Building another miniature smoke machine for an upcoming project

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Today at Badgerworks we take another look at miniature smoke machines. It's a subject we've covered before but as machines vary from project to project it never hurts to go over it again.
Music:
Theme - SteamGeezer Shuffle - Agricultural Light & Magic
In-episode - MCMRecords.co.uk
Affiliate links (tools and materials that let you help support the channel at no extra cost to you)
I'll add to this list as time goes on.
Please note I buy all of my own tools and materials and all opinions are my own. I use everything in this list. You may find these items cheaper from other vendors, the links are for reference - it pays to shop around.
3.7v Miniature Smoke Machine parts:
RX2008 box - amzn.to/2KSIAUO
Vape coil set with wicks - amzn.to/2U1g9Xw
20A 18650 battery (x2) - amzn.to/33ZvVab
5v 25mm fan (x5) - amzn.to/2ZcEbEZ
Please note that these items are only for guidance. You will need to ensure whatever parts you buy are suitable for the project you have in mind. Also keep in mind that, if misused or abused, a smoke machine may melt or even catch fire.
Modeling and general tools and supplies:
Harder & Steenbeck Evolution - amzn.to/2JiPaV2
Trigger Airbrush - amzn.to/2E4GL3m
Starter Airbrush Kit - amzn.to/2Vmavyf
1/8"BSP Airbrush quick release kit - amzn.to/2JF27Ys
Airbrush connector adaptor kit - amzn.to/2VzoK7O
Pro Arte miniature brush set - amzn.to/2Jhm4W1
Archimedes Drill - amzn.to/2XC7Ou5
Air Wick Wax Burner - amzn.to/2Dntm5N
Motor pack - amzn.to/2HNRCBV
Vallejo Airbrush Thinner - amzn.to/2JEyCGu
Vallejo Matt Polyurethane Varnish - amzn.to/2Vojhfk
3ml pipettes (200) - amzn.to/2JD5OOs
3M vinyl masking tape - amzn.to/2JCEbVH
Silicone pickup tool - amzn.to/2Mycn81
Circle template - amzn.to/2WPSskI
Trumpeter large photoetch break (bending tool) - amzn.to/2yHtYRk
Graphite pencils - amzn.to/2Ilk11n
5v TP4056 charging circuit (5 pack) - amzn.to/2X4wW0x
3.7v 160mah lithium polymer battery - amzn.to/2X1rzze
SMD5050 LED (100 pack) - amzn.to/2NaOx2C
5v Relay board (x5) - amzn.to/2TZzY1m
Pololu 6 channel servo controller - amzn.to/2ZtKEGB
SG90 servo (x5) - amzn.to/340eOEU
Solder Sucker - amzn.to/2ZYKpna
Tobar Smart Putty - amzn.to/2AslbTT
Anti-static tweezer set - amzn.to/2mg1HxW

[@TheTruxFortuita]

Like and comment for the tips and that funky outro slap bass.

[@TrainQuest-Model-Railroad]

Very nice 👍

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks :-)

[@chrissharp5073]

This is so simple to do. Really impressive so I'm going to have to do one for my model railway project. Cheers mate.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

You're welcome. I hope you'll share your results with us.

[@d0nn13br45k0]

This one is even better than the other mini smoke machin 😍 THIS will definitely will be my wind tunnel smoke generator !!! Again, thank you very much for this amazing idea 😀👍🎉

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks. Just wait until you see what it's going in... ;-)

[@wwkdiecastmore5647]

This was a cool project, thanks for sharing how to do it!.....Bill

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks, and thanks for watching.

[@philRminiatures]

Clever, and very nicely done...inspiring vid!

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks :-)

[@bilgerat7694]

Thanks for sharing mate till next time have a good one

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks, and thanks for watching.

[@ModelMinutes]

Fascinating!

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks :-)

[@PhuVet]

May get a little better performance if you isolate or insulate the terminal blocks from the conductive tape. It's most likely draining your power if both the positive and negative are touching the conductive tape. Thank you for the video.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

That is very likely true and it's something I have considered. Trouble is, there's so little space left in the box it's hard to find anything that would insulate the connections without melting.

[@thomassullivan3703]

Hold on no , but wait a minute at exposes the brackets to potentially touching the aluminum and keeping it the connection within the box . You definitely should've explained this after taking and cutting the plastic off that it would expose the brackets to the top of the box as of a connection . We got the point of the video but someone could miss this as a mistake in not being understood to find out if the hooked up a OFF AN ON switch and find there's a problem to why it won't cut off and it stays on .

[@AtreiusLux]

Just checked the link for the vape coils and they're currently unavailable, are there any other options available? Also how well does the coil and fabric hold up to relatively constant use?

[@bigcharliesmodelgarage296]

Cool

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Thanks, and thanks for watching.

[@apbas4489]

Hello SteamGeezer, I really like your video's I think you do a very good job on how to build these smoke machines I have a question and I would like to make 2 of those small ones so my question is I'll be running them off of 12 volts so what would be the type of heating element I would use your knowledge would be greatly appreciated so I don't burn myself up and anything else thanks and keep up the good work

[@SteamGeezerUK]

You might try using the heater wire from an old hair dryer for 12v. I'm not sure a vape coil would handle that much power, although two of them together might. One of the first videos I made has instructions on how to make a heater coil from scratch - that might help: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpDUhqiNjclnr9E

[@Shadow0fd3ath24]

glycerin and 2.0ohms wire at 12v will produce a ton more smoke!

[@apbas4489]

Hello SteamGeezer, Thank you for your response to my question about your smoke machines and I do like your suggestion using a hair dryer heating coil wire so I have a question how do I determine length of wire and again I'll be using 12 volts and thank you

[@SteamGeezerUK]

I made a video a long time ago where I demonstrated this. Have a watch of that and see how you get on - kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpDUhqiNjclnr9E

[@catfoodrob]

How often do you need to replace the wadding , and how often do you top up the oil ? Will one " charge" of the box keep producing smoke got hours , or just minutes before needing replenishing ? Sorry if you've covered this in previous videos, but this is the first smoke machine I've seen . Cheers !

[@SteamGeezerUK]

All good questions. I've never had to replace a wick in any of my smoke machines, although I have had to rewire a couple but that was down to me using cheap wire that corroded after a month or so. As far as how long they last, it obviously depends on how much you use them. In this project, the machine is on for 5 seconds and off for 10. I put 3cc of glycerine in it when I made it and I haven't had to top it up yet. It's difficult to say how long it will last, but it'll be way more than a few minutes. Hope that helps.

[@zolatanaffa87]

excellent construction but I would have left the insulation on the terminal block, separating it anyway in two parts, to avoid short circuits in case of contact with the self-adhesive aluminum. To improve the contacts I advise you not to tighten the screws over the cable insulation: the stripped part may not go all the way under the screw causing a loss of efficiency in the smoke machine.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

While I agree with your points to an extent, experience has taught me the insulation is likely to melt and/or catch fire. Also, folding and clamping the wires makes them less likely to pull out or for the screw to damage the copper.

[@zolatanaffa87]

@@SteamGeezerUK I fully agree on bending the wires: the section is doubled so the screw tightens them better. What I meant was the wire insulation is better not tightened by the screw. This is probably why the insulation of the termination blocks melted: a bad contact causes the connection to overheat: this should increase the smoke, but as already experienced by you, even at the fire! Cheers!

[@Darius12235]

I've got a large spool of tungsten wire I was wondering if I could utilize it to make spools. Any idea?

[@clive2057]

Great tutorial. You said in one of the comments that the smoke machine will be on for a few seconds then off again - what will you be using it for and will there be another video showing how you've deployed it? Would be interested to see the on/off aspects. Thanks in advance.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

There will be a video of that project, yes. Not sure whether to make it one video or two, because it's currently at an hour and a half and it's not done yet :-)

[@clive2057]

@@SteamGeezerUK Wow ! Sounds amazing. Is it a secret for now or can you say anything about that project?

[@malcolmbrown626]

Thanks for video.. How do I connect it to a esc to control it using a channel on my radio.. Thanks

[@titanicxl3]

Thank you so much I’m Going to try to make one. For your usb one do you have a problem with melting wires or anything

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Not that I've noticed. The power really isn't high enough to cause problems like that.

[@titanicxl3]

How much would you charge for one of these. I keep trying the usb but it won’t work. I got one to work on the 18650 battery but the coil... Keeps catching on fire

[@capatainnemo]

i use those coils in my vape :) you would get more vapour from the clapton or tiger coils

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Interesting to know. I'll have to try it. I actually didn't want too much smoke as this will be going in my daughter's bedroom and I don't want to smoke her out :-)

[@zayaruzo1]

Tell me more about the liquid. What do you use? Thank you!

[@SteamGeezerUK]

It's just vape fluid. You can buy unflavoured fluids with no nicotine. It's sold as a base so you can make you own fluid, but it produces smoke anyway.

[@crafts4mecrafter763]

any suggestion fo a mini diorama smoke machine that must stay lit for at least 12 hers then timer shuts off and without refilling work foranother 12 hrs

[@SteamGeezerUK]

That's a tricky one. I personally wouldn't trust one of these to run for 12 hours straight without monitoring. I do know a chap who did something kind of similar to what you're asking, but he used a thermistor and a Raspberry Pi to monitor the temperature and add a safety cut out, but that's a bit beyond me, I'm afraid.

[@kimtomlinson7377]

I want a little smoke machine for my model railway chimney. I am looking at a slower bellowing flow would this machine work without the fan relying on convection up the chimney

[@SteamGeezerUK]

You could certainly try it. In theory, the heated vape fluid should rise because it's warmer than the surrounding air. Might be worth experimenting with different size funnels too.

[@peterhernadi6490]

Hi there! I saw glycerin in your video (not in this one). Is it useable to create smoke? If yes which one would be the best? Many thanks in advance!

[@SteamGeezerUK]

. Vegetable glycerin is the base for vape fluids - it's what actually creates the smoke. I can't really say which one is best, I just bought the cheapest one I could find. Hope that helps :-)

[@peterhernadi6490]

@@SteamGeezerUK Thank you! Then I go to the pharmacy and buy one bottle :) I have ordered everything to build a very tiny smoke machine based on your video. Hopefully I will receive parts until the end of next week and I will post the result when it is finished ;) Many thanks Steamgeezer!

[@peterhernadi6490]

Last question :) What kind of silk preferable on vape coil?

[@cronos29]

Hello, I'm making one mini smoke machine using this materials: 18650 Battery 3,7V 1300mA. Step up modul mt3608 with 9V.. mini PC fan 25mm 5V. 0,85 Ohms vape resistance. When I turn on the circuit the fan goes with low velocity and the resistance makes smoke and the step up modul begins to be to much hot. I'm making something wrong?

[@SteamGeezerUK]

You're probably trying to push too much power through the step up transformer, although it will get hot anyway. Try it without the transformer, see what happens.

[@callmeberty]

Ive tried to build one of these I used the same type of battery, fan and coil and yet my battery enclosure melted any idea where i might be going wrong?

[@SteamGeezerUK]

A lot of cheap battery enclosures for 18650 batteries are extremely poorly made using cheap components. I've had a number of them melt myself - the problem is that the resistance of the metal contacts is all wrong for the application, so they heat up and melt the plastic. I modified mine with a much better grade of connectors to solve the problem, but a simpler alternative may be to simply buy a better quality holder, although where you would get one I'm afraid I cannot say.

[@marekk3301]

What are you printing in the background 😉?

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Difficult to say. The printer is running an awful lot. It's possible I was printing a small house for my daughter to play with - kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHObkmODjNWdd9k

[@easy_3d]

Can you make a smoke machine, like a istick pico vape tank, where we woud nt have to worry about the juice Leaking

[@SteamGeezerUK]

I honestly have no idea. I would imagine so - if I ever come across one, I'll give it a go 🙂

[@peterhernadi6490]

What kind of dye has been mixed with glycerine? Thank you!

[@SteamGeezerUK]

None. As far as I know, there's no way to make coloured smoke from glycerine. If you find a way, please let me know :-)

[@peterhernadi6490]

SteamGeezer and Son Independent Traders i Will if i succeed ;) i tried acrylic but nothing happened. Just want to make it close to black. I’ll try out few liquids :) maybe I not blow myself :D

[@SteamGeezerUK]

@@peterhernadi6490 It's been the goal of RC car and boat people to make black smoke forever, but as far as I know no-one has managed it.

[@repeatedaction4273]

what camera do you use for videoing models and such?

[@SteamGeezerUK]

I use a couple. The main one is a Sony RX100 that I bought a few years ago. For the POV shots I actually use my phone, a Samsung Galaxy S9. I also have a couple of cheap GoPro clones but they're a little unreliable so I don't use them much.

[@repeatedaction4273]

@@SteamGeezerUK you use your phone? it has a great camera

[@SteamGeezerUK]

I know, right? I was hunting around for ages for a decent second camera to use and all the time the best option was in my pocket :-) Apparently the new Galaxy S10 has an even better camera.

[@repeatedaction4273]

@@SteamGeezerUK i wouldn't know i use i phone haha, however most new phones have 10 megapixel cameras these days

[@TheBadBone23]

Is that a floppy disk drive sound in the background?

[@James.O]

I thought it was HF radio noise.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Probably the 3D printer. I use it a lot for prototyping and making parts for projects.

[@dreamkiss4u]

pretty much a vape wire in a box done.

[@SteamGeezerUK]

Pretty much, yes :-) I do make more powerful machines, but these are simple ones that almost anyone could make with limited tools and knowledge.

[@suryajain895]

Can you do this for me

[@pandorab1108]

Does the coil has to be replaced after a while, like a vaporizer? Very nice video, tanx

[@SteamGeezerUK]

I've never had to replace one myself, but then I don't use them all that much. I would be prepared to change them periodically though, to be on the safe side.