This is a copy of a post I left in the TFA thread, in the DIY forum on 9-1-2016, so I or anyone else can refer to it.
If you DIY your own ejuices, whether you mix by weight or volume, you are probably using regular syringes and or disposable plastic pipettes. The medical community uses pipette devices to precisely measure various liquids in "single drop" accuracy. While using these devices is certainly more expensive, I've found them very convenient and time saving. While I mix by weight, if I were a volume mixer, I would definitely be using these. After a lot of research, I discovered that for less then $200, you can get an excellent setup, and never have to buy another syringe.
MY BRIEF "Gilson Distriman Repeater Pipette" REVIEW:
I no longer use syringes. I find using them and cleaning them a hassle. I don't like trashing the cheap disposable plastic pipettes either. I figured there must be something better, there are those cheap $8 mechanical Pipettes, but they only use the extremely long 8-12" glass syringe tubes. I kept looking, after a TON of research, once again found some things in the medical/chemistry business, are perfect for mixing ejuices. I couldn't find much in the way of other mixers using medical pipettes, probably due to the added costs.
This is what I found.
There are tons of medical pipettes on the market. Two basic designs, one uses air to push out the liquid, the other is really just like a regular syringe, with a plunger inside, but no replaceable needle tips. The 2nd type is the best for mixing purposes as in general they can handle larger volumes and thicker liquids. There are less parts, no liquid can get up and inside this type. Repeater pipettes are the less common ones, but they do larger volumes. There are less choices, which was a good thing. All of these medical pipettes are crazy priced, $300 to over a $1,000 for digital types. Even the refurbished one I bought for $150, can still be found new for over $500. When you look at them, in hand, you realize how much those medical device markups are! There's not a lot to them, though they are EXTREMELY ACCURATE in dispensing liquids. I use HDPE bottles with a Yorker twist cap, for my VG-NIC, 100% VG, and PG solutions, it's just easier for those thicker base solutions and while repeater pipettes claim to handle thicker liquids, it was too hard to draw up 100% VG, though PG would work. For everything else, flavors, additives etc., I use the pipette. I use 4-6 reusable syringes on average in a mix.
UPDATE: In my quest to make mixing and cleanup easy, I recently started using a SINGLE pipette syringe. Instead of using a separate syringe for each flavor bottle, I now keep a small Pyrex 250ml measuring cup in the sink next to where I mix, filled with my very hot tap water. In between flavors, I use the pipettes manual filling lever, to suck up the hot water and then push it back out. I do this 2-3 times, wipe off the tip, and I'm ready for the next flavor, no contamination. I refresh the measuring cup with fresh hot water between every flavor change as well. If I'm doing small sample mixes, where the flavors are less then 1.25 ml's, I can now use just ONE, of the medium sized 1.25 ml syringes.
Out of the 3-4 pipette models and brands I researched, the Gilson Distriman Repeater Pipette seemed like the best choice. It only uses three sized syringes, the smallest of which would be useless for our needs, volumes too small. The largest holds 12.5 ml, the medium holds 1.25 ml.
I contacted Gilson to ask a few questions, and they offered me a demo unit, didn't even ask for a credit card, had it a week later. Tested it for two weeks and returned it, they offered it as a sale item for $300, but I told them I was going to get a cheaper refurbished one. What was super nice was they asked me what size syringe I wanted to test with the repeater, and I said the 12.5 ml size, expecting one or two, but they sent the entire box of 25, to keep. Cheapest I've seen those was on Amazon for $45. After I bought my own repeater, I did buy a box of 25 of the 1.25 ml, for approx. $38 on Amazon. You could get by with just the largest size.
Like a BIG syringe, but only two parts, the body, and the internal plunger, no tip to clean. I pull them apart, and toss them in the ultrasonic cleaner, or a bowl filled with hot water and dawn, then rinse them off. Seems they can be reused over and over, and I feel it's easier to clean and deal with then regular syringes, if you can afford the higher cost of this setup. You can't do it much cheaper then what I've come across unless you scour EBay for used pipettes, which was my 2nd option. I knew getting a guaranteed refurbished one from a site that sells these devices was the best choice for me for not much more then dealing with an unknown eBay seller.
It's not for everyone, but the speed of which I can quickly make up a new batch of juice and cleanup, motivates me to do it more often, that alone made pursuing this worth it. I mix by weight, so I'm not even taking advantage of the main benefit of a medical pipette, the volume accuracy! These things are accurate to the DROP, with one push of a button. So if you are a volume mixer, it would be ideal.
I know the idea of using a medical pipette will appeal to very few due to the higher costs over regular syringes and disposable ones, but I wanted to streamline my process, and it worked out great for me, no regrets. And I thought I'd share what I've learned here.
I found the "Gilson Distriman Repeater Pipette" certified, refurbished, with 90 day warranty here:
F164001, Gilson Distriman Single Channel Repeater Pipette 1 µl-1.25 ml
