Is it best to get a starter kit or buy them separate?

[mh1972]

Hi,
I want to try DIY, but was wondering if I should buy everything separately from a site like wizard labs or is there a good starter kit to get all at once? Looks like wizards labs is going to add some starter kits soon but not there yet.

Thanks

 

[Spazmelda]

I think it sort of depends on how confident you are in Your understanding of how to do DIY. If you are fairly confident that you understand everything, then you'd probably be better off buying individual components. I haven't looked at starter kits in a long time, but I recall them being somewhat more expensive than buying individual components. This may have changed since I've looked at them.

Back when I was getting into DIY I looked at many starter kits and none of them seemed ideal to me. Either I didn't want to use the flavor brand they were offering or the kit (IMO) included things I didn't need while not including things I did need. I ended up just buying things separately.

For mixing I use wizard labs nic (used to use RTS, but switched). Flavorings from a variety of brands. Syringes that I pick up here and there. VG and P&G are ordered online, although I used to use VG from walmart (HUMCO). Our walmart here sometimes has VG and sometimes not, so I just switched to an online supplier. I mix large batches now, so I have a large glass bottle for that, then I use needle top bottles to store for use (I need the needle top to fill my tank through a small port). I have a 100 ml graduated cylinder, but I don't use it much. I think juice making evolves as you go. First you make small batches with lots of failures. As you find stuff you like, then you need supplies for making larger batches.

If you do buy a starter kit you will probably end up needing to eventually buy some different supplies to suit your particular needs as they evolve.

OTOH, buying a kit will get you started very easily without being overwhelmed with thousands of choices. I just looked at some various kits and while they seem a little pricey for what you are getting, they are not too outrageous. Might be worth it just to get your feet wet.

 

[serenity21899]

I bought stuff individually to get started because I had read here that some of the stuff wasn't necessary. And I didn't buy a lot at first to see what I would actually use. I had looked at those kits at Wizard Labs, and they seemed a bit pricey to me.

 

[mh1972]

thanks for the answers, I don't think I really need all the stuff that comes in the kits after reading and watching videos. Seems like you can try some easier recipes with small amount of supplies.

 

[michaelsil1]

I went with

EcigExpress | Electronic Cigarettes, e-Liquid and DIY Flavorings

they had everything I needed to get started. I also just got what I thought I needed.

 

[1LastShot]

We also just bought the individual components, and we chose to order everything from one company to minimize searching and headache. After that first order we company-surfed. There did end up being a few things that we were like "oops wish we would have gotten more than we did in that first order", but it was things like: a few more syringes, a few more empty bottles...nothing that impacted our ability to make juice, and we just picked them up with our next flavor order.

 

[Cavediver]

The only things you really need are the ingredients, a few syringes in different sizes, a few needles (also varying sizes), and some empty bottles.

Choosing your first round of ingredients is probably the hardest decision you'll make. I found a few recipes that have ben vetted by a bunch of folks, and I used those to start my flavor list. I also added a few of the popular enhancers and some other flavors that I felt would compliment my primary choices, and hit the order button.

 

[bace a flunt]

Figure out what you need and buy it individually. If you buy a starter kit, you are likely to wind up with stuff you need and stuff you don't need, and you will probably run out of one of the ingredients early.

 

[Hippieangst]

I, too, am looking into starting some DIY. I think I am going to start with some flavorings from Mt. Baker Vapor just to get me some practice with mixing, ratios, and the math behind this. It seems like a good way to start. Let us know how things work out for ya...

 

[michaelsil1]

I, too, am looking into starting some DIY. I think I am going to start with some flavorings from Mt. Baker Vapor just to get me some practice with mixing, ratios, and the math behind this. It seems like a good way to start. Let us know how things work out for ya...

Capella is the easiest to work with.

 

[Iffy]

I think Vaping Zone super concentrates are the easiest to use!

My minimal DIY requirements:

nic
VG
PG
flavors
eJuice Me Up calculator
20ml syringe
5ml syringe
1ml syringe
30ml bottles
5ml or 7ml bottles (for test samples)
120ml bottle (for bulk base)
100ml graduated glass cylinder (for bulk base mixing)

Of course I have more DIY equipment

, but the list is what I actually use 98% of the time.

I mix 100ml of base (nic/PG/VG) and put that into a 120ml bottle that has a flip turret top cap. I use 5ml or 7ml bottles for test samples. Most of my mixes are 30ml, sometimes 60ml. Note that I do not use needles, pipettes or funnels; no need fer 'em.

I have no fear of needles, but they're just too fussy. Therefore I use syringes sans needles for flav mixing:

remove syringe plunger
place little finger tip on syringe tip
drip in flav or nic base or PG or VG in syringe top
place tip over mix bottle
remove finger, insert tip
reinsert plunger
slowly 'plunge'/empty

That's only one way to mix. But it's the quickest, most accurate and fuss free method for me.

Ya don't have to spend a fortune buying DIY kits that have items ya probably won't use.

Good luck!

 

[1LastShot]

I have no fear of needles, but they're just too fussy. Therefore I use syringes sans needles for flav mixing:

remove syringe plunger
place little finger tip on syringe tip
drip in flav or nic base or PG or VG in syringe top
place tip over mix bottle
remove finger, insert tip
reinsert plunger
slowly 'plunge'/empty

That's only one way to mix.....!

WHY have I never thought of this....!

That's the same method I use for flavors if I get to the very end of a flavor bottle and my needle won't reach.

****You may now return to your regularly scheduled discussion.****

 

[psycheval]

Listen to Iffy. I use basically the same stuff the same way. I just have one very small funnel is the diff. It helps with pouring out of wide mouth bottles. What he's got in that list is plenty. Buy seperate unless you can in fact use whats in a kit.

 

[mh1972]

thanks so much for the info!!

 

[brock957]

I got vg from Amazon. Pg and syrenges from tractor supply company. Nicotine and flavors from Nicvape.com. I'm looking for larger amount of flavor now.

 

[Cavediver]

I got vg from Amazon. Pg and syrenges from tractor supply company. Nicotine and flavors from Nicvape.com. I'm looking for larger amount of flavor now.

Have you already found a DIY mix you like?

I chose to go with a wider variety of smaller bottles to stretch my initial investment. Not saying that's right, wrong, or what anybody else shoud do, just something to consider. If you've got particular flavors in mind, perhaps you could call one of the retailers and see if they'll sell you a larger volume. Be careful what you wish for though; I've read reports of some flavors going bad after a year or so. That's not a problem if you vape a lot of a few flavors, but it could be an issue if you like to try lots of new stuff like I do.

Lots of people seem to like the super concentrates over at Vaping Zone. Higher concentrations mean smaller quantities used per recipe (I hope that doesn't sound like I'm patronizing or whatever; it's just too early for me to think of another way to say it )