I started with a basic machine, tried a conduction method that showed the failure of that as a method, and wound up with a surprisingly good GVG like method.

The failed conduction method was to make a copper part that had an internally threaded hole and outside diameter as close to the thread size as possible. The idea was that the spice could be placed inside and melt into the threads where it would have a lot of surface area.
This copper part slips into the end of the machine to take advantage of the visible chamber, the metal pokes out.
Heating the outside is indeed easy and you would think it could be controlled but burning and harshness were the norm. That harsheness from burning ruins the experience.

Next up is the succesful vaping method that is probably like a GVG.
My multi purpose butane torch MT76 has attachments, the heat gun uses a ceramic "filter", I opened it up and took the ceramic, drilled my copper part to fit it on the end and drilled the glass bottle end to fit a cu choreboy.
The CB is loaded, placed in the thing which is them slipped into the machine bottle. A torch lighter is used much like what it sounds like a GVG is used. The difference is that mine has a smaller inlet.
I can't compare to a GVG because I don't have one but this works better than I hoped for and I wonder if the smaller inlet and metal construction could be an advantage. It seems to provide room for variation in torching without burning, excess heat doesn't seem to be a problem and looking at the CB afterwards shows conistant color.

hello moe2525, welcome to the Nexus

Its always nice to have some decent cheap vaping devices that provide an alternative to things like the GVG.

is there any chance you can upload some pics of your device so people can see exactly what you have done?

cheers

Some pics...

BTW, that's an O-ring, more to hold it still than to seal

thanks for the pics, it looks nifty, nice one

just to be overly cautious, is there any chance the o-ring can heat up and give of fumes?

I'm not interested in "cheap", I'd put a big effort into this because it's worthwhile and important. This was just some creative experimentation which is a form of play you could say.
I was about to order a GVG but find this to be as good as I hoped for which I didn't expect.
I'm trying to justify getting a GVG anyway on the presumption that the pride of having made something is causing it to be rated too high ;-)

i didnt mean to imply you were after cheapness, i just meant that alot of people are on a budget and cant afford the more expensive devices and things like this are a good alternative. I was in the market for something cheap and effective when i began and i had some good mileage from The Key.

What kind of dosages are required with your device? if it is equal to the GVG then i wouldnt bother with the GVG unless you like shiney things.

I didn't take 'cheap' as a dig, sorry, I should have explained more because it's a topic i tend to wax on about. That is the idea of things one is passionate about being handled to be easy or like a faberge egg. ;-) Maybe simple/effective would be better terms.

Dosage wouldn't be something I can say accurately because I've typically been leaving much and even backing out after the first toke lately. This has happened several times, I get a good first hit going and then feel that I shouldn't commit and instead save it for another time. Not out of fear but respect, maybe I don't want to enter if I'm test driving a new method rather than being fully prepared.
Sometimes I also find I'm going off after the 2nd hit like I need someone to remind me "damnit, take the 3rd hit!"