DIY go-to equipment on Amazon? (Noob Question)

[v1k1ng1001]

In brief, I'm finally dropping some cash on DIY gear. I have Amazon prime and I'm wondering what go-to lab equipment you DIY veterans would recommend picking up on Amazon rather than from some other vendor?

Basically, I'm looking at starter kits like those below as templates and wondering if I can piece together an equipment package on Amazon that gives me 1) better equipment or 2) better bang for the buck:

'Average Nudist' DIY Starter Kit - Nude Nicotine

DIY Kit for eLiquid - Make your own juice! Heartlandvapes Wholesale

I'm not asking about nic, base or flavorings--got that researched ad nauseum. Also, I'm not on a budget so I'd rather buy good equipment upfront rather than slowly upgrade from what might prove to be a crappy, overpriced starter kit.

Any suggestions?

(Also, I'm excited to be joining the DIY club here on ECF!! Already learned a bunch from you guys!)

 

[sketchness]

Get a scale and lots of various bottles. Some 250 ml plastic bottles with Yorker caps work great for dispensing vg/pg or a nicotine base. I started with syringes and find the scale much easier.

I rarely use my glassware that I purchased. I mix directly into the bottles. I refer the 50ml Ldpe bottles to mix in, 10 ml test batches can be mixed in them as well.

Then you can go crazy with all sorts of 10ml flavors to find what you like.

 

[Sir2fyablyNutz]

I would measure by ml and you won't need a scale. I got 100 1ml syringes for 10 bucks (without tips) on amazon, and a 50 pack of blunt tips for about $14. I use a separate syringe for each flavor as to not cross contaminate.

Glass bottles are about the same on amazon as from a manufacturer. Glass is re usable with a washing, the droppers come apart easily and easier to wash than plastic bottles. I use the 15ml glass bottles to make my samples of 10 or 5 ml, and just wash them to reuse. Most of my juice is made in the 2 ounce bottles but I have some 4 ounce ones for my favorites.

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ebay and amazon for bottles, bulk syringes,

Good luck in your journey. (it's a blast)

 

[Wow1420]

From Amazon, I've gotten glass bottles in various sizes and Essential Depot VG and PG. I mostly use graduated cylinders for measuring, though Amazon sells those, I think I picked mine up from Wizard, IIRC.

buy as you find a need for mixing supplies, don't try to get everything at once. Everyone develops their own mixing routine over time. I care about keeping things simple and easy, you may prefer to go for high accuracy and precise measuring for complex recipes. You'll find your own niche soon enough.

 

[kaahn]

My equipment. Scales that can weigh in increments of .01 of a gram. 2x4oz plastic bottles with yorker caps for VG and PG. Set of small funnels to refill pg and vg bottles. Big aluminum pan to do mixing on. Rubber gloves nitrill I believe it's what they are and they are optional. I mix right into the bottle. I use dropper caps for measuring flavors and Nic base. If its a big batch I use disposable pipettes. After each flavor I pop the glass dropper off the cap and drop into a small cup with PGA. I mix nic then PG then flavoring and last VG in that order...it mixes better that way. Wash my glass droppers after I'm done and put equipment away. Finished. No waste easy cleanup. Welcome to DIY!

 

[Tucsonbroker]

I've only been doing this a week, but after trial and error I found that measuring by weight is much easier on supplies, accuracy, and time. So a basic scale and some syringes are what I found works the best. I measure right into the bottles. I did get some 30mL glass bottles to mix in menthol crystals... if you use menthol. I did get graduated cylinders and plastic pipettes, but found that I don't use them. I spent a little money upfront on equipment, but it was worth it. I also made a shaker for $1.99 (a clamp from harbour freight that attaches to my reciprocating saw) to mix the bottles. Simple stuff!

Scale in .01g up to 200g: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003STEIYY?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00
Bottles for storing the nic in my freezer in 100mL increments: LabStock Brand 120ml / 4oz Amber Glass Packer Bottle, Pack of 12: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
PG/VG/NIC syringes, 1 for each, labeled, from wizard labs: 20ml Luer Lock Syringe with 1.5" blunt 14g tip.
Flavor syringes, 1 for each flavor, labeled and with the caps on: Nipro - 3 CC Syringe with 20 G X 1.5" Needle - 100 Count - GPZ Med Lab

 

[Vaslovik]

Well I've always gotten my nic from Nude Nicotine, but I didn't go with anyone's starter kit. I got laboratory glassware, to include 100 ml Erlenmeyer flasks, a 50 ml graduated cylinder, a 150 ml beaker, and a glass stirring rod. I also got syringes for measuring the flavors I put in. I make my juice in 100 ml batches, which makes adding the right amount of 100 proof nic a snap. This has worked very well for me.

 

[Sir2fyablyNutz]

Another small tip. If you're getting pg and vg in bulk (gallons) a couple wide mouth canning jars works great for using/keeping smaller amounts in the mixing area.

 

[Alien Traveler]

Depends on how much you like flavors. I do not like them, I use about 1-2% of flavorings, so I measure them by drops (all of my flavorings were bought in eye-dropper bottles). I practically stopped measure anything but nicotine, so I use just one syringe for it. PG and VG I pour directly into a bottle, sometimes it is 1/3, sometimes 1/4 of bottle volume for PG, the rest - VG. So, for me one syringe is all equipment I need. But it will not work for most of other DIYers.

 

[Hans Wermhat]

That 1st kit you posted is closer to what I use. Except I have graduated cylinders instead of those tapered vials. It works well for me.

 

[Str8vision]

Scales accurate down to 0.01g are very handy and quite inexpensive. Set a container on the scale, add each liquid ingredient by weight and your done, seal and shake, very little cleanup is needed afterwards. Syringes also work just fine but each one used must be cleaned afterwards. Syringes come in various sizes and at least two different sizes are recommended for quickly and accurately measuring large amounts (like your PG/VG) and smaller amounts (like concentrated flavorings). Syringes will quickly lose their volumetric measurement markings if not taped or sealed when new before their first use. Their plungers will tend to get "sticky" after a few uses which can be bothersome when trying to measure very small amounts. The use of blunt dispensing needles is highly recommended, smaller (higher), gauge needles won't work with drawing/dispensing high viscosity liquids like VG, it's just too thick. Larger (lower), gauge needles work better for high viscosity liquids but hold a greater volume of liquid which can effect accuracy when measuring very small amounts if not used properly.

Tinted glass bottles with glass droppers and or phenolic caps are great for mixing and storage, oxygen doesn't permeate through glass and the colored tinting helps block the harmful effects of UV. They're ideal containers to use when storing liquid nic in the freezer. The glass droppers are great for drawing/dispensing liquids from the bottle one drop at a time or by the dropper full for more rapid delivery.

Printable self adhesive labels work great for identifying the contents, mix date and other important data on a bottle or container. Ultra fine point permanent markers (like a sharpie), are useful if you don't have (or want to use), a printer.

Funnels that fit inside the mouth of your containers are handy when transferring liquids between containers. Funnels made for "essential oil" containers work great for 30ml bottles.

PVC desk mat will keep any spills/drips from damaging a table top or desk surface. PG and VG can damage the finish on a coated wood surface, I found that out the hard way.

Portable storage container(s) to keep your gear and supplies organized and -clean-.

Surgical latex gloves (disposable), are handy (no pun intended), when handling liquid nic and to help keep your juice sanitary.

A Journal for keeping detailed mixing notes, batch comments, flavoring notes and other relevant data in. Keeping accurate mix notes ensures you can precisely replicate a mix that you really liked.

And the most important thing, an open, curious, enthusiastic and patient mindset so that your DIY projects are as fun as they are rewarding!

 

[v1k1ng1001]

Hey everyone, thanks a bunch for the input. Sorry for being AWOL but this week was not kind to me in terms of getting my works finished up.

I snooped around a bit more and ordered a few things from Amazon:

Digital Kitchen Scale (sans auto shut off!!) for mixing by weight. It seems easier in the long run (precision, equipment needed, cleanup, etc.).

Amazon.com: American Weigh Scales LB-501 Digital Kitchen Scale: Aws Digital Scale: Kitchen & Dining

Some cheap glassware in case I want to mix out of the bottle:

Glass Beaker Set - 3 Sizes - 50, 100 and 250ml, Karter Scientific 214T2: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

A couple 43oz bottles of Essential Depot VG

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004C7MTLA

Also bought a box of cheap nitrile gloves, eye protection and assorted pipettes in 1ml and 3 ml sizes. I'll pick up a graduated cylinder and bottles (have a ton of empties I've saved) and other odds and ends if I feel the need once I get my feet wet. Oh, and labels. Gunna need some labels.

On to ordering nic and flavors!

 

[Tucsonbroker]

Welcome to the DIY club! I went a little nuts and got 500 various bottle sizes from dhgate.com
and the 4 gallon cube (2PG/2VG) from essential depot. It seems that once your friends find out how cheap you can make juice they will all put in orders

Also if you are a menthol fan, I found that grinding up menthol crystals and adding to PG really is a great flavor that many people seem to think is better than the premixed stuff....

 

[satchvai]

Only thing I see missing is buying a dozen glass eye dropper s. Great for reusing and for working with tank cracker flavors.