Recommendations requested on setting up for DIY

[Horselady154]

I have read quite a lot, but need to read much, much more. I would have chosen to get up-to-speed on DIY at a more leisurely pace, but given the likelihood that the nanny state will be minding our business in the very short future, I am feeling the need to start buying what I need to create my own juices faster than I would have otherwise. Therefore, I would really, really, appreciate any recommendations you could give me as to what I should buy and even where to get it.

1. I have seen these two that look pretty good, even though the first one is out of nicotine at the moment. Wizard Labs, DIY E-Cig Supplies & E-Cigarette Liquid | Make Your Own E-Liquid | RTS Vapes. I would prefer if the extraction was not done in China, like neither of these are. Do you like these, or do you have other suggestions?

2. My next question has to do with the strength of the nicotine to get. It's less intimidating for a noob to get something less than 100mg/ml strength on the first go, but it sure is going to take up more room to store a desired amount of nicotine in the freezer. Are most of you guys going with the 100mg/ml and how much are you stockpiling?

Note: I did have 2 years of Chemistry in college a million years ago, so I realize you have to handle things safely. I say this, so people won't be too nervous with my noobiness.

3. Is there a certain benefit of going with PG vs. VG as the base for the nicotine? I tend to like 50/50 juices, so this question just pertains to how best to store and work with the nicotine.

4. My next question has to do with the mixing and measuring "stuff" (pipettes, etc). Is there a certain place that you have found to like the best to get this stuff?

Thank you and I apologize for all the noob questions. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[Thomasis]

Answer to your questions.

1. There is a thread on here called nicotine comparisons, you should go check it out as to what each supplier has to offer, and what your personal preferences are and make your choice based on product characteristics.

2. Most here would recommend you start with 60mg just for the fact your new at DIY and it's safer, but if your absorbing all the info your reading and your confident in your own abilities to be safe then jump up to 100mg if you so choose. Be safe and be careful is all.

3. Yes, some have pointed out the benefits of VG having some added benefits to long term storage over PG but no matter what base you decide on, the number one enemy is oxygen. You also want to keep you nic away from light and store in a cool dry place. (Freezer... hint)

4. Alot of nic suppliers have these items in stock. It might save you shipping charges to simply order those supplies when you order your nic. If you do a search here in the DIY threads, you will find several vendors supplying these items too.

I hope this helps, but one more thing that you need to know. You have decided to get into DIY at quite a unique time for us all. If you find a reputable vendor that has nicotine in stock that your looking for, you better pull the trigger! Nic is in shortage right now.
The search bar is your friend!!

 

[Horselady154]

Thanks, Thomasis. As I said, I have done a lot of reading AND searching. . The best of all worlds would be to take the next month or two to just read, but given the impending FDA actions, that didn't seem too feasible. Thus, my questions so that I would have the information I need to go on and make at least the order for the nicotine.

Thanks for your contribution to that end.

 

[yzer]

First off I seriously suggest not starting with 100 mg nicotine base. 100 mg is 10% nicotine and can be dangerous in the hands of noobs.

Use 25 or 36 mg nicotine base the first couple of times. Nicotine dilution and mixing requires some mechanical and procedural skills that must be learned by doing. Anyone is better off spilling 25 or 36 mg nicotine base than 100 mg.

Lab area: a counter top near a sink will work.

Ventilation: with 100 mg you need lots of open windows nearby, a stove top vent hood that works well or a hardware store respirator with organic vapor cartridges.

Containers: for mixing, storing base, and dispensing e-juice.

Measuring: syringes, graduated cylinders, pipettes of various sizes. Bigger batches mean bigger gear.

Documentation: record batch numbers, dates, recipes. Labels for containers.

Various: anti-bacterial soap, paper towels, funnels, latex gloves, eye protection.

These are the basics. There are lots of other useful tools to add to the collection depending on how far you want to get into DIY.

 

[darkhood]

http://www.ecigexpress.com/diy-supplies-c-43

http://www.ecigexpress.com/diy-flavoring-c-16

 

[darkhood]

I do it the easy way btw - just buy base @ the same mg I vape and add flavor...couldn't be simpler (or cheaper).

 

[serenity21899]

I am new to DIY, too. I wasn't comfortable with the really high nic, so I got mine at 24mg, which cuts nicely to 12mg as my target. I thought about doing it the way darkhood suggested, but I wanted a bit of flexibility to adjust the target nic up or down if I wanted to.

I personally think it is easier to start with 100% PG or VG and adjust it from there, maybe picking the one you want the most of in the end.

 

[yzer]

I use 100 mg VG base. But I'm glad that I practiced with about 200 ml of 25 mg base first.

I really like nicotine base from Xtreme Vaping. I'm a non-flavored juice fan and very picky about the taste qualities of my base. They have no problem with short supply.

Xtreme Vaping Nic Liquid

 

[ethebull]

I started with and continue to use 100mg nic. I am careful and know the risks. I think some folks are unnecessarily scared of the stuff, frankly. When I see talk of significant ventilation for instance, I think to myself, really? Maybe if you were working in a tiny room for an extended period, but I open the 100mg stuff, measure off 100ml, pour it into my 500ml bottle, and then seal it. Within a few more minutes I have my 20mg/ml base mixed and ready to add flavor. Exposure time is too short to be concerned with venting, working in a typical open floor-plan kitchen.

I have had skin contact with the high strength stuff once or twice. I'm in my kitchen so I rinse and wash it off within seconds.

Exercise healthy respect and care, you'll be just fine.

 

[ethebull]

On suppliers, I have been very satisfied with Wizard Labs and Vaping Zone Nicotine. WL has been behind since their move last month, but I think VZ has stock.

 

[yzer]

I use VG in my juice and warm it in a water bath to 100-110 degrees F during DIY. This makes mixing and measuring VG easier and more accurate with graduated cylinders. Without an exhaust hood or respirator I can smell the nicotine vapor while working with warmed 50 mg base, let alone 100 mg.

I live in a solar heated house. It's very well insulated and during the winter it's draft-free.

 

[subversive]

A PG nic base will be easier to work with. I use 100mg and have from the start. I have no children in the house, and I vape high nic liquids, so it makes sense for me. I am very casual ( some would say reckless ) with my DIY. I find the most important things to have are empty bottles, a craft box for storage, and paper towels. I do have syringes and graduated cylinders, but I mainly use a 2 ml dropper that is marked in small increments. I mix 30ml at a time. If you have kids or use low levels of nic, 100mg might not be the best choice, but I personally have not had any problems. I've gotten it on my skin a number of times with no ill effects. I don't want to advocate not wearing gloves and such, though. It may not make me sick, but it could kill a pet or make someone else sick.

I buy 2 months of nic at a time and just store it in my craft box. That is changing, though. I am now ordering larger quantities because of the FDA, and dark glass + freezing is definitely the way to go.

 

[JUDGMENT AFFIRMED]

I would prefer if the extraction was not done in China,

All of RTS Vapes' nicotine liquid originates from flue-cured tobacco grown in North Carolina. For your information, North Carolina produces more flue-cured tobacco than any other state in the United States. With our unemployment rate near 10% in North Carolina we decided to try a United States solution to inconsistent Chinese nicotine liquid.



The tobacco leafs are handpicked by North Carolinians. The tobacco leaves are delivered to a North Carolina Pennsylvania laboratory for nicotine extraction. We are proud to state all of our tests have shown from 99.92% to 99.96% pure nicotine.



Our pure nicotine liquid is then reduced by North Carolinians to less potent strengths using Propylene Glycol USP Grade Kosher Certified or Vegetable Glycerin USP Grade Kosher Certified.



When you buy flavorless nicotine liquid from RTS Vapes, a Division of RTS Leasing, LLC, you are buying a product USA made


Hi Horselady154,
I think its best though, to not buy a large amount till you have tryed it. Good luck