Cigar Weekly

Briandg · 06-27-2011, 02:14 PM

Lots of factories used draw machines. the wrapped bunch is hooked into the machine and tested, then the cap is put on. There is a vacuum pump, capable of pulling a certain volume of air at a certain level of vacuum, and a gauge is held between the cigar and the pump. If that gauge shows excessive vacuum as air is drawn through the cigar, it's plugged. The technology is incredibly simple, and reliable, but not necessarily going to detect other flaws in rolling. A stick with a huge tunnel and full length hard spot will smoke badly, but still pass the draw test.

Mixed feelings. Sure, they guarantee a workable draw. But, otoh, I've rarely had a plugged cigar, but smoke a hell of a lot of them with other problems. So, in general, in my expereince, at least, they are useless and an extra step. It would actually require testing something like an MRI or CAT scan to find the hidden air pockets and hard spots.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Espresso Machines	ronin	I'll Drink to That!	19	10-18-2007 06:15 PM
gaggia machines	mannish	I'll Drink to That!	13	01-25-2007 10:52 AM
To draw or not to draw that is the question!	Cigarlad	The Cedar Room	21	12-28-2005 11:48 AM
Draw machines	Legends of the Playground	Cigar Talk	10	12-23-2005 07:11 AM

06-27-2011, 02:14 PM	#2
Briandg CW Squirrel Wrangler Herf God Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: southwest Missouri Posts: 35,695	Lots of factories used draw machines. the wrapped bunch is hooked into the machine and tested, then the cap is put on. There is a vacuum pump, capable of pulling a certain volume of air at a certain level of vacuum, and a gauge is held between the cigar and the pump. If that gauge shows excessive vacuum as air is drawn through the cigar, it's plugged. The technology is incredibly simple, and reliable, but not necessarily going to detect other flaws in rolling. A stick with a huge tunnel and full length hard spot will smoke badly, but still pass the draw test. Mixed feelings. Sure, they guarantee a workable draw. But, otoh, I've rarely had a plugged cigar, but smoke a hell of a lot of them with other problems. So, in general, in my expereince, at least, they are useless and an extra step. It would actually require testing something like an MRI or CAT scan to find the hidden air pockets and hard spots.