Input overload, new to DIY!

[taylerrrae]

Hi all, so I've been buying my liquids for the past year or so, and have never really even considered DIY. I didn't want to deal with the nicotine levels myself, so it was never a good option for me. Well, I've just recently weened myself completely off nicotine and have decided that it's maybe time to now give DIY a try!
Now, I've come to this forum and... Am so completely overwhelmed with information!

So, I'm hoping to just get some short and sweet answers/suggestions to the couple of questions I have.

1) I have NO idea where to look for quality PG and VG. Preferable not online, as I've grown so bored of waiting 3-5 days for anything to arrive! So, any suggestions?

2) Flavorings. Again, no idea at all of where to buy these, or even what I'm actually looking for! I've found a website by suggestion, but again... Am hoping that there may be a suggestion that only requires driving to a store.

I'm not too concerned about mixing the liquids, as I'm really just into simple fruity flavors. Any tips/suggestions are much appreciated!

 

[otrpu]

I vaped for 3 years. All that time everything I purchased was online. If you don't want to constantly wait on stuff, do like I did. Purchase PG & VG two gallons ea at a time. I vaped constantly. . .blending 50/50, a gallon would last me about two years. Same thing with flavoring(s), of which I only ordered one. Purchase in the largest quantity you can find. I did the same with nicotine also. I only waited for something to arrive about once in two years. When I quit vaping I gave an unopened quart of 36mg nic away to a local gal that was on this board. Try vaping just the PG/VG 50/50 without any flavoring. VG is quite sweet. That would cut your cost per mL out to three decimals. If you're off the nic, all you got to beat is the hand to mouthy thing, (oral gratification). On second thought, don't buy large quantities of anything. . .you'll just end up having to get rid of it when you quit. JMHO

Cheers,
otrpu

 

[sellersj27]

I know that you said that you didn't want to buy online.....but in case you change your mind:
Wizard labs has some awesome prices on pg/vg and their shipping is very quick! Mtbakervapor has some good flavors, 2.99 for 15 mls of concentrate (great for sampling new flavors). Flavorwest.com has 4 oz bottles of flavoring for around $6 and their shipping is good....usually around 5 days. I don't have anywhere near me that sells out of a B&M, so online ordering is the only choice!

 

[Hoosier]

1) I have NO idea where to look for quality PG and VG. Preferable not online, as I've grown so bored of waiting 3-5 days for anything to arrive! So, any suggestions?

You're looking for USP grade. USP PG can be found sitting on the shelf of some farm supply stores. A compounding pharmacy might, but chances are slim as they usually only order enough for their work, have some USP PG available for sale. A regular pharmacy can usually order PG for you.

USP VG can be found in Walmart, many pharmacies, and some health food stores.

2) Flavorings. Again, no idea at all of where to buy these, or even what I'm actually looking for! I've found a website by suggestion, but again... Am hoping that there may be a suggestion that only requires driving to a store.

Hobby Lobby or any place that would cater to candy makers or cake bakers usually have a selection of Lorann's. Usually best to avoid the emulsions and extracts as they nearly always contain stuff that is incredibly hard on coils and wicks.


Suggestion: Order a bottle of Sweet Tangerine flavor drops from Capella's now. While you are driving from store to store to find out which stores near you carry which items and obtaining those items, it should arrive shortly after your first mixing attempts. When it does arrive, try that Cap's flavor between 10-15% in a new batch and compare to the ones you made first.

Feel free to curse or thank me later. I accept both.

 

[JD1]

It's much easier to order on line. Most vendors ship quickly and prices are decent. There's some good info in this thread in case you haven't seen it. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/458329-looking-good-diy-e-liquid-site.html

 

[Levitas]

I know that you said that you didn't want to buy online.....but in case you change your mind:
Wizard labs has some awesome prices on pg/vg and their shipping is very quick! Mtbakervapor has some good flavors, 2.99 for 15 mls of concentrate (great for sampling new flavors). Flavorwest.com has 4 oz bottles of flavoring for around $6 and their shipping is good....usually around 5 days. I don't have anywhere near me that sells out of a B&M, so online ordering is the only choice!

I'll second Wizard Labs as an excellent source for DIY supplies. You could always look up your specific location sub-forum (if one exists for Seattle, which I would imagine it would), and look to see if you have vape meets nearby. Usually, if there are local vendors in the area, they like to come to vape meets. Here's a link to the Washington Vapors group http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/groups/washington-state-vapors.html you might find some local vendors in that bunch.

Also, Hoosier brings some good advice on where to find supplies. I would add that if you're looking for flavorings locally, to avoid oil based flavors, and to always read the ingredients before purchasing.



A little off topic - My fellow Saint Louis brethren, there are B&Ms about. There are a couple of stores in Saint Charles, a store in Fenton, and a store in High Ridge that I know of. PM me if you want more info.

 

[glasseye]

You could drive up to Bellingham and get pretty much whatever you want. Retail Location
Personally I'd call first. Some places don't have everything at their retail locations.

 

[dannyv45]

Is this close to you

The EcigExpress retail store is located at 1321 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham WA 98225.

It's where most everyone on here orders from.

 

[michaelsil1]

Is this close to you

The EcigExpress retail store is located at 1321 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham WA 98225.

It's where most everyone on here orders from.

Then get some Hangsen Fruits!

 

[taylerrrae]

I know that you said that you didn't want to buy online.....but in case you change your mind:
Wizard labs has some awesome prices on pg/vg and their shipping is very quick! Mtbakervapor has some good flavors, 2.99 for 15 mls of concentrate (great for sampling new flavors). Flavorwest.com has 4 oz bottles of flavoring for around $6 and their shipping is good....usually around 5 days. I don't have anywhere near me that sells out of a B&M, so online ordering is the only choice!

I think you actually just changed my mind! Everywhere I had looked online before was around the same price for straight PG or VG as it would be for the same amount of pre-flavored liquid. Which made the whole process seem a little unnecessary. But after checking out Wizard Labs, I think I'm going to place a small order today to see if I'm even any good at DIYing this. A couple flavors, and some PG and VG (that SHOULD last me at least a month or two) for just over $10! Thank you SO much for those suggestions, I probably never would have stumbled onto that site myself!

 

[taylerrrae]

Bellingham is quite looong drive from here. It's about a two hour drive, so the cost of gas would probably make it about as cost effective to just continue buying pre-flavored xD

 

[taylerrrae]

I think you actually just changed my mind! Everywhere I had looked online before was around the same price for straight PG or VG as it would be for the same amount of pre-flavored liquid. Which made the whole process seem a little unnecessary. But after checking out Wizard Labs, I think I'm going to place a small order today to see if I'm even any good at DIYing this. A couple flavors, and some PG and VG (that SHOULD last me at least a month or two) for just over $10! Thank you SO much for those suggestions, I probably never would have stumbled onto that site myself!

I retract that statement. I got to check-out, and they want to charge me $11.25 for shipping! That's the same amount I was purchasing! I've never paid that much for shipping on liquids, that's just ridiculous!

 

[SonHouse]

It's a lot heavier than the liquids are. They have free shipping after you hit $75 if I remember correctly.