Fly by the seat of your pants DIY

[dannyv45]

I posted this in another thread but wanted to start a separate thread just to see what everyone else's experience was or thinks about "Fly by the seat of your pants" DIY.

"I always do my ADV by the book using correct measuring and accepted science making 120ml's of my usual mix and happily vape away.

Then after a few weeks and half the bottle gone I sometimes get board and decide I want to change it up a bit. Many of those times I resort to "fly my the seat of my pants mixing" and say maybe adding a little of this would be a nice change up.

Now being that I've been at this a while I know what amounts will spoil a mix so I know how much to add without properly measuring a thing. I will squirt a small amount to change up the mix or add a few drops of this or a little of that and be happy with my results and vape away and move on to the next adventure knowing I'll never reproduce it but don't really care.

If I did care I would have logged the changes. But this takes experience and for the new mixer I don't recommend it until you get more experience under your belt. For the new mixer it's important to keep notes and track of amounts no matter what method you use".

So I know that we all have done this from time to time and I would like to here what every ones experience has been. It don't matter if the results were good or bad or you even have a funny story to tell about of all of this. Lets here from you.

We should all agree that the only thing that's important to this method is that you get your NIC content right everything else is up for debate.

Ready, Set............GO!

 

[westhc]

I have been doing more "seat of the pants" mixing lately directly in a tank.
I have base at my nic level - I vape unflavored now and then.
I just made up a few drops strawberry in the base and added a squirt of cinnamon that was already premixed at the right nic %.

 

[WoodChucker]

I did that the other day by adding one drop of Inw. rhubarb to my Strawberry Custard tank and boy was that a big mistake. I had to pour it out. But I've tried this several times in the past with luck too. Guess you don't know if you don't try.

 

[JCinFLA]

I've got 1 for you danny45! Probably as close to FBTSOMP DIYing I'll get to anytime soon.

I ordered a 4oz. bottle of TFA Chocolate Coconut Almond Candy Bar Flavoring that was on sale for only $4.50 because: (1) it said it could be used as a single flavor and vaped and (2) I love that candy bar!

So, I got it, and instead of using the typical 5% recommended to start with...I used 10% in my 100DT. (Figured I love the candy bar, so even more flavoring like it would be wonderful...right?) Added to it my drops of PG, VG, VG with Nic, gave it a good shake, and put several drops in my little shorty 510 atomizer to test vape it. Was ready for it to taste like they said it would. O-M-G!! I couldn't reach for a paper towel to try to wipe it off my tongue fast enough. (Think Tom Hanks in the movie Big when he first tasted caviar. That was me at that moment). I couldn't get to a drink quickly enough either. The stuff was NASTY! Was like no candy bar I ever tasted.

But being the want not, waste not type of person I am...I decided not to flush it, even that tiny amount. Nope, I wasn't going to give up on it! So, I added just a drop of TFA Maraschino Cherry, then a couple drops of TFA Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, and alittle TFA Cotton Candy. Also added alittle more plain PG. I shook the heck out of that again, and went for it 1 more time. Was actually really good...still didn't taste like the famous candy bar at all, but it's one of my favorites now! I call it Cherry Chocolate Chunk and I make it in 50mL batches now. The neighbor even tried it and had me make a 50mL bottle for him, too!

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

I sometimes add a little tutti fruiti to my bubble gum mix. I had a heck of a time finding the 'right tasting' bubble gum for my taste so I have fun mixing stuff up. My finished bubblegum ejuice usually consists of several different vendor versions, mixed to taste. One of my best ones was starting out with an already mixed banana base (from FA) as a finished ejuice.(a light banana taste, not candied). Then mixed bubble gum extract from TPA, FW, diyflavorshack, LA and FA tutti fruiti. The only problem is I didn't write anything down and have only memory to fall back on. : (my bad) Also added more vg (more vapor)and dw and my original banana mix was 50/50 pg/vg.

eta: have also added(at different times) black cherry, sweet cherry.

 

[dannyv45]

I've got 1 for you danny45! Probably as close to FBTSOMP DIYing I'll get to anytime soon.

I ordered a 4oz. bottle of TFA Chocolate Coconut Almond Candy Bar Flavoring that was on sale for only $4.50 because: (1) it said it could be used as a single flavor and vaped and (2) I love that candy bar!

So, I got it, and instead of using the typical 5% recommended to start with...I used 10% in my 100DT. (Figured I love the candy bar, so even more flavoring like it would be wonderful...right?) Added to it my drops of PG, VG, VG with Nic, gave it a good shake, and put several drops in my little shorty 510 atomizer to test vape it. Was ready for it to taste like they said it would. O-M-G!! I couldn't reach for a paper towel to try to wipe it off my tongue fast enough. (Think Tom Hanks in the movie Big when he first tasted caviar. That was me at that moment). I couldn't get to a drink quickly enough either. The stuff was NASTY! Was like no candy bar I ever tasted.

But being the want not, waste not type of person I am...I decided not to flush it, even that tiny amount. Nope, I wasn't going to give up on it! So, I added just a drop of TFA Maraschino Cherry, then a couple drops of TFA Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, and alittle TFA Cotton Candy. Also added alittle more plain PG. I shook the heck out of that again, and went for it 1 more time. Was actually really good...still didn't taste like the famous candy bar at all, but it's one of my favorites now! I call it Cherry Chocolate Chunk and I make it in 50mL batches now. The neighbor even tried it and had me make a 50mL bottle for him, too!

LMAO Lets have an FBTSOMP mixing party and see who pukes first

My friend I know just what that's like I've been there and done that.

Let me tell you about my first experiment with menthol it was a complete disaster. I used like 30% menthol and the next thing I knew I woke up on my back, on the floor looking at the ceiling, hair completely white and shivering uncontrollably with frost spewing from my nose and ears while farting blizzard bubbles.

Don't let that picture get stuck in you head or you'll never get to sleep tonight.

 

[dannyv45]

I sometimes add a little tutti fruiti to my bubble gum mix. I had a heck of a time finding the 'right tasting' bubble gum for my taste so I have fun mixing stuff up. My finished bubblegum ejuice usually consists of several different vendor versions, mixed to taste. One of my best ones was starting out with an already mixed banana base (from FA) as a finished ejuice.(a light banana taste, not candied). Then mixed bubble gum extract from TPA, FW, diyflavorshack, LA and FA tutti fruiti. The only problem is I didn't write anything down and have only memory to fall back on. : (my bad) Also added more vg (more vapor)and dw and my original banana mix was 50/50 pg/vg.

eta: have also added(at different times) black cherry, sweet cherry.

Yep there were a few that I wished I wrote down. When that happens I already know what I used and just go at it again and write it all down and keep at it until I get it.

 

[dannyv45]

I did that the other day by adding one drop of Inw. rhubarb to my Strawberry Custard tank and boy was that a big mistake. I had to pour it out. But I've tried this several times in the past with luck too. Guess you don't know if you don't try.

I've dumped enough mixes that if it was considered toxic waste I'd be Americas most wanted. I imagine in some places it is considered toxic waste so maybe I should be more careful in what I say

 

[dannyv45]

I have been doing more "seat of the pants" mixing lately directly in a tank.
I have base at my nic level - I vape unflavored now and then.
I just made up a few drops strawberry in the base and added a squirt of cinnamon that was already premixed at the right nic %.

I've tried mixing in a tank and it never really worked well for me. I find it easier just to make 5 - 10 ml test samples. But many many people do it that way. I find it hard to shake and blend together. Maybe it's because I use kayfun's but many do it that way that also use kayfun's. Must be a secret to it that I'm missing.

 

[jambi]

I like seat of your pants, in fact it's my preferred style. Now that I have a basic grasp of "this many drops is more or less this %", I can play around with different combos and actually replicate them later.

But it can be hazardous, expecially when TFA Coconut Extra, Really Poor Math Skills, and a dash of Sheer Stupidity are involved.

I had been advised to start testing that flavor at 3% max, but decided on 5% and proceeded to whip up 5 mls. After a few drips (exhausting at least a ml which I didn't account for), I decided to bump it up to 10%, but I stupidly did the math for 10 mls, not 5 (or more exactly, 4). Added another 0.85 grams to approximately 4 mls of liquid that was already 5% Coconut, ending up with something like a 30% flavor ratio. Took a drag off of that and nearly vomited. It was the worst vape experience I've ever, EVER had. I imagine mainlining Hawaiian Tropic coconut tanning oil would be a similar sensation. That rancid coconut stayed in my mouth and nose for a day, and still occasionally haunts me. I mean, the experience is seared so deeply into my mind that I honestly, sincerely sometimes hallucinate that I am tasting that nasty coconut tanning lotion, even though I haven't touched the bottle since it happened and likely never will again.

 

[BrotherBob]

Sometimes when mix's do not work out, I put them off to the side and come back to them later. I take a strong and weak mix and combine them by adding something like, 3 drops of this and 5 drops of that (variation of Bill's drip method testing), in a deep well dripper. Often, the mixes are very vapable and a welcome change of pace. In a few instances, the kluge mix may generate a new recipe concept.

 

[dannyv45]

I like seat of your pants, in fact it's my preferred style. Now that I have a basic grasp of "this many drops is more or less this %", I can play around with different combos and actually replicate them later.

But it can be hazardous, expecially when TFA Coconut Extra, Really Poor Math Skills, and a dash of Sheer Stupidity are involved.

I had been advised to start testing that flavor at 3% max, but decided on 5% and proceeded to whip up 5 mls. After a few drips (exhausting at least a ml which I didn't account for), I decided to bump it up to 10%, but I stupidly did the math for 10 mls, not 5 (or more exactly, 4). Added another 0.85 grams to approximately 4 mls of liquid that was already 5% Coconut, ending up with something like a 30% flavor ratio. Took a drag off of that and nearly vomited. It was the worst vape experience I've ever, EVER had. I imagine mainlining Hawaiian Tropic coconut tanning oil would be a similar sensation. That rancid coconut stayed in my mouth and nose for a day, and still occasionally haunts me. I mean, the experience is seared so deeply into my mind that I honestly, sincerely sometimes hallucinate that I am tasting that nasty coconut tanning lotion, even though I haven't touched the bottle since it happened and likely never will again.

That's like buying a food that you love to eat. Then you get a badly made serving of it so discusting it puts you off for the rest of your life never wanting to eat it again.

 

[dannyv45]

Sometimes when mix's do not work out, I put them off to the side and come back to them later. I take a strong and weak mix and combine them by adding something like, 3 drops of this and 5 drops of that (variation of Bill's drip method testing), in a deep well dripper. Often, the mixes are very vapable and a welcome change of pace. In a few instances, the kluge mix may generate a new recipe concept.

That sounds a lot like what I do. Nothing wrong with mixing two similure recipes together. I've done that quite often and came up with some really nice results that I still vape today.

I had made an ry1 that was dry and bland and mixed some ry4 that I though was to sweet and wow the perfect ry4 resulted from that. Being that I kept track of percentages of each used I was able to duplicate it very easily.

 

[Racehorse]

We should all agree that the only thing that's important to this method is that you get your NIC content right everything else is up for debate.

Unless you are mixing 0% nic, which makes the whole "fly by" even easier.

 

[dannyv45]

Unless you are mixing 0% nic, which makes the whole "fly by" even easier.

Absolutely true.

 

[Jim_ MDP]

I may be a hazard in the kitchen... but I've never used a DIY recipe.

I tested some of my FA dripper bottles, and with practice as well, I know how many drops I want.
TFA/Caps etc. and pipettes are more precise, but again... I'm running the numbers in my head.
And yes... I can replicate them. Close enough for Gov't work at least.
And I keep pre-mixed PG/VG/Nic base, as others mentioned (can't imagine not doing that).

No failures, but best successes...

Two smoothies. A Pineapple/Mango and a Razzberry/Apricot.
Each with totally freehanded amounts of three dairies. Done several times now.

I have an old Keoke Coffee I wanted to replicate. Had to look up what's in the drink.
Nailed it. Absolutely nailed it. Need to see if I get lucky a second time though.

Elsewhere, a member posted his fruit combo. Mango/Mandarin/Lime CP/Coconut.
Absolutely gorgeous juice. I've freehanded that one a half dozen times. Easy peasy.

This ain't rocket surgery folks.
Use a recipe where appropriate, but don't be afraid to play around with your flavors.

 

[dannyv45]

I may be a hazard in the kitchen... but I've never used a DIY recipe.

I tested some of my FA dripper bottles, and with practice as well, I know how many drops I want.
TFA/Caps etc. and pipettes are more precise, but again... I'm running the numbers in my head.
And yes... I can replicate them. Close enough for Gov't work at least.
And I keep pre-mixed PG/VG/Nic base, as others mentioned (can't imagine not doing that).

No failures, but best successes...

Two smoothies. A Pineapple/Mango and a Razzberry/Apricot.
Each with totally freehanded amounts of three dairies. Done several times now.

I have an old Keoke Coffee I wanted to replicate. Had to look up what's in the drink.
Nailed it. Absolutely nailed it. Need to see if I get lucky a second time though.

Elsewhere, a member posted his fruit combo. Mango/Mandarin/Lime CP/Coconut.
Absolutely gorgeous juice. I've freehanded that one a half dozen times. Easy peasy.

This ain't rocket surgery folks.
Use a recipe where appropriate, but don't be afraid to play around with your flavors.

And people say you must use the exact science, wear a hazmat suit and
measure down to the last atom.... HA.

Nicely said. You are a true DIY'er my friend

For god's sake people just have fun with it and leave the hype outside

 

[Racehorse]

This ain't rocket surgery folks.
Use a recipe where appropriate, but don't be afraid to play around with your flavors.

Jim, I am so glad you wrote this, and so glad Danny started the topic.

Because so many newbie DIYers approach this task with such trepidation, and they are so afraid to try DIY, not to mention thinking you have to have a Ph.D. in math, etc.

You don't.

When I started out I just ordered the nic 2x stronger than what I used, and just cut it in 1/2 with VG.......so I didn't have to figure out anything or measure too much. That alone made my task pretty easy, because really all I was doing at that point was adding ONE flavoring. And I vaped one flavoring ejuice for the first 6 months.

I am still doing that on occassion, just got some blue rasberry slush from one stop...and it's good stand-a-lone. A few drops into the nic/vg/pg solution and you've got 30ml lickety-split!

 

[dannyv45]

Because so many newbie DIYers approach this task with such trepidation, and they are so afraid to try DIY, not to mention thinking you have to have a Ph.D. in math, etc.

Excellently said this is exactly why I started the topic. Some of the processes discribed are enough to scare the new user away from DIY and the whole point I wanted to make is this is not rocket science it's nothing more then common sense.

 

[kross8]

I may be a hazard in the kitchen... but I've never used a DIY recipe.

I tested some of my FA dripper bottles, and with practice as well, I know how many drops I want.
TFA/Caps etc. and pipettes are more precise, but again... I'm running the numbers in my head.
And yes... I can replicate them. Close enough for Gov't work at least.
And I keep pre-mixed PG/VG/Nic base, as others mentioned (can't imagine not doing that).

No failures, but best successes...

Two smoothies. A Pineapple/Mango and a Razzberry/Apricot.
Each with totally freehanded amounts of three dairies. Done several times now.

I have an old Keoke Coffee I wanted to replicate. Had to look up what's in the drink.
Nailed it. Absolutely nailed it. Need to see if I get lucky a second time though.

Elsewhere, a member posted his fruit combo. Mango/Mandarin/Lime CP/Coconut.
Absolutely gorgeous juice. I've freehanded that one a half dozen times. Easy peasy.

This ain't rocket surgery folks.
Use a recipe where appropriate, but don't be afraid to play around with your flavors.

Two smoothies. A Pineapple/Mango and a Razzberry/Apricot. can i have your off the cuff recipe? thanks