Random DIY mixing and More

[ShowMeTwice]

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.

Thanks. I looked at the FAQ and it speaks in general terms about scales not any one model.

Did you ask AWS about one specific scale or were your questions of a general nature?

Reason I ask is because the LB-501 tech spec is 0.01g. AWS isn't going to list that as a spec if it's not accurate "for that specific scale".

 

[DavidOck]

Well, here are some calibration weights

Coin Specifications | U.S. Mint

 

[ShowMeTwice]

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

Don't get frustrated Mate! This is just a forum, it's not worth it to get upset. We're all trying to help you. If I've frustrated you, I'm sorry, that was never my intent.

I really, honestly, do think that if you were to get an AWS LB-501 scale that you would be happy with the results you get. As far as scales go it isn't an expensive one.

I've had mine for several years. When it fails I will buy another one in a heartbeat.

 

[Chiisaiinu]

Thanks. I looked at the FAQ and it speaks in general terms about scales not any one model.

Did you ask AWS about one specific scale or were your questions of a general nature?

Reason I ask is because the SC-501 tech spec is 0.01g. AWS isn't going to list that as a spec if it's not accurate "for that specific scale".

No.. the scale I had inquired about was LB-501(not sure if thats different then the SC model). Which is also rated to .01g. It's not incorrect as the scale does measure in increments of .01. It's just that it only notices .05 with variances if that makes sense? So it could read 241.31g, and since it's showing the .01 it's not technically false information.

 

[Chiisaiinu]

Well, here are some calibration weights

Coin Specifications | U.S. Mint

I didnt know any other weight other then the nickel from back in the day when I was with the wrong crowd. Interesting to know the weights of others. Although 20+ years ago I was told not to trust the weight of quarters or dimes because the metals used sometimes changed. Not sure if that still holds true.

 

[ShowMeTwice]

On your scale how much does a drop weigh?

Ok, now we're talking!

Each flavor, from any company, varies in weight.

"When it comes to flavors, there are a couple of thoughts/theories surrounding mixing by weight when dealing with flavors. Many people enter the specific gravity as indicated on an MSDS for every flavor that they have. I feel this is a complete waste of time. After searching hundreds of MSDS sheets for flavors, all flavors fall into a range of .93g per ml to 1.07g per ml."

"In order to achieve personal consistency for your juices though, all that is relevant is that you use the SAME value, every time for any given flavor. I simply use a value of 1. This means that whether or not my flavors actually weigh 1 gram per ml, I always pretend they do. Percentages in any given recipe of mine will always be the exact same for me, however, if I am trying to recreate someone elses recipe, or they are mixing mine, there's a chance I'll be off a little bit (no more than 7% which is about the margin of error most people get when mixing by volume)."

And even if you mix a recipe by someone else your result will be yours and very easily reproduced each time.

You might find Botboy141's guide to mixing by weight helpful.

https://www.reddit.com/r/DIY_eJuice/comments/2iq3km/botboy141_guide_to_mixing_by_weight/

 

[hittman]

In my opinion, any reputable scale is going to be more accurate than mixing by volume. Am I willing to spend hundreds or thousands on a high end scale? No, not unless I was doing it as a business. I started mixing at the beginning using Bill's 100 drop test. That wasn't really accurate because I was using different bottles so not all drops were the same. I just really didn't know any better but was still liking a lot of what I was trying so in a way that was a success. Anyway, I guess it just depends how meticulous you want to be. Me, not so much. If my mix was off by a ml in a 10ml mix, I would definitely be able to tell from the amount of liquid in the bottle.

 

[hittman]

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

Sorry if I read too much into it. You're right. You asked which scale we use and I should have just answered that question. Here's the one that Fran I have been using for at least a few years now.

500g x 0.01g High Precision Digital Scale SF-400D2 Counting wit USB Wall Adapter | eBay

 

[ShowMeTwice]

Now in a single recipe how many drops are you using?

The total number of drops for a single flavor doesn't matter when you are mixing by weight. It's the total weight as called for in the recipe.

Example: 1% in a 30ml mix = 0.3g

0.3g is all you should be concerned with.

Add or subtract .01-.03 to every drop you enter and see how much difference that makes.

No need to. Why?

Example: Let's say I'm mixing a 10ml batch. If I have a flavor that calls for 0.5% in my recipe the weight is 0.05g. In a 30ml mix that 0.5% is 0.15g. Drops do not matter in those two examples.

Using those two examples.. every single time I make that mix my results will be the same provided my scale is properly calibrated. Same goes for any scale (cheap ones to the pricey ones).

 

[Chiisaiinu]

In my opinion, any reputable scale is going to be more accurate than mixing by volume. Am I willing to spend hundreds or thousands on a high end scale? No, not unless I was doing it as a business. I started mixing at the beginning using Bill's 100 drop test. That wasn't really accurate because I was using different bottles so not all drops were the same. I just really didn't know any better but was still liking a lot of what I was trying so in a way that was a success. Anyway, I guess it just depends how meticulous you want to be. Me, not so much. If my mix was off by a ml in a 10ml mix, I would definitely be able to tell from the amount of liquid in the bottle.

Sure, sure which is why I was inquiring about scales. As close as I try to get to dead on the line of a syringe as you say its not really accurate, more of ballpark. Syringe's I would guess aren't that meticulous. I personally don't care about cost as long as I am happy with the results. So I am thinking maybe get a scale that goes to .001 even if it's a bit more.

 

[Chiisaiinu]

Example: Let's say I'm mixing a 10ml batch. If I have a flavor that calls for 0.5% in my recipe the weight is 0.05g. In a 30ml mix that 0.5% is 0.15g. Drops do not matter in those two examples.

We are kind of beating a dead horse atm.. but for clarification lets say the .05g example for your 10ml mix.. how many drops did you have to add to get the scale to .05? Unless your adding your flavoring through a syringe I assume your using the dropper tip that most of the flavorings i have purchased seem to have. My concern real or imagined, is drops added(trying to get to a specific weight) not being counted at all because the scale doesn't detect them. Droplets are obviously not uniform in weight or size.

 

[ShowMeTwice]

No.. the scale I had inquired about was LB-501(not sure if thats different then the SC model). Which is also rated to .01g. It's not incorrect as the scale does measure in increments of .01. It's just that it only notices .05 with variances if that makes sense? So it could read 241.31g, and since it's showing the .01 it's not technically false information.

Ooooops... on my part. Sorry, I don't know why I keep saying it's the SC-501. For some unknown reason I have SC on the brain! My bad.

I have the LB-501. And, I'll edit my previous posts to reflect that.

Ok I just did a little test. I calibrated my scale, took an empty 15ml bottle, tared and added one drop of FA Vanilla Cookie.

The LB-501 says that 1 drop weighs 0.03g. In my experience with the scale that's easily reproducible.

 

[Chiisaiinu]

Ooooops... on my part. Sorry, I don't know why I keep saying it's the SC-501. For some unknown reason I have SC on the brain! My bad.

I have the LB-501. And, I'll edit my previous posts to reflect that.

Ok I just did a little test. I calibrated my scale, took an empty 15ml bottle, tared and added one drop of FA Vanilla Cookie.

The LB-501 says that 1 drop weighs 0.03g. In my experience with the scale that's easily reproducible.

Would you humor me and add one more drop? Would it be fair to say in theory it should read .05 .07? My concern would be if you added a second drop and it still read .03 thats where being "off by an inch, leads to being off by a mile" as they say.

 

[Detroit Doug]

Someone please correct me if I'm blowing hot air. I'm not the sharpest Crayola in the box. Don't most of the .001 scales have a max capacity of only 50g? They get their low weight accuracy at the expense of capacity?

I just weighed 3 different clean 30ml glass bottles (from GBO) and got weights between 41.24g - 42.75g on my el cheapo scale. So if someone was using similar bottles, there would only be 7g of weight left, before it went over the max capacity of the scale. Am I off here?

 

[ShowMeTwice]

Would you humor me and add one more drop? Would it be fair to say in theory it should read .05 .07? My concern would be if you added a second drop and it still read .03 thats where being "off by an inch, leads to being off by a mile" as they say.

I had to start over because I turned off the scale after the last single drop (0.03g).

I grabbed a level and made sure my table is level!

Starting over then... new bottle, same flavor, FA Vanilla Cookie

Test #2
1 drop again came to 0.03g (that's good, same weight)
adding 1 more drop came to 0.05g

AND ---> because I figgered you would ask, I did it again.

Test #3
1 drop again came to 0.03g
adding 1 more drop came to 0.05g

Three tests - 1 drop weighs 0.03g

Two tests - 2 drops weighs 0.05g

 

[FranC]

Someone please correct me if I'm blowing hot air. I'm not the sharpest Crayola in the box. Don't most of the .001 scales have a max capacity of only 50g? They get their low weight accuracy at the expense of capacity?

I just weighed 3 different clean 30ml glass bottles (from GBO) and got weights between 41.24g - 42.75g on my el cheapo scale. So if someone was using similar bottles, there would only be 7g of weight left, before it went over the max capacity of the scale. Am I off here?

Mine is 500g.

 

[Chiisaiinu]

Someone please correct me if I'm blowing hot air. I'm not the sharpest Crayola in the box. Don't most of the .001 scales have a max capacity of only 50g? They get their low weight accuracy at the expense of capacity?

I just weighed 3 different clean 30ml glass bottles (from GBO) and got weights between 41.24g - 42.75g on my el cheapo scale. So if someone was using similar bottles, there would only be 7ml of weight left, before it went over the max capacity of the scale. Am I off here?

I have seen several .001 -100g~ scales for around $120, Honestly unless you making big batches 500g is kind of overkill unless I am unaware of something.

I had to start over because I turned off the scale after the last single drop (0.03g).

I grabbed a level and made sure my table is level!

Starting over then... new bottle, same flavor, FA Vanilla Cookie

Test #2
1 drop again came to 0.03g (that's good, same weight)
adding 1 more drop came to 0.05g

AND ---> because I figgered you would ask, I did it again.

Test #3
1 drop again came to 0.03g
adding 1 more drop came to 0.05g

Three tests - 1 drop weighs 0.03g

Two tests - 2 drops weighs 0.05g

No I wouldn't have asked you to do it again . My concern is if drops didnt register at all. As the weights you have said for that flavoring are sub what the manufacturer told me it would read. If it's reading the droplets then that's great. Perhaps they say that as a disclaimer? If it were true though do you see how not reading anything below .05 would concern me when your drops were .03 to .02?

 

[Chiisaiinu]

Mine is 500g.

Your scale goes to .001? What scale do you use?

 

[FranC]

Your scale goes to .001? What scale do you use?

It goes to .01

 

[Chiisaiinu]

It goes to .01

ahh ok I think @Detroit Doug was speaking about .001 scales having lower total weight VS. .01 scales