RDA Starter Guide for Beginners

So you have been thinking about trying out using a RDA but don't no where to start or how to use it so lets break it down for you and show you the best RDAs to buy and the equipment you need. You will be a pro in no time!

An RDA tank – ‘Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer’ – is an advanced piece of vaping gear. It’s is nothing like your standard vape pen. It’s a tank for which you construct your own coils out of cotton and wire. If you’re not familiar with building your own coils, the task may be a bit tricky.

How hard is it to build your own coil?

Constructing your own coils is pretty simple, it just takes a bit of patience. It can look confusing, but it’s actually quite easy and ultimately leads to an unmatched vaping experience. Many even find building their own coils to a be a fun, calming and meditative exercise. Using an RDA vape is the mark of a true vaping enthusiast. So breath relax and enjoy the process.

Why Use an RDA Vape?

In one word: purity. One of the most commonly celebrated aspects of RDAs is the depth and clarity of flavor, as no pre-built coil compares to the taste sensation of an RDA, and since the coils are disposable, users are far less hesitant about trying a higher wattage on their device than usual, to create vast and potent clouds. If you’ve ever seen someone filling a whole room out in a single exhalation, we can assure you they were using an RDA vape.

Also the RDA a cheaper to maintain has the materials to construct the RDA are at a low cost and can be brought in bulk.

What’s the Difference Between an RDA and a Traditional Tank?

The key difference between an RDA and a sub ohm tank is that a RDA vape dose not store juice the way a tank does. Instead, the user infrequently applies e-liquid top-ups directly to the coil. Another plus to consider is that you can change your flavors through out the day; just a couple of puffs and the previous e-liquid is completely vaporized, allowing you to try different tastes. 

Are There Different Kinds of RDA Vapes?

If constantly dripping juice doesn't appeal to you then an RTA could be what your looking for. Unlike the RDA, the RTA has a juice reserve and you still get to build coils like the similar process as an RTA.

Another Variation of the RDA is you can get single or dual builds. There are advantages to both choices: a single coil build will usually have a higher resistance and drain your battery far slower, though what you sacrifice is a certain amount of vapor. On the other hand, dual coil builds split the unit’s power between both coils, which decreases the resistance of the build and results in vast clouds, with a notable increase in power drain.

How to Build an RDA Coil yourself

  1. Cut off a length of wire. It’s often best to cut off a little more than you think you’ll need, as you can always trim off any excess prior to fitting it.
  2. Next, use a ‘coil jig’ to start wrapping your wire into a consistent spiral. Some jigs are simple steel rods; other more professional pieces of kit will lock your wire into place as you twist it, providing more standardized dimensions and cutting down on the likelihood of ‘hotspots’ developing.
  3. Once you have a reasonable number of ‘wraps’, gently stretch the wire from both ends so that a small gap is left between each curl of the wire.
  4. The next step is to remove your newly wrapped wire from the jig and use a pair of wire-cutters to carefully snip away at any excess – bear in mind you’re going to need a bit of uncurled wire left on both ends to feed into the RDAs posts and fix it into place.
  5. Feed both ends of the wire into the posts and tighten the screws. Check your wire to see if it’s bent in any way, or if there are any points where the curls of wire press against each other tightly.
  6. Then use a set of tweezers to gently shift the wire in a consistent and evenly spaced position. (This process may take some time to begin with, but once you’ve built three or four coils you’ll find it gradually easier to do.)
  7. With your wire now firmly in place, tear off a strip of cotton. You want to take a length which is long enough to stick far out of both ends on your wire wrap. Don’t worry if you tore off too much; it’s easy to trim it down to a more manageable amount.
  8. Use your tweezers to feed the cotton into the wrap, trying not to alter the shape of the wire, and pull it through the other side. At this point it’ll look like your wire wrap has a big white ‘moustache’ – so, take your tweezers and grip either end of the cotton, then gently fold it back into the RDA housing, tucking it neatly beneath the wire. And if you find it’s too thick to tuck in, unfurl it again and trim it off slightly. Once it’s satisfyingly tucked in, you’re all done!

Congratulations, you just built your first coil! It only gets easier from here on out.

Or we have premade coils all you need to do is strap in the cotton.
Here is a few links for our choice of coils and cotton

Fat Kiwi Coils

Fire Bolt Cotton

Also Check out our DIY Tool Kits to help you all the fiddley stuff.

Best RDA Recommended for you

The Wotofo Profile PS Dual Mesh RDA Atomizer (28.5mm) is the best RDA to start you off on your journey. 

Wotofo Profile PS RDA

With its stylish appearance and it features adjustable side airflow with flexible honeycomb. Wotofo Profile PS supports direct dripping method & squonkable way to fill e-juice.

Good Luck on your new adventure into rebuildable.

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