Hardware for starting out

[Grimjack]

Looking for a list of basic hardware for starting out. I have the nic, the pg, vg and ordering some flavorings, just not sure what hardware to get. Not too concerned about cost, would rather invest a bit than be stuck with a cheap "starter kit".
I apologize if this is already posted somewhere, and if it is would greatly appreciate a nudge in the right direction.

 

[MD_Boater]

All you really need are some empty bottles, and syringes.

I highly recommend getting at least 10 1ml, and 4 or 5 3ml syringes. You should also get a couple of each of 14 gauge blunt needles for VG (and VG nicotine solution if you use it), and some 18 and 20 gauge blunt tip needles for PG and flavorings.

I started off using graduated cylinders, but making 5ml test batches that require .1ml or .35ml measures of flavors is absolutely impossible to do on a consistent basis without the 1ml syringes. If you make 15ml or 30ml batches, the 3ml syringes accomplish the same thing.

That's about it. Oh... a computer and a juice calculator like eJuiceMeUp.

 

[MarkyD]

Wanna mix by weight instead of by volume? A few more dollars spent on a decent 0.01 gram resolution digital scale will save you from ever having to mess with tiny analog syringes. All flavors and base ingredients with dropper tops, a bunch of bottles, and the scale is all I use regularly. Highly accurate and nothing to clean up.

Read this thread:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/492182-mixing-weight-you.html

And a really nice calculator:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/480587-new-calculator-try.html

 

[dannyv45]

I wrote a blog for the first time DYI'er and hardware. It's a good read

What you need to know as as far as supplies for the first time juicer.

 

[cskent]

Like MD_Boater above, I mix straight into my bottles using syringes. Graduated cylinders, pipettes, stirring rods, etc., are all wasted on me. I have syringes in 2ml, 3ml, 5ml, 10ml, 20ml, and 60ml. I mix one 120 ml bottle of my adv whenever needed. If I want to try a new recipe I'll just mix into a 30ml bottle, shake for a few minutes, and give it a try. If it needs steeping, I'll let it sit and try it again in a week or two.

 

[mxrdrver]

Seriously, look into mixing by weight before U start buying syringes, beakers, and graduated cylinders. U can start mixing by buying a dirt cheap $20 0.01gram scale and downloading JuiceCalculator here on ECF. All my ingredients have dropper tops. Sooo much simpler. Way faster. Next to nothing to clean up. Reading the posts as mentioned above will help U along. Good luck.

 

[MarkyD]

I dont know why anyone would ever actually want to use syringes. Which seems easier and more accurate, eye-measuring 0.025ml in a 1ml syringe, or seeing 0.04 grams displayed on a digital scale?

 

[Rickb119]

I dont know why anyone would ever actually want to use syringes. Which seems easier and more accurate, eye-measuring 0.025ml in a 1ml syringe, or seeing 0.04 grams displayed on a digital scale?

Because, among other things, I'm a recovering perfectionist.

 

[MarkyD]

Because, among other things, I'm a recovering perfectionist.

In other words, youre going blind while Im already done.

 

[MarkyD]

So you mixed a small test batch that was really good, but something just wasnt right when you scaled it up to 120ml production batches? Well I guess the perfectionists eye couldnt tell the difference between 0.027ml and 0.029ml and when it got scaled up, the larger difference became rather obvious. Yeah, syringes rule.

 

[Wingsfan0310]

I dont know why anyone would ever actually want to use syringes. Which seems easier and more accurate, eye-measuring 0.025ml in a 1ml syringe, or seeing 0.04 grams displayed on a digital scale?

I'll give you a few reasons why I don't mix by weight. I have over 60 flavors, none of which have dropper tops. My PG & VG are in Quart glass mason jars, again no dropper tops. The same story with my Nic. It's stored in 60ml Amber glass bottles with polycone caps.

I could just buy 70 droppers but I already have syringes and I'm proficient using them. One other reason is if I decided to go the weigh route, I would still need to weigh approximately 70 different 1ml sizes to convert to weight. No way all my flavors are the exact weight/ml. Just seems like a royal pita when using syringes are working just fine for me.

I'm not saying it's not better for some. I just don't think there is only one right way to do things. I always say whatever way works best for you is the right way for you, especially in DIY.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[MarkyD]

I'll give you a few reasons why I don't mix by weight. I have over 60 flavors, none of which have dropper tops. My PG & VG are in Quart glass mason jars, again no dropper tops. The same story with my Nic. It's stored in 60ml Amber glass bottles with polycone caps.

Ah yeah, must be all those TFA flavors with the acetoin and acetyl propionyl in them. But then the density has already been calculated for all those and given in the msds sheets and component lists. Anyway, measuring density isnt all that terribly difficult, graduated cylinders do exist. I guess if you like your syringes, you can keep your syringes! I dont see whats so difficult about decanting large quantities down to a 30 or 50ml bottle with a dropper top either.

 

[MarkyD]

Analog versus digital debate again? Ill take the digital any day. Sure I use syringes for dispensing/decanting, but for measuring, it was the syringes and all that goes with them that quickly became the PITA. Keep on spending money on syringes, I bought 1 scale and was done with it.

 

[RocketPuppy]

Please let people share opinions without sarcasm or criticism.

Edit: added an extra s

 

[MarkyD]

I have yet to hear why volumetric measurement is either easier, cheaper or faster than mixing by weight, only that some people apparently choose to ignore the obvious benefits of the latter. In the end, the choice of mixing method will be up to the OP. Let's let him or her make the decision on which they think is best based on the facts given.

 

[RocketPuppy]

It is unnecessary to justify why a person likes using one method of measurement over another. Saying that I personally find it easier is my reasoning. You can disagree with me, but it's unnecessary to berate people over their personal opinions about this.

 

[Huckleberried]

I wrote a blog for the first time DYI'er and hardware. It's a good read
What you need to know as as far as supplies for the first time juicer.

I did that ^^^^^

Like MD_Boater above, I mix straight into my bottles using syringes. Graduated cylinders, pipettes, stirring rods, etc., are all wasted on me. I have syringes in 2ml, 3ml, 5ml, 10ml, 20ml, and 60ml. I mix one 120 ml bottle of my adv whenever needed. If I want to try a new recipe I'll just mix into a 30ml bottle, shake for a few minutes, and give it a try. If it needs steeping, I'll let it sit and try it again in a week or two.

And now I do this ^^^^
Except I only have 1ml, 3ml and 5ml syrings. Pretty new at DIY, LOVING IT.