Random DIY mixing and More

Chiisaiinu

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    I mix by volume, that should say how much I care about exact measurements mean to me.
    I do as well, however I am noticing differences in taste between batch of the exact same recipe. Was trying to figure out how to reproduce same taste consistently
     

    hittman

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    Somewhere between here and there
    I do as well, however I am noticing differences in taste between batch of the exact same recipe. Was trying to figure out how to reproduce same taste consistently

    One thing I do with a couple of recipes that I always keep on hand is I'll mix a one shot of that recipe. Using the calculator on ELR you can enter a recipe and then change it to a one shot. So if you don't know what a one shot is, it's all of the flavors mixed together without any pg/vg/ or nic. So when I make that recipe, I just measure the total of all flavors weight from one bottle. Makes mixing easy since I don't have to get a bunch of bottles out every time and also adds consistency.
     

    puffon

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    Yeah unfortunately thats one of the models that is actually only rated for .05 its a kind of false advertsing IMO that they say .01

    "Secondly, we hope to explain to you the problems you found, and hope you can learn more about the functions of this device.
    The minimum measurement weight of the product is 0.05g, and there may be a 0.01g--0.03g error due to the limitation of the environment and the function of the product itself. Therefore, we specially designed the user calibration function and provided a 200g weight in the package to help users obtain more accurate measurement results. We recommend that you refer to the instructions in the manual.
    "
    Your bottle weighs more than .05 g.
    If not put a coin on the scale then tare it.
    A drop weighs more than the possible .01-.03 fluctuation. You won't taste the difference.
     

    Chiisaiinu

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  • Apr 20, 2022
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    Your bottle weighs more than .05 g.
    If not put a coin on the scale then tare it.
    A drop weighs more than the possible .01-.03 fluctuation. You won't taste the difference.
    I am not sure what your trying to say. Per the manufacturer the min. weight they guarantee is .05 with a variance of .01-.03 meaning its very possible you'd need a minimum of .08 to even get the scale to acknowledge something is there. At that point it could possible read as .02 (again because of the .01-.03 variance)
     
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    FranC

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    .5% of a flavor in a 10ml mix would be .05 grams. I never use less than .5% of a flavor in a 10ml mix. My scale will measure .05. If I over add that flavor and it comes out at .08 then I don't worry about it. I'm mixing flavors not nitro glycerin. My scale was maybe $25 and it's good enough. I have no idea if it's in calibration or not. I guess I'm just more easy going about it. I'm not looking for exact science. Just something that tastes good to vape. However, if exact measurements are important to you then get a better scale that you can calibrate.
    I have the same scale as you and I agree.
     

    ShamrockPat

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    The issue for me is that is a pretty wide margin of error. This means if your adding drop by drop there is a very real possibility it wont read a single drop unless a second droplet is detected with it
    Many scales like the 501 with 2 digits after the decimal are good to 500g. There are some jewelers scales with that 3rd digit with a limit of 100g .... good for your 5 or 10 ml mixes
     

    puffon

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    I am not sure what your trying to say. Per the manufacturer the min. weight they guarantee is .05 with a variance of .01-.03 meaning its very possible you'd need a minimum of .08 to even get the scale to acknowledge something is there. At that point it could possible read as .02 (again because of the .01-.03 variance)
    If your bottle weighs less than the .05 minimum, put a coin on the scale along with the bottle then tare it.
    (not sure why you gave me a red x when you don't have the scale or used it, but OK...LOL.)
     

    ShowMeTwice

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    Yeah unfortunately thats one of the models that is actually only rated for .05 its a kind of false advertsing IMO that they say .01

    "Secondly, we hope to explain to you the problems you found, and hope you can learn more about the functions of this device.
    The minimum measurement weight of the product is 0.05g, and there may be a 0.01g--0.03g error due to the limitation of the environment and the function of the product itself. Therefore, we specially designed the user calibration function and provided a 200g weight in the package to help users obtain more accurate measurement results. We recommend that you refer to the instructions in the manual.
    "
    Where did you find that ^^^ info? Link please. Thanks.

    I've been using the American Weigh Scales LB-501 for years, without issue. I mix 5ml and 10ml test batches all the time. The LB-501 absolutely weighs down to 0.01g. Knowing how to use the scale ensures accuracy.

    Even if ...SAY... it's off by 0.01g you, nor anyone else, will EVER taste a difference between 0.01g and 0.02g (see note on MF below). Only very high tech, and expensive, scientific laboratory equipment would be able to detect the difference.

    IMHO... depending on the flavoring... not even a so-called Super Taster could detect a single drop difference. Perhaps they could ...IF... they are using a super ultra concentrate, such as, Medicine Flower flavorings.

    That vast majority of DIY'ers do not use MF flavors. There are only a few handfuls of us who regularly use MF flavors. I don't post those recipes because most here don't have MF's. They are not cheap compared to TPA/TFA, CAP etc. etc.

    So... having said that... if you feel you need a scale that is highly accurate... get ready to open your wallet ...WIDE... cuz it will cost you.

    Have a look at the Laboratory Analytical Balance 500g/0.001g. It's only $375.00. And... it is one of the "cheaper" ones... there are more precise scales that cost well beyond $1000. :D
     
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    ShowMeTwice

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    I do as well, however I am noticing differences in taste between batch of the exact same recipe.
    Was that by weight or by volume?

    Were those using the same exact bottles of flavoring(s)?

    Or were they a mix of newer flavors and older (for one flavor)?

    If you used an older bottle of flavoring in one mix and then a new bottle (same exact flavor) in another mix, that can account for any changes you noted taste-wise. Flavors will degrade with age (depending). Flavors can also degrade if they are not stored properly... in a dark cool room.


    Was trying to figure out how to reproduce same taste consistently
    You can easily do that with the American Weigh Scales LB-501 or the scale that @FranC or @hittman use (they have the same scale).

    With the LB-501 I'm able to consistently reproduce the same tasting mixes time and again. I've been doing so for many years. :)
     
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    ShowMeTwice

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    Many scales like the 501 with 2 digits after the decimal are good to 500g. There are some jewelers scales with that 3rd digit with a limit of 100g .... good for your 5 or 10 ml mixes
    Such as a jewelers CARAT scale which needs to be highly accurate. :)
     

    Chiisaiinu

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  • Apr 20, 2022
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    Where did you find that ^^^ info? Link please. Thanks.

    I've been using the American Weigh Scales SC-501 for years, without issue. I mix 5ml and 10ml test batches all the time. The SC-501 absolutely weighs down to 0.01g. Knowing how to use the scale ensures accuracy.

    Even if ...SAY... it's off by 0.01g you, nor anyone else, will EVER taste a difference between 0.01g and 0.02g (see note on MF below). Only very high tech, and expensive, scientific laboratory equipment would be able to detect the difference.

    IMHO... depending on the flavoring... not even a so-called Super Taster could detect a single drop difference. Perhaps they could ...IF... they are using a super ultra concentrate, such as, Medicine Flower flavorings.

    That vast majority of DIY'ers do not use MF flavors. There are only a few handfuls of us who regularly use MF flavors. I don't post those recipes because most here don't have MF's. They are not cheap compared to TPA/TFA, CAP etc. etc.

    So... having said that... if you feel you need a scale that is highly accurate... get ready to open your wallet ...WIDE... cuz it will cost you.

    Have a look at the Laboratory Analytical Balance 500g/0.001g. It's only $375.00. And... it is one of the "cheaper" ones... there are more precise scales that cost well beyond $1000. :D
    The info was a personal email. Its just a section of it thus why its starts with something like "secondly" as I like to look into products and just trust blindly.

    We will have to agree to disagree on this. My issue is a .01-.03 variance isn't overall total.. its every time the scale moves. So if your adding say flavoring using the dropper tip its POSSIBLE(id have to buy the scale and run it 1000 times against a more accurate scale to say for 100%) that its off by a 1ml in 10-30ml sample. This is why I generally have a distrust for "low rent" scales.
     
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    Chiisaiinu

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    If your bottle weighs less than the .05 minimum, put a coin on the scale along with the bottle then tare it.
    (not sure why you gave me a red x when you don't have the scale or used it, but OK...LOL.)
    I gave you a disagree because I am not sure your understanding my concern. if my bottle weighs 1.5g but the scales doesnt move until .08ml is added, but only adds .02... that adds up pretty quickly. That said not sure what bottle weight would have to do with measuring liquid as generally you would tare the container so as to eliminate confusion when measuring whatever it is your measuring.

    Let me give you an example. On your scale how much does a drop weigh? Now in a single recipe how many drops are you using? Add or subtract .01-.03 to every drop you enter and see how much difference that makes.
     
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    Chiisaiinu

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    Was that by weight or by volume?

    Were those using the same exact bottles of flavoring(s)?

    Or were they a mix of newer flavors and older (for one flavor)?

    If you used an older bottle of flavoring in one mix and then a new bottle (same exact flavor) in another mix, that can account for any changes you noted taste-wise. Flavors will degrade with age (depending). Flavors can also degrade if they are not stored properly... in a dark cool room.
    By volume, same bottle of flavorings.
     
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    ShowMeTwice

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    Very honestly... one cannot make any accurate statements, or any assessments, about scales they do not have and never used.

    Any of the scales mentioned thus far in this thread will do the job.

    Frankly, there is no need to make DIY more difficult than it needs to be.

    99.9% (very likely higher) of DIY'ers are not mixing in a Laboratory White Room using high tech expensive scales. They are very happy with the scales they're using. And they are getting reproducible, and consistent, mixes from those scales. :)
     

    Chiisaiinu

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    Very honestly... one cannot make any accurate statements, or any assessments, about scales they do not have and never used.
    Again we will have to agree to disagree. Personal feelings on use of scale are not accurate statements of the functionality of a scale VS. the manufacturers specifications. Assessments are subjective so I will give you that. I am sure such scales work for 99.99% of DIYers that don't even notice if they recipes is off a bit.
     
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    ShowMeTwice

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    The info was a personal email. Its just a section of it thus why its starts with something like "secondly" as I like to look into products and just trust blindly.
    I would very seriously question whoever sent you that information. Who is this person??? What is their level of experience with DIY??? Do they actually own any of the scales mentioned thus far in the thread??? Or is he/she going off of "hearsay"???

    I can very easily give you the name of the lead mixologist, and longtime owner of a very well known and popular juice company, who would tell you the opposite of what you've been told for the generic DIY'er (such as you, me and everyone else here). He is well known in DIY circles and is very generous with his time.


    So if your adding say flavoring using the dropper tip its POSSIBLE [...] that its off by a 1ml in 10-30ml sample.
    Saying "possible" is nothing but a wild guess on your part because you don't have a scale.

    And because you are 'only guessing'... with no actual data to backup your claim... your statement 100% BS (until proven otherwise). Your statement is not one based on factual data. It's only a wild guess on your part.

    Please take no offense, I'm not trying to tick you off or offend. :)


    id have to buy the scale and run it 1000 times against a more accurate scale to say for 100%
    So, based on that ^^^, you are looking to mix with total lab precision. Yes???


    Honestly... at this point in your DIY adventure... I would buy one of the scales mentioned previously and see how well it performs for you. They are not expensive... and I do think you might be pleased, and very surprised, with the results.

    You have nothing to lose. If a "low cost" scale doesn't work for you... then splurge for the one I linked earlier or one like it. :D
     

    Chiisaiinu

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    I would very seriously question whoever sent you that information. Who is this person??? What is their level of experience with DIY??? Do they actually own any of the scales mentioned thus far in the thread??? Or is he/she going off of "hearsay"???

    I can very easily give you the name of the lead mixologist, and longtime owner of a very well known and popular juice company, who would tell you the opposite of what you've been told for the generic DIY'er (such as you, me and everyone else here). He is well known in DIY circles and is very generous with his time.



    Saying "possible" is nothing but a wild guess on your part because you don't have a scale.

    And because you are 'only guessing'... with no actual data to backup your claim... your statement 100% BS (until proven otherwise). Your statement is not one based on factual data. It's only a wild guess on your part.

    Please take no offense, I'm not trying to tick you off or offend. :)



    So, based on that ^^^, you are looking to mix with total lab precision. Yes???


    Honestly... at this point in your DIY adventure... I would buy one of the scales mentioned previously and see how well it performs for you. They are not expensive... and I do think you might be pleased, and very surprised, with the results.

    You have nothing to lose. If a "low cost" scale doesn't work for you... then splurge for the one I linked earlier or one like it. :D
    The "person" is whoever answers emails for scale company. I would venture they likely have no experience in DIY, unless that scale company has a lot of vapers. I couldn't say if they own one, but they work for the company that does.
    I say possible because without doing a test of a specific weight repeatedly, saying anything is a fact would be incorrect. I have provided you with data to back up your claim(snip for email), and I will add a bit more that's more tangible for you. Again.. from the manufacturer and this time the website not an email
    Scale FAQ's
    scroll down to "I am attempting to weigh very light loads by slowly adding small amounts and the display does not seem to increase as I add the item. Is my scale defective?"
    Perhaps I am not explaining my issue well and they will be more understandable.
     
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    Chiisaiinu

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    Please take no offense, I'm not trying to tick you off or offend. :)
    I'm not offended at all. If nothing I am frustrated. I stated in my original post i wanted to know what scale people used because I was concerned about accuracy. Now its seems some people have taken it as some form of personal attack that I am suggesting a scale is less then perfect per the manufacturer. If it works for you that's great, I was just looking for a bit more precision. AWS seems like it has good reviews so as I believe you suggested I will look through their catalog for .001 scale
     

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