Newbie from Japan

[SneakyVapper]

Hello, I started vaping about a year ago, and was always wondering how my commercial ecig worked. After doing some research, I stumbled into an entire community of vaping enthusiasts and hobbyists. Holy vapes batman! Anyway, getting vape mail overseas has become a pain; I couldn't get commercial replacements fast enough. My commercial ecig went kaput after about 3 months, so I dremmelled it to pieces to see what made it tick. Now, I'm modding and dripping, and have FINALLY been smoke free for almost a week. Having all the supplies to last me a while helps too. No more running to the corner store for a pack of smokes because I ran out of juice. The only problem is I'm spending a crazy amount of money on juice samples and DIY supplies because I haven't found my favorites yet.

 

[schmicknick]

Hi...
...Welcome... It sounds like you are on a good path. After a while, I am sure it will be a savings. How much were you paying per pack in Japan, I wonder. And I would think that vape mail should be pretty good, is it not, or does it simply take a long time to get there?

...I've torn down and opened a few atomizers, myself ...all the best, & Cheers, ~M

 

[Rickajho]

Welcome!

Oh... that money thing. It can get better. The first 90 days were the most expensive for me: Getting a kit, getting another kit so I would have backup hardware. Getting the liquids - and not just finding your favorite(s). There was that whole matter of finding the right nic level and PG/VG ratio. But now? I didn't spend anything last month and I just looked at my stash and I really don't need to buy anything this month either. You'll figure it out.

Are you modding for fun or out of necessity? (Or both?) What's the situation like getting e-cig supplies in Japan?

 

[SneakyVapper]

I'm an a military base, so mail is unpredictable. It has to go through customs, and customs hates batteries. It took me about 9 weeks to get my last package. I started modding for necessity, figured out how to make a 3.7V battery mod that ran off of AAAs instead of that weird laptop battery I found in the commercial ecig. Electronic hardware is super easy to find here, the build was awesome fun, and I've been playing and making more mods than I need..haha. So it's definitely turning into a fun hobby. (Also I've found that a traditional "real look, real feel" commercial ecig attracts dirty looks from people who think you're really smoking vs. the interested bystanders who ask questions because the mod looks nothing like a cig) I think I'm well on my way...thanks for the support!

 

[SneakyVapper]

It's terrible, I know, but I think I've spent about $400 in the last 2 months on all the supplies I need to have a sizable stash. I'm OK with that though, because I'd spend the same on analogs. I figure that once my stash is built up, the expense should taper down. The only purchases I've been making recently are for flavorings. I hit a few walls until I found this forum with tons of reviews. I've got Lorann's Super Strength, and waiting on vape mail from fusion, capellas, flavorwest, flavor(something, can't remember) and a few others. Oh I'm so excited!

 

[SneakyVapper]

One last thing, box of cigs cost only $5. It's another story out in town, but we don't have to pay sales tax so cigs are actually pretty cheap.

 

[Rickajho]

Congrats! We expect to see you in the DIY and modding forums... any second now!

It sounds like you had to jump right into the deep end, going from cigalike to DIY and modding in under 6.3 seconds.

 

[Smefullcontact]

Good job don't stop now!

 

[schmicknick]

...this forum is tremendous, no question...
...but you might also check out this group on FB if you can, all for DIY Juice... http://www.facebook.com/groups/187700181289735/
...enjoy ~M

 

[jazon1]

Congrats on the switch! dont give up you will find your perfect vape sooner or later dont be to fussy about flavor for awhile your taste buds are still trying to recover from smoking and will be for the next few months,something you like now you might hate in 3 months so dont go crazy stocking up on one flavor or anything.what helped me when i stopped was to just keep trying a new flavor everyday otherwise everything would taste weak to me.spending will get better too once you have a good stock and a few good working devices

 

[SneakyVapper]

Thanks for all the advice! I will def check out the facebook page.