New to DIY. Going to start buying supplies, but I have a few questions?

[lKeithStone]

Hello all! I've decided to go the DIY route after spending 100's of dollars on vendor juice. I was originally going to buy all of my supplies from Wizard Labs, but after researching for the past few days I'm not sure I should anymore. Here is what I'm deciding on:

NIC - Heartland Vapes, RTS Vapes, or Wizard Labs. Heartland Vapes seems to be the best deal at 100mg liter for $44.99. Can I store the nic in the container it comes in (Plastic Jug)? Or should I buy glass bottles to store it? What is everyone's opinion on Heartland Vapes nic?

VG/PG - Essential Depot, Wizard Labs. Essential Depot has 1 gallon of PG & VG for $50.57. I'm not sure if I need that much PG though since I normally vape a 70vg/30pg mix. Do I need a gallon of PG with that mix? Does VG/PG have to be stored in the freezer like Nic?

FLAVOR - I was planning on getting my flavor from Wizard Labs. Is there any cheaper alternatives for the CAP/TFA flavorings?

RANDOM SUPPLIES - I was going to get all the syringes, gloves, bottles and needles from Amazon. Amazon seems to be the cheapest place I can buy bulk on these supplies. Opinions?

Should I be buying as much as I am since I'm just starting out?

Thanks for the help!

 

[Das Auto]

Hey, welcome to the Land of DIY.

All your questions have been answered SEVERAL times over. Read the stickies. Use the Search function. You'll find ALL your answers!! Then, if you still have questions, feel free to ask away!!

Knowledge is POWER!!

 

[Dave_in_OK]

NIC I've never had Heartland but at that price I will be trying them soon. Yes you would want to store it in glass bottles.

VG/PG at that price I would and have bought from them. If you run out of VG before you run out of PG then just get what you need when you need it.

Flavorings I have always bought test flavors from Wizard labs until I know I like that flavor, that is if they have it.

For other items Amazon is a good place to look.

Only you know what is best for you but it's fun, a good hobby, and cheaper after the initial start up costs.

Hope this helps.

 

[Jab9920]

Bullcityvapor is a good place as well as wiz labs I've been impressed with both so far good luck it's a fun road to travel


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FormulaBass]

I just ordered my supplies from Wizards Labs, everything was well packed and shipped quickly and accurately.

 

[lKeithStone]

Well I just went all in at Wizard Labs. I probably ordered way to much for just starting out, but it was so easy to keep adding to my cart. lol

I decided against the liter of nic. Even though I paid A LOT more, I didn't want a bunch of bottles of nic in my freezer, and neither did my wife.


Product Model Quantity Price Total
1ml Luer Lock Syringe - Quantity Discounts S-LL-1ML 10 $0.69 $6.90
5ml Luer Lock Syringe - Quantity Discounts S-LL-5ML 5 $0.57 $2.85
10ml Luer Lock Syringe - Quantity Discounts S-LL-10ML 2 $0.69 $1.38
20ml Luer Lock Syringe - Quantity Discounts S-LL-20ML 2 $1.19 $2.38
10ml LDPE Dropper Bottle with Child Resist Cap DB-10ML-CRC 15 $0.49 $7.35
30ml LDPE Dropper Bottle with Child Resist Cap DB-30ML-CRC 10 $0.55 $5.50
16ga Blunt Tip Luer-Lock Needle 1.5" - Quantity Discounts BTN-16GA 5 $0.63 $3.15
120ml Amber Glass Bottle w/ Polycone Cap AGB-PCC-120ML 4 $1.69 $6.76
Funnel 40mm Short Stem Glass FUNL-SSG-40MM 1 $2.29 $2.29
14ga Blunt Tip Luer-Lock Needle 1.5" - Quantity Discounts BTN-14GA 5 $0.63 $3.15
Nitrile Gloves - X-Large - Quantity Discounts NG-XL-1PR 10 $0.36 $3.60
Vanilla Custard* Flavor Concentrate by CAP (1oz) FL-CAP-VAN-CUSTARD-30ML 1 $5.45 $5.45
Vanilla Swirl Flavor Concentrate by TFA (1oz) FL-TFA-VANILLA-SWIRL-30ML 1 $3.95 $3.95
Sweet Cream Flavor Concentrate by TFA (1oz) FL-TFA-SWEET-CRM-30ML 1 $3.95 $3.95
Strawberry Flavor Concentrate by TFA (1oz) FL-TFA-STRAWBERRY-30ML 1 $3.95 $3.95
Marshmallow Flavor Concentrate by CAP (1oz) FL-CAP-MARSHMALLOW-30ML 1 $5.45 $5.45
French Vanilla* Flavor Concentrate by CAP (1oz) FL-CAP-FRNCH-VAN-30ML 1 $5.45 $5.45
DX Caramel Original Flavor Concentrate by TFA (1oz) FL-TFA-DX-CAR-ORIG-30ML 1 $3.95 $3.95
New York Cheesecake Flavor Concentrate by CAP (0.27oz) FL-CAP-NY-CHEESECAKE-8ML 3 $1.49 $4.47
Bavarian Cream Flavor Concentrate by TFA (1oz) FL-TFA-BAV-CREAM-30ML 1 $3.95 $3.95
Brown Sugar Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-BROWN-SUGAR-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Dairy Milk Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-DAIRYMILK-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Smooth Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-SMOOTH-8ML 3 $1.49 $4.47
Strawberry Ripe Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-STRAWBERRY_RIPE-8ML 3 $1.49 $4.47
Vanilla Bean Ice Cream Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-VAN-BEAN-ICECREAM-8ML 3 $1.49 $4.47
Whipped Cream Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-WHIPPED-CREAM-8ML 3 $1.49 $4.47
Sweetener Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-SWEETENER-8ML 3 $1.49 $4.47
Propylene Glycol USP - 500ml PG-500ML 1 $9.49 $9.49
100mg Nicotine Solution - 250ml
- Carrier Base Liquid: 100% USP Vegetable G.. NS-100MG-250ML 1 $29.99 $29.99
Vegetable Glycerin USP - 1 Gallon VG-1GAL 1 $26.99 $26.99
Blueberry Wild Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-BLUEBRY-WILD-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Cake Batter Flavor Concentrate by CAP (0.27oz) FL-CAP-CAKE-BATTER-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Graham Cracker Flavor Concentrate by CAP (0.27oz) FL-CAP-GRAHAM-CRACKER-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Harvest Berry Flavor Concentrate by CAP (0.27oz) FL-CAP-HARVEST-BERRY-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Raspberry Flavor Concentrate by CAP (0.27oz) FL-CAP-RASPBERRY-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Strawberries and Cream Flavor Concentrate by CAP (0.27oz) FL-CAP-STRAWBERRIES-CREAM-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Super Sweet Liquid Sucralose Sweetener Flavor Concentrate by CAP (0.27oz) FL-CAP-SUPER-SWEET-CONC-LIQ-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Sweet Watermelon Flavor Concentrate by CAP (0.27oz) FL-CAP-SWEET-WATERMELN-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Circus Cotton Candy Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-CIRCUS-COTTON-CANDY-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Dulce de Leche Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-DULCE-DE-LECH-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Ethyl Maltol 10% PG Solution Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-ETHYL-MALTL-PG-SOL-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Kiwi Double Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-KIWI-DOUBLE-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Pear Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-PEAR-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Rainbow Drops Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-RAINBOWDROP-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Rainbow Sherbet Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-RAINBOW-SHERBET-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Raspberry Sweet Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-RASPBERRY-SWEET-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Rice Crunchies Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-RICECRUNCH-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Ripe Banana Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-RIPE-BANANA-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Strawberries & Cream Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-STRAWBERRY-CREAM-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Toasted Marshmallow Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-TOASTED-MARSHMALLOW-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Vanilla Bean Gelato Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-VANILLA-BEAN-GEL-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Tutti-Frutti Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-TUTTI-FRUTTI-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Watermelon Flavor Concentrate by TFA (0.27oz) FL-TFA-WATERMELON-8ML 1 $1.49 $1.49
Griffin Beaker Bomex Glass - 50ml GB-BG-50ML 1 $2.49 $2.49
50ml LDPE Dropper Bottle with Child Resist Cap DB-50ML-CRC 4 $0.59 $2.36
Graduated Cylinder Bomex Glass - 25ml GC-BG-25ML 1 $3.79 $3.79

 

[fishj]

Is this what it takes at first to diy properly? I am thinking seriously about trying this, but this looks overwhelming. I realize most of this is flavorings, though.

 

[Dave_in_OK]

Your list reminds me of my first order

 

[Xtobacco]

Hahaha. No messing around!!! I learned to keep it simple at first as the sink got a workout !!

Let it steep properly and don't use the drops method, use your syringes.

 

[lKeithStone]

Haha thanks for the advice Xtobacco. Is it bad even after that $220 order I'm wishing I would have got the Gallon of PG, and I'm regretting not getting the liter of Nic. I think I have a problem.

 

[Das Auto]

Hahaha. No messing around!!! I learned to keep it simple at first as the sink got a workout !!

Let it steep properly and don't use the drops method, use your syringes.

Sorry not to be mean or rude (like others on here) but actually I find the "Drop method" to be Much Much more Accurate. When starting out (or trying new blends) you will (should be) making small batches < 5ml, therefore dropping 3 drops of this and 8 drops of that is MUCH easier than trying to pull 0.25 ml or 0.7ml. Trust me, much much easier using drops for those smaller batches, which you Will be doing, right??

 

[Capt.shay]

Hahaha. No messing around!!! I learned to keep it simple at first as the sink got a workout !!

Let it steep properly and don't use the drops method, use your syringes.

Sorry not to be mean or rude (like others on here) but actually I find the "Drop method" to be Much Much more Accurate. When starting out (or trying new blends) you will (should be) making small batches < 5ml, therefore dropping 3 drops of this and 8 drops of that is MUCH easier than trying to pull 0.25 ml or 0.7ml. Trust me, much much easier using drops for those smaller batches, which you Will be doing, right??

Ha! Don't listen to either of them!




Go on E-bay and get yourself an $8 scale that reads to.01g and you will be more accurate, faster and with less cleanup than any other method. You will just be a little bummed that you ordered all those syringes and now you won't have to wash them all the time.

But what ever way you do it, make good notes, and label everything because nothing is worse than finally hitting that perfect recipe and not being able to repeat it. And, most importantly, Have Fun!

 

[lKeithStone]

Ha! Don't listen to either of them!




Go on E-bay and get yourself an $8 scale that reads to.01g and you will be more accurate, faster and with less cleanup than any other method. You will just be a little bummed that you ordered all those syringes and now you won't have to wash them all the time.

But what ever way you do it, make good notes, and label everything because nothing is worse than finally hitting that perfect recipe and not being able to repeat it. And, most importantly, Have Fun!

Sounds like I may have to get a scale. Wouldn't you still have to use syringes to pull out the PG/VG/NIC/FLAVOR if they don't have droppers on them? I would hate to start making my liquid and accidentally over-pour and screw up the whole batch. Also, is there a program out there that has the different weights of NIC? I'm assuming VG based NIC will weigh more than PG based NIC. Do all VG's/PG's/Flavor weigh the same?

I'm all for not cleaning syringes all the time, but have some concerns over how accurate this would be.

 

[Alien Traveler]

Is this what it takes at first to diy properly? I am thinking seriously about trying this, but this looks overwhelming. I realize most of this is flavorings, though.

If you just want to try it, you can start with couple syringes (or measuring cylinders), bottles saved from juices, PG, VG, nicotine, a few flavors. That's it. Then you'll see what else you need.

 

[Alien Traveler]

Sorry not to be mean or rude (like others on here) but actually I find the "Drop method" to be Much Much more Accurate. When starting out (or trying new blends) you will (should be) making small batches < 5ml, therefore dropping 3 drops of this and 8 drops of that is MUCH easier than trying to pull 0.25 ml or 0.7ml. Trust me, much much easier using drops for those smaller batches, which you Will be doing, right??

Drop method is not really accurate, but much more convinient. And it is repeatable if you use the same dropper. I prefer drop method as by far the easiest one (I never use other peoples recipes, so I do not need to measure some recommended amount).

 

[Train2]

Hmmm... just a few tidbits.

1 - Wow. Lots of flavors!! My first order was $75, and even that included glassware it turns out I don't need. LOL
2 - I wouldn't, long term, plan to store large volume nic in plastic jugs. Get some glass 250 ml blue or brown bottles perhaps...
3 - You can get free shipping on Quarts of PG and VG from Essential if you buy it on Amazon instead of direct on their site!!
4 - I freeze my nic, but I don't freeze my PG and VG...
5 - I disagree about drops being accurate. Yes, it's repeatable, but it's NOT "accurate" - so you can't take a great recipe and "scale it up" or pass it along. My drops won't be the same as yours. And what if it's 10 drops in 5 mls, and now you want to make 100 mls. You're going to count 200 drops? And what if they're off 10%? I always mixed my mls. I have some syringes, I wash and reuse them, it's quite easy...
And yes, I make a couple flavors I like in 100 ml batches - it's far less critical to measure super-carefully when mixing a large batch!

 

[Capt.shay]

Sounds like I may have to get a scale. Wouldn't you still have to use syringes to pull out the PG/VG/NIC/FLAVOR if they don't have droppers on them? I would hate to start making my liquid and accidentally over-pour and screw up the whole batch. Also, is there a program out there that has the different weights of NIC? I'm assuming VG based NIC will weigh more than PG based NIC. Do all VG's/PG's/Flavor weigh the same?

I'm all for not cleaning syringes all the time, but have some concerns over how accurate this would be.

As far as accuracy, one drop of average juice is ~.03g. You can accurately measure by weight smaller than the amount of a drop making weight more accurate.

I put everything in to dropper, squeezable or pourable containers but many people use disposable type plastic pipettes for stuff not in bottles. Many programs have the weights built in or you can add them in yourself. Vg is like 1.26g and PG real close to 1.03.

For all you need to know about mixing by weight, jump in to the middle of this thread. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/492182-mixing-weight-you-7.html

You sound like a general DIY kind of person and I really feel you will find mixing by weight the best method. Kind of odd how so many people fight it but I have a degree in Math and Science and going by weight like I did in the labs in school only made sense to me.

 

[lKeithStone]

Hmmm... just a few tidbits.

1 - Wow. Lots of flavors!! My first order was $75, and even that included glassware it turns out I don't need. LOL
2 - I wouldn't, long term, plan to store large volume nic in plastic jugs. Get some glass 250 ml blue or brown bottles perhaps...
3 - You can get free shipping on Quarts of PG and VG from Essential if you buy it on Amazon instead of direct on their site!!
4 - I freeze my nic, but I don't freeze my PG and VG...
5 - I disagree about drops being accurate. Yes, it's repeatable, but it's NOT "accurate" - so you can't take a great recipe and "scale it up" or pass it along. My drops won't be the same as yours. And what if it's 10 drops in 5 mls, and now you want to make 100 mls. You're going to count 200 drops? And what if they're off 10%? I always mixed my mls. I have some syringes, I wash and reuse them, it's quite easy...
And yes, I make a couple flavors I like in 100 ml batches - it's far less critical to measure super-carefully when mixing a large batch!

Haha Yeah, I'm sure I ordered things I will never use. I did order 4 120ml brown amber bottles to store the NIC. It's probably hard to see in that giant order I made.

 

[lKeithStone]

As far as accuracy, one drop of average juice is ~.03g. You can accurately measure by weight smaller than the amount of a drop making weight more accurate.

I put everything in to dropper, squeezable or pourable containers but many people use disposable type plastic pipettes for stuff not in bottles. Many programs have the weights built in or you can add them in yourself. Vg is like 1.26g and PG real close to 1.03.

For all you need to know about mixing by weight, jump in to the middle of this thread. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/492182-mixing-weight-you-7.html

You sound like a general DIY kind of person and I really feel you will find mixing by weight the best method. Kind of odd how so many people fight it but I have a degree in Math and Science and going by weight like I did in the labs in school only made sense to me.

Thanks for the info Capt.shay. Much appreciated. I'm going to start off using the syringes and switch over to a scale eventually.

 

[Capt.shay]

Thanks for the info Capt.shay. Much appreciated. I'm going to start off using the syringes and switch over to a scale eventually.

That was my progression as well. Wish I had skipped the first part though. The first time you go to draw 10ml's of VG up in to a syringe, you are going to think of me

The measuring methodology, as long as it is repeatable and accurate, doesn't really matter on the end result. It is more about ease of preparation, cleanup,etc. The big things I have found with DIY in general are take good notes (about every thing), label and label well with all information, and most importantly have fun! Mixing is a blast!