Syringe life expectancy?

[Taledus]

I just placed an order with WizardLabs...ordered a few syringes but think I should have gotten more. We used to get these from the drug store for giving the kids medicine, but I remember that after a few uses the little rubber piece would start sticking to the sides.

How long do syringes usually last? When they start sticking is there anything that can be put on them to be able to reuse them several times?

 

[Gonzi]

You can lube up the rubber piece of the plunger with some VG. As far as how long youn can use them depends on what you're using them for. If you're using them for DIY, some concentrates are harsher on the rubber than others. I've had syringes last me for a few uses all the way up to a few months. I always soak them after use to get rid of linguering flavors, but sometimes there is no getting it out and is time to toss.

 

[Hoosier]

I've got well over a year out of 1ml syringes.

I use plenty of stuff that is hard on them.

I pop them apart right after I'm done with that flavoring and throw the parts in a glass of water. After I clean the parts and they are dry, I roll the rubber section in PG before assembly.

The syringes I use for things other than flavoring have lasted...what...4 years and are still going strong.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

I have two syringes, small and larger. I just expel as much as possible to get the remnants out. Then I suck up hot water a few times to do a good rinse.

 

[bacc.vap]

You could use pg or vg, but they could invite sticking if not used in a while, another option would be a food grade lubricant. Food Grade O Ring lubricant - Avid Vaper

 

[Dayglow]

Just clean thoroughly and dry them. I have had syringes for ages and the only part that I have ever had deteriorate is the needle. When that happens I just pop it off and replace.

 

[Renolizzie]

I have two syringes, small and larger. I just expel as much as possible to get the remnants out. Then I suck up hot water a few times to do a good rinse.

That's what I do.

 

[Taledus]

Thanks for the suggestions! Usually I rinse them out really well with hot water and let them dry, but eventually have to end up throwing them out cause of the sticking. Will try using pg on the new ones when I get them in.

 

[Dogeggs]

Stick a bit of clear plastic tape over the graduation marks or they tend to wear off pretty quick.

 

[Taledus]

Stick a bit of clear plastic tape over the graduation marks or they tend to wear off pretty quick.

Great tip! Because it is on the outside I am curious if some sort of clearcoat would help from them getting rubbed off? I know it is a lot of work for some cheap syringes, but it's not like I am mass producing for a consumer market...if I was I'd have 1 syringe per juice mix ingredient, but that isn't the case.

Edit to add - it would be great if there was a sticky at the top of this thread on material care for stuff like this...

 

[Dayglow]

Is it the plunger that is sticking or the tip? If you needle portion is smaller than 22g it would be hard to pull/push liquid through it anyway. I usually use 14-18g needles on 3mL and 5mL syringes. It makes it real easy to drain and fill tanks (especially the Kayfun).

 

[Taledus]

@ Dayglow

No, it's the plunger that is sticking to the sides. When you first get these things the plungers move fine, but from what I have noticed is that they tend to get stuck after several uses. I had even thought about Vaseline on the rubber part, but have no clue what that would do to the batch, or if it was even safe to use for lightly coating the rubber piece.

 

[Hoosier]

You don't want petroleum in your juice, even in jelly form. Don't use vaseline.

PG works fine unless you're mixing once every 5 months. If you're storing your mixing syringes that long, then a food grade lubricant is a good idea.

 

[cramptholomew]

All the measurements rub off on mine. >:-(

 

[Hoosier]

All the measurements rub off on mine. >:-(

That's the reason that I disassemble them so quickly and drop them in water. Really helped. Helped keep some of the flavorings that swell rubber from making my plungers sticky also, so I've stuck with it.

Non-flavoring syringes have a coating of my wife's best clear nail polish over the markings.

 

[Taledus]

That's the reason that I disassemble them so quickly and drop them in water. Really helped. Helped keep some of the flavorings that swell rubber from making my plungers sticky also, so I've stuck with it.

Non-flavoring syringes have a coating of my wife's best clear nail polish over the markings.

This is going to sound really stupid, but would you advise to have 1 syringe for pg, one for vg...pretty much 1 for each ingredient?

I ordered one each of 1,3,5,10,20 syringes, and one 14guage blunt tip needle...I did not know which size I would need. Would it be better to get more of the 1ml syringes, and other needle gauges?

 

[Dayglow]

I don't keep separate syringes for different purposes. I have enough that I could, but there is no point if you wash them well. I am not sure if everyone here is using medical grade sterile syringes or whatever their vape store sells, but I have had syringes last for years with regular use and no deterioration other than markings rubbing off. If the gradations wear off just remember the total volume of your syringes and you can eyeball it and be close.

 

[Taledus]

I don't keep separate syringes for different purposes. I have enough that I could, but there is no point if you wash them well. I am not sure if everyone here is using medical grade sterile syringes or whatever their vape store sells, but I have had syringes last for years with regular use and no deterioration other than markings rubbing off. If the gradations wear off just remember the total volume of your syringes and you can eyeball it and be close.

I am bout to up the order for syringes and get more 1ml. Can you recommend a good quantity to have around, and about what guage needles are used more often?

 

[ut1205]

Lorann Peppermint Oil will seize one on contact.

 

[Dayglow]

I am bout to up the order for syringes and get more 1ml. Can you recommend a good quantity to have around, and about what guage needles are used more often?

I would not get 1mL syringes as they typically do not have user replaceable needles and require a long barrel throw to pull out much liquid. I would suggest 5mL syringes with a 16g needle. If you keep maybe a dozen syringes with twice as many replacement needles you should be good for a good long while as long as you take care of them. If you are filling or drawing off anything with tight clearances the 16g needle might not fit so keep that in mind. I can get around the edge of my KFL and most clearo's using a 14g so you shouldn't have any issues.
I get mine from the hospital (where I work) for free or if I need one in a pinch you can ask nicely at a pharmacy and they will sell you one. They are more reluctant to sell 1mL units because they are the type often used to inject any number of drugs.

I have had a few boxes (10 per box) of various needle and syringe sizes and lengths and they've lasted me for years.