What Do You Need for an RDA Tank?

To begin working with an Rebuildable Dripping Atomizer (RDA) tank, you will primarily need the tank itself, along with the necessary materials for building your coils and a dedicated set of tools. An RDA allows you to build and install your own heating coils and wick them with cotton, providing a customizable vaping experience.

Essential Components for RDA Vaping

Getting started with an RDA requires a few specific items beyond just the atomizer. These components are crucial for assembling your coils, wicking them effectively, and ensuring your device functions properly.

The RDA Tank Itself

Naturally, the most important item is the RDA tank itself. This is the part of your vape device where you will build your coils and drip your e-liquid directly onto the wicks. RDAs are known for providing intense flavor and dense vapor production due to their direct-to-coil dripping mechanism.

• Example: A popular choice for beginners or those looking for a reliable setup might include an RDA such as the Pulse RDA 24 Dual.

Coil Building Materials

Unlike pre-built coil tanks, RDAs require you to create your own coils and wicks. This process is often referred to as "building," and it allows for a highly personalized vaping experience.

Vaping Wire

The wire is the heating element that gets energized by your mod to vaporize the e-liquid. Various types of wire are available, each with different properties impacting resistance, ramp-up time, and flavor.

• Common Starting Point: For those just starting out, a spool of kanthal wire is an excellent choice. Kanthal is widely used due to its ease of use, stability, and suitability for wattage mode vaping.
• Other Options: As you advance, you might explore other materials like stainless steel (SS), nickel (Ni200), or titanium (Ti) for temperature control vaping, or more complex pre-made coils.

Wicking Cotton

Cotton is used to absorb the e-liquid and feed it to the heated coil. The quality and type of cotton significantly impact flavor and wicking efficiency.

• Ideal Type: You'll need unbleached, organic cotton specifically designed for vaping to ensure there are no harmful chemicals or impurities.
• Example: A pack of cotton such as Firebolt Cotton is a reliable option known for its excellent wicking capabilities and clean taste.

Essential Tool Kit

Building coils requires precision and the right instruments. A small set of specialized tools makes the coil-building process much easier and safer.

• Key Tools Typically Included:
  • Wire Cutters: For snipping excess wire.
  • Ceramic Tweezers: Non-conductive tweezers for adjusting coils while they're hot.
  • Coil Jigs/Rods: Used to wrap your wire into perfectly shaped coils.
  • Small Scissors: For cutting cotton.
  • Screwdrivers/Allen Keys: To secure coils in the RDA's build deck.
• Example: A comprehensive collection of these items can often be found in a dedicated UD Tool Kit, providing everything you need for basic coil building.

Getting Started with Your RDA

Once you have these essential items, you're ready to start building. The process generally involves wrapping your chosen wire around a jig to form a coil, securing it into the RDA's build deck, trimming the excess wire, and then threading your cotton wick through the coil. After saturating the cotton with your favorite e-liquid, you're ready to vape.