Low cost scale

[ohioguy]

So my few attempts at DIY haven't been great. Of course I only had one flavor (CAP Sweet strawberry).
I did bite the bullet and buy several flavors and some nic to try again.

It looks like mixing by weight would be better for me. In the past I counted drops or measured with a syringe.

I'm looking at the cheep digital scales on Amazon. Does anyone use, or can you recommend a scale that will work for mixing smaller quantities of e juice. I hope to mix 10 or 15 ml bottles to start. The scales I'm looking at are $10-$15.

I need a scale that will work, and I'm willing spend more if that is necessary. I would rather buy a scale someone recommends then take a chance by just buying the cheapest one I can find. Of course low cost is better, if it will work.

 

[Punk In Drublic]

The scale should allow for calibration (not all do) and should have a resolution down to 0.01 of a gram. The American Weigh LB 501 seems to be the popular choice among DIY’er. Little more expensive but it is of quality. Comes with a calibration weight (not all do) and can be used with both batteries and a supplied PSU

 

[Blitzdonlife]

I use this one.
https://www.amazon.com/AMIR-Upgrade...+digital+scale+.01+gram&qid=1575301273&sr=8-3
So far (5 or 6 months), it has held up and works fine.

This one was recommended to me as a good scale, it's twice the price though.
https://www.amazon.com/American-Wei...an+weigh+scale+.01+gram&qid=1575301458&sr=8-3

 

[AvaOrchid]

So my few attempts at DIY haven't been great. Of course I only had one flavor (CAP Sweet strawberry).
I did bite the bullet and buy several flavors and some nic to try again.

It looks like mixing by weight would be better for me. In the past I counted drops or measured with a syringe.

I'm looking at the cheep digital scales on Amazon. Does anyone use, or can you recommend a scale that will work for mixing smaller quantities of e juice. I hope to mix 10 or 15 ml bottles to start. The scales I'm looking at are $10-$15.

I need a scale that will work, and I'm willing spend more if that is necessary. I would rather buy a scale someone recommends then take a chance by just buying the cheapest one I can find. Of course low cost is better, if it will work.

I actually purchased a scale because I have to make my cat's food at home because he's got such specific dietary restrictions and I have to be able to measure ingredients down to a tenth of a gram. So I actually purchased it from a convenience store that also has the sort of items that may be found in 21 + smoke shop that sells items that are labeled for tobacco use only but in reality we all know that's not what they're used for... that kind of place. they sell digital scales that can go down pretty low so if you want to get Hands-On you may want to check out one of those and all the better if it's in a gas station so you don't get weird looks depending on the legality in your state

 

[Pigs]

I use this one.
https://www.amazon.com/AMIR-Upgrade...+digital+scale+.01+gram&qid=1575301273&sr=8-3
So far (5 or 6 months), it has held up and works fine.

This one was recommended to me as a good scale, it's twice the price though.
https://www.amazon.com/American-Wei...an+weigh+scale+.01+gram&qid=1575301458&sr=8-3

That's a great deal. I got a little no name brand one (called Digital Scale) from a B and M shop as an impulse buy. Works fine so far. The main thing is that you can calibrate it and that it has a Tare function.

 

[ShaneR42]

This is what I use:

https://www.amazon.com/Smart-Weigh-...igh+SWS100+Elite+Series&qid=1575323451&sr=8-1

1 1/2 years later of moderate use (I don't mix often) and still does exactly what I need it to.

 

[DeloresRose]

I use this one.
https://www.amazon.com/AMIR-Upgrade...+digital+scale+.01+gram&qid=1575301273&sr=8-3
So far (5 or 6 months), it has held up and works fine.

This one was recommended to me as a good scale, it's twice the price though.
https://www.amazon.com/American-Wei...an+weigh+scale+.01+gram&qid=1575301458&sr=8-3

I got the second one and it’s working really well.

The important features are weighs .01g, tare, and can be calibrated. Also, plugs in, not just battery, because those shut off too soon for me. I like that this one has a lid, which protects the plate - less likely to need calibration all the time if it’s not getting bumped.

 

[ohioguy]

OK thanks, I was not certain about buying one of the lower priced scales without asking first. I will get one on my next order to amazon.

 

[smacuser]

I've been using one of those pocket scales since the beginning. But, that one with the tray looks like a winner .

 

[vaper1960]

Can't help with the scales (I mix by volume) but I have to ask... do you mix up a batch of "base" first (Nic, VG, PG) or doing all that for each small bottle? Much easier to mix up a 100 ml base first. Using a syringe is OK but drops are all different depending on the dropper or bottle tip. Cab be anywhere between 20-40 drops/ml. I only use drops to bump up a small test batch that was too weak.

 

[Blitzdonlife]

Can't help with the scales (I mix by volume) but I have to ask... do you mix up a batch of "base" first (Nic, VG, PG) or doing all that for each small bottle? Much easier to mix up a 100 ml base first. Using a syringe is OK but drops are all different depending on the dropper or bottle tip. Cab be anywhere between 20-40 drops/ml. I only use drops to bump up a small test batch that was too weak.

I don't bother pre-mixing a base first. I guess it could cut out a few steps if I did it that way, but then I'd still have to adjust for different flavor percentages based on the recipe used, so I don't use a pre-mix base.

The way I mix is to set out my bottles, caps removed, flavors, any droppers/pipettes needed, Scale, VG, PG, and nicotine bottle on my work surface. My PG, VG, and Nic are all in squeeze bottles. PG/VG in ketchup dispenser bottles, Nic in a plastic needle tip 50mL bottle. Most of this I keep in a box for this express purpose, I just carry it over then setup everything, nicotine is the exception.

I turn on the scale put the tray on, bottle on, and tare it. Add PG, tare, add Nic, tare, add flavors, tare after each, add VG, cap it, and shake it like crazy. If I have more than one bottle, I just repeat the process. I can mix up 3 bottles in less than 5 minutes, from getting set up, to everything put away again. I don't see any need to be faster than that, so this works pretty good for me.

I used to mix by volume too, but now that I changed over to mixing by weight I wont be going back to volume.

 

[Punk In Drublic]

Can't help with the scales (I mix by volume) but I have to ask... do you mix up a batch of "base" first (Nic, VG, PG) or doing all that for each small bottle? Much easier to mix up a 100 ml base first. Using a syringe is OK but drops are all different depending on the dropper or bottle tip. Cab be anywhere between 20-40 drops/ml. I only use drops to bump up a small test batch that was too weak.

There are no rules so if one finds premixing a batch of the base to be beneficial, then by all means follow that practice. The end product has to work with that user, it is up to the individual to find his/her path to get to that end.

Have done both the drip and syringe method and feel the weight method to be the quickest, most accurate and consistent. My base’s do change depending on recipe or even equipment I intend to use that mix with, so I do not use premix bases. And if I ever came across an incident where I found the base to be too thin or thick – with measurement by weight you could modify that mix with a level of unmatched accuracy, document it and recreate it. Same practice can be employed with both flavours and nicotine.

 

[vaper1960]

I guess with mixing by weight, no need to pre-mix base... I get it now.

 

[Punk In Drublic]

I guess with mixing by weight, no need to pre-mix base... I get it now.

Nothing that states you can’t, and I am sure many do. I just do not find it beneficial. Either spend the needed time pre-mixing a base, or spend the same time just mixing what you need. 6 of one, half dozen of the other IMO. Although measuring with a scale, you are limited to what the scale can handle. The American Weigh LB 501 as an example is limited to 500 grams, which equates to roughly 475ml (with a little headroom) of a 70 vg/30 pg mix. One has to take this into account if mixing large volumes.

 

[AngeNZ]

I use a cheap scale. It measures down to 0.01g and has an auto-shutoff of 2 minutes. It's worked flawlessly for the past year

I'm another who doesn't make premixed base. My scientific method is:
squirt
hit tare
squirt
hit tare
squirt
hit tare
until the recipe is done

 

[ShowMeTwice]

I like the American Weigh Scale LB-501. No premixed base here either.

https://www.amazon.com/American-Wei...TF8&qid=1410453758&sr=8-1&keywords=aws+lb-501

 

[DaveP]

America Weight Scales LB-501 comes with a bowl that fits the scale platform nicely and won't slide off due to its bottom ring that locks onto the scale platform. It's accurate, repeatable, and easy to use. The bowl catches drips and washes easily after a session. it's the only scale I'll ever need. After three years using it it's still working fine.