Got starter, now what??

[SgtDeadeye]

I've done a search, I've read thousands of posts, all with very good information btw, I've even searched the glossary of terms to try to educate myself on how the lingo goes. My problem is, I have my first kit, now I don't know what to do.

I purchased the TW Tornado starter, 2 batts, 2 attys, and it came with 10 x Atomised Cartridges (5 x 16mg, 2 x 11mg, 2 x 8mg, 1 x zero)

Cartridges and cartomizers are not the same if I'm reading correctly.

I did have one bad batt in the group and sent it back, still waiting to hear from TW, but I digress.

What next? I know the carts don't last forever, so I need e-juice right? I'm good with flavors and nicotine levels, I think I know what I want. But where is tab A and slot B?

Do I purchase blank cartridges, and then inject them with the e-juice I purchase? I've heard all pre-filled carts basically suck, but I cannot seem to find a simple answer for how to fill your own.

My assumptions are..
1) Buy e-liquid for flavor and nicotine level I desire
2) Buy blank cartridges (Many of them)
3) Buy some sort of fill kit with a syringe
4) (wear rubber gloves)
5) Inject blank cartridges with around 2.5ml of liquid? let sit for period of time.
6) enjoy!

is this pretty much the jist of it?

Thanks in advance!!

Deadeye

 

[DC2]

You put as much juice in as the filler material in the cartridge will hold without pooling at the top.
If it pools at the top, just dab the excess with a paper towel or tissue.

The problem is, if you are just putting drops right on top of the filler material that comes with the cartridge, it isn't going to sink to the bottom without a little help. You can use the straw modification, or you can use a toothpick or paper clip to push the filler aside a little bit so that it can breath while you are putting in the drops. Some people use a syringe or a needle tipped dropper bottle to get all the way down to the bottom of the cartridge.

And I have found that if you replace the stock filler material with blue foam, you can actually put the drops right in if you tilt the cartridge to the side while doing so, but that is probably a bit more than you want to bite off and chew right now.

Many people remove the filler material, put in their juice, and then slowly push the filler back in.

I don't know of anybody that bothers with wearing gloves though.

 

[uba egar320]

You tube is your friend. I don't have that model, but try to get on there and search that particular model, you might be surprised. Hope this helps!

 

[willbeein2003]

It is much simplier than you think. Yes, buy the juice. I don't have a problem with the taste of the prefilled ones, but buying juice is cheaper. You can reuse the filled ones that came with your kit and/or buy blank ones. I suggest you use blue foam as a filler. You can buy it at most pet stores (marineland, size U). You can also get precut ones from strictlyejuice for $ .75 a ten pack.

Take your cartridge...remove filling...fill cartridge 3/4 of the way with liquid...insert piece of blue foam (or put back the filling that came with cartridge)..."top it off" with 3-4 more drops of juice...place on atomizer...vape.

Yes, cartridges and cartomizers are not the same. A cartridge goes on top of the atomizer and can be reused for a very long time. A cartomizer is a one piece unit that has the atomizer and cartridge in one (you do not use a seperate atomizer with these). These are consider disposable because they do not last that long. Mine can last maybe two weeks. Some love them, some hate them. I personally believe my vape is better with the atomizer, but I like to use the cartomizer when I am going to be out for a while as it holds more juice.

If you have any other questions feel free to post. People on this forum are very knowledgeable and happy to help.

 

[Twinkie]

Cartridges and atomizers are different things. The cartridge typically contains a piece of polyester that retains the liquid, and it sits atop the atomizer. The atomizer heats up and turns the liquid in to vapor.

You also have the option to use a cartomizer, where the liquid and atomizer are in the same apparatus. Personally, I'd recommend cartomizers to first-timers, because you don't have to deal with nasty primer flavor or breaking in the atomizer. Others may say that cartomizers are a pain to refill, and don't perform as well as a cartridge and atomizer would. Six on one hand, half a dozen on the other.

Either way, you'll want some liquid. The type, flavor, and reseller you choose are all really personal preference. Some people really like "boutique" sellers who are making custom liquid. Others don't like the idea of "some guy in his basement" making their liquid. More often than not, you're going to get rebranded DeKang liquid from most of the one-stop shops.

There are loads of theories and methods for filling carts. I take the polyester out, add about 8 drops in to the empty cart, put the filling back in, and add more drops until the liquid starts pooling. Then, two or three directly on to the atomizer (assuming it's new or dry).

Cartomizers are a touch more involved, depending on the method you use. I pop the cap and add about 20 drops, shake it like a thermometer, then top if off until the polyester isn't white. Others put liquid in to a cap and "push" it in to the cartridge (known as "the condom method"). Still others use syringes.

Whichever you choose, you'll want to get some blanks. The Tornado uses 510's, which are available just about everywhere.

I wouldn't worry too much about the rubber gloves, unless you're accident-prone and working with high-nicotine liquid. I've got a box of 'em that I use when I change my oil, and I've never felt the need to use them when handling liquid. Of course, if it makes you feel safer, then by all means, use them.

 

[willbeein2003]

I never wear rubber gloves, but you should wash your hands once you are done.

The gloves are needed if you are a DIYer and are using staight nicotine. The juices won't hurt you if you get some on you as long as you wash it off.

You don't have to let your cartridge sit. You can vape right away.

 

[DC2]

The juices won't hurt you if you get some on you as long as you wash it off.

The juice generally won't hurt you even if you don't wash it off.

I mean, yeah, it's probably a good idea to wash it off.
But I wouldn't worry about it if it wasn't convenient to wash it off either.

I almost never bother washing my hands when I get any juice on them.
I just wipe the juice off on my pants or something.


I guess it depends on what strength nicotine you are using, and how much you got on you.
If I spill some on myself, yeah, I would make the effort to wash it off.

But the usual one or two drops worth that gets on you from time to time...
Some people actually lick it off.

 

[Abntroop]

thanks for the info and the tips guys, it's nice to have the basic ins and outs so well described.

 

[Cookie278]

Water..drink lots of water! Helps a great deal when first starting out. Mouth and throat dry out and will cause you to cough yourself silly lol

 

[xg4bx]

Cartridges and atomizers are different things. The cartridge typically contains a piece of polyester that retains the liquid, and it sits atop the atomizer. The atomizer heats up and turns the liquid in to vapor.

You also have the option to use a cartomizer, where the liquid and atomizer are in the same apparatus. Personally, I'd recommend cartomizers to first-timers, because you don't have to deal with nasty primer flavor or breaking in the atomizer. Others may say that cartomizers are a pain to refill, and don't perform as well as a cartridge and atomizer would. Six on one hand, half a dozen on the other.

Either way, you'll want some liquid. The type, flavor, and reseller you choose are all really personal preference. Some people really like "boutique" sellers who are making custom liquid. Others don't like the idea of "some guy in his basement" making their liquid. More often than not, you're going to get rebranded DeKang liquid from most of the one-stop shops.

There are loads of theories and methods for filling carts. I take the polyester out, add about 8 drops in to the empty cart, put the filling back in, and add more drops until the liquid starts pooling. Then, two or three directly on to the atomizer (assuming it's new or dry).

Cartomizers are a touch more involved, depending on the method you use. I pop the cap and add about 20 drops, shake it like a thermometer, then top if off until the polyester isn't white. Others put liquid in to a cap and "push" it in to the cartridge (known as "the condom method"). Still others use syringes.

Whichever you choose, you'll want to get some blanks. The Tornado uses 510's, which are available just about everywhere.

I wouldn't worry too much about the rubber gloves, unless you're accident-prone and working with high-nicotine liquid. I've got a box of 'em that I use when I change my oil, and I've never felt the need to use them when handling liquid. Of course, if it makes you feel safer, then by all means, use them.

I'm gonna give your cart filling method a shot. The way I've been doing it is dripping directly onto the filler and I've only been able to get one good fill out of the cart.

edit-tried your method and it works great. I'm getting much more in when I "top off".

 

[SgtDeadeye]

Thank you for all of the clarification and information. My juice arrived today, and I've heard from most people that this blue foam stuff is a good idea, we have a few pet stores in the area, so I think I'll try to look for some of that. I guess with all the suggestions, I'll have to try several of them and see what works the best for me. Since I'm a noob, I want to steer clear of dripping since I'm not familiar with how to clean the atty's if you do that. Thanks again for all the advice!

SGT. Deadeye

 

[DC2]

I want to steer clear of dripping since I'm not familiar with how to clean the atty's if you do that.

Dripping doesn't do anything to your atomizer that using a cartridge doesn't also do.
And it is 650x easier than messing with cartridges.

Don't have any fear of dripping.
The worst thing that can happen is you flood the atomizer.
And if that happens, all you have to do is blow out the excess juice.

Check out this thread for more information...
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ecf-library/66848-guide-direct-dripping.html

 

[cskent]

Since I'm a noob, I want to steer clear of dripping since I'm not familiar with how to clean the atty's if you do that. Thanks again for all the advice!

SGT. Deadeye

Dripping isn't difficult, especially if you have a drip tip. Basically you just drip a couple of drops of juice onto your atty bridge. If you kept the cap that came with your atty you can use it. Just drip into your atty, then put the cap back on and you're ready to go. It doesn't require any extra cleaning. In fact, with a drip tip you just drip through the hole, no need to remove it at all. For the few bucks they cost it's definitely worth it. Dripping is also great for trying out several juices at a time since there's no fill for it to contaminate.