Scales, Vials, Syringes, Pipettes, Amber Storage Bottles...

[Tommy-Chi]

Before I really begin to get serious about DIY, I'd like to know what you recommend regarding the following items and anything else you can think for the next 5yrs. I'm going to be buying some lab equipment.

I'll be shooting for ~10ml to ~30ml when mixing in the beginning, and move to 120ml ASAP, so that I do not open the nic, pg, vg, or flavors except when I absolutely need too.

1) Why did you buy it? What do you use it for...
2) Where did you buy it? Company name would be nice...
3) Brand name and model number? Who makes it...
4) Approximate cost


Electronic Scale:
Thinking of using a scale rather than going by drops. What do you use to mix up a batch for 5 to 30ml, and what would you use for a 120ml and larger batch.

Vials:
How many do I need, and of what sizes (15ml, 50ml, X...)?

Syringes:
How many do I need, and of what sizes (1ml, 5ml, 10ml, X...)?

Pipettes:
Do I need them at all?

Glass Amber Storage Bottles:
How many do I need, and of what sizes (60mL, 120mL, 250mL, 500mL, 1000mL)?

 

[KentA]

Hi Tommy-Chi,

I think you’ll enjoy mixing your own juice.

I also decided to weigh my ingredients & am glad I did. It’s quick, clean & accurate. After searching this forum, I ordered the American Weigh Scales LB-501 because it was highly recommended with the features we need. Among them is the ability to plug into house current so the scale doesn’t turn off when you are in the middle of a mix. That’s invaluable to me because I’m slow & easily distracted.

A lot of my other lab gear came from amazon too. It includes:

· 1/2 Oz (15ml) Amber Glass Bottles with Glass Eye Dropper - Pack of 10 $6.17
· 1oz (30 ml)Cobalt Blue Glass Bottles with Glass Eye Dropper - Pack of 12 $8.49
· 2oz (60 ml) Amber Glass Bottles for Essential Oils with Glass Eye Dropper - Pack of 6 $6.80
· Boston Round Bottles, 4 Oz Pack of 12 (118ml) $14.30
·
· SODIAL(R) Stainless Steel Luer Lock Dispensing Needle Tip, 12 Gauge, 2.05mm ID x 2.8mm OD, 1" Length (Pack of 6) $2.46
· Glass Beakers - 3 Sizes - 50, 100 and 250ml, Karter Scientific 214T2 $5.99
· Darice Heavy Duty Plastic Mini Funnel, 2 pc per Pack $1.15
· Badger Air-Brush Co. 121 Paint Mixer $11.60

Syringes are cheap, so I bought 1 of each size to see what I’d use from Wizard Labs when I ordered my flavors & nicotine.

I always expected to use Pipettes, but discovered that between the funnels & the syringes, I don’t need them.

Hope this helps. There is nothing on it that I regret buying.

P.S. Scroll to the top of this General E-Liquid Discussion & click the DIY E-Liquid sub forum. There's a lot of knowledgeable DIYers there.

 

[retired1]

Moved to DIY E-Liquid

 

[DoubleEwe]

Personally I would not use the amber glass bottles, I would opt for clear glass bottles instead.

The reason is that the Amber bottles seem to impede the steeping process dramatically, which is great if your liquid is already steeped to perfection, not so great though if you mixed it and are waiting to vape it.

In my experience of using clear and amber glass bottles, both kept in the same dark place, the steeping times are drastically different.
The amber bottle mixes took roughly double the time to steep of the clear glass bottles, initially I just thought it was a case of coming up with bad recipes, but after trying the same mixes in different bottles it became apparent that it was down to lack of steeping.

I think Nicoticket veterans have noticed a similar occurrence when Nicoticket switched from clear plastic bottles to amber glass bottles.

 

[67Tele]

Badger Air-Brush Co. 121 Paint Mixer

Kent-
Thanks for this! Hadn't thought of it before.

Tommy-
Kent has given you a great list. A couple of more things I'd add.
Rubber Gloves for Nicotine Protection: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001V9UQU8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

A Calibration Weight for the Scale: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010TGEQE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

 

[sketchness]

scale all the way. Just bought this one it plugs in and comes well recommended from the DIY by weight nerds down to .01 gram.

http://www.amazon.com/American-Weigh-Scales-LB-501-Digital/dp/B005UGBG20

I bought a cheap scale to see how I like mixing by weight. and it is flaky so i spent a little extra to get a good scale. Never going to clean another syringe.

I just bought these to try and get rid of the last of my plastic pipettes:

http://www.amazon.com/SEOH-Glass-Dr...pebp=1447867873110&perid=1B148FCXGWAAFVG73S96

I like ldpe bottles I get them in 50's and 100 count lots on amazon. Will have to dig up the link. They arrive quickly from overseas, about 10 days. I get them in 10ml for test batches and other flavors and 50's for a carry around bottle or when I make a juice for someone else. I also have a number of 120 and 240 ml bottles. I have about 10 240 ml bottles with nic base in them. I also have a couple 240's for mixing custards. then I have 15 or 20 120 ml bottles for nicotine and smaller mixes. I mainly drip so walking around with a glass bottle is just not for me. I usually have a unicorn bottle in my pocket as they are slim and great for out and about, But unicorn bottles are crappy for mixing in as they tip to easily. I always add on bottles when I order more than $75 from BCV. It is probably more exensive than bulk but I don't need these sizes in bulk.

edit: plastic bottles 100Pcs 3-50ml Empty Plastic Childproof Cap E-juice E-Liquid Dropper Bottles LDPE

 

[Tommy-Chi]

Thank you for all the responses! I'm running out of town and will be gone for a few days. Will digest everything that has been said on my return.

Everyone on ECF is great!

 

[Hans Wermhat]

I mix up about 300 - 350 ml of juice every 2 weeks or so. It takes me about 2 hours and I make a dozen or so flavors. This is my entire set-up:

Tri Pour Beakers
100 ml x2

Graduated Cylinder - Polypropylene - 50ml
50 ml x1 ; 10 ml x2


Syringe with 18ga Needle
3 ml x2 - and I bought some larger gauge luer lock tips to make handling VG based nic easier.

I have a couple dozen bottles from when I bought pre-made juices, and I bought a few 250 ml & 125 ml amber glass bottles to break down 1L bottles of nic for storage. And some of these for the recipes that are nailed down and I make in 100 ml batches:
4oz Natural LDPE (Soft) Boston Round w/ Black Twist Top Cap

I have a few pipettes that came free with flavor orders, but I almost never use them.

I started off making 5 - 10 ml batches, but quickly found 2 recipes that I liked. I made a couple of 30 ml batches, then a 50 ml batch. Then I jumped to 100 ml in those 4oz bottles. When mixing, especially in larger batches, leave some headroom in the bottle. I mix 100 ml in those 4 oz (120 ml) bottles so there is room to shake them. If you fill a bottle all the way to the top, it's harder to get it mixed well. I use one syringe for nic, and the other for flavors that I need to measure in less than 1 ml increments.

Fruits steep faster and are more forgiving if you get the % wrong. Vanillas, tobaccos, bakery flavor need long steep times. Sometimes up to a month. When you get a new flavor, mix it up by itself the first time so you know how strong it is and what it tastes like. Take copious notes, even when you make something terrible. (This will happen!)

The best advice I can give you is to try not to over-complicate the process. Some folks want to make it into some kind of mad science experiment. Think of it more like bartending. A dash from this bottle... a few splashes from that one... pour it in the bottle, shake it, vape it. The only thing you can really do wrong is to put too much nic in it, so double check your math on that. When trying something new, make it 0 nic first. Nic is the most expensive component so don't waste it. Otherwise, fun with it.

 

[Tommy-Chi]

Love all the suggestions! Keep them coming. I am sure a lot of ECF Readers would like to know what those in DIY know!!!

I was out of town getting a gum graft at the dentist. All is well, but I'm on the patch for a week...DOH! Lots of fun. NO!

 

[JavaDan]

The AWS 501 scale that was mentioned is great for mixing. It comes with the AC adapter and calibration weights. I love it.

I'd be curious to know how that Badger mixer works for you. What is the smallest bottle it fits into? I've been zip tying the bottle to the blade of a saws-all for shaking. Works well, but a PITA and I'm going through zip ties like crazy.

 

[KentA]

I'd be curious to know how that Badger mixer works for you. What is the smallest bottle it fits into?

The 15ml is the smallest bottle I've put the Badger Mixer into because it's the smallest I use. It stirs them without splashing as long as you turn it off before it exits the rim. lol.

The 60ml is the largest i've stirred with it. When held near the top of the mix, it aerates it. Mid bottle causes a nice vortex, & a the bottom hold blends without introducing bubbles. That seems to offer a control other systems don't provide.

That little tool has replaced the magnetic stirrer that previously mixed for hours.

 

[Tommy-Chi]

Hi Tommy-Chi,

I think you’ll enjoy mixing your own juice.

I also decided to weigh my ingredients & am glad I did. It’s quick, clean & accurate. After searching this forum, I ordered the American Weigh Scales LB-501 because it was highly recommended with the features we need. Among them is the ability to plug into house current so the scale doesn’t turn off when you are in the middle of a mix. That’s invaluable to me because I’m slow & easily distracted.

A lot of my other lab gear came from amazon too. It includes:

· 1/2 Oz (15ml) Amber Glass Bottles with Glass Eye Dropper - Pack of 10 $6.17
· 1oz (30 ml)Cobalt Blue Glass Bottles with Glass Eye Dropper - Pack of 12 $8.49
· 2oz (60 ml) Amber Glass Bottles for Essential Oils with Glass Eye Dropper - Pack of 6 $6.80
· Boston Round Bottles, 4 Oz Pack of 12 (118ml) $14.30
·
· SODIAL(R) Stainless Steel Luer Lock Dispensing Needle Tip, 12 Gauge, 2.05mm ID x 2.8mm OD, 1" Length (Pack of 6) $2.46
· Glass Beakers - 3 Sizes - 50, 100 and 250ml, Karter Scientific 214T2 $5.99
· Darice Heavy Duty Plastic Mini Funnel, 2 pc per Pack $1.15
· Badger Air-Brush Co. 121 Paint Mixer $11.60

Syringes are cheap, so I bought 1 of each size to see what I’d use from Wizard Labs when I ordered my flavors & nicotine.

I always expected to use Pipettes, but discovered that between the funnels & the syringes, I don’t need them.

Hope this helps. There is nothing on it that I regret buying.

P.S. Scroll to the top of this General E-Liquid Discussion & click the DIY E-Liquid sub forum. There's a lot of knowledgeable DIYers there.

As a newbie I have to ask, I see you bought the 500g model. I have no idea what Nicotine/PG/VG weighs for up to 120ml batches....will it fall under that 0g to 500g range?

 

[Tommy-Chi]

Personally I would not use the amber glass bottles, I would opt for clear glass bottles instead.

The reason is that the Amber bottles seem to impede the steeping process dramatically, which is great if your liquid is already steeped to perfection, not so great though if you mixed it and are waiting to vape it.

In my experience of using clear and amber glass bottles, both kept in the same dark place, the steeping times are drastically different.
The amber bottle mixes took roughly double the time to steep of the clear glass bottles, initially I just thought it was a case of coming up with bad recipes, but after trying the same mixes in different bottles it became apparent that it was down to lack of steeping.

I think Nicoticket veterans have noticed a similar occurrence when Nicoticket switched from clear plastic bottles to amber glass bottles.

Thanks! I'll buy a mixture of the two bottles knowing this.

 

[Tommy-Chi]

Kent-
Thanks for this! Hadn't thought of it before.

Tommy-
Kent has given you a great list. A couple of more things I'd add.
Rubber Gloves for Nicotine Protection: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001V9UQU8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

A Calibration Weight for the Scale: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010TGEQE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=od_aui_detailpages00

Yep, will be buying more rubber gloves. One of the first nic bottles shipped to me had cracked, and luckily I had some rubber gloves available.

 

[sketchness]

As a newbie I have to ask, I see you bought the 500g model. I have no idea what Nicotine/PG/VG weighs for up to 120ml batches....will it fall under that 0g to 500g range?

Vg weighs 1.26 grams per ml and is the heaviest ingredient. So you can whip up 300ml batches no problem, actually bigger but that gives you an idea. Larger batches in stages with a beaker.

The larger size scales from this maker only go down to .1 you need to have a scale that does .01 like the 500 gram model

 

[Tommy-Chi]

Vg weighs 1.26 grams per ml and is the heaviest ingredient. So you can whip up 300ml batches no problem. Larger batches in stages with a beaker.

The larger size scales from this maker only go down to .1 you need to have a scale that does .01 like the 500 gram model

Thanks for that tidbit!

 

[KentA]

Vg weighs 1.26 grams per ml and is the heaviest ingredient. So you can whip up 300ml batches no problem, actually bigger but that gives you an idea. Larger batches in stages with a beaker.

The larger size scales from this maker only go down to .1 you need to have a scale that does .01 like the 500 gram model

You took the words right out of my mouth. Thank you.

 

[Alter]

I just did a drive around our small town and found syringes (1ml-60ml) along with all sorts of needles at my local vet, I had to blunt all the needles myself but they work fine. We also have a apothecary that sells herbs and such, they sold me the 100ml brown amber bottles to store my nic for less than I would have paid a mail order vendor and got raped by the Canadian shipping costs. I did have to order beakers from Ebay china (free shipping) to use on the magnetic mixer I built. The scale I bought ages ago for my wife who uses weight to portion out her hair coloring. I used syringes for a while but got tired of all the cleaning so scaling a juice mix simplifies things a lot and the mixer does a great job without having to shake any of my juices.

Weight of PG: 1.038 grams per ml
Weight of VG: 1.26 grams per ml
Weight of Pure Nicotine: 1.01 grams per ml
Weight of 100mg in PG: 1.0352 grams per ml
Weight of 100mg in VG: 1.235 grams per ml
48mg 50VG/50PG based nicotine solution 1.14 grams per ml.