New to DIY Want to make it Very Simple

[Starlight 1818]

DIY has interested me from the beginning all the different flavors out there so much more then the pre-made ones. I shop though Canvape and there Nic Pg or Vg base is 48nic but says MUST BE MIXED IN 1/2 !! was told that will give you 24 nic making it 50/50 you can pick Pg or Vg nic mix then add more of the same or add the opposite and have a base mix of 50Pg 50Vg am i right on this

Next question would be how much flavor do you add i just want to go with the flavours i buy and add to Nic Base to start, so many yummy looking ones. Also is there stepping time for all flavors or just mixed flavors

What will i need to start off with i got so far the syringe, bottles and gloves. So far know i need Nic Base PG, VG, Flavors. Should i get a sweetener just in case not sweet enough?

 

[mrcoolbp]

Start here: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/74109-guide-diy-flavoring.html

I read that post a few times before I ordered. Your math is correct on cutting 48mg/ml in half yielding 24mg/ml. Flavor percentage is more difficult, depends on the flavor, and your toast buds. Prepare to do a lot of experimenting and keep notes on what you put into every mix.

 

[mrcoolbp]

Try reading this thread started by someone in your shoes, good answers there too:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/421171-honest-answers-please.html

Basically the more research you do, the easier it will be to get good results.

 

[Levitas]

You've asked many questions, and to answer all in the fashion I'd desire would produce a novella. I'll try to be brief.

First off, you should procure an e-liquid calculator. That will take all of the guess-work out of how much needed to cut to obtain desired nicotine strength. A lot of people like the e-juicemeup, I like this one, just because it's simple, and I'm used to it: E-Juice / E-Liquid Calculator

The amount of flavoring you'll use depends on many factors. For the sake of brevity, let's just say you might want to start low (3-5%). You can always add more if it's not strong enough, but diluting it is much more difficult, if it's too strong.

What you need to start off with compared to what might make it easier can be different. You'll need bottles, something to dispense PG/VG/Nic/Flavorings, and that can be syringes (recommended), or pipettes (or some sort of droppers). And of course the ingredients, PG/VG/Nic/Flavorings.

I would recommend getting at least 3 syringes (luer lock if feasible) and 3 blunt tips (12-14g for VG, 16-18g for PG), and dedicate one syringe for each major ingredient: One for PG, one for VG, one for Nicotine base. You can also use syringes for flavorings as well, and it will be more accurate than using a pipette, or dripping out of the flavoring bottle (if it has a dropper). However, I've had no issue not using syringes for my blends, so, it's up to you.

If you're using a 48mg nic-base, you don't necessarily need gloves, but erring on the side of caution can never hurt. I mix with 60mg and I don't use gloves (but I am careful).

Sweetener is fine, but I recommend trying each flavor before adding sweetener. Just a personal preference.

 

[Starlight 1818]

I thank you both so much !!

Levitas Great info you gave is you have been very kind in taking the time to explain, what is out there in many post and simplify it for me. This is my problem to MUCH INFO is not always the best for beginners, we/I get lost in the different methods and some make it seem very scary with all the danger notes. Will be getting the E-Liquid Calculator I love easy and didn't know with so many out there what one that would be now i got one

Mrcoolbp your right a beginner can be over loaded very quickly. 8-o So i will definitely take the time to read the link you gave your very kind as well to take this time to find someone in my shoes. We where are there once so grateful for both your time and help with this.

I was wondering one more thing that may or may not be an easy stat a baby step. What if i got a cotton candy 70/50 with nic and add flavor to that would that work

 

[bnrkwest]

The easiest way to start DIY is with nic juice unflavored in your nic level. Then play around with flavors in 3-5 ml bottles, adding 3 drops of flavor in those little bottles. I started with Fusion from Halo yes it is more expensive than buying high level nic base BUT it is fool proof and easy to find out if you really like to DIY. Try a few flavors in the unflavored nic juice and see if you like DIY. If you do, then go to mixing your base etc. bnrk

 

[Starlight 1818]

Will do Bnrkwest TYVM

 

[DeeDee1234]

Dyi, seems over whelming at first, but it's really not. Read all the information you can on the dyi section and download at least one ejuice calulator.

E juice me up is really easy

Start my entering information into the calulator like you were going to make that recipe. IE: in the recipe section, you find a recipe for strawberry and cream at

7% strawberry
4% cream

Change the information around. enter it at 48mg nic base and and 80/20 pg/vg
Change it again to a 70/30 and 50/50 blend.
Change the target nic you want to make

Enter in a 60 mg base to see how that changes the %

Play with the calulator untill you get it idea.

read threw the recipe section of the forum and flavoring to get the idea of % used for each flavoring and flavor manufactor

Things will start to come togetter in your head easy enough.


Ask questions

good Luck

D

 

[Gr8Scott]

I was wondering one more thing that may or may not be an easy stat a baby step. What if i got a cotton candy 70/50 with nic and add flavor to that would that work

I would like to give some insight to you, but I am not sure I understand your question.

First, you're asking about a pre-made ie: juice you got from a vendor already mixed? Like a cotton candy? If so I think maybe your label was smeared, if so it's probably 70/30, yes?

The # / # refers to Propylene Glycol or (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG). In this instance 70/30. It can't exceed a total of 100. Which is 100%

And, what you are asking, I think, is if you can add flavor (Raw flavor without nicotine) to this pre-made Cotton Candy juice?

If so, yes, of course. Just do it sparingly. It kind of depends on how much of the pre-made cotton candy eLiquid you have.


When you do DIY, I would strongly urge you to not make or take measurements in "drops", Okay? Looking out for you, here

The reason is this: There are a limitless number of possible containers out there, all with their own specific "drop" size. It is not safe when dealing with concentrated nicotine to play "fast and loose" and just slap some juice together. Seriously.

I have wanted to do it that way, but I also like being alive. Making DIY from scratch is serious business. If you just whip juice together a pour it in your new Vivi, you might end up with a way higher nicotine percentage than your body can handle.

Make your formulas with a very precise measurement of concentrated nicotine. And do it first. Preferably in a marked receptacle (Graduated cylinder or centrifuge tube).

Then add your PG, VG and flavorings on top of this.Mix well. Very well.

When you make juice, if there is a discrepancy,( where you question a measurement) remember the following:

With nicotine, let the benefit of the doubt go to less rather than more and

With inert ingredients (such as PG, VG and flavors) let the benefit of the doubt go to more, not less.


Doing it this way will eliminate, or at least lessen, the possibility of an over-nic'ed juice.

Hopefully I am making sense.

You wanted "Very Simple" but caution needs to be exercised to keep you safe



Cheers!

 

[Caridwen]

Vapor Bomb, Want2Vape and Vaperite sell their flavor concentrates already mixed. Others may as well. You could get them and purchase base close to or at the nic strength and ratio you already vape. It's an easy way to start.

http://www.want2vape.com/E-Liquid-Flavoring-Concentrates_p_51.html
http://www.vaperite.com/diy/flavor-concentrate/6ml-flavor-concentrate.html
http://www.vaporbomb.com/

 

[Starlight 1818]

Wow so much great info this forum is full of very kind and wise people and truly care

TYVM Gr8scott for the info as well as the warnings both are just as important to me. Yes Sorry i did mean 70/30 pg/vg Cotton Candy so i will pick my first flavor and make 5ml batch and see how it goes. I am so blessed to have found this site some wont give you the time of day Or say just read wont repeat well this is true and have been but lots of different methods, sometimes you just need the easy stuff first then work your way up

TYVM as well Caridwen will check out the links and for taking the time to post them

 

[Caridwen]

There's a lot of trial and error with DIY. And a lot of frustration. I tried it and had bad results and didn't try it again for about a year.

Now I'm pretty happy with my results. I DIY some basic flavors, like fruits.

Whatever you do, write it down! I just make some really outstanding pineapple and and added a few drops, then a few more. I'll probably never duplicate like this again.

 

[Racehorse]

The easiest way to start DIY is with nic juice unflavored in your nic level.

agree ---------------------------

 

[Steven Pye]

also on this site if you search for a flavor vendors name such as The Flavor Apprentice or Flavor West there is dedicated threads with list of suggested %s to begin mixing at, check out the below link for TFA so you can see what I mean. it is good to start at the end of the thread and work your way back until you see the chart posted, this way you get the most up to date chart. You can then start at the start of the thread and read up for fun.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/336110-flavor-apprentice-flavoring-thread.html

 

[Aheadatime]

I dove straight into DIY recklessly and it wasn't all that bad of a learning curve tbh. There are some basic concepts you'll want to grasp before mixing. The first is the ingredients.

1. Your nicotine is the first step. It comes in various PG/VG ratios, including 100% PG or 100% VG, and various strengths all the way up to 100mg/ml (wouldn't recommend this for a beginner, I started with 48mg and it was easy peasy).

2. Second would be having a supply of VG and PG on hand. A liter of each would be ideal, but you could go gallon if you think you'll be mixing for a long time to come. EssentialDepot sells very high quality PG and VG for a great price, and they're highly recommended here on the forums. PG and VG are the 'filler' so to speak, and work to accurately dilute your flavorings and your nicotine content, so that you don't end up vaping 48mg concentrated blueberry flavoring that burns your tongue and makes you dizzy. They serve the same purpose imo as water serves in coffee. Diluting the caffeine and helping mellow and balance the flavors.

3. Third would be flavors. The flavors we talk about are all concentrated, meaning they need to be diluted at a particular percentage to taste right. Too much and its gross or tastes like nothing. Too little and it just tastes like nothing. Each company has different strength flavors and each flavor is unique, so there are many threads here documenting %'s for particular vendors and flavors. Have a look around and take your time with this one.

Now that you have your ingredients ready, you'll need the proper mixing supplies.

1. Some 1ml and 3ml syringes should be fine to get your feet wet and to start mixing small batches with. These cost 75 cents a piece at Wizardlabs and you can keep them for a good amount of time with proper cleaning.

2. You'll also need the needles for the syringes. I started off with a 14g (wide) needle tip and an 18g (not so wide) needle tip. The 14g is used for thicker stuff like VG while the 18g is used for thinner stuff like PG.

3. Having little 10ml bottles on hand is a must as well, and these are 50 cents a piece at Wizardlabs. Other than that, you'd just need some paper towel and a clean work environment.

Now that you're ready to begin mixing, you need a juice calculator. I personally use the Ejuicemeup calculator (you can just google it), as its very thorough and easy to use, comes with recipes for the weary wanderer, and has a pretty big following. You tell the calculator

1. What mg strength the nicotine you have on hand is, and what PG/VG ratio the nic is.
2. What mg strength you want the mix to end up at.
3. How big of a batch (mls) do you want to mix.
4. How many flavors do you want and what %'s do you want them mixed at.
5. What PG/VG ratio do you want the end result to be.

Then you hit "calculate" and it tells you how many mls of each ingredient are needed, and your job is simply to use the syringe and add everything into a bottle. Example would be 3mls nicotine, 3mls PG, 2ml VG, 2ml Flavor A. Now your 10ml batch is ready to go.

I'm sorry if this seems overwhelming, but its very simple once you grasp the concept and its very accurate and repeatable compared to the "use a pipette and drip a few drops into a premixed nic juice of your nic level" method. Number of drips per ml changes between various types of equipment, while using %'s with a syringe is something that will never change and will be completely repeatable. I know you asked for a simple method, but imho, the method I layed out is simple enough as is. The hard part is being creative with your flavors and knowing each flavor you buy like the back of your hand. Good luck with your adventure and feel free to ask about anything along the way. Thats why were here