Vamo 2, The Sequel, Olives or no Olives ;-)

[robby]

Got hold of a badly worn "Chrome" vamo and thought I would try and get it down to copper. The Chrome Vamo has two layers on top of the brass, Chrome and copper. I really liked the idea of a copper base to work on and then add some brass to it. The brass bits hide the joins without affecting the functionality of the Vamo. The tubes and end cap still separate okay. The 22mm olives (from brass plumbing fittings) are a little overbig for the Vamo so first off I put them in a compression fitting and tightened them up a little at a time until they are a really good fit on the vamo. 

It is not easy to get down to copper only. The layer of copper that is on top of the brass pipe is quite thin. I think it is only there as the process to Chrome the pipe needs it. So getting down to just copper is not easy, takes patience and time. 






Got most of the chrome removal done, the next bit (around the buttons) will take ages to do. The buttons have turned out to be brass, didnt see any copper there although the brass colour adds to the contrast of the copper and brass and looks well I think. I am trying to do this one without stripping the vamo down. The top cap on this one is really tight and it would be so easy to mark it badly with tools and padding, so I am going this way with it. Nothing is fixed in place yet, I am not going to solder them this time. There is an Araldite for metal to metal fixing, gonna try that. Easier to clean up afterwards. When you solder the bits on the excess solder can be difficult to remove without losing some of the copper plate. 

So, like I said, it is work in progress and nothing is stuck together yet. I would welcome any thoughts on the way it looks now and any possible alternative thoughts you may have  What do you think guys?

[kirrielad]

Looks good to me robby, nice work.

[Greigster]

Looks great Robby, what are you using to remove the chrome?

[Deleted]

A leather bound box to keep it in ... it's a beauty. We've discussed steampunk additions before but I reckon it would spoil it to be honest ... Some Caravela style etching would suit it beautifully ... maybe a Chinese junk ... nice bit of juxtaposition

[robby]

[robby]

Mar 14, 2013 17:38:06 GMT @ashmal said:

A leather bound box to keep it in ... it's a beauty. We've discussed steampunk additions before but I reckon it would spoil it to be honest ... Some Caravela style etching would suit it beautifully ... maybe a Chinese junk ... nice bit of juxtaposition

Etching would work really well, the brass would come through the copper layer  I agree about the steampunk look, dont want it to get too busy looking

[Deleted]

you should submit it to www.vapeporn.com

[robby]

Mar 14, 2013 17:44:50 GMT @ashmal said:

you should submit it to www.vapeporn.com

I will when I get it finished Ash, still a lot to do yet

[Deleted]

certainly beats the other vamo's on that site ... some good stuff for inspiration on there though.

[robby]

Mar 14, 2013 17:48:06 GMT @ashmal said:

certainly beats the other vamo's on that site ... some good stuff for inspiration on there though.

Good idea, must take a look. The fact that the vamo has the layer of copper on top of brass gives it a few more options

[Deleted]

[robby]

Mar 14, 2013 17:38:03 GMT Greigster said:

Looks great Robby, what are you using to remove the chrome?

Basically wet and dry lol and a lot of elbow grease, it may seem like overkill but I really dont want to go through the copper layer. I really like the contrast between the copper and brass bits. I also invested in a soft metal buffing kit from Halfords which isnt too abrasive and polishes to a really good shine. I would love to get hold of a proper buffing machine, at the moment it`s the electric drill clamped between my legs lol

[robby]

Mar 14, 2013 17:51:19 GMT @ashmal said:

Nice!!!........really gonna have to look into etching, I do have a compressor and sand blasting tools

[robby]

The sandblasting has given me an idea along the lines of that pic on the black chrome one!!

[Roscopecotrain]

You could make everybody there own official AAEC Vamo's for the vapefest Robby hehe.