Cig, or another type of anolog cigarette sized E-Cigarette.

The big news with the Neo Classic is the Puromizer, which is basically a clearomizer tank fitted to their battery.

If I had vaped on one of these my first time, it would not have taken me two years to make the transformation from tobacco to electronic cigarettes.

Price: $84.99
Website: Janty World
ECF: Janty World
ECF USERNAME: Ludo

Phidias Inset Tank Kick Friendly 18650 PV Mod

The Phidias Wood Mods were originally bottom feeders. With the recent adaptation to an inset tank…AND Kick friendly, this mod simply rocks! Beautiful wood…variable wattage…with an inset tank! What more could you want, or need? This is my first from Phidias, and I could not be happier with EVERYTHING about it!

I love mine…that’s all I gotta say, right now, anyways.

Price: $160.00 – $165.00 (depending on wood selection & model)
Website: none at this time
ECF: Phidias celebration sale
ECF USERNAME: fonosmoak

Red Sky Mods Variable Voltage Dreadnought Bottom Feeder PV Mod

Mods coming from Red Sky Mods are, how do I put it…EXACT.

It amazes me in not only how beautiful these wood mods are…but I gotta say, the tolerances of the fit and finish are simply some of the VERY best I have come across.

Red Sky Mods is another wood mod that I highly recommend checking out.

The current offering is a variable voltage with inset tank (Destroyer), variable voltage bottom feeder (Dreadnought), a 3.7 volt bottom feeder (Cruiser), and a soon to be released 3.7 volt with inset tank (Marauder).

Price: $125.00 – $199.00 (Plus or minus depending on wood selection & model)
Website: Red Sky Mods
ECF: Red Sky Mods
ECF USERNAME: Capt’ Brian

Vapor Woods “Bottle” Wood PV Mod

Gary, from Vapor Woods, is a newcomer to the PV Modding world, but he has definitely made a huge splash!

If you are looking for an advanced, beautiful, work of art that is unique…look no further.

His imagination, coupled with his wood skills…are rocking the vaping world!

Gary produces some of the most unique, and original wood mods available!

Price: $150.00 – $265.00 (Plus or minus depending on wood selection & model)
Website: Vapor Woods
ECF: Vapor Woods
ECF USERNAME: woodboy

No matter what your level, or experience is in vaping…one of these are sure to fit the bill!

While the vaping community grows, it’s refreshing to see someone come along that does not simply regurgitate what is already available from others…rather, Gary’s wood mods are truly a breath of fresh air.

I haven’t seen anything like them!

And they are simply awesome!

Welcome to Modding Mavericks, where I introduce you to the people behind the vaping scenes. With the recent successful launch of Vapor Woods, Gary’s hand crafted wood mods struck a chord with me. Unique as well as beautiful, his creations have me imagining what else will be released.

I now introduce you to Gary, producer of some of the most original wood mods I have seen!

Meet Gary from Vapor Woods

TUC: How long have you been vaping?

Gary: Tried my first e-cig in Oct. 2011.

TUC: What was your very first e-cigarette?

Gary: I picked up a Blu at Walgreens one day, just on a whim.

TUC: Who or what do you believe has had the most influence on you in the vaping community, and why?

Gary: I guess there have been a lot of influences that have had an impact on me. Overall the fact that I finally found something that would either help me quit, or at least help me greatly reduce the number of cigarettes I was smoking, was huge for me. Nothing before had worked. Specifically though, I was amazed at the huge community of people just like me, smokers who both love to smoke and want to quit. I have met a bunch of wonderful people, and have started some great friendships.

TUC: What would you say is your all time favorite movie, and why?

Gary: I’m not sure about favorite, but I just saw Hugo, I really enjoyed it. The imagination is a wonderful place to be.

TUC: What are some of your favorite foods?

Gary: Breakfast

TUC: What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Gary: I like photography, tattoos, reading and I like the struggle of figuring out how things work.

TUC: Which ONE word do you feel best describes you?

Gary: Intense.

TUC: Which ONE word do you feel your friends would use to best describe you?

Gary: I’d hope they find me loyal.

TUC: What flavor e-liquid are you vaping right now?

Gary: Copper Creek Peach, it’s wonderful.

TUC: What e-cigarette, or mod are you vaping right now?

Gary: I have 3 VaporWoods that I built a while ago, I use all three.

The Three Amigo’s!?!

TUC: If you could live anywhere in the World, where would it be, and why?

Gary: I’m not sure. I’d love to be closer to the ocean. I grew up in Baltimore and my wife and I lived in New Bern N.C. for a while, so I miss being close to the water.

TUC: What was the driving force behind the launch of Vapor Woods?

Gary: At the top of the list though has to be my wife, she has always been an encouragement, puts up with all my nonsense and is a great supporter of the woodworking. She continues to be my greatest fan and my greatest love. Also, I was absolutely blown away when I saw all the wonderful wood mods being built. It is really exciting to see all the creative ideas. I am also very grateful to have had the encouragement from friends over at the Copper Creek thread when I first posted a few photos of what I was doing.

TUC:Your designs are very unique, and original. Where do you get your inspiration concerning the aesthetics of your wood mods?

Gary: I think the inspiration is simply all the things that aren’t or haven’t been done yet. Wood is fun to fool with and you can do so much with it.

TUC: What do you feel was your biggest challenge when first starting Vapor Woods?

Gary: Well, I haven’t been at it very long so each one I build is a challenge. I have ruined more VaporWoods than I have built, simply because each one is unique. How it’s going to look, laying out the electronics, making sure everything is as close to perfect as possible is the goal. I have gotten to the very final stages of a build only to mess up one little detail and it ruins the whole thing. That will continue to be the challenge, because I am not really interested in making a bunch of the same thing.

TUC: What type of wood is your favorite to work with, and why?

Gary: For my furniture work, I really love Walnut and Mahogany. Cherry is nice too. For the VaporWoods, I don’t really have a favorite. I usually have a general idea of what I want to try next, then I start looking through my wood choices and a piece of wood will jump up and say pick me! pick me!

TUC: What is your vision for Vapor Woods in the next year?

Gary: I want to build all the VaporWoods that are dancing in my head.

TUC: How much time and effort goes into finishing one of your mods, from start to finish?

Gary: Not counting the time I lay awake thinking about it, about a week or so, but during the day I am also working in the shop on other things. They take quite a bit of time, mainly because each one is different.

TUC: What one thing would you like people to know about you, the man?

Gary: You probably already know too much.

More About Gary

My name is Gary Smith. Melissa, my wife, and I have been married for almost 30 years. We have 8 children, 3 girls and 5 boys; the youngest is 10 and the oldest is 27. We also have 4 dogs, and a bird. For most of that time we have lived in Memphis where I work as a self-employed woodworker. I build furniture and repair/restore antiques. The work in the shop is what occupies most of my time.

My journey in the vaping world started one day when I went into a Walgreens drugstore and noticed the display of Blu e-cigs. I have smoked Camel, non-filters for a very long time. I have tried to quit a bunch of times using several different methods. Nothing worked, partially because although I know it’s harmful, I like to smoke. So I gave the e-cig a try. That was it. For the first time, I had found something that would help me put the cigs away and I enjoyed it; it was easy.

I went from a pack and a half a day to 2-3 cigs a day without even thinking about it.

I got online and started doing some reading.

Pretty quickly I went from the Blu to ordering a kit from V-2 Ecigs. I also pretty quickly discovered the ECF folks and it opened up a whole world. Next I bought a box mod from Steve at FoxyBox Mods. He’s a great guy with some well-made products, and I still enjoy using his mod. About that same time as I was experimenting with different juices. I found the folks at Copper Creek Trading Co. and like so many of the forums out there, it was filled with some wonderful and very helpful people. Maureen, the owner of Cooper Creek, has been a real friend and also happens to brew some of the best e-liquids available.

At that time I also discovered the wonderful world of mods. Creative people making all sorts of P.V.’s in every shape, size and material. It made my mouth water when I saw what was being done in wood.

I built my first WoodVapor out of a piece of Amazak that I had in the shop.

The electronics were rough and the end result wasn’t that cool, but it worked and I was hooked. I made 2 more and they also worked; I still use all 3 every day. I posted a few photos on the ECF mod thread and on the Copper Creek thread and that’s kind of how it all got started. I built a few more, not intending to sell but trying to see if I could build something that was done well enough that it could be sold. I have a ton of ideas that I think might be fun to try as I make these things, so I started to look into an outlet for them.

That’s it, VaporWoods was born.

Find Gary from Vapor Woods on the internet~~~

Websites:
My Father’s Workshop

Journal and Tea

Vapor Woods

ECF: Vapor Woods thread on ECF
ECF USERNAME: woodboy

If you’re looking for an original design with a unique looking wood PV Mod that will be the envy of others…look no further. Vapor Woods has just the ticket!

Welcome to Modding Mavericks, where I introduce you to the people behind the vaping scenes. Michael is the heart and soul of the Vape Meets conducted in Central Texas!

I now introduce you to Michael, the founder of Central Texas Vapors!

Meet Michael Vapors of Central Texas Vapors

Is that Texas?

TUC: How long have you been vaping?

Michael: Since September 12, 2009. I was 47 years old at the time.

TUC: What was your very first e-cigarette?

Michael: I was determined to quit after 32 years and trying every method (including Chantix) to stop except acupuncture and hypnosis. My last tobacco buy was at my local pipe shop to pick up some good rolling shag in a bag to take home and fill my SuperMatic tubes with, when I walked out of the shop and ran into some guy smoking a black 510 ecig. I asked him what he was smoking on and he explained the ecig.

Being an electronics geek, it sparked my interest. I went home and did the research and found a 510 Kit that seemed like a good deal.

The Vapor Pro 510 Kit!

A week later, I stopped smoking tobacco the first time I took a vape. This worked for me.

I quickly learned that the little batteries don’t last long and the cartridges were messy and difficult to get to vape right. The ATTY was the way to go. I quickly moved into advanced PV’s (personal vaporizers).

Later, I found Rob @ AltSmoke and purchased my first big(er) battery PV, the BB (Baby Bullet) then on to the SB (Silver Bullet) and later an OmeGa. I am currently enjoying a Silver Bullet, BabyBullet+PT, VMU, ProVari V.2, ShanB 18650 “Splash”, Empire and the Darwin

Later I got into DIY juice making and still make small quantities with flavors I enjoy.

TUC: Who or what do you believe has had the most influence on you in the vaping community, and why?

Michael: Since I had no friends or family who were currently vaping, reading internet forums was the first way I acquired ecig information:

• Nu-Vapor Forums
• Vapers Forum
• Vapor Talk
• Vaporsplace
• ECF

Watching the video hardware reviewers do their thing and helping on YouTube.

• Grimm Green
• PBusardo
• GirlGeekVaper
• Basilray

Participating in video chat rooms are a good way to feel out the community:
Stickam, VapeTV, Elixir TV and VapeNet, I have to give BSP (BlackSmithPro) huge props as THE Impresario on VapeTV.

The first person I watched, and actually listened to, was Grimm Green on YouTube. Although I have never met him, he came across a just an every day guy, trying to help new vapors with reviews, opinions and how to’s for the new e-cigarette/vaping world.

I also started listening to the podcasts from the beginning, by the VaporCast guys Adam, Scott and Jack.

TUC: What would you say is your all time favorite movie, and why?

Michael: The Man Who Would Be King

I like how one reviewer explained it “It’s a tall tale, a legend, of steadfastness, courage, camaraderie, gallantry and greed, though not necessarily in that order.”

TUC: What are some of your favorite foods?

Michael: Anything spicy with a lot of flavor. At least 3,500 to 8,000 Scoville Units

TUC: What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Michael: Music, Computers, Motorcycles, Dogs and of course Vaping

Trying to decide which bike to ride is almost as difficult as trying to decide which mod to use!

TUC: Which ONE word do you feel best describes you?

Michael: Substantial.

TUC: Which ONE word do you feel your friends would use to best describe you?

Michael: Substantial.

TUC: What flavor e-liquid are you vaping right now?

Michael: “Bounty Hunter” from NiteLite Vapor.

TUC: What e-cigarette, or mod are you vaping right now?

Michael: ProVari V.2, 801 Fusion 2.9 Ohm Carto in a J-Tank at 3.7 – 4.2 volts.

Just Vape it, baby!

TUC: If you could live anywhere in the World, where would it be, and why?

Michael: Probably somewhere in Spain or Italy near the coast. Why? I love the coastal mediterranean scene.

TUC: What was the driving force behind the launch of Central Texas Vapors?

Michael: I felt that we needed to build a community here in the central Texas area to get together and feel camaraderie with others who are interested in the same thing.

TUC: What do you feel was your biggest challenge when first starting Central Texas Vapors?

Michael: The biggest challenge was first, to figure out how it should be done and then, getting it done. Big props to Kenny Myers for taking on the current ‘Organizer’ role for the group.

TUC: What is your vision of Central Texas Vapors in five years time?

Michael: I see our Texas vaping community growing each and every week. More and more Texas tobacco smokers are finding out about vaping and us, and wanting to be a part of the meetup group. Eventually I would like to see that we were a big part of supporting a ‘Mega-Meet’ here in Texas.

TUC: What one thing would you like people to know about you, the man?

Michael: I am always available for help and advice. I love to help people.

Hey Michael…do your dogs vape too?!?

Find Michael Vapors on the internet~~~

Websites:

texasvapors at gmail.com
Central Texas Vapors Meetups
Central Texas Vapors on Facebook
Google Plus
Central Texas Vapors Blog
Texas Vapors on YouTube
TexasVapors Twitter
Michael Vapors on Facebook

I met Michael during my very first…of many more to come…vape meets in Central Texas. Bringing people together that share a common interest has become Michael’s passion, and it’s spreading! If you are in the Central Texas area, look him up, and maybe we’ll meet up sometime!

BUT…there seems to be a new kid on the block!

Offering two incarnations of an all glass tank! That’s right, I said glass tanks.

Though these beauties may seem a little pricey at first glance, I have no doubt they will be a huge hit!

Why? Because glass is not only a beautiful medium…glass is impervious to ANY kind of juice you may vape.

They will not crack on you!

Avid Vaper Releases Clean Tanks

J.J. Zepp (7less7 @ ECF) & Blake Lott are the founders of “Clean Tanks”.Tanks are made of chemically resistant Borosillicate glass (Pyrex) 1 piece and 2 piece tanks, including color tips and fumed designs. “Clean Tanks” are an infant company that strives for quality. You can purchase these tanks EXCLUSIVELY at avidvaper.com

Clean Tanks are made out of chemically resistant Borosillicate glass (Pyrex) 1 piece and 2 piece tanks. Each tank is made on a glass lathe and formed by hand.

The Parva tank is a one piece tank designed to hold approximately 4ml of juice.

The Duo tank is a two piece tank that has a top cap which functions as the “drip tip,” made into one. This tank holds approximately 5ml of juice.

If you prefer vaping your e-liquid from a tank, I recommend you check out the new Clean Tanks.

You can find out more about the Clean Tanks at:

Website: Avid Vaper
ECF: OFFICIAL avidvaper.com Clean Tank discussion thread

Enter the all new Leagacy, made with the Kick by Evolv in mind!

Power is supplied by one IMR 18490 high drain battery (Kick enabled), or a single 18650 IMR high drain battery. If you purchase the optional sleeve, you will be able to have a Kicked Legacy powered by the 18650. A mini version of the Legacy is available as well.

The tube is media blasted, while the top and bottom cap are polished. This is a bottom activated device with a locking mechanism similar to the ICON.

For me, my favorite battery size seems to be the 18490. This gives me the best compromise between battery size, and longevity…or as I like to call it, vapegevity (yea, I just made that up).

PureSmoker Legacy is Cutting Edge

Plus…it can be a Kick in the butt!

The Legacy weighs in at 5.2 oz (in its Kick enabled configuration with 18490 battery) and measures 4.25″ L x 0.874″ D at its widest circumference.

Size Comparison

Size does matter…right?

PureSmoker Legacy Parts

Not much here…but I do like what I see!

Threading of the Legacy

Silver Threads Among the Gold…oh wait, that’s a song!

Legacy End Caps

PureSmoker ships extra screws, and washers for adjustment, and replacement should you need. After adding the Kick to my Legacy, two additional washers were required to make contact.

Don’t worry about this…the Legacy comes with a written user manual from PureSmoker.

Legacy Activation Button Lock

The activation button and lock is the same functionally as with the ICON, but it looks better!

The Legacy Gets a Kick in the Butt

Two configurations for ya!

The Legacy from PureSmoker, will accept a single 18650 for 3.7 volt vaping…while the Kick transforms this into a full fledged variable wattage vaping machine powered by a single 18490!

What exactly does that mean? Variable wattage, as opposed to variable voltage?

I don’t know…so lets add the Kick, and find out!

Variable Wattage

Variable Wattage…stop kicking me!

My daily use of cartomizers are 2.0 & 3.0 Ohm Boges. When I’m vaping my Provari or mini Lavatube, I need to change the voltage setting in order to get to my sweet spot depending on which cartomizer I’m using at the moment.

What I really like about varable wattage, is the fact that the voltage output is determined by the Ohms of the cartomizer used.

I set the Kick at my desired wattage…and forget about it!

Testing the PureSmoker Legacy

The following table represents the data I was able to measure with equipment I had on hand.

All measurements were rounded to the nearest 0.1 increment when needed, utilizing freshly charged batteries.

The Ohms for atomizers & cartomizers were measured with my Provari. The wattage is calculated with the formula: Watts = (Volts x Volts)/Ohms.

After taking my readings, I dialed in @ approximately 8.0 watts with my 2.9, and 2.0 Ohm tank. The voltage readings I received were 4.9 & 4.05 respectively.

Throughout the battery charge, my voltage readings remained within 0.1.

I simply swapped the two tanks at my leisure, and the voltage output adjusted automatically, requiring nothing from me.

The Kicked Legacy delivered my setting of approximately 8.0 watts until the battery required a recharge!

Set it and forget about it…gotta love that!

Conclusion:

The Legacy PV Mod was constructed with the Kick by Evolv in mind…and it shows. The fit of the two are complimentary, with no issues whatsoever. If you have a Kick, you can’t go wrong by coupling it with the Legacy. If you have a Legacy, you absolutely need to get a Kick (if you desire variable voltage…err…I mean variable wattage!)

Warm Vape & Cold Beer…What More Could You Ask For?

I might have had one too many while taking this picture!

The Good

• Construction – Body is made of stainless steel, with a contrasting media blasted and polished finish. This is a solid, quality made, all mechanical device, that should last a very long time. Plus, it’s made in America!
• Durability - Solid & durable, I’m not worried about this device should I inadvertently drop it.
• Simplicity - It doesn’t get any simpler than this!
• Size - In both configurations, Kicked or not, this is the perfect size for me.
• Consistency - Set your wattage and forget about it. The Kicked Legacy delivers.
• Vapegevity - Yea, I said it again…and the Legacy has it!
• Price - The $88.99 for a base Legacy makes this one of the lower price points for a stainless steel 18650 all mechanical PV Mod. Add $45.00 and you have variable wattage at your fingertips for a cool $133.99!

The Bad

• I found the Legacy could be a little unstable while standing it up on end.

The Ugly

• Nothing

Final Words on the Legacy from PureSmoker

The Legacy never missed a beat, firing every time. The stainless steel media blasted finish with polished end caps not only looks terrific, its easy on the fingerprints too. Solid construction…low price point…all mechanical…made in the USA…and constructed with the Kick in mind…my hats off to PureSmoker for their release of the Legacy.

Website: The Legacy from PureSmoker

• Name: PureSmoker Legacy
• Price: $88.99 (body only) Additional $37.00 for the kit.
• Extension Tube: $14.99
• Type: All Mechanical Tube Mod
• Battery: Uses one 18490 (kicked) or one 18650 IMR High Drain Battery
• Connector Type: 510
• Body: Media Blasted Stainless Steel.
• Warranty: Six Months.
• Vented for added safety
• Activation button lock for added safety
• Made in the USA

The Legacy by itself is a quality PV Mod, that performs flawlessly at 3.7 volts…couple it with a Kick by Evolv, and you now have variable wattage in a sleek, rugged, all mechanical stainless steel device for only $133.99. How can you go wrong with that?

With big tobacco companies showing loses in sales, this is hardly a surprise.

blu ecigs are the perfect adjacency for us to participate in the smokeless market, but in a Lorillard way,” Murray Kessler, chairman, CEO and president of Lorillard, said in a statement. “We believe that blu will benefit from Lorillard Tobacco Company’s regulatory experience and sales infrastructure which are needed for it, and the category, to reach its potential in a responsble manner.

Big Tobacco Enters Electronic Cigarette Market

This is just the beginning!

Get ready everyone, the tide is a changin!

I think the keyword here is, “regulatory experience”.

What do you think of the acquisition of Blu Ecigs by Lorillard? Let us know!

If you aren’t familiar with the can mods offered by Karen, you can view my review of her Coke Can Mod.

I recently attended a local vape meet in Austin, TX, and I gotta tell ya…my Coke Can Mod received a lot of attention. Everyone wanted to see how it worked. It was a hit!

Welcome to Modding Mavericks, where I introduce you to the people behind the vaping scenes. Karen’s Can Mods are not only unique, they are functional, and have become my most stealthiest of mods…in the form of a Coke can…but you can get just about ANY can of your choice!

I now introduce you to Karen, of Sin City Mods, the only mods that are built around a drinking can of your choice!

Meet Karen of Sin City Mods

I wonder if she’ll do a “bottle mod” next?

TUC: How long have you been vaping?

Karen: I tried vaping about 5 years ago with little success.

TUC: What was your very first e-cigarette?

Karen: I had a crappy cigarette looking prefilled unit that didn’t work at all. I didn’t know it at the time. I bought it at a smoke shop and had never seen anything like it before.

TUC: Who or what do you believe has had the most influence on you in the vaping community, and why?

Karen: Pink Spot Vapors. My husband and owner of Pink Spot Vapors (Penn) have been best freinds since childhood. Penn invited us to go to Vegas Vapefest and that started it all.

TUC: What would you say is your all time favorite movie, and why?

Karen: Star Wars. Come on man……

TUC: What are some of your favorite foods?

Karen: Bread mostly, and beer I love all food. (except peas)

TUC: What are some of your favorite hobbies?

Karen: I made wine for a while, until the only wine and beer brewing store here closed. I made wedding cakes. I draw. I made candles for a few years. I’m like a grifter when it comes to hobbies. Now I make mods.

TUC: Which ONE word do you feel best describes you?

Karen: Smartass.

TUC: Which ONE word do you feel your friends would use to best describe you?

Karen: Smartass.

TUC: What flavor e-liquid are you vaping right now?

Karen: Pink Spot Almond Joy. Mmmmm.

TUC: What e-cigarette, or mod are you vaping right now?

Karen: 16oz Coconut Water Rockstar Can.

TUC: If you could live anywhere in the World, where would it be, and why?

Karen: At the beach. The weather is awesome.

TUC: What was the driving force behind the launch of your business?

Karen: When we went to Vegas Vapefest, all the mods I saw looked so similar. I wanted something that I looked at and said “wow, that is so cool“.

Most mods look like tubes. I did see an Altoid can converted to a mod with a tank and drip tip on the outside. I just thought… why?

TUC: What do you feel was your biggest challenge when first starting your business?

Karen: Omg. Everything. I didn’t know anything about modding, mods, electric currents, voltage, mAh, soldering etc. I spent 5 months just researching, ordering parts, testing them out, throwing them in the trash and searching again.

Hours and hours and hours lol.

TUC: What advice would you give someone who is thinking of going into business for themselves, in the e-cig industry?

Karen: If you love what you do, go for it.

TUC: What one thing would you like people to know about you, the woman?

Karen: I’m a perfectionist.

What you get in a Sin City Mods kit

Typical setup of a Sin City Mod Kit

More About Karen

I was born and raised in Las Vegas. I am married with 2 children. 14 and 22. I was a graphic artist for 20 years and currently run a family business.

I work full time and make mods in my spare time, for fun.

Stealth vaping at its best!

Find Karen on the internet~~~

Website: Sin City Mods

Karen has really come up with one of the most unique mods for vaping to date. I love mine, and plan on adding additional cans to my collection. I just love the look I get when people see me blow smoke after “drinking” from my can.