New Calculator to try

[IDJoel]

But has anyone contacted Hotrod (the developer I guess)?

HotRod follows this thread as closely as time permits. If you have been following (reading) this thread for the last couple of weeks then I presume you are aware he is temporarily incapacitated from surgery (from my previous posts). He chose not to post publicly, and so I am reluctant to share, but it may be several weeks before he is comfortable typing again. If you are willing to be patient, I am sure he is continuing to follow this thread, and will respond as soon as he is able.

It does seem like rather than having the app calculate VG/PG up front, to have VG/PG part of the recipe would be the way it should work.

Generally (and I can't say that loosely enough), that is what most(?) of us, who are DIYing, are mixing TO. "I want a "X" PG/"Y" VG with a "Z"mg/mL nic level and I want to add these flavor concentrates at these percentages" which seems to be the norm for most (again ?)

I agree, when I was buying commercial e-liquids, I cared most about (in order of importance):

• Flavor/taste
• Nicotine strength
• PG/VG ratio

BUT... I still don't understand what you want. It sounds like you want a "blending/combining" calculator and not a recipe calculator. I apologize; I can be quite slow ( I never argued when my ex-wives called me clueless; for the most part they were right)

It's an easy enough calculation.

Perhaps you have found an as-yet-unsupported-niche. Develop it and put it out there.

Another thing that would be nice to be able to do is take multiple premixed nics and mix them to produce a desired (or at least known) nic and VG/PG level, for example if I have a bottle of 50VG 18 mg/L and a bottle of 70VG 24 mg/L, what else should I add to get to 60VG 18 mg/L. As it is currently you can't add more than one nicotine.

Not entirely true. Have you looked at the "Simple Calculators" options I suggested previously? If you are willing to create multiple "nic bases" of whatever ratios; you can combine them using the "Determine nicotine and PG/VG levels after mixing several liquids." I can combine an unlimited number of nicotine containing liquids and it will show me the results. Granted; it will not offer me an option of "add this" to get to "this result." But I can take the results and plug it in to another one (pick one: nic, flavor. PG/VG, volume) of the "simple calculator(s)" and set my target to get the desired result.

Bottom line: Is this the best calculator for what you want? I have no clue. Can it give you the results you want? Probably... If you are willing to invest a little time, and effort, to understand the abilities, AND LIMITATIONS (yes..., forgive me HotRod Nation, even HR has limits). Is there something better (for you, or you, or anyone else?)... certainly that is a very real possibility. What is it? I have no clue. I went from E-juice-me-up, to Juice-grinde,r to HotRod's JuiceCalculator. I also looked at a couple of on-line calcs like ELR and none measured up to what was important to me. Does that mean it is best for you? Absolutely NOT! Only you can know that for sure.
I wish you the best on your quest!

 

[Liazard]

The simple calculator Combine Multiple Liquids - it looks useful, thanks! Some seem to be by weight others by volume. Is there a way to change them all to weight?

Bottom line: Is this the best calculator for what you want? I have no clue. Can it give you the results you want?

I wasn't really asking for an opinion on whether it's best for me, just looking for recommendations for other calculators that might do this stuff better/easier, more efficiently. Maybe this is the wrong thread for that question.

 

[ShowerHead]

glass 30ml bottles with dripper tops

Got a picture of these bottles and a source for them? If they are what I'm looking for, that would be lovely.
Actually, what do you mean by 'dripper top'? Some people/websites mean a dropper with a rubber bulb, some mean a fliptop spout, some mean like the unicorn bottle tops.

 

[Burnie]

The simple calculator Combine Multiple Liquids - it looks useful, thanks! Some seem to be by weight others by volume. Is there a way to change them all to weight?


I wasn't really asking for an opinion on whether it's best for me, just looking for recommendations for other calculators that might do this stuff better/easier, more efficiently. Maybe this is the wrong thread for that question.

Sent PM

 

[Hoggy]

I wasn't really asking for an opinion on whether it's best for me, just looking for recommendations for other calculators that might do this stuff better/easier, more efficiently. Maybe this is the wrong thread for that question.

Although I probably haven't tried or looked at all possible calcs..
I'm of the strong opinion that this is BY FAR the best calculator out there, period. Plus I even creatively use it for mixing other liquids and powders, as well.

True, there was a learning curve.. But in the end it was more than worth it!

 

[Burnie]

I'm of the strong opinion that this is BY FAR the best calculator out there, period.

I agree after using several others. There is a learning curve, but it is the one I use all the time now. There are others that do thing this does not, but Over All I feel it is the best for me.

 

[IDJoel]

The simple calculator Combine Multiple Liquids - it looks useful, thanks!

Glad I could help. It is a bummer to have HotRod (the calculator creator and host/guru of this thread) temporarily out of commission. The rest of us are just doing what we can to try and fill the gap until HR can return. I am sorry I can't do a better job answering your questions.

Some seem to be by weight others by volume. Is there a way to change them all to weight?

None that I am aware of but that may be something HotRod can address when he returns. I know it is a bit of a pain but you could probably plug the result into a dummy recipe on the home page and get the weight equivalency that way.

just looking for recommendations for other calculators that might do this stuff better/easier, more efficiently. Maybe this is the wrong thread for that question.

I don't think this is the "wrong" thread. Most of us started DIYing with other calculators before we found this one; so it is certainly reasonable to think that someone may know of another calculator that will do what you want.

I myself have used two others (ejuice-me-up, and juice grinder), unfortunately they are both quite similar to this one (with fewer features) and I don't think either one will do what you are looking for.

There is also another ECF member (@Scubabatdan) that has created a spreadsheet styled calculator. I am unfamiliar with what all his does so I can't say yea or nay for your needs. His support thread is stickied to the top of the DIY E-Liquid forum if you want to check it out or ask on his thread.

You can also search the DIY E-Liquid forum like this:

I just tried and got 9 pages of hits and that was using the "Search titles only" limiter. Perhaps you can find something in those. You could also add a "Newer than" date limiter that would get you only more current results and not so many hits.

 

[Hoggy]

In that case here you go, this is simply (not quite) all of the recipes from the Paddymx file that was posted a couple of years ago here on ECF where TFA only recipes had been compiled.

Here's a link where IDJoel is talking about it: The Flavor Apprentice Flavoring Thread

I don't know if this will help anyone or not, but it might save a lot of typing.

The ZIP file contains both the exported XML file as well as the original PDF.

[removed]

PS. Full disclosure I did skip a few recipes here and there that use drops instead of percentages, or really esoteric ingredients. Also I don't know if my defaults will come through, but if so my saves are 60mg nic PG, 70/30 VG/PG mix with a default of 5ml of 4mg as my testers. You can change them to suit, obviously.

@Weslocke, first let me thank you for taking the time putting this together and trying to share this. I'd very much like to see/use it!

Is anyone able to let Weslock know how he can upload the zip to this site somewhere so that people can download it? (Or maybe it was already said somewhere, but I missed it.)

 

[Maestro]

If I had to make one single request for the calculator, it would be this: put a column on the left right next to the ingredient names that shows the amount in your preference of grams, ml, or drops. I mix by weight and the grams are way over to the right and I have to be very careful that I stay on the same line going across. If the amount was right next to the flavor name, that would be awesome.

 

[IDJoel]

Is anyone able to let Weslock know how he can upload the zip to this site somewhere so that people can download it?

I am not aware of a way to directly upload a file (though, at one time, a user could upload photos to their own album but I believe that was restricted to photo formats). Perhaps PM him and exchange emails so you can discuss (outside the ECF community) how best to access the document.

I do know of others who have shared documents using cloud-based file sharing like Drop Box, or Google Drive, which does not violate current policies. (@Bill's Magic Vapor signature line is an example of that.)

 

[IDJoel]

I have to be very careful that I stay on the same line going across. If the amount was right next to the flavor name, that would be awesome.

I'm with you in that I have to watch what I am doing. I found the "Preferred mixing method" (Tools->Options->General) will "bold" the selected column and that helps some. But, for me at least, my eyes can drift up or down a line or two as I scan across from flavor name to unit of measure (grams for me too). I also agree that this would be at the top of my wish-list.

My fix right now, is to use a small strip I cut from a Post-It sheet, which I trimmed to a point on the sticky end. I can then use that as an arrow that I move up and down the screen as I mix. The adhesive is light enough, that it moves easily without falling off, and it doesn't gunk up my screen.

But to your point; I could think of several ways that could improve our struggle:

• Have the ability to hide any combination of the columns (including Inv, PG%, VG%, ML, Drops, Grams, and Total%) like we currently can with Drops and Grams. The information is useful at different times of development but not necessary during the actual mixing (though I do refer to inventory on-hands occasionally to know what bottle size I ought to be looking for). OR...
• Have the ability to rearrange the order of the columns like you can in a spreadsheet. Don't like Column "E" following Column "D"? Click the header and drag and drop it to land Between columns "A" and "B." OR...
• When clicking a specific field (like Flavor #3, Grams) the field (and only that field) would highlight yellow. Cursor keys or mouse would allow you to move the highlight up or down the column. OR...
  
• Highlighting Row and Column (intersection is the current mixing quantity)(controlled by cursor key and mouse)(maybe two different shades so the intersection stands out?). (This would be my preferred method.) OR...
  
• Add a user selectable duplicate column immediately before/after flavor name.

Of course, I have NO idea how difficult, or even possible, implementing any of these would be. I am about as far from a programmer as a human can be. I do know that @HotRod19579 has mentioned in the past that he is running out of room to add things to the home/recipe screen. The area you mention (left of the name) is currently used by the "Lock" symbol when the recipe is lock protected. Of course nothing says it has to stay there.

We will just have to be patient, and wait for HR to be able to rejoin us, to see what he thinks.

 

[Burnie]

I found the "Preferred mixing method" (Tools->Options->General) will "bold" the selected column and that helps some.

That Helps I do grams, and now that they are bold it is easier to see. I just mix from the bottom up, moving the pointer up one ingredient at the time, but that does help.

 

[Fozzy71]

That Helps I do grams, and now that they are bold it is easier to see. I just mix from the bottom up, moving the pointer up one ingredient at the time, but that does help.

I mix in the basement and my pc is up stairs so I use a small memo pad where I write down everything I will be mixing (in grams obv) and take that into the lab.

 

[Hoggy]

But to your point; I could think of several ways that could improve our struggle:

• Have the ability to hide any combination of the columns (including Inv, PG%, VG%, ML, Drops, Grams, and Total%) like we currently can with Drops and Grams. The information is useful at different times of development but not necessary during the actual mixing (though I do refer to inventory on-hands occasionally to know what bottle size I ought to be looking for). OR...
• Have the ability to rearrange the order of the columns like you can in a spreadsheet. Don't like Column "E" following Column "D"? Click the header and drag and drop it to land Between columns "A" and "B." OR...
• When clicking a specific field (like Flavor #3, Grams) the field (and only that field) would highlight yellow. Cursor keys or mouse would allow you to move the highlight up or down the column. OR...
  
• Highlighting Row and Column (intersection is the current mixing quantity)(controlled by cursor key and mouse)(maybe two different shades so the intersection stands out?). (This would be my preferred method.) OR...
  
• Add a user selectable duplicate column immediately before/after flavor name.

Not being a programmer either, and if I only had to pick one, I think I'd lean towards the 4th option as well. With the possibility of the column highlight being able to move left/right.
(Yes, not ALL of my flavors and additives are in 4oz amber glass or 16oz mason jars. Just most of them. I be vapin' like: )

Right now I just move the mouse pointer. ... Which brings me to add, since my mouse is closer, maybe the optioned possibility of the highlight following the mouse pointer.

 

[IDJoel]

Right now I just move the mouse pointer. ...

That makes perfect sense. I however, always seem to be bumping and jostling the mouse, so it rarely stays where I place it unless I set it beyond reach; and that is counter-intuitive to its use. It's tough being a spastic old man...

 

[Tutor]

Got a picture of these bottles and a source for them? If they are what I'm looking for, that would be lovely.
Actually, what do you mean by 'dripper top'? Some people/websites mean a dropper with a rubber bulb, some mean a fliptop spout, some mean like the unicorn bottle tops.

Sorry, yes I meant "dropper" with the rubber bulb. I can't recall where I picked them up (sometime early last year) I got some 30ml and some 15ml cobalt blue ones fairly cheaply. There must of been a sale going on and I thought "why not" grab a few... ended up with a dozen 15ml and 2 dozen 30ml (I think) purchasing at different times. I just started using some of them over the last few months.

 

[Hoggy]

Sorry, yes I meant "dropper" with the rubber bulb. I can't recall where I picked them up (sometime early last year) I got some 30ml and some 15ml cobalt blue ones fairly cheaply. There must of been a sale going on and I thought "why not" grab a few... ended up with a dozen 15ml and 2 dozen 30ml (I think) purchasing at different times. I just started using some of them over the last few months.
View attachment 636455

Just be aware that some flavorings will eat through the rubber dropper and contaminate the flavoring. You can read about that on TFA's site, IIRC. It's for that reason I only get the poly-cone caps. (And also why I've accumulated a set of glass syringes and various gauge (12-24ga) stainless steel dispensing tips, over time.)
................
A couple places where I've gotten bottles from for cheap are Amazon and Essential Depot.. At least the 4oz amber glass ones.

A couple other major places would be: Specialty Bottle - Wholesale Glass Bottles, Jars, Metal Tins and Plastic Containers , and SKS Bottle & Packaging. But I think their shipping prices are a bit steep, from what I remember about them.

 

[Ed Sause]

I use www.dropperbottles.com depending on the number of bottles i need/want.

 

[IDJoel]

I use www.dropperbottles.com depending on the number of bottles i need/want.

@JCinFLA also speaks highly of them. She also mention that the owner might be willing to mix-n-match sizes (for the cost of the largest size) in this post.

When I have bottle shopped I have found Glass Bottle Outlet to often be one of the cheaper sources (product+shipping) and they have a positive and long-standing reputation. You do have to order caps and bottles separately but it does give you the best versatility for colors and options.

Just be aware that some flavorings will eat through the rubber dropper and contaminate the flavoring. You can read about that on TFA's site, IIRC.

I have also read more than one report of this (though in a recent discussion, I have also read at least one person mention they have had no problems, but I don't recall for how long, or if tank-crackers were part of their inventory).

The other concern I have heard mentioned is that the rubber bulb/seal is quite porous and may lead to faster flavor loss (can permit faster evaporation of desirable aromatic notes).

Disclaimer: both of these cautions were enough to keep me from trying dropper tops so I have no personal experience. This is strictly hearsay on my part.

 

[JCinFLA]

@IDJoel - Yes, I do highly recommend dropperbottles.com. Brad, the owner is a really nice guy and very willing to accommodate buyers who want to mix-n-match sizes. You just need to leave a note in the order notes letting him know what sizes and how many of each, and pay for 100 of the largest size you order. It works out to only pennies difference per bottle to do that, and you end up with exactly the sizes and quantities of each that you want.

I also use exclusively, and highly recommend, GlassBottleOutlet.com for any/all glass bottles. I compared the top 3 vendors people use on here...nearly a year ago, and frequently since then, and they have always had the best overall price including S/H. Member @b.m. just yesterday I think it was...found that he saved $23 by going with them instead of Specialty Bottle or Packing Options Direct (1 of those 2) that he was planning to buy from!