Building your own vape coils seems daunting at first, but with the right tools, it’s actually a straightforward process that can save you money and give you complete control over your vaping experience.
Whether you’re using an RDA (Rebuildable Dripping Atomiser) or RTA (Rebuildable Tank Atomiser), this guide will walk you through each step with clear instructions that anyone can follow.
TLDR
- Building vape coils involves wrapping wire, installing it into an atomiser, pulsing it to remove hot spots, and wicking it with cotton.
- The benefits are the richest vaping flavour possible, the largest cloud-generating potential, and the ability to perform coil maintenance at a moment’s notice.
- You need specific tools like wire, cutters, a coil jig, vaping cotton and an ohm reader; always check coil resistance for safety.
- The process takes about 10-15 minutes once you’ve practised a few times, though be sure not to rush at first.
- Start with simple round wire builds before trying complex coils.
What You Need: Essential Coil Building Tools & Materials
Before you start wrapping coils, gather these essential tools and materials. Having the right equipment makes the difference between a frustrating experience and a successful build.
Essential Tools:
- Ceramic tweezers (metal tweezers can short your coil, DO NOT USE)
- Flush cutters for trimming wire leads with as little protruding remnants as possible.
- Coil jig or screwdriver set (2.5mm or 3mm diameter for beginners)
- Small scissors for cutting cotton
- Ohm reader or regulated mod to check resistance
Essential Materials:
- Spool of resistance wire (24g or 26g Kanthal A1 works best for beginners)
- Organic cotton pads or cotton strips
- E-liquid for priming your wick
Step-by-Step Vape Coil Building Guide
Now, let’s get into the actual coil-building process. Take your time with each step, especially if this is your first build!
1. Wrap the Coil
Cut about 15cm of wire from your spool. This gives you enough length to work with comfortably. Place your coil jig or screwdriver against the wire about 5cm from one end.
Wrap the wire tightly around the jig, keeping each wrap close to the previous one without overlapping. Aim for 5-7 wraps for a standard build. The coil should look like a tight spring when you’re finished, and it should have a bit of flex and give.
2. Install the Coil
Loosen the post screws on your atomiser, but don’t remove them completely (they’re often very annoying to reattach!). Insert one coil lead into each post hole, positioning the coil in the centre of the deck. The coil should sit about 2-3mm above the airflow holes and not be pressed directly against the floor of the deck.
Tighten the screws firmly, but don’t overtighten – you could snap the wire. Once secure, use your flush cutters to trim the excess leads as close to the posts as possible. You want as little excess wire protruding from the posts as possible.
3. Pulse & Strum
Attach your atomiser to your mod or ohm reader. Set your device to 15-20 watts if using a regulated mod. Fire the mod in short pulses (about 1 second each) until the coil starts to glow faintly orange.
While the coil is cooling between pulses, gently rake your ceramic tweezers across the coil. This process, called strumming, helps work out hot spots. Keep pulsing and strumming until the coil glows evenly from the inside out.
Hot spots occur when the DIY coil is too tightly wound or features overlapping segments. This results in far too much heat generation in the built-up area, and it will not provide optimal vapes.
The Perfect Wick: A Quick Vape Wicking Tutorial
With your coil installed and glowing evenly, it’s time to add the cotton wick. Good wicking technique prevents dry hits and ensures great flavour.
- Prepare the Cotton: Pull off a strip of cotton that’s about twice the width of your coil. Gently pull the cotton apart to remove any compressed areas, then roll one end between your fingers to create a point.
- Thread the Cotton: Let your coil cool completely first. Feed the pointed end through the coil with a gentle twisting motion. The cotton should slide through with slight resistance – if you have to force it, use less cotton.
- Trim and Position: Cut the cotton tails so they just reach the bottom of your juice wells. Fluff the ends with your tweezers, then tuck them into the wells. Don’t pack them too tightly – the cotton needs room to expand when wet.
Final Steps: Priming, Testing, and Vaping Safely
You’re almost ready to vape! These final steps ensure your build works properly and safely.
• Prime the Wick: Drip e-liquid directly onto the coil and cotton until it’s completely saturated. Add a few more drops to the cotton in the juice wells. The cotton should look wet but not flooded. Take care not to let e-liquid overflow from your deck.
• Check Resistance: Install your atomiser on your mod and check the resistance reading. It should be stable and match what you expected based on your wire gauge and number of wraps. For most single-coil builds, expect 0.5-1.0 ohms.
• Test Fire: Start at a low wattage (around 20W) and take a short puff. Gradually increase the wattage until you find your preferred setting. Listen for any crackling or popping – a gentle sizzle is normal, but loud pops might indicate too much cotton or e-liquid.
Common Problems for Beginners & How to Fix Them
Don’t worry if your first build isn’t perfect. Here are solutions to the most common issues:
Problem: Hot spots or uneven glow
Fix: Keep strumming the coil while pulsing at low wattage. Check that your wraps aren’t overlapping or touching each other. More hotspot fixes here.
Problem: Resistance is jumping or “No Atomiser” error
Fix: Ensure your post screws are properly tightened. Check that the coil isn’t touching the deck, posts, or atomiser cap.
Problem: Muted flavour or dry hits
Fix: Your wicking might need adjustment. Try using slightly less cotton if it feels too tight in the coil, or add more if the cotton moves too freely. Still tastes bland? These other flavour tips might help.
Problem: Spitback (hot e-liquid in your mouth)
Fix: Your coil might be flooded. Fire the mod briefly without inhaling to vaporise excess liquid, or use slightly more cotton next time. If using an RTA, grip your mod tightly and ‘flick’ the tank downwards to force excess juice out. This will not work for RDAs, however. If that doesn’t work, try these other vape bubbling fixes.
Conclusion
And there you have it! Building your own vape coils gives you access to massively increased flavour and cloud potential, and can significantly reduce your coil costs. While it might take a few attempts to get comfortable with the process, most people find they can build a decent coil within their first few tries.
Remember to always prioritise safety – check your resistance readings, start at low wattages, and never exceed your battery’s amp limits. With practice, you’ll develop your own techniques and preferences, perhaps even moving on to more advanced builds like claptons or aliens.