Start up cost for Diy

[FRANKSTER]

Hello people...My question deals with how much money should someone spend to start up with diying.

I made many mistakes my first 2 months vaping and just spent too much money...I am now onto diy and I wanted to purchase small amounts of what I thought I would need to get started. I spent 100 dollars combined with rts and the diy shop.

Did I spend way too much money...I purchased 2 tobaccos and 5 flavors along with pg and vg. Also, I purchased 60 ml of 100mg/ml pg based nic. I have a tendency to always go overboard with money I do not have. Old habits die hard. I also purchased a ten pack of gloves and one pair of glasses and 4 bottles.

Did I go overboard here or is this approx what I should have spent? I did all the research I could. I also would like to know about these concentrated flavors which is all I purchased. I guess I will leave that for another thread. Any help here would be appreciated.

 

[vittiv]

Sounds reasonable to me. I just started DIY myself, but I probably spent about $100 on my start-up stuff.

Keep an eye out for good deals on the things you'll need to reorder or add. Amazon has some great prices on bottles and measuring devices. I got my gloves at walmart.

One way to look at it would be to figure out how much liquid you can create with that $100 worth of materials. Is it cheaper than buying pre-mixed? If so, you're in good shape!

 

[FRANKSTER]

Sounds reasonable to me. I just started DIY myself, but I probably spent about $100 on my start-up stuff.

Keep an eye out for good deals on the things you'll need to reorder or add. Amazon has some great prices on bottles and measuring devices. I got my gloves at walmart.

One way to look at it would be to figure out how much liquid you can create with that $100 worth of materials. Is it cheaper than buying pre-mixed? If so, you're in good shape!

Thanks for the info.

 

[Sedateme]

That's not too much at all. You won't see savings right away... it's the reduced cost over time that saves you money. Typically, the larger amounts you purchase, the cheaper they are per ml. But buying larger quantities is more expensive up front. Once you have a decent quantity of pg, vg, and nic on hand, you will find your biggest expense to be flavorings, and compared to premixed juice, they are quite cheap indeed.

 

[brokepainter]

I just did the same thing Frankster, well I spent more than that but I bought extra batteries and things.My goal is to have enough supplies to almost last me all next year.If I can do that then I will know I come out really good, because I have been vaping almost a month and I have already spent at least $ 60.00 trying to find the (perfect) juice. I just hope the recipes I have been writing down will be good enough to break away from ordering from the juice makers.

 

[panachronic]

I spent 100 dollars combined with rts and the diy shop.

Did I spend way too much money...I purchased 2 tobaccos and 5 flavors along with pg and vg. Also, I purchased 60 ml of 100mg/ml pg based nic. I have a tendency to always go overboard with money I do not have. Old habits die hard. I also purchased a ten pack of gloves and one pair of glasses and 4 bottles.

Jeepers, where did all the money go? 60ml of 100mg juice is only about $16 at RTS.

 

[FRANKSTER]

Jeepers, where did all the money go? 60ml of 100mg juice is only about $16 at RTS.

Hello there...I also purchased pg and vg, gloves..glasses...The total bill there was about 35 dollars, but they charged me 12 dollars for shipping...you are right about the cost of the nic, that is what I paid so it cost me about 50 dollars with them. Another 50 dollars with diy.

 

[offset]

As soon as you find the flavors you like you'll start saving a lot of money. Most of the time when you buy flavors in bulk the price per ml goes way down. Sometimes its a pain to find that perfect vape but once you do its well worth it. And don't forget that you can sell or trade the flavors that you dont care for.

 

[FRANKSTER]

As soon as you find the flavors you like you'll start saving a lot of money. Most of the time when you buy flavors in bulk the price per ml goes way down. Sometimes its a pain to find that perfect vape but once you do its well worth it. And don't forget that you can sell or trade the flavors that you dont care for.

Thanks for the info...I think my biggest problem are flavors that are highly concentrated. It seems the calculators do not take into account if the flavors are concentrated or not. I am not sure, but that is the way I am reading it.

 

[markfm]

The nic base is enough to make 10 ounces of 20 mg/ml, and I expect you have way more than enough flavorings to make 10 ounces, though some of them will likely be strike-outs that you'll put on the side (or check out PIF, there's a DIY PIF thread).

So, you've spent $100 to be able to make 10 ounces of eliquid, $10/ounce. Many commercial eliquids cost more.

As you dial-in what you like, you can expect to stock up on your preferred flavorings, catch nic on sale, etc., which will easily cut your recurring cost to < $4/30 ml, and you may go below $3/30 ml (particularly if you cut nic over time).

You've done well, pretty sure my initial buy was in the same ballpark. Some people can start at a lower price point, but that's if they already know precisely what they want to make (e.g., tried DIY from someone, then bought the same ingredients).

Whose flavorings are you using? FlavourArts is known to be highly concentrated, but Capellas, ThePerfumersApprentice, NaturesFlavors are less concentrated.

 

[Vapeterry]

FRANKSTER how exciting! i too bought from RTS my nic base, PG & VG during the holiday sale. I was very happy to purchase from an ECF DIY member about 65 bottles of varies flavorings for $65.00 off of the classy's so i am set with flavorings. I still need to buy amber glass bottles to transfer my flavorings & all that came in plastic. Today i have to run to the PO to pick up the nic base i bought from GP for $2.99 on sale. I need labels too. My gloves came from the $ Dollar Store. I bought measuring stuff from Wal-mart which i generally bocott i am ashamed on that one. I think it will be fun to DIY & Good Luck with your creations.

 

[sharpi]

My first DIY buy was about the same. Now, you will find the initial investment is the most costly. I have been DIYing for about 2 months and now the only thing that I buy is flavorings to try new juices. Of course, occasionally you will have to pick up more nic base, PG and VG...but hopefully not all at the same time. Flavorings are pretty inexpensive especially if you are trying them out and buying 4-8mL bottles. That way when you realize a particular flavor isn't for you, you don't feel the need to use it because you have so much left/money in it. PIF to another new DIYer is a great option. I am still discovering new flavors to find what I like the most...but as an example today I received 14 new flavors and spent $20. This is my second major flavor purchase and this time I had a better idea of things that I will enjoy more than the first time. From the 14 I got today, I can imagine sooo many combinations for great juices. Good luck with your creating!

 

[Vapeterry]

On another note tho, i too have seemed to over spend. The constant worrisome Legislation news here in USA & Global has given me enough concern to try to stock up to a degree. I think you started very reasonably, i spent 3x's that & hitting the sales i tended to take advantage of as well. Also i have been quick to sign petitions for our cause & i am considering what else i maybe able to do( besides stock up) to help our community. I am pleased that we have so much help on this forum, i used to dabble in herbal tinctures & concoctions. A walking contradiction of sorts with a cig. in one hand & organics & herbs in the other, Lol!!! In the early 90's i was an activist towards the freedom to be able to choose to use herbs, vits & alternative health care. Now that i am older i mistakenly thought i would get to set back on my laurels & rest, but as my sister pointed out to me " theres no rest for the wicked" LOL!!

 

[FRANKSTER]

On another note tho, i too have seemed to over spend. The constant worrisome Legislation news here in USA & Global has given me enough concern to try to stock up to a degree. I think you started very reasonably, i spent 3x's that & hitting the sales i tended to take advantage of as well. Also i have been quick to sign petitions for our cause & i am considering what else i maybe able to do( besides stock up) to help our community. I am pleased that we have so much help on this forum, i used to dabble in herbal tinctures & concoctions. A walking contradiction of sorts with a cig. in one hand & organics & herbs in the other, Lol!!! In the early 90's i was an activist towards the freedom to be able to choose to use herbs, vits & alternative health care. Now that i am older i mistakenly thought i would get to set back on my laurels & rest, but as my sister pointed out to me " theres no rest for the wicked" LOL!!

Thanks for the info...Now, I have to worry about the government to vape...soon they will be telling us what we can eat. These swindlers and shysters in Washington just continually trample on the US CONSTITUTION. I think it's time for a revolution. I am dead serious

 

[FRANKSTER]

The nic base is enough to make 10 ounces of 20 mg/ml, and I expect you have way more than enough flavorings to make 10 ounces, though some of them will likely be strike-outs that you'll put on the side (or check out PIF, there's a DIY PIF thread).

So, you've spent $100 to be able to make 10 ounces of eliquid, $10/ounce. Many commercial eliquids cost more.

As you dial-in what you like, you can expect to stock up on your preferred flavorings, catch nic on sale, etc., which will easily cut your recurring cost to < $4/30 ml, and you may go below $3/30 ml (particularly if you cut nic over time).

You've done well, pretty sure my initial buy was in the same ballpark. Some people can start at a lower price point, but that's if they already know precisely what they want to make (e.g., tried DIY from someone, then bought the same ingredients).

Whose flavorings are you using? FlavourArts is known to be highly concentrated, but Capellas, ThePerfumersApprentice, NaturesFlavors are less concentrated.

Hello there, I purchased everything from the diy shop...I bought some FA, TPA and one flavor from lorann

 

[markfm]

FA is, I've heard, pretty concentrated.

TPA flavorings, generally, are solid but not that concentrated (the exceptions are tobacco absolute and their menthol liquid concentrate, both quite strong). For mixes with TPA flavorings and Seedman Commercial concentrate, I'll end up with between 15 and 22% total flavoring, 15% being Seedman Commercial plus a few drops of tobacco absolute diluted, while 22% is a vanilla-banana-strawberry mix. I'll use TPA tobacco blend alc at 12%, then add another 8% of a vanilla or something else.

Lorann I've bought one or two, never got around to using.

 

[FRANKSTER]

FA is, I've heard, pretty concentrated.

TPA flavorings, generally, are solid but not that concentrated (the exceptions are tobacco absolute and their menthol liquid concentrate, both quite strong). For mixes with TPA flavorings and Seedman Commercial concentrate, I'll end up with between 15 and 22% total flavoring, 15% being Seedman Commercial plus a few drops of tobacco absolute diluted, while 22% is a vanilla-banana-strawberry mix. I'll use TPA tobacco blend alc at 12%, then add another 8% of a vanilla or something else.

Lorann I've bought one or two, never got around to using.

Thank you for the info. This is what I do not understand. I want to say make a 5ml batch at 20mg:
1 ml 100mg nic
3 ml of pg/vg mix
Now, here is my problem...you say you put about 15 and 20 percent flavoring...so if I did that, I would use a total of
1 ml flavoring or .5 tobacco + .5 other flavor

Then why on the websites, it states to put a few drops of the concentrated flavors...a few drops is not going to make up a ml. This is what I am confused about. If the flavor was not concentrated, I would just use a ml to make up the 20 percent.

Confused in New York

 

[Sedateme]

eJuice Me Up - e-Juice e-Liquid Recipe Calculator

That's a link to a good ejuice calculator... just type in the percentages of what you want, and it will give you exact ml measurements of the individual components... no messing around with drops, which is horribly inaccurate anyways.

 

[AzPlumber]

Frankster, no you didn't over do it but you don't strike me as someone that will be happy with just a few flavors (I've seen some of your posts). A few months ago I also started with a few flavors "to save money" and now I have about 80 different flavors. The idea of savings is long gone but i like the fact that i have complete control over my vaping experience. I don't have to wait 4 or 5 days to find out that 30ml bottle of "the best juice ever" really isn't all that. If I want to try something new, i just break out the stuff and mix it up. I control what it tastes like and exactly how much nic is in it.

I buy all my stuff from vendors on line with one exception, i buy my VG locally it's less expensive and i use high VG mixes. There is lots of great info here in the DIY section of ECF, everyone's tastes are differant so you will get conflicting info on how good or bad something is. FlavourArt is typically very concentrated, i have only used tobacco flavors and suggest you start at 1% to 2%. TPA is less concentrated and depending on flavor you can use these at 10% to 15% some might even be as much as 20%. Lorann has differant types of flavors, if using the super strong flavors start out around 5% and the natural flavors will be about 15% to 20%. Check the stickies up top for more info on Lorann, some flavors are not good to use in an e-liquid. The ejuice me up calculator is a great tool for mixing and storing recipes, there is also an phone app called ejuice that i use on occasion. Good luck and ask questions, lot of folks in here are very helpful.

 

[FRANKSTER]

Frankster, no you didn't over do it but you don't strike me as someone that will be happy with just a few flavors (I've seen some of your posts). A few months ago I also started with a few flavors "to save money" and now I have about 80 different flavors. The idea of savings is long gone but i like the fact that i have complete control over my vaping experience. I don't have to wait 4 or 5 days to find out that 30ml bottle of "the best juice ever" really isn't all that. If I want to try something new, i just break out the stuff and mix it up. I control what it tastes like and exactly how much nic is in it.

I buy all my stuff from vendors on line with one exception, i buy my VG locally it's less expensive and i use high VG mixes. There is lots of great info here in the DIY section of ECF, everyone's tastes are differant so you will get conflicting info on how good or bad something is. FlavourArt is typically very concentrated, i have only used tobacco flavors and suggest you start at 1% to 2%. TPA is less concentrated and depending on flavor you can use these at 10% to 15% some might even be as much as 20%. Lorann has differant types of flavors, if using the super strong flavors start out around 5% and the natural flavors will be about 15% to 20%. Check the stickies up top for more info on Lorann, some flavors are not good to use in an e-liquid. The ejuice me up calculator is a great tool for mixing and storing recipes, there is also an phone app called ejuice that i use on occasion. Good luck and ask questions, lot of folks in here are very helpful.

Thanks for the info...I already have that calculator...but now my question is with flavor art...You are saying only one or 2 percent for a 5ml batch. That comes to only about 10 to 20 percent of 1 ml if I am making a 5 ml batch. Do I have that correct...that would be just a few drops on the flavor art?

I know I might need more flavors...I am starting out with the flavors I think I might like. I am pretty sure it is going to be a tobacco plus something else. I hope I dont buy a 100 flavors, but knowing me...that is where I am going. At least you can buy 3 ml of flavor art for a 1.50 I think.

Thanks for the info.