Beating a Mini DID clone into submission

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After getting disappointing results from my Mini DID clone with mesh wicks (wicking/coil hassle, metallic taste/dry hits), I started fiddling with all manner of silica wicks. Much better in my limited experience, no metallic dry taste, and smoother vapour production all-round. Alas no matter the increasingly bizarre wick design I tried, the 2.5mm hole just wasn't capable of delivering enough juice up the wick for a good vape. The inevitable dry hit loomed, waiting to gag just when you'd kicked back and relaxed.     The vent hole being a quarter turn out of alignment, and the need to keep it adjusted also bugged somewhat.
It needed sorting, or would soon be making friends with my hammer.  

After some head-scratching I took a needle file to the hole and elongated it to an oval, keeping the 2.5mm width but elongating it to 4.8mm. The underside (tank side) was made a little wider at 5.5mm. The idea here was to get 3 lengths of 2.5mm silica wick through here without choking the juice, or leaving room for leaks into the top section when laid down.



I got lucky with the hole size guess, the wicks fit snugly but not overly tight. Seating the 3rd wick called for a bit of fuse wire to pull it through, not difficult, and it works like a charm.



The coil wraps around just two of the wicks, the third acting only as a feed for the top end of the coil. The coil shown came in at 2.58 Ohms, and plays nice with my Ego-t 1100 mAh batteries (yes I am a cheapskate).  :DTime to address the off-center vent hole..



Drilled the original hole out to 1.2mm and plugged with a small screw. The type you often lose from spectacle frames (important to file it flush on the inside so it doesn't catch the wick when the top section is screwed on). Drilled a fresh 1.2mm hole in-line with the wick, but 1mm lower than the original.



Very happy with the results, nice smooth with just the right vapour volume for my 50/50 PG/VG juices, no leaks, no dry hits. 
Might try getting the coil closer to 2.2 Ohms on the next rebuild. Need a plastic drip-tip to reduce overall weight, might try a clear tank mod if I can ferret out some suitable tubing. All the best and happy vaping everyone.

[chuck]

I'm glad that's working out for you. Looks like your getting a decent amount of vapour, looking at the pics.
You didn't need to reposition the air hole, using sandpaper move the top cap back and forward and keep checking until you get perfect alignment, the threads are far enough inside, that they're not a problem.
Let us know how you get on with your further experimentation .

[Wobblybootie]

Bingo!!! Both of my gripes with this little beastie sorted in one thread. Thanks guys!!

Like you Chris, my clone was heading for an appointment with a hammer/vice.

It took me a couple of minutes to realise what you were saying ... it's early and my brain hasn't had enough caffeine/nicotine yet!!

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Chuck: I'd read on here about sanding the top section and did consider it. I'm sure the chrome plate will peel at some point but didn't want to give it a head start. Raw edges are fail points for plating and the screw was staring at me on the bench.

Wobblybootie: Apologies for the grammar. Posted while half asleep, glad you deciphered it.

Rewound with the coil and got it to 2.2 Ohms. A subtle lift in flavour, don't fancy going any lower with the Ego-T batteries. The wicking turned this clone around for me, I'm really enjoying the vape now. Anyone got advice on suitable tube material for a clear tank? From what I can gather polycarbonate is the norm, but did noticed someone using a syringe body. Any polymers I should avoid?

I plan on experimenting with a variable mod circuit based around an LM317 regulator. Anyone here had a punt at this?
Cheers folks.