Second thoughts maybe. Preemptive DIY questions.

[IntelligentDesigner]

Well, it started with buying an RBA and a post saying that I hope I can afford the extra juice since RBAs burn twice as much - something apparent even this early since I've received it. Everyone who replied to that thread suggested DIY juices. So that brought me here to the DIY e-liquid forum for the first time since joining ECF.

First thing I see is several warnings in a big, yellow box that loom over at the top of the screen even as I type this post. They're talking about hazardous waste and chemical experience and breathing in toxic vapors and killing children. The stickies say basically the same stuff. Other websites repeat this information over and over saying that nicotine is basically the most dangerous substance on the planet.

Now I do feel that I am more intelligent and capable of handling such ingredients than many people who DTO (Do Their Own) liquids, but not sure I'm up to it. I'm not the most responsible person on the planet; and I would hate to leave a jar of nicotine on the table for even the 0.17 seconds it would take my sister's dogs to come start checking it out after turning my back.

On the other hand, the advocates say it's so easy and sooo cheap and sooo much better tasting. Soooo I'm at sort of an impasse here. Is there a "safe" DIY kit to order? I currently vape between 8 and 18 mg juices. Do I order 18 mg unflavored juice from Mr. Wizard to more safely handle the base? If that mix gets within 100 feet of me, will I die a torturous death? Do I need to initially invest $4,000 in a ventilated hood and HazMat suit? Build a tower in the yard to keep the animals away from it?

It all seems tempting, but overwhelming. I didn't really see a starter kit thread here except for one that got no replies. Any help to put my mind at ease before ordering stuff would be appreciated, or advice to just keep buying from my local vape shops. I've read the disclaimers and will hold neither ECF or any of its users responsible for whatever happens.

 

[Vash]

If your only using say a 24mg nic base and cutting it down with some pg or vg to achieve your 8mg to 18mg mixes its not as dangerous as say using 100mg nic.That being said you always want to be safe and use gloves and clean up all mixing equipment and mixing area when you are done and store you equipment and nic in a safe area.I recommend doing plenty of reading in the DIY thread and asking plenty of questions before starting I love making my own juice and while it seems overwhelming at first the rewards are worth it IMO.

 

[babyk1352012]

No you don't need a hazmat suit, but it is a highly toxic substance, and as with any harmful chemical, it should be treated like it were a loaded pistol. It should be kept up high and secure away from any child or pet.

I would recommend gloves, and mixing it in an area where it can be mopped up afterward if you happen to spill any.

Personally I mix mine in and around my bathroom sink, that way if any spills it goes into my sink, you will figure out what works for you. It can actually be quite fun.

 

[Vash]

Another tip get a large pan to mix in to contain spills and do it when you can take your time and are able to make sure you are being careful and cleaning up properly .

 

[boomerdude]

You could use a pre-mixed base of PG/VG 18mg. Or you could go with some 36mg nic and cut it down to 18mg.

It's when you use the higher concentrations where you have to be super careful. I use 100mg nic and cut it down to 8-10mg, but I don't have little kids or pets to worry about and I keep it well out of the way unless I'm using it.

As to DIY kits, I haven't seen one yet that was worth the money. I'm fussy and use glass wherever I can but there's a lot of stuff you don't really need like 50ml plastic graduates where you can't see the markings and you have to hold even with your eye to get an accurate measurement.

Basically you need rubber gloves, syringes in 3,5, 10 and 20ml sizes. You'll also want bottles in 3,6, 10, 30 and 50/60ml. Get more 3 and 10ml bottles than the others as you'll use them for testing. A Pyrex mixing vessel is good also. Those plastic pipettes are useless, try and find some glass or borosilicate 1-3ml sizes. Get several of the same kind of eyedroppers. If you mix using drops as a measurement you'll want to use the same eyedropper. Count how many drops are in a ml and you'll have accurate drop counts consistently.

That's the basics. There are other items you may want later if you decide DIY is your thing. Above all, have fun.

 

[Vash]

I agree with Boomer buy your equipment to suit your needs instead of kit and get lots and lots of bottles

 

[babyk1352012]

I really like this idea. Just one more precaution I can take so I dont get it on the floor.

Another tip get a large pan to mix in to contain spills and do it when you can take your time and are able to make sure you are being careful and cleaning up properly .

 

[babyk1352012]

I always get super scared over this stuff. I debated doing diy for the longest because I have 18 month old twins. We are pretty poor though so its the most affordable option right now. I take every extra precaution when mixing, and I store it high where they can't get to it. I even have a lockbox which is where I keep my pv when not in use. I don't mix when they are home and I do it in the sink in case it spills.

I use 60Mg base, which I dilute down to 24, honestly after reading this though, it's scared me again. I am super super cautious, but what if I ever missed one tiny lil drop. I actually may be storing it and mixing it elsewhere after today. Or next time I'll buy something lower in strength, and cut what i have now to 30 mgs....that might work =)

You could use a pre-mixed base of PG/VG 18mg. Or you could go with some 36mg nic and cut it down to 18mg.

It's when you use the higher concentrations where you have to be super careful. I use 100mg nic and cut it down to 8-10mg, but I don't have little kids or pets to worry about and I keep it well out of the way unless I'm using it.

As to DIY kits, I haven't seen one yet that was worth the money. I'm fussy and use glass wherever I can but there's a lot of stuff you don't really need like 50ml plastic graduates where you can't see the markings and you have to hold even with your eye to get an accurate measurement.

Basically you need rubber gloves, syringes in 3,5, 10 and 20ml sizes. You'll also want bottles in 3,6, 10, 30 and 50/60ml. Get more 3 and 10ml bottles than the others as you'll use them for testing. A Pyrex mixing vessel is good also. Those plastic pipettes are useless, try and find some glass or borosilicate 1-3ml sizes. Get several of the same kind of eyedroppers. If you mix using drops as a measurement you'll want to use the same eyedropper. Count how many drops are in a ml and you'll have accurate drop counts consistently.

That's the basics. There are other items you may want later if you decide DIY is your thing. Above all, have fun.

 

[Vash]

I always get super scared over this stuff. I debated doing diy for the longest because I have 18 month old twins. We are pretty poor though so its the most affordable option right now. I take every extra precaution when mixing, and I store it high where they can't get to it. I even have a lockbox which is where I keep my pv when not in use. I don't mix when they are home and I do it in the sink in case it spills.

I use 60Mg base, which I dilute down to 24, honestly after reading this though, it's scared me again. I am super super cautious, but what if I ever missed one tiny lil drop. I actually may be storing it and mixing it elsewhere after today. Or next time I'll buy something lower in strength, and cut what i have now to 30 mgs....that might work =)

I use 36mg from WL and cut it down to 30mg for my wife and 22mg for myself.I also have small kids and never wanted anything higher in the house.

 

[babyk1352012]

I think thats a great idea, one i intend to act on as of tomorrow. They will be at their grandparents for the weekend so it will give me time to clean house so to speak =)

I use 36mg from WL and cut it down to 30mg for my wife and 22mg for myself.I also have small kids and never wanted anything higher in the house.

 

[Shilo]

No you will not have harm come to you from spilling 18 mg unflavored anymore than you would have from 18 mg premixed and flavored by someone else spilling. If you are uneasy or worried I would just keep buying your juices premixed. The warnings are for the safety of all even a casual Google reader who might try to buy and vape 48 mg straight without reading what you are actually supposed to do with it to make it vapeable.

 

[IntelligentDesigner]

Alrighty. So I'm intereted. But, just one last time to be cautious and annoying: if I get the 36 mg stuff from WL and wind up spilling a few drops on my arm above my glove, no harm done? That is of course assuming I wash my hands and spilled juice afterwards.

 

[Renolizzie]

36mg shouldn't be dangerous. You do want to wash it off as it will absorb through your skin.

My hints are these. If you buy a higher mg nic, pay attention during the nic phase of DIY. I like to set the bottles up in a tray, then I place a 3x5 card with my measurements on the work bench. Then, when I am putting 12.5 or 6.2 ml of nic into the jars, I concentrate. I don't answer the phone. I don't go see what the dogs are barking at. I just do the nic.

I put the lid back on the nic right away. I put the lids on the mixing jars. I wash off the pipette or the beaker used for the nic right away. I wash off the gloves I am wearing, go back and make sure the bottles are wiped off with a paper towel which I toss in a trash can the dogs can't get into. I wash off the tray. Then, I take off the gloves which are washed by now. Dry the tray off. Put away the nic in my safe storage spot.

Then, I go back and make sure I get the correct amount of pg and vg which is on the card. I shake them up really well. Then, I add the flavorings.

I am not a naturally organized person but I am disciplined when it comes to mixing. I am using 60mg but think that now that I have made quite a few batches of juice, I could handle 100mg no problem. Still, I like the 60mg. I'm comfortable with that. I have pets and I wouldn't want them or my non smoking Hubby to get hurt.

Start with low mg, get the hang of it and some good habits. Then worry about getting stronger mg. IMHO

 

[MDV39]

I always put the nic in last after I've put my flavorings,pg, and VG. I feel it gives my nic my undivided attention, I always respect my nicotine like someone mentioned as a loaded gun and always wash my mixing tools ASAP.

 

[v4pe_chase]

One Stop DIY has a kit. this is what got me started. DIY Artisan Kits - One Stop DIY Shop Store

 

[boomerdude]

I mix 500 mls of my base liquid at one sitting to cut down on using the 100 mg more than I have to. I do 50/50 PG/VG at 8-10mg. So I mix 242 mls of VG and 218 mls of PG. Then I add 40 mls of the 80/20 100mg nic. This gives me 500 mls. of 8mg base liquid to add flavors and additives to. So I only have to drag out the 100 mg nic every 3 weeks or so. I was getting 120 mls of nic every couple of months until the shortages started when WL & RTS moved. Plus the Chinese New Year on top of that combined with the panic buying in fear of the Nanny State. Best I could do was 115 mls of 100mg which arrived spilled all over my whole order. Now I'm waiting for a replacement and getting nervous.

 

[serenity21899]

Well, it started with buying an RBA and a post saying that I hope I can afford the extra juice since RBAs burn twice as much - something apparent even this early since I've received it. Everyone who replied to that thread suggested DIY juices. So that brought me here to the DIY e-liquid forum for the first time since joining ECF.

First thing I see is several warnings in a big, yellow box that loom over at the top of the screen even as I type this post. They're talking about hazardous waste and chemical experience and breathing in toxic vapors and killing children. The stickies say basically the same stuff. Other websites repeat this information over and over saying that nicotine is basically the most dangerous substance on the planet.

Now I do feel that I am more intelligent and capable of handling such ingredients than many people who DTO (Do Their Own) liquids, but not sure I'm up to it. I'm not the most responsible person on the planet; and I would hate to leave a jar of nicotine on the table for even the 0.17 seconds it would take my sister's dogs to come start checking it out after turning my back.

On the other hand, the advocates say it's so easy and sooo cheap and sooo much better tasting. Soooo I'm at sort of an impasse here. Is there a "safe" DIY kit to order? I currently vape between 8 and 18 mg juices. Do I order 18 mg unflavored juice from Mr. Wizard to more safely handle the base? If that mix gets within 100 feet of me, will I die a torturous death? Do I need to initially invest $4,000 in a ventilated hood and HazMat suit? Build a tower in the yard to keep the animals away from it?

It all seems tempting, but overwhelming. I didn't really see a starter kit thread here except for one that got no replies. Any help to put my mind at ease before ordering stuff would be appreciated, or advice to just keep buying from my local vape shops. I've read the disclaimers and will hold neither ECF or any of its users responsible for whatever happens.

I am new to DIY, and not comfortable with high nic levels, either. I am using 24mg and cutting it to 12mg, which is what I vape. There is still a saving doing it this way, and not as much risk. I do not have kids or pets to worry about, but I gotta do what I am comfortable with.

 

[JeremyR]

If that mix gets within 100 feet of me, will I die a torturous death? Do I need to initially invest $4,000 in a ventilated hood and HazMat suit? Build a tower in the yard to keep the animals away from it?

That was funny build a tower lol oh.

Well I can give you my thoughts if you care. I'm a new DIYer and have a 3 yr old at home. of course safety and security first. I do it when he is sleeping or away. I get 36 mg base. It has been said on here that you should not buy higher it is too dangerous. It has also been said vendors selling higher are not cool. 36 is reasonable. Any higher and you get into the high risk zone.
I get my DIY supplies from liberty flights and find to be good Stuff and easy. All good quality childproof containers. I like that the nic has a dripper tip, if it knocks over it wont spill out. I use a 2ml sample bottle to make measurements for my nic base. i found filling that to the top of label x3 made a little less than 5ml which was perfect when my flavor art flavors were added. obviously this is for doing 5 ml testers, 1 part nic pour in cap nic. 2 parts vg and I have my 12 mg base. You can figure out an easy way to measure your desired approximate strength. I prefer to use something with a cap to measure out nic base so it can be sealed when done. Add my flavors by dripping from the bottles. (5ml = apox. 100 drops so 3%=3drops) cap juice and Shake. Put supplies away and done. It really was much easier that I thought it would be.
Good luck I have been happy with my DIY venture.

 

[IntelligentDesigner]

Alrighty. I will start piecing together my kit. I have a low income so I'm interested in saving the money doing DIY ASAP, but if I want to afford a vaping habit in the meantime, I can't spend all my money on a kit at once.

36 is what I was going for with the nic base. I like anywhere from 12-18 mg juice and a 36 base makes for easy math.

Thanks for the help, everyone!