Advanced Vaping: Guide to Rebuildables and Coil Building

Who Should Consider Coil Building?


Coil building isn’t for everyone—but if you’re an experienced vaper looking to fine-tune your performance, save money, or enhance flavour and vapour production, this is your next logical step. Building your own coils allows full control over your vaping experience—from resistance levels to airflow tuning—and adds a rewarding DIY aspect to your hobby. 


If you’re comfortable with Ohm’s Law, battery safety, and want to experiment beyond prebuilt coils or pods, it’s time to dive into rebuildables. 



What Are RDAs, RTAs, and RDTAs?

Understanding the different types of rebuildable atomizers is key before starting your first build. 


RDA (Rebuildable Dripping Atomiser)

• No tank—e-liquid is dripped directly onto the coils and wick. 
• Delivers pure flavour and dense clouds. 
• Ideal for vapers who enjoy short, intense sessions. 



RTA (Rebuildable Tank Atomizer)

• Includes a tank reservoir that feeds e-liquid to the coil via a wick. 
• Combines the convenience of a tank with rebuildable customisation.
• Great for everyday vapers wanting less frequent refills. 



RDTA (Rebuildable Dripping Tank Atomiser)

• Hybrid between RDA and RTA. 
• Offers the flavour of a dripper with the capacity of a tank. 
• Complex design better suited for intermediate to advanced users. 



Each has its pros and cons, but all allow for custom coil installation and wicking, putting control in your hands. 



Essential Tools You’ll Need for Coil Building


Before you begin, gather the following: 

• Wire cutters trim excess coil leads. 
• Ceramic tweezers help pulse and compress coils without shorting. 
• A coiling jig or rod makes it easy to wrap consistent coils. 



Ohm Reader or Regulated Mod

• Ohm readers measure coil resistance before firing. 
• A regulated mod with safety features can double as a reader but isn’t as precise. 
• NEVER fire a coil without knowing the resistance. 



Choosing Your Wire Type and Resistance



The wire material you choose affects ramp-up time, resistance, and flavour. 



Kanthal, Nichrome, Stainless Steel

• Kanthal (A1): Stable, easy to use, great for wattage mode. 
• Nichrome (Ni80): Fast ramp-up, slightly lower resistance. 
• Stainless Steel (SS316/SS304): Versatile for both wattage and temp control. 



Understanding Coil Resistance

• Lower resistance = more vapour, more heat, higher battery drain. 
• Higher resistance = cooler vape, longer battery life, better for mouth-to-lung (MTL) users. 


Use Ohm’s Law to match your coil resistance with battery limits (more on that below). 


Wicking Materials and Technique


The wick delivers e-liquid to the coil, so choosing the right material and installing it properly is crucial. 


Cotton Bacon, Muji Pads, Rayon

• Cotton Bacon V2: Fluffy, organic, widely used. 
• Muji Japanese Pads: Clean, natural, affordable. 
• Rayon: High capillary action but needs precise cutting. 



Proper Wicking for RDAs and RTAs

• RDAs: Wick tails should sit on the deck—not packed. 
• RTAs: Too much wick can block juice flow; too little can cause leaking. 


Prime your wick before first use to avoid dry hits. 


Battery Safety and Ohm’s Law Explained


Why Ohm’s Law Matters


Ohm’s Law helps you understand how voltage, resistance, and current interact. It’s critical for safe vaping: 

• Ohm’s Law: V = I × R 
• To find current draw: I = V / R 



Using a mech mod? You must calculate how many amps your build pulls and compare it with your battery’s continuous discharge rating. 


Matching Battery Ratings with Coil Builds

• Use high-drain batteries like Sony VTC5A or Samsung 25R. 
• Stay under the amp limit to prevent overheating or venting. 
• Regulated mods have protections, but mech mods rely solely on you.



Tuning for Flavour vs Clouds


Coil Placement and Airflow

• For flavour: Align coil with airflow holes, position close to the deck. 
• For clouds: Wider coils, open airflow, lower resistance. 


Wattage and Resistance Balance

• Too much wattage = burnt wick 
• Too little wattage = weak vapour 


Find the sweet spot for your wire type and wick material. 


Cleaning and Maintaining Your Build Deck


Removing Gunked Coils

• Dry burn gently to clean residue. 
• Use a brush or rinse under warm water. 


Rebuilding vs Replacing

• Replace coils when they darken or flavour drops. 
• Wicks should be replaced every 1-3 days depending on use. 


Keeping your deck clean prevents dry hits and maintains performance. 


Tips for First-Time Builders

• Start with single-coil RDAs—they’re easier to build and wick. 
• Always check resistance before firing. 
• Don’t overtighten screws; they can snap wire. 
• Watch tutorials to get a feel for different builds and wicking styles. 


Recommended Rebuildable Products and Tools


Here are some trusted rebuildable products and accessories to start your journey: 

Product	Purpose
Hellvape Dead Rabbit V3 RDA	Easy-to-build RDA with great airflow
GeekVape Zeus X RTA	Leak-resistant tank with great flavour
Coil Master Tool Kit	All-in-one building toolset
Cotton Bacon V2	Reliable organic cotton
Wotofo Prebuilt Coils	Ideal for first-time builders
Ohm Meter or Coilmaster 521 Tab	Essential for safe resistance checking