Coil Jig – What is it in Vaping? Definition & How It Works

Coil Jig: Definition

A coil jig is a compact, purpose-built tool—usually no larger than a pen—that lets vapers wrap precise coils for rebuildable atomisers. It consists of a metal or plastic body with interchangeable rods of different diameters (2 mm to 4 mm) and a top cap or collar that guides the wire while you twist. By keeping tension and spacing consistent, a coil jig turns fiddly hand-winding into a repeatable, beginner-friendly process and is essential for anyone who wants to save money and tailor their vape without buying pre-made coil heads or cartridges.

Technical Details

Most coil jigs ship with five to seven stainless-steel rods labelled in both metric and AWG sizes. You insert the chosen rod into the base, trap your wire (Kanthal, Ni80, SS316L or even exotic Clapton coil wire) in a side notch or grub-screw, then rotate the top cap or handle. This action coils the wire around the rod at a fixed pitch, producing uniform wraps every time. High-end jigs add a spring-loaded collar for micro-adjustments and laser-etched depth marks for exact leg length. Variants include “coilers” (pen-style), “stick jigs” (pocket-sized) and full kits that combine a jig with ceramic tweezers and cotton trimming scissors. Diameters typically range from 1.5 mm for MTL builds up to 5 mm for cloud chasing RDAs.

Usage & Tips

• Start loose: Leave a 2 mm tail when securing the wire to prevent slippage and kinks.
• Check resistance: Always test-fire the finished coil on a Mod“>regulated mod or Ohm Reader”>ohm reader before wicking; hotspots indicate uneven spacing.
• Clean the rods: A quick wipe with isopropyl alcohol removes metal burrs that can scratch wire or cause shorts.
• Safety first: Work on a non-conductive surface and keep spare rods in the supplied case to avoid mixing diameters mid-build.

History & Context

Coil jigs emerged in the early 2010s as Aussie vapers moved from cig-a-likes to rebuildable dripping atomisers. Chinese manufacturers like Coil Master popularised the pen-style kit, turning coil building from an artisan skill into a five-minute task and fuelling the rise of local DIY coil shops across Australia.