Help? DIY for Dummies (or 1st time DIY'ers)

[PinkEgoTUser]

I have so many questions, so confused!! Hoping you guys can help me!! Here are some of my questions (please don't laugh at me!!)

OK my MBaker list so far is:

VG/PG

Nicotine 65% / 35% 6mg bottle is 236ml

Sweetener 15ml is $2.99

Hawk Sauce - 30ml

Cinnamon Red Hot - 15ml
(Need a yummy mix rec for this! Ideas?)

Want BADLY to make Blue Moo but they said they are no longer selling it for DIY
SO, I'm thinking of trying Blueberry & Bavarian Cream 15ml ea same 65/35 6mg

What is Thug juice about?

I'll get some more flavors, but here's the fun part! I'm a complete idiot when it comes to numbers!

How many of lets say 30ml bottles would this make? Should I buy more of one or the other that you use more of? I am NOT a math whiz so this is going to freak me out with all these %'s etc...... Mt Baker said they rec a 15/40% flavor mixed with Nic juice, did I read that wrong, did they mean the base?

On the flavors they say "shots", well how MUCH is a shot? Will 15ml's last awhile?

Are you supposed to match up the %'s of it all so it all comes out right?

Sorry for all the questions! I know once I do it, I'll be fine... just these few things have been nagging at me and I want to order next week

THANK YOU!!!

 

[RocketPuppy]

Here's some good places to start.

E-Cigarette Forum - dannyv45 - Blogs
E-Cigarette Forum - Hoosier - Blogs

 

[PhatRon]

WIZARDLABS.COM <-- Go there for your supplies...

 

[rowdyplace]

+1 For Danny's blogs

+1 For Hoosier's blogs

+1 For Wizard Lab's supplies

 

[PinkEgoTUser]

I'm losing my patience, no one can tell me what I am purchasing is all I need? I just need how much of each to make a batch. I some real thick plastic, never used bottles with pointed tips, you'll see them in hospitals and such, they are... just guessing about 12oz each. Ok, going back to the block, not learning anything yet.... Thanks. I shall return back Sirs. I'll check out that website, but love MtBaker, great customer service, great prices and under 3 days to get to me in CA (THEE best part!)

 

[Cliven]

I have so many questions, so confused!! Hoping you guys can help me!! Here are some of my questions (please don't laugh at me!!)

OK my MBaker list so far is:

VG/PG

Nicotine 65% / 35% 6mg bottle is 236ml

Sweetener 15ml is $2.99

Hawk Sauce - 30ml

Cinnamon Red Hot - 15ml
(Need a yummy mix rec for this! Ideas?)

Want BADLY to make Blue Moo but they said they are no longer selling it for DIY
SO, I'm thinking of trying Blueberry & Bavarian Cream 15ml ea same 65/35 6mg

What is Thug Juice about?

I'll get some more flavors, but here's the fun part! I'm a complete idiot when it comes to numbers!

How many of lets say 30ml bottles would this make? Should I buy more of one or the other that you use more of? I am NOT a math whiz so this is going to freak me out with all these %'s etc...... Mt Baker said they rec a 15/40% flavor mixed with Nic Juice, did I read that wrong, did they mean the base?

On the flavors they say "shots", well how MUCH is a shot? Will 15ml's last awhile?

Are you supposed to match up the %'s of it all so it all comes out right?

Sorry for all the questions! I know once I do it, I'll be fine... just these few things have been nagging at me and I want to order next week

THANK YOU!!!

Primarily all you need to do your own juice is nic base, PG, VG, empty bottles and flavoring. First find out what mg you want to vape at. If you start with only 6 mg unflavored nic base, then anything you make will be lower than that.

The flavors are considered PG based. For your flavors to make juice, make sure you go to the diy flavoring tab to select your flavors and not the nicotine juice tab. These are already premade juices and ready to vape. In the DIY Flavorings, When they tell you 15-40%, they are telling you that the recommendation for that flavor is to start at 15% flavor with unflavored nic base and go up from there if you choose to.

The options for flavor shots only apply to the premade flavors which again, are ready for vaping. Not diy.

The sweetener is something to add to your diy juice and usually using only a few drops per 10 ml. Of juice made.

The 30 ml. Hawk sauce, I am sure is a premade juice ready for vaping as mt. Baker only sells diy Flavorings in 15 ml sizes.

I may or May not have helped but As you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask. We all had to learn from scratch.

And thug juice is one of their flavors/juices. It is a mixture of watermelon and grape with menthol.

 

[Mowgli]

The 30 ml. Hawk sauce, I am sure is a premade juice ready for vaping as mt. Baker only sells diy Flavorings in 15 ml sizes.

I mix Hawk Sauce at 12.5% in 70/30 18mg for myself and some friends.

I just made 130ml for someone. 6mg nic so I made it strong so more TH. I needed 18ml of flavoring.

You'll get an actual ~17ml in their 15ml flavoring bottles. I had to add 1ml from another bottle.

- original poster ->

When you said 30ml of Hawk Sauce did you mean 2 15ml flavoring bottles or 30ml of nicotine juice?

If it's 2 "15ml" bottles of flavoring you'll actually get about 34ml.

Get this and learn how to use it - eJuice Me Up - Best eJuice Calculator
I think they have some instructions on their site.
There will be more instructions here -> https://www.google.com/search?num=5...3.0....0...1c.1.35.serp..11.2.298.zObEdcvMhw4

SHAZAM! Here you go - eJuice Calculator - HOW TO

 

[RocketPuppy]

I'm losing my patience, no one can tell me what I am purchasing is all I need? I just need how much of each to make a batch. I some real thick plastic, never used bottles with pointed tips, you'll see them in hospitals and such, they are... just guessing about 12oz each. Ok, going back to the block, not learning anything yet.... Thanks. I shall return back Sirs. I'll check out that website, but love MtBaker, great customer service, great prices and under 3 days to get to me in CA (THEE best part!)

I'm a miss, not a sir =)

We've all spent a great deal of time researching and reading before getting what we need. If you ask 100 people, you'll get close to 100 answers. The truth is, we do it differently. Personally, no you're not getting what you need if you were me. I need syringes, blunt needles, 3ml bottles for testing, gloves, among other things. Before mixing anything, I need to figure out at what percentage I want the flavorings. I use 3ml bottles with pg/vg and different amounts of flavors. This way, I can see at what percentage I like before having to toss larger quantities in the trash.

You may like mbv's nic, but I personally have no knowledge about their quality. However, I know that I can trust Wizard Labs, and also being from CA, I receive their packages quickly and in pristine condition. When it comes to vaping, I rather wait longer to get exactly what I want versus getting what's easy and less expensive. Though WL is both. Some of us buy flavors from Poland, but it's worth the wait.

Most facets of diy are opinion. From where people purchase their supplies to flavor percentages to materials needed to plastic or glass bottles. I don't care for plastic when it comes to bottles over 10mls. We all vape different amounts too, so we can't answer how long 15 mls will last you.

Diy can be simple, but a lot of it is trial and error. Look at what others have said. Look at recipes. Of course continue asking questions, but no one can answer everything since it is opinion.

 

[dannyv45]

Nicely said RocketPuppy

I'm losing my patience,

Patience is a vertue and loosing it does not fair well around here. The description of what your trying to accomplish and the way your asking the questions shows your inexperience. I'm not at all trying to be mean I'm trying to help you so please don't take offence. The advice you were given is right on target. If you would take the time to read what was suggested it would answer a lot of your questions and answer many more questions that you haven't even thought to ask yet. Spending an hour or so reading the recommended blogs will give you the knowledge you need to purchase your supplies and get you started mixing. Please before you try to figure this out on your own and get all sorts of fustrated do the recommended reading and then ask questions. After reading you will know what questions to ask and how to ask them (DYI Vocabulary wise).

To make this easy here is the list of recommended reading.

Read my blogs before getting started

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/dannyv45/

then read hoosier's blogs.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/hoosier/

then read the stickies at the top of the page.

this will explain a lot of the how's and why's.

 

[rowdyplace]

Again...+1 for Danny!! I totally agree.

 

[cg23]

I have so many questions, so confused!! Hoping you guys can help me!! Here are some of my questions (please don't laugh at me!!)

OK my MBaker list so far is:

VG/PG

Nicotine 65% / 35% 6mg bottle is 236ml

Sweetener 15ml is $2.99

Hawk Sauce - 30ml

Cinnamon Red Hot - 15ml
(Need a yummy mix rec for this! Ideas?)

Want BADLY to make Blue Moo but they said they are no longer selling it for DIY
SO, I'm thinking of trying Blueberry & Bavarian Cream 15ml ea same 65/35 6mg

What is Thug Juice about?

I'll get some more flavors, but here's the fun part! I'm a complete idiot when it comes to numbers!

How many of lets say 30ml bottles would this make? Should I buy more of one or the other that you use more of? I am NOT a math whiz so this is going to freak me out with all these %'s etc...... Mt Baker said they rec a 15/40% flavor mixed with Nic Juice, did I read that wrong, did they mean the base?

On the flavors they say "shots", well how MUCH is a shot? Will 15ml's last awhile?

Are you supposed to match up the %'s of it all so it all comes out right?

Sorry for all the questions! I know once I do it, I'll be fine... just these few things have been nagging at me and I want to order next week

THANK YOU!!!

Hi, Thanks for your post. Hang in there . Great information and highly experienced vapers and Diy'er in this forum. I'm a noob and will eventually diy ejuice also. Yes, I'm super eager too. For me, I've decided to pause and do endless reading here on the site. I have many items on wishlist and shopping carts. Lol. I plan to pull the trigger soon. Please continue to post, for I'm very interested in your progress. Believe it or not, most of the Folks here are also. IMO. Good luck, I have more reading and research to do.

 

[RocketPuppy]

Hi, Thanks for your post. Hang in there . Great information and highly experienced vapers and Diy'er in this forum. I'm a noob and will eventually diy ejuice also. Yes, I'm super eager too. For me, I've decided to pause and do endless reading here on the site. I have many items on wishlist and shopping carts. Lol. I plan to pull the trigger soon. Please continue to post, for I'm very interested in your progress. Believe it or not, most of the Folks here are also. IMO. Good luck, I have more reading and research to do.

=) can't wait to here how you're doing. Any questions thus far?

 

[PinkEgoTUser]

I'm sorry everyone for all the ?'s etc. We never have extra $ while I'm waiting for a disability decision and have taken an interest in vaping, for some reason the tinkering and even vaping relaxes me a bit. We will be getting a little extra $ hopefully next week and after that who knows... ya know? So, that is why I am asking about quantities to start with that will last a bit without going overboard, if that makes sense. I have to strike while the Husband is agreeable hahaha!!!

The rest on "how to's" etc, I am reading up, didn't get any time today was in extreme pain and just slept.

I loathe math so all the % to ml etc is what confuses me. I was thinking that it would be like if making a bottle it would be fill 1/3 of bottle with nicotine and the rest with the PG/VG and drops of flavor to your taste. I guess my inner calculator is what is frustrating me. I will do my homework and thanks to those that lended suggestions, I hope to learn how and what to properly get without wasting $ soon. Thanks again, Crysti Toodles!!
"

 

[RocketPuppy]

We really are happy to answer questions, but unfortunately it's just not easy to answer something that is so subjective. The ejuice calculator will help with computations. In terms of supplies, you ready do need a few more things and reading the stickies and Danny and Hoosier's blogs will help. After a little research, please ask away.

 

[dannyv45]

The rest on "how to's" etc, I am reading up, didn't get any time today was in extreme pain and just slept.
I will do my homework and thanks to those that lended suggestions, I hope to learn how and what to properly get without wasting $ soon. Thanks again, Crysti Toodles!!
"

Start with this blog it will explain all about supplies and explains it from the view of expense. At the end it recommends a calculator which will take the math out of mixing juice. Simply plug in amount you want to make and your percentages and it will do the math for you converting those percents into ml's

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

Next look at this blog It's a simple walk through on making a simple mix. The flavors may not be what you want but the concept is the same for all mixing


Mixing 101, The Basics - A simple walk through on mixing a favorite

This will get you started and then read what was already recommended.

Also Here's an excerpt to something I just recently posted in another thread giving some general DYI background and basic general rules for mixing.

That's a lot of flavors to start off with I usually advise to buy a few flavors to see if DYI is for you before making such a large investment in it. With that said the major up front cost of DYI is a major investment but the savings will offset that in the long run. If you figure you spend $20.00 every 2 weeks on vender juice you can make a 75.00 start up investment back in a month or two. The average cost of a 30ml bottle of juice you make yourself can cost from $2 - $4 and after the initial investment replenishment can be on average $20 a month or less. So as you can see depending on how much you vape and if you control impulse spending it can be a substantial savings. There is the impulse to buy every flavor under the sun and spend every time you see a sale but of course common sense would tell you to use a little self control which at times I even have a hard time with.

For now I'm going to suggest you get lots and lots of 5 - 8ml bottles and use these to make test samples. This will save waste. If you vape with nicotine then test with nicotine. If you vape 3 - 6mg You can pre-make your base to lets say 8mg and that should save you some time in your testing by not having to make your base for each sample. Adding flavor reduces the MG base and this is why you want to make your base a little stronger then you usually vape. You should get yourself the e-juice me up calculator so you can figure out the percentages of your mix then You'll just need to poor 5 mls figure out your flavor percentage and add your flavor. Start with individual flavors so you get an idea of how each taste and this will help you decide which flavors will combine well. Always document everything you do so if you come across that perfect recipe you can reproduce it.

Know about steeping because mixes that taste off right after mixing will change in time and that misunderstanding of steeping is a pit fall for many DYI'ers. Over flavoring is another pit fall for many as well. Over flavoring = no flavor so always start with the lowest recommended percentage of flavor and work up after steeping (If steeping is required). Always taste your mix right after mixing so you have a baseline to compare steeping progress.

 

[MorpheusPA]

I'm sorry everyone for all the ?'s etc. We never have extra $ while I'm waiting for a disability decision and have taken an interest in vaping, for some reason the tinkering and even vaping relaxes me a bit. We will be getting a little extra $ hopefully next week and after that who knows... ya know? So, that is why I am asking about quantities to start with that will last a bit without going overboard, if that makes sense. I have to strike while the Husband is agreeable hahaha!!!

So much depends on taste. In my case, I flavor lightly and, to me, it's a full-flavored vape. Other people's liquids are nauseatingly strong.

Of course, I do favor menthol. A little of that goes a long way to begin with... So my flavoring levels are a total of 7.5% of total volume, which is pretty low. Most people are in the 10-20% range.

To calculate that is pretty easy. Take your bottle size--let's, for the sake of example, say 30 ml.

Ten percent of that is 3 ml. So if you were going to make a single flavor, 3 ml flavoring in the bottle would be a decent place to start (with most flavors). You can always add more later if you find it's weak.

6 ml total flavoring wouldn't be excessive, but it's going to depend on the flavor. 6 ml of strong menthol flavoring will knock your socks off. Or at least my socks, your sock knocking tolerance may differ.

The rest on "how to's" etc, I am reading up, didn't get any time today was in extreme pain and just slept.

I hope you're feeling better by the time you read this!

I loathe math so all the % to ml etc is what confuses me. I was thinking that it would be like if making a bottle it would be fill 1/3 of bottle with nicotine and the rest with the PG/VG and drops of flavor to your taste. I guess my inner calculator is what is frustrating me. I will do my homework and thanks to those that lended suggestions, I hope to learn how and what to properly get without wasting $ soon. Thanks again, Crysti Toodles!!
"

Regrettably, when doing DIY math is kind of required (or at least a good juice calculator). To get the proper nicotine level requires very good measurement techniques.

Once you stabilize a recipe you like and make larger amounts of it, minor errors become less important. In my case, I make my DIY mix 500 ml (a pint) at a time. Even a 5 ml error on a flavoring is only 1%--and that big an error would be unlikely in the extreme.

 

[PinkEgoTUser]

Thank you so much, and DannyV that is a great suggestion. I already d/l the calculator. The flavors I listed are ones that I order regularly from MVB so I know I love them already, but I totally get what you are saying! I've been reading away, checking different sites, and it seems to me I want to stick with MVB since I already know what I love there, and the prices are great, customer service too. I'm going to keep doing my homework.

Appreciate everyone's patience with me, I have fibromyalgia and have bad memory issues, so I apologize if I repeat myself or aren't clear sometimes, my brain isn't running correctly. I really appreciate all the advice and am following up on all of them!

 

[PinkEgoTUser]

Awesome tips, thank you so much!!!

So much depends on taste. In my case, I flavor lightly and, to me, it's a full-flavored vape. Other people's liquids are nauseatingly strong.

Of course, I do favor menthol. A little of that goes a long way to begin with... So my flavoring levels are a total of 7.5% of total volume, which is pretty low. Most people are in the 10-20% range.

To calculate that is pretty easy. Take your bottle size--let's, for the sake of example, say 30 ml.

Ten percent of that is 3 ml. So if you were going to make a single flavor, 3 ml flavoring in the bottle would be a decent place to start (with most flavors). You can always add more later if you find it's weak.

6 ml total flavoring wouldn't be excessive, but it's going to depend on the flavor. 6 ml of strong menthol flavoring will knock your socks off. Or at least my socks, your sock knocking tolerance may differ.



I hope you're feeling better by the time you read this!



Regrettably, when doing DIY math is kind of required (or at least a good juice calculator). To get the proper nicotine level requires very good measurement techniques.

Once you stabilize a recipe you like and make larger amounts of it, minor errors become less important. In my case, I make my DIY mix 500 ml (a pint) at a time. Even a 5 ml error on a flavoring is only 1%--and that big an error would be unlikely in the extreme.

 

[Lord_Fubar]

There is the impulse to buy every flavor under the sun and spend every time you see a sale but of course common sense would tell you to use a little self control...

I haven't been DIY'ing that long, a couple of months and I am finding very hard to stop buying new flavors. I do stick to 15 ml or less. I have found that the flavors that were towards the bottom of "my list" have turned out to be the most exciting flavors to mix with. I'm pretty sure I won't have 50 flavors on hand all the time. Some flavors are moving to the "don't buy again List".

I really enjoy trying new mixes on my own. Some aren't so good, but the good ones are really good and fuels the excitement to come up with something new.

I did and still learn from others here and I thank you for your posts.

 

[thatguy2]

I'm losing my patience, no one can tell me what I am purchasing is all I need? I just need how much of each to make a batch. I some real thick plastic, never used bottles with pointed tips, you'll see them in hospitals and such, they are... just guessing about 12oz each. Ok, going back to the block, not learning anything yet.... Thanks. I shall return back Sirs. I'll check out that website, but love MtBaker, great customer service, great prices and under 3 days to get to me in CA (THEE best part!)

I'm losing my patience - this bothers me a lot

in the DIY world, patience is mandatory.. instant gratification just is NOT going to happen..
some mixes take weeks to "steep" only to find that they still need work.. frustration will set in
before you know it if you don't have patience..

best that you slow down a little (or a lot) and read the blogs by dannyv45 and hoosier that were
referenced above..