Please help me with my numbers, noob DIYer here...

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Danbrooks2k

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Well, its that time. Time to mix my own.

I am a paramedic so I can calculate drug dosages, IV drips even down to micrograms and even doses based on a patients weight in kilograms.

But Nicotine is poison, id rather be safe than sorry.

Ok I am planning an order from DIY flavor shack...

1000 ml VG $17.00

250 ml PG $5.00

125 ml Nicotine 60mg per ml $15.50


Ok... now If i mix the VG and PG together I should have roughly an 80/20 blend 1,250mls

If I remove 125ml of my 80/20 solution and add in the 125ml of nicotine I should end up with 1250ml of juice at 6mg of nicotine per ml or 6%.

all for a grand total of $22.50...

Are my numbers about right? Any suggestions for a good one stop shop instead of DIY flavorshack... I was going to use the Holy grail RY4 and Tigers blood flavoring, and get a few other flavors to start some single flavor juices.
 
Your nicotine concentration calculation is correct at 6 mg/ml, but do be aware that 6% nicotine is actually 60 mg/ml (100% nicotine is approximately 1,000 mg/ml). Your PG/VG % are correct for the first mix (20/80), but you did not mention what carrier your base is, and that will affect those percentages when it is added, although not by a large amount. Also, do note that when you start adding flavor, your nicotine concentration and PG/VG %'s will also change.

I have a blog post that details the math, if you are into algebra:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/boletus/6845-mixing-equation.html
But once you start working on more complex mixes, one of the e-juice calculator applications becomes very helpful, unless you really enjoy math. They are free. and there are links for a few of them in that blog post.
I have a couple of other blogs geared toward new DIY'ers you might find helpful; click on the "3" next to "Blog Entries" under my avatar.
 

township

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Your nic/ml mix looks right, except that 6mg/ml is 0.6% nicotine, not 6%.

If you mix all your base up at 6mg, that level will be diluted when you add your flavors. Example, 10% flavor added, 10% reduction in nicotine. You might notice it, or you might not. Just something to think about.

Good luck

ETA: Boletus posted when I was typing, I agree with all that he posted.
 
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Danbrooks2k

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Your nicotine concentration calculation is correct at 6 mg/ml, but do be aware that 6% nicotine is actually 60 mg/ml (100% nicotine is approximately 1,000 mg/ml). Your PG/VG % are correct for the first mix (20/80), but you did not mention what carrier your base is, and that will affect those percentages when it is added, although not by a large amount. Also, do note that when you start adding flavor, your nicotine concentration and PG/VG %'s will also change.

I have a blog post that details the math, if you are into algebra:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/boletus/6845-mixing-equation.html
But once you start working on more complex mixes, one of the e-juice calculator applications becomes very helpful, unless you really enjoy math. They are free. and there are links for a few of them in that blog post.
I have a couple of other blogs geared toward new DIY'ers you might find helpful; click on the "3" next to "Blog Entries" under my avatar.

Thanks for the feedback... I believe I will use a pg base for the nic. to get the juice closer to a 75/25 mix of vg/pg.

This was just to get a ballpark idea for my shopping list. I may purchase 100mg nicotine and make some adjustments so that after flavoring I am right at 6mg.

I will of course use a juice calculator when I get to that point.
 

Train2

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Your numbers are basically right, but it's not now most DIY folks mix. Most people want to experiment making different flavors, and make small bottles of liquid like you'd buy - 10mls at a time, for instance.

As mentioned, the flavors usually are mostly PG, and that affects your ratio and your nic strenth too.
This is why a calculator is really handy - you can change the flavoring from 10% to 15% and tell the calculator you want to end up at 80/20 and 6 ml/mg nicotine, and you're making 15mls - and it will adjust the amount of nic base, PG and VG you need to add to land right where you want.

You CAN of course, make 1250 mls of 6 ml "base" and then add flavoring to little bits of THAT. But you won't be at 80/20 or 6 ml/mg anymore - not exactly.

I use EJuiceMeUp. It's simple and easy - if you're on a PC. It lets you "save as" so your recipe can be duplicated later if it's great...
 

JD1

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What Boletus said.

It's a lot more trouble, but I'd suggest mixing the 125 ml of nic with 125 ml of vg, for 250ml at 30mg, and pulling off some to work with and freeze the rest. Download the eJuice Me Up calculator from one of the stickies and use it to calculate your mixes. That will give you more control of your nic level, which is often an important factor in the taste of a liquid as well as keeping you from vaping like a freight train and still not being satisfied because you've diluted your nic level down to far.

That will also allow you to experiment with your pg/vg ratios a little, although if you get into your pg very heavy you'll run out of it first, naturally.

Edit: I type too slow- Others have beat me to it. :vapor:
 
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Danbrooks2k

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Yeah, I have all the PPE I could ever need... Trauma sleeves, gloves, N95 respirators, safety glasses, face shileds, syringes of every shape and size. I am not a crazy doomsday prepper or anything but I have a stock of medical supplies and a clean room set up in case another huricane hits east texas and we get cut off from definitive medical care. Its going to be a perfect space for mixing and leaving juice to steep.

I just wanted to build a shopping list and a rough draft in my head. I dont need the vg/pg to be exactly 80/20 but I do want the nic to be at least 6mg. I will make some adjustments depending on the amount of flavaor I am adding... I am guessing in the 10-15% range. I really want to get the nicotine out of the way and build a base juice. I think I may just make a liter of 8mg juice at around 75/25 VG/PG. That way when I add flavoring its going to get it very close to the 6mg range.

I plan on mixing up about 10-15 10ml bottles before I leave for 3 weeks at work again. When I come back they should all be plenty steeped and ready for testing.
 

readeuler

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You might also consider leaving everything in their own containers, and making small batches at first, using only what's needed. What if it turns out you don't like something about the mixture once flavors are added, and you've got nearly a liter and a half? It could turn out you like 2% total flavoring, or 30% (I'm typically around 20%).

I know I don't mind wasting a few ml of supplies here and there, but if I had a big jug of it that was unusable... it would not be a very good first DIY experience :)
 
I agree with the others that mixing up more than a liter of base at one time may not be the best approach, unless you will use it up in a month or two, or you break it into smaller bottles and freeze them, and you are certain your preferences for PG/VG %'s and nic strength will not change. Nicotine keeps OK at room temperature for a month or two, but much longer than that and it loses some potency and the taste deteriorates. Since you only vape at 6 mg/ml, you might consider getting a couple of 30 ml glass bottles to put your nic in and keep one out and freeze the rest. If you are quite sure you will remain happy with your current PG, VG, and nic amounts, you could do the same with your liter of pre-mixed base, but you will occupy more freezer space, and VG and PG keep OK at room temp.
 
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