Coil Building Tools: What You Actually Need to Get Started
Building your own coils sounds more complicated than it is. With the right tools, it's a straightforward process that gives you more control over your vaping experience — and saves you money on replacement coils over time.
Here's the honest list of what you need:
1. A coil jig
This is the most important tool. A coil jig lets you wrap consistent coils around a mandrel at a specific diameter. The Tobeco Coil Jig V2 is a solid, affordable option we stock at SmokTek. The V2 redesign makes it noticeably easier to use than earlier versions.
2. Resistance wire
Kanthal A-1 is the standard starting point for most builders — it's forgiving, easy to work with, and widely compatible. We carry Kanthal A-1 resistance wire in the gauges you'll actually use.
3. Ceramic tip tweezers
You'll use these to strum your coils (check for hot spots) and compress your wraps. The ceramic tips mean you can touch a heated coil without shorting it out.
4. An ohm reader
Always check your coil's resistance before installing it in your mod. A multimeter works, or you can use a dedicated ohm/volt meter. This is a safety step, not optional.
5. Wicking material
Japanese organic cotton is the go-to. Koh Gen Do is a popular choice among builders for its consistent quality and neutral flavor.
That's genuinely all you need to start. Once you've got the basics down, coil building becomes quick and intuitive — and the results are usually better than pre-built coils.