New to DIY? Simple guide and links - what and where to buy


There are so many differing opinions on this matter, but it's simple & inexpensive to start. For the same cost as a large pre-made bottle, you could make over 200 mls of liquid.

SUGGESTIONS

  • Don't buy a laboratory worth of supplies.
  • After making a few mls and seeing what would make the process easier/quicker, then buy the lab set up.
  • Order only a few small-sized flavorings from different companies.
  • Other people's praises don't mean that you'll love them, too.
  • Free shipping after so-and-so dollar amount means nothing if you don't like or use the products.
  • DIY KITS are too expensive for what you receive.*


MANY OF US STARTED DIY THINKING THAT WE NEEDED EVERYTHING, ONLY FOR OUR BEAKERS AND FLASKS TO SIT IDLY BY AS VASES WHILE THE 100'S OF FLAVORINGS ALL TASTED THE SAME.

* DIY Kits are very expensive for what you get and contain unnecessary things. You may be tempted because of the simplicity of it, but the links below will help you find everything easily in one place.

T
HE ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES



  • Nicotine
  • PG and/or VG (USP Grade)
  • Flavor concentrates
  • Bottles
  • Syringes/Needles or Droppers

*If you're using a nicotine solution over 24 mg 2.4% , buy a box of gloves and use eye protection.

THE NON-ESSENTIALS (that some people find essential)


  • Graduated Cylinders
  • Flasks/Beakers
  • Scale (0.01g)
  • Funnel (I think it's essential)

PRICES - As of 6/21/14

Bull City Vapor - free shipping @ $75

120 ml Nicotine 24mg: $7.24
120 ml PG and VG each: $2.50

Other supplies they carry: Needles/syringes/glass and plastic bottles/concentrated flavorings (FA, INW, TFA, FW, & CAP)
ecigExpress - free shipping @ $85

115 ml Nicotine: 24mg $8.99
120 ml PG and VG each: $5.99

Other supplies they carry: Needles/syringes/glass and plastic bottles/concentrated flavorings (CAP, FA, FE, FW, HS, INW, JF, LA, NF, Sig, TP)
Wizard Labs - free shipping @ $65

120 ml Nicotine 24mg: $7.49
120 ml PG and VG each: $3.19

Other supplies they carry: Needles/syringes/glass and plastic bottles/concentrated flavorings (LA, LAN, SM, TPA)
Vapers Tek

120 ml Nicotine 100mg: $20.00
120 ml PG and VG each: $3.75

Other supplies they carry: Needles/syringes/glass and plastic bottles/concentrated flavorings (INW)
One Stop DIY Shop - free shipping @ $75

60 ml Nicotine 36mg: $8.50
120 ml PG and VG each: $4.50


Other supplies they carry: Needles/syringes/glass and plastic bottles/concentrated flavorings (OSF, OSB, TFA, CAP, DKS, HC, LA, FW, SM, FA)

Additional Information

Comprehensive lists of where to buy:

  • Flavor Concentrates: HERE
  • Bottles, flasks, syringes, bulk, etc: HERE
  • Flavor Suppliers Abbreviated List: HERE


Special thanks to HeadInClouds for suggestions!!! When it's time for recipes, check out:
HeadInClouds - Recipes

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Comments

Excellent primer on the gear and sources.
I actually had made a spreadsheet with about 30 vendors prices on it to make sure I had the best value and it is matching with the above list.
 
xxJollyRogerxx;bt11553 said:
Excellent primer on the gear and sources.
I actually had made a spreadsheet with about 30 vendors prices on it to make sure I had the best value and it is matching with the above list.

You should turn it into a blog. I'd love the info. I have some additional sources on a blog that I recently added, but it wouldn't let me add anymore data. I had to cut away tons. However, blog it! It will prove helpful to someone...me =)
 
RocketPuppy;bt11552 said:
Thank you! Feel free to pm or post here if you have any questions.

Is 100mg/ml nicotine available in the US? I find it cheaper (basically the same price as 24 or 36mg/ml) and easier to calculate. For high nic juices a 24 or 36 mg/ml nic concentrate would have to account for a high percentage of the total, negating the economy factor.

Since some of the juice I make for friends is 18mg/ml, using 36mg/ml concentrate would require 50% of the total volume.

Myself I'm down to 5mg at the outside so it doesn't matter much, but at higher concentrations it does. As the nic concentrate is the most expensive ingredient (at least in my area), using 100mg/ml helps keep the costs down.

VG & PG are quite cheap by the liter (or even 5 liter) and so are flavors, although I use mainly natural extracts.

I usually make 250~500ml batches and add nic on the go as I bottle them in 30~50ml droppers for friends; generally for free. On acassion one of them will present me with a liter of VG or PG.
 
That was a perfect short sweet and to the point read for a DIY newb considering this next step in the evolution of vaping! Thanks a million!!!
 
Darryl Licht;bt12836 said:
That was a perfect short sweet and to the point read for a DIY newb considering this next step in the evolution of vaping! Thanks a million!!!
Excellent! Glad you found it usefull!
 

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