Types of DIY coils and when it's better to use them - DIY Coils Explained

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A few years ago we only had limited options when it came to the types of DIY coils. Most people just relied on AWG28 Kanthal as the main wire for the job. Nowadays however, things have dramatically changed due to the wide availability of high wattage RDA Vapes. Vapers needed something revolutionary to match all that power and the answer came with complex coil builds.

WHY ARE COMPLEX COILS BECOMING SO POPULAR?

As opposed to single wire coils, complex builds like Twisted or Claptons offer a much better flavor and vapor production. We call them complex builds because they are usually made of two or even more strands of wire placed together, sometimes even in very complicated patterns.

Coils for vaping

These are now the main choice for vapers with state of the art atomizers and powerful box mods. They do require higher wattages and have a bigger ramp up time, but their performance is outstanding. You can make them at home using a drill machine and some improvisations, but the simplest way is buying a specialized tool for the job. The Coil Master 314 is just perfect for this sort of thing.

YOU'VE PROBABLY HEARD ABOUT TWISTED COILS

We are going to start with Twisted coils. These are essentially the least complex of them all and are simple to make. It involves twisting two identical strands of wire to create a thicker and more resistant alternative to regular Kanthal or SS. Twisted coils are ideal for flavor chasers because they enhance the notes in complex e-liquids.They are ideal when sampling custards, ice creams and chef signature desserts,  as well as other layered flavors. Mounting them in dual coil configuration enhances the experience even further and they work great between 20 – 60W.

FLAVOR ON CLAPTONS IS INCREDIBLE

Next in line are the simple Clapton coils. They probably got their name from the famous singer Eric Clapton, when vapers used the strings of an electric guitar as inspiration. A Clapton coil involves wrapping a strand of wire around a core and creating something that looks like a very long spring. Using this type of wire on builds really enhances the experience with single or dual flavor liquids, especially in the case of fruity vapes. They also tend to produce a lot more vapor and they work great on RDAs and RTAs. Clapton coils also have their own sub category of even more complex designs such as Alien Claptons, or Fused Claptons.

Glowing vape coil

A GOOD STARTING POINT

Parallel coils are something rather similar to Twisted coils. Instead of twisting the same type of wire, you use both of them in parallel to create a coil with two strands of wire in each wrap. This increases the surface area in contact with the cotton and produces better vapor and flavor. Sometimes it even enhances the throat hit and represent the ideal starting point for beginners looking to expand their vaping horizons.

Tiger coils for vaping

TIGER WIRE FOR THAT WARM AND SATISFYING VAPE

Finally Tiger Wire is a type of build made from a strand of Kanthal wire and a strand of flat ribbon wire. This resembles a Twisted, but with much better flavor and vapor production. It has a smaller ramp up time than a regular Clapton and it works perfect for bakery type e-liquids. It's also the preferred type of build for vapers looking for a warmer vape that's also full of flavor.

Posted by Dave Allan

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Former pack-a-day smoker, I discovered electronic cigarettes back in 2011. Since then vaping has slowly turned into my hobby and my full time job. I’ve tested hundreds of e-cigarettes and mods across the years and constantly used my knowledge and experience to help others make the switch. I’m passionate about technology, I enjoy reading and I love big flavorful clouds.

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