Here's a dumb one(question,that is...)

[ilporcupine]

When using a tiny 1ml syringe to measure nic, or flavors etc., how do you read the markings?
And how to account for the amount which is in the needle? It sounds strange, but I am over thinking it now...

 

[stols001]

Use magnifying glasses and mark the needle using indelible marker (but larger) so you can see it.

As far as what's in the needle, yeah, that's overthinking it a bit unless you are using tester amounts, but there usually isn't that much in a needle, it's fairly small (comparatively) and there is only a certain amount of precision needed. If you wind up with a mix that is say 3.05 nic instead of 3.0, that difference will most likely not be noticed (unless you are intensely nic sensitive) and probably not even then.

Anna

 

[puffon]

What's in the needle, usually stays in the needle.
When I was using syringes I'd use blue painters tape on the syringe body. Put the edge of the tape on the mark.

 

[Richard Winter]

Have you thought about mixing using weight?

 

[IDJoel]

When using a tiny 1ml syringe to measure nic, or flavors etc., how do you read the markings?

This is a great link for learning to use a syringe correctly: How to Read a Syringe
It has good text, images, and even a video. Something for anyone's learning style.

And how to account for the amount which is in the needle?

@puffon is right; the extra volume created by the needle (regardless of size) offsets itself... as long as you do NOT depress the plunger more than once. The needle has extra fluid in it during the draw. And the extra fluid remains in the needle during the dispensing. If you want to reclaim the excess; press the plunger a second time back into the original container and not your mixing vessel.

 

[AzPlumber]

Yes you're over thinking it but an easy way to clear the tiny amount in the needle is to draw a little air in after you fill the syringe, this will clear the needle in and out.

 

[CagedSpam]

protip: scotch tape over the numbers so they don't wear off.

 

[IDJoel]

Yes you're over thinking it but an easy way to clear the tiny amount in the needle is to draw a little air in after you fill the syringe, this will clear the needle in and out.

True. But, unless the airspace is equal to the volume in the needle, it will throw off potential accuracy and it makes repeatability more difficult. If one draws the miniscus (fluid rim) to the desired mark; the volume in the needle is excess.

Granted, in most cases this is not a big deal (overkill for sure). But, if one is measuring out a potent ingredient (like AP), one drop can make a noticeable difference (especially in a small testing batch).

 

[bombastinator]

Bah. And here I had hopes for a really dumb question. This one is basically reasonable

 

[ilporcupine]

Sorry, I didn't mean to be out so long... I didn't explain myself very well, I was in a bit of a rush.
I didn't mean to say I could not see the markings, I was more looking for the mechanics of it. What I assume they tell first year nursing students!
Joel figured me out. Thanks, I'll go check that out now.
Thanks, all for hints... my eyes aint too good either!

 

[ilporcupine]

Have you thought about mixing using weight?

Yeah, I'm on my way to that. I was trying to weigh small amount of liquids to get the weight per ml that my scale shows, in order to calibrate the calculator to my scale. I wanted to be sure I was getting an accurate weight per ml.
I also was making "flavor tasters" with 5ml in a 7 ml bottle!!

 

[ilporcupine]

I know one thing for certain. There is no way this 1ml syringe will suck 70/30 thru this needle unless I let some air in behind it! Plunger goes back, meniscus stays put! (Mumbles as he goes back to net to hunt for bigger blunt needles).

 

[bombastinator]

I know one thing for certain. There is no way this 1ml syringe will suck 70/30 thru this needle unless I let some air in behind it! Plunger goes back, meniscus stays put! (Mumbles as he goes back to net to hunt for bigger blunt needles).

Need a bigger bore needle then

 

[Hawise]

I know one thing for certain. There is no way this 1ml syringe will suck 70/30 thru this needle unless I let some air in behind it! Plunger goes back, meniscus stays put! (Mumbles as he goes back to net to hunt for bigger blunt needles).

You can usually take off the needle and just use the syringe.

Read the measurement from the bottom of the meniscus - the base of the curve. If you're more of a visual learner, google "meniscus measurement" for some images that show you where to read.

About fluid left in the needle - the needle accounts for that. Basically, the amount of fluid left in the needle after you depress the plunger isn't included in the needle's volume measurement, so to get accurate measurements you have to leave it in the needle. Of course, as @IDJoel says, it's hardly ever going to be enough to matter for vaping purposes.

I also agree with @bombastinator. I've heard some stupid questions, and these ain't them.

 

[zoiDman]

When using a tiny 1ml syringe to measure nic, or flavors etc., how do you read the markings?
And how to account for the amount which is in the needle? It sounds strange, but I am over thinking it now...

If you want to Dispense a Very Accurate amount, say .5ml, draw up .75ml of Liquid in your 1ml Syringe. The press the Plunger until the Liquid gets to the .25ml line on your Syringe.

Doing "Between the Lines" dispensing doesn't matter if there is Air in the Syringe. Or the Size/Length of the Needle used.

 

[ilporcupine]

@IDJoel, That article/video was even too basic for me! From what you have written in places on the forum, you like to get it right, also...What was bugging me goes like this:
1. Luer lock or nipple on end holds some some small amount.
2. Taper section from nipple to barrell holds some small amount.
3. Normally needle holds some small amount. But needs to be subtracted if I don't have a needle on, vs. if I do.
I am assuming that the markings on the syringe start at the bottom of the barrel section, and that the taper on the plunger tip makes up volume of the end taper, so normally you wouldn't have to account for it, as it is taken away from the top of the fluid column. Now I was holding a vacuum in the syringe, and had space in between the plunger and the fluid column, so no way to know when the slowly filling column would stop, exactly, as the viscosity of the liquid keeps it from filling to the plunger tip(in any reasonable time). So, I actually ended up overshooting the .4mark, for instance, which I was aiming for. SO... At this point, I pull syringe from Jug, and have air between fluid column and needle, as well as between plunger and fluid. I was trying to figure out how much I should empty from the syringe to get to exactly .4ml, if that was my aim. Gets a little wierd trying to account for that needle and nipple volume. Normally, yes just push plunger down to expel air, and re-suck fluid back up, but with the small needle, the same thing was going to happen again.
I just used it without the needle, as it was a new bottle, and close to the neck, and that worked this tiime, but got me thinking about what part of the syringe they accounted for when it was marked.

As you can see, I worked it out, even measured the marking length on the syringe to make sure they didn't account for nipple volume.

 

[ilporcupine]

If you want to Dispense a Very Accurate amount, say .5ml, draw up .75ml of Liquid in your 1ml Syringe. The press the Plunger until the Fluid gets to the .25ml line on your Syringe.

Doing "Between the Lines" dispensing doesn't matter if there is Air in the Syringe.

ZoiDman, by the time I had worked thru the above "novel", I had that same realization. See, if I had a mathematical spot anywhere in my brain, I probably would never have posted here...D'oh! I know you all don't know ME but I have been reading a LOT here... You always get right to the heart of the problem. I wish my mind worked that way. It doesn't.
Thanks, all.

Bombinator, absolutely. I saw several instances where people advised 14ga needle was large enough for VG. Not if this needle is, in fact the 14ga I ordered. And maybe they live in the tropics, I dunno...

 

[zoiDman]

ZoiDman, by the time I had worked thru the above "novel", I had that same realization. See, if I had a mathematical spot anywhere in my brain, I probably would never have posted here...D'oh!

LOL

Yeah... I Syringe works Great when the Liquid is in contact with the Plunger. Then the Lines Jive with the Plunger.

Where things go South is when there is Air in the Syringe.

Doing the Between the Lines thing is the Way to go if you Don't want to make a Mess Trying to get All the Air out of the Syringe.

 

[ilporcupine]

LOL

Yeah... I Syringe works Great when the Liquid is in contact with the Plunger. Then the Lines Jive with the Plunger.

Where things go South is when there is Air in the Syringe.

Doing the Between the Lines thing is the Way to go if you Don't want to make a Mess Trying to get All the Air out of the Syringe.

Also, if you put the needle on AFTER you fill syringe, to dispense into wee little bottles.

 

[zoiDman]

Also, if you put the needle on AFTER you fill syringe, to dispense into wee little bottles.

Yeah... Theoretically, if you put a Long Enough/Big Enough Needle on after you filled the syringe, nothing but Air would come out when you pushed the Plunger Down.

LOL