Advise, Warnings... Please critique my plan.

[Valcas1]

I am starting my DIY journey and would like those of you to look over my shoulder and tell me if I am going wrong.

I plan to order my supplies from My Freedom Smokes.

250 ML of 36MG 100% PG base
125 ML of PG
125 ML VG

Mixed together it should give me 500 ML of 18 MG base at a ratio of 75/25.

I also plan on buying Totally Wicked flavor concentrate from the Patriot Range after reading information on this site. I figure I will order the Americano, Ruyan, Kamel, and 555.

This should give me enough to get a vapable tobacco substitute.

From what I have read I will start with 5ML test batches. Using my logic(which could be really flawed) 5Ml is 100 drops by volume. If I wanted to start with a 5% of flavor that would be 95 drops of 18mg 75/25 base and 5 drops of my flavor concentrate. Right? Wrong?

I was also thinking of picking up some flavors for tweaking the original mixtures. Please let me know if you think this is a good starting point. And what brands or vendors do you recomend.

Almond
Vanilla
Caramel
EM
TPA seems to have everything I would need for this first experiment.

I am only vaping 3 months and find myself leaning towards a sweet tobacco flavor with nuts or vanilla.

Please share your thoughts on this plan and feel free to add any links or advise that you think might help.

I truly appreciate being able to learn from the ones that have made the mistakes before me.

Paul

 

[djbishybish]

Your base will be a little higher than 75% PG with flavoring added. That will also decrease your nic a little bit too. Just a heads up.

Tobaccos are hard to get right in DIY. I'd suggest you read the New Super Concentrated Flavorings thread and look into those for tobaccos. I've heard nothing bad about them.

As for tweakers, TPA can work just fine. Capella's would do wonders as well. It's personal preference though. Just shop around and experiment with what sounds good.

Hope that helps!

 

[Kurt]

It looks like you are well on your way! Your initial 18 mg math is correct. One thing I would advise however is to not use drops, use a calibrated syringe: faster, safer and far more accurate than drops, which can vary depending on the liquid viscosity and dropper device.

Another thing, too, to consider is to make liquids as you vape them, not 500 mL of some set PG:VG mix and some set mg level. Your tastes may change, you might want more PG or more VG, and you might want a little higher nic around for an added kick. Also, mixing always introduces O2 into the mix, and 500 mL of any liquid is going to be sitting there for a while. If you do make 500 mL of an 18 mg base, you should put it into smaller bottles and freeze it, then use it one bottle at a time.

I freeze my 36 - 100 mg unflavored liquids in 30 -50 mL amber glass bottles, and only have one bottle out for DIY at a time. It stays virtually unchanged and fresh for a LONG time (at least 2 years for my VG-nic liquids...in fact, I don't expect those to change much ever).

3-5 mL testers are a good idea. Many juices I made that were fantastic at first became cloying or otherwise less than pleasant after vaping them for a day or two. Very easy to make 30 mL of something that you find out you don't really like that much.

Flavor companies I like are:
Capellas
Flavor Apprentice (also known as Perfumers Apprentice)
FlavorArt
Lorann Naturals

That said, I think I speak for most here when I say that if I buy 10 flavors, I will end up liking really only a 2 -3, and the rest sit. I like to make 3 mL test batches of individual flavors and get to know them, then start creating recipes by mixing those.

Keep good notes. I've made many a masterpiece, only to forget how I made them. DIY is a bit pricey in the beginning, but soon you will be going months without spending much. I can make 10 mg of 12 mg flavored juice for about $.40, depending on the nic.

+1 for the MFS nic. One of my favorites. In the future, if you like a 25% VG base, you might get VG-nic instead of PG-nic. It tends to store better in the freezer since it becomes much thicker than PG. But yours will be good to go for a very long time.

Also +1 for starting out with 36 mg. Learn the ropes, deal with the inevitable messes, get the feel of things with 36 mg before going to higher nic levels for unflavored. Fact: DIY is generally messy, especially in the beginning.

Stay safe, and enjoy your own creations!

 

[Stosh]

Your base mix and the flavorings will have different viscosity, drop size. It' worth investing in a couple 3mL and 1 mL syringes for accurate measurements. Less counting drops more vaping...

 

[AzPlumber]

I suggest you get yourself an e-juice calculator. The one found in the stickys is good as is the "E-Juice Me Up" download, just do a Google search. Tobaccos are tough and you will find yourself on a endless quest for greatness. Not that a good vape can't be had but always looking for new horizons. If your looking for instant success go with the VZ Alcohol flavors if you are looking for base tobaccos that you can add different notes to go with FlavourArt. TPA is a good source for different notes as is FavourArt, VZ Alcohol flavors are still being explored as a possibility.

 

[Valcas1]

I suggest you get yourself an e-juice calculator. The one found in the stickys is good as is the "E-Juice Me Up" download, just do a Google search. Tobaccos are tough and you will find yourself on a endless quest for greatness. Not that a good vape can't be had but always looking for new horizons. If your looking for instant success go with the VZ Alcohol flavors if you are looking for base tobaccos that you can add different notes to go with FlavourArt. TPA is a good source for different notes as is FavourArt, VZ Alcohol flavors are still being explored as a possibility.

Already have the calculator downloaded on the computer. I read all 793 posts on the VZ concentrates and then when I got to the website I found out they were out of stock. Does anybody know ETA on new stock?

This will probably turn into a hobby of constant flux searching for the holy grail of juice but in the begining I want to have something I can use to cut costs. That is the reason I am going to order the Totally Wicked concentrates to start.

Thanks for the advice. Keep it coming.

 

[Valcas1]

Your base mix and the flavorings will have different viscosity, drop size. It' worth investing in a couple 3mL and 1 mL syringes for accurate measurements. Less counting drops more vaping...

Got them already. I just wanted to have the concept down based on volume. I have 1 ml, 3 ml, and 5 ml.

 

[sidetrack]

Wizard Labs would be my suggestion for buying TFA flavors and some Lorann. Not a complete selection(87 currently) like OneStopDIY but a good place to start. $1.49 for 8 ml in a GLASS vials, the best way to store flavors in my opinion, works out to be about $.19 per ml. Shipping is reasonable. Nine flavors will cost about about $2.50 in shipping. At least if you don't like the flavor you're not out a whole lotta money and you still have a glass vial to use elsewhere. Shop around for nic. Plenty of sales on good quality nic. this weekend. Good Luck and have fun!

 

[panachronic]

I am only vaping 3 months and find myself leaning towards a sweet tobacco flavor with nuts or vanilla.

I highly recommend "Marlboro Tobacco" flavor from Wizard Labs. It's a mild cigarette flavor with a strong nutty taste. You can always sweeten it up with a vanilla or something fruity. Get creative!