Thinking about DIY a lot lately but never started

[colossalK]

I was looking for NIC and I think I found it at VZ with help from the other thread. I was planning to get it VG and dilute it but that is where the question came in. I did some math and was wondering what you guys diluted yours with mainly, I was thinking VG then I thought PG. With VG at my nic level would get me at about 36%VG and 64% PG/VG. IF i did PG I would end up with 18% PG 18%VG + 64% PG/VG depending on what I figured out that I liked, I personally love malty toffee and its 70/30 VG/PG So I was leaning towards VG dilution. BUT I'm not sure what my preferred % of each are, I do wish to share my juices with my friends. Which made me wonder about the % of PG/VG they mainly use cartos which have a problem wicking VG efficiently. Whereas I use a carto tank and have 0 issues. I was leaning towards PG just for flexibility in PG/VG ratio since effectively I would have a range of 18%-82% of PG/VG, vice versa.

I plan on placing an order for flavors and that is an area where I have some basic flavors in mind from several companies. I'm hoping its not like buying pre-made juices and takes time figuring out preference for flavors from various companies, or is it? I do like menthol fruit flavors, as mentioned before I love malty toffee. I've got some flavors in mind to order with STR8's snickerdoodle recipe in mind. I've strayed away from tobacco flavored juices within a month of vaping and I was a heavy Pack a day smoker for 11+years.

Any insight and advice would go a long way on flavoring companies, and just basic equipment ie: something to disolve EM crystals in as I do not wish to use sweetener if possible.

 

[JAY73]

try rtsvapes they have crazy low prices on all of their stuff plus flavorings (115ml pg+75ml vg+60ml 100mg/ml nic in pg base = 250ml @ 24ml/mg ejuice) for $20 or wizard vapes has premixed at your nic level for cheap hope this helps
love peace & chicken grease...

 

[AzPlumber]

You got a few questions I will try to help you out with. Yes, a flavor will vary from brand to brand, you might end up liking cherry from brand A & peach from brand B. That is the adventure of diy and keeps this forum in motion. If you plan on getting into diy, go ahead and get yourself VG & PG, you will find a use for both. Most can find a suitable VG locally and a few lucky ones can get their PG at a local source.

Just an fyi but I have heard a lot of vapers that avoid tobacco flavors for fear of returning but have never heard of a single one that went back to analogs because of a great tobacco vape.

 

[calsax]

I recently jumped into diy, and after a lot of research, bought 100 mg nic in PG, and lots of PG and VG. I immediately mixed the nic down to 50 mg 50 pg/50 vg in 30 ml bottles, to make mixing easier. I then use E Juice Me Up (calculator) to figure out what to put into my mixes. Makes it easy peasy. I would recommend downloading the calculator of your choice (I really like E Juice Me Up) and trying to acchieve your desired end product, using various mixes of pg/vg in your nic base. Then, make sure you get a nic base that will meet your needs.

IF YOU PLAN ON 100 MG NIC, READ ALL OF THE WARNINGS AND OBSERVE ALL PRECAUTIONS! 10% SOLUTION OF NICOTINE IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS!!!!!!!

 

[cherewine]

Below is a link to a place that *I* think (after reading on the forums) has the best bang for your buck on PG and VG. It might seem like alot of each, but it will last a long time AND you'll see yourself using it once you embark on your DIY journey! I made the mistake of buying the smaller bottles of each in the beginning (spending more for smaller quantities) and wish I would have had the foresight to go this route straight away! As far as flavorings go...I have found the easiest route for someone starting out would be to go with VZ, Capellas, and although I haven't yet tried them out...perhaps the newest line of super concentrates from ecigexpress (Tobacco Express brand). Good luck in your DIY journey and have fun with it

http://www.essentialdepot.com/servlet/the-218/1-Gallon-Veg-Glycerin/Detail

 

[markfm]

Goodprophets, $9 for 120ml of either VG or PG 36 mg/ml is a good price, I've been happy with the quality. Pick up some plain PG in the same area. They also carry multiple TPA Flavorings (perfumers apprentice), again good prices. They at least used to have graduated cylinders and pipettes, too, good to have (handful of pipettes, a couple 10 - 15 ml size graduated cylinders or beakers). For plain VG, use Glycerin USP skin protectant, clear, squat, 6 ounce bottle, in the bandaid area at CVS or Rite Aid -- the ingredients should only be Glycerin 99.5%. Ask at a pharmacy desk for a couple of small oral syringes, else pick them up in the baby medicine area.

 

[colossalK]

try rtsvapes they have crazy low prices on all of their stuff plus flavorings (115ml pg+75ml vg+60ml 100mg/ml nic in pg base = 250ml @ 24ml/mg ejuice) for $20 or wizard vapes has premixed at your nic level for cheap hope this helps
love peace & chicken grease...

What flavoring company are they selling?

You got a few questions I will try to help you out with. Yes, a flavor will vary from brand to brand, you might end up liking cherry from brand A & peach from brand B. That is the adventure of diy and keeps this forum in motion. If you plan on getting into diy, go ahead and get yourself VG & PG, you will find a use for both. Most can find a suitable VG locally and a few lucky ones can get their PG at a local source.

Just an fyi but I have heard a lot of vapers that avoid tobacco flavors for fear of returning but have never heard of a single one that went back to analogs because of a great tobacco vape.

I'm not avoiding tobacco vapes because I think it will lead me back to analogs, I actually tried an analog after only 2 days of vaping and I HATED the taste. I've just moved past tobacco flavors at this point, even after purchasing over 100mls of tobacco flavored juices that now just sit... I'm looking for flavors that taste mainly like the name or just deliciousness in a bottle, but I guess that is going to be more trial and error, fun but a bit costly most of the time. Only been vaping for 2months spent over 1k in random stuff

I recently jumped into diy, and after a lot of research, bought 100 mg nic in PG, and lots of PG and VG. I immediately mixed the nic down to 50 mg 50 pg/50 vg in 30 ml bottles, to make mixing easier. I then use E Juice Me Up (calculator) to figure out what to put into my mixes. Makes it easy peasy. I would recommend downloading the calculator of your choice (I really like E Juice Me Up) and trying to acchieve your desired end product, using various mixes of pg/vg in your nic base. Then, make sure you get a nic base that will meet your needs.

IF YOU PLAN ON 100 MG NIC, READ ALL OF THE WARNINGS AND OBSERVE ALL PRECAUTIONS! 10% SOLUTION OF NICOTINE IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS!!!!!!!

I actually have USP PG/VG that I bought when i started vaping about 2months ago, I bought it with the intention of using it to reduce viscosity of thick juices, but I never did. Just like everything I do, I read, read, read, read til my eyes bleed before really ordering anything, ie: 100mg nic, I've read plenty just on that alone and am completely aware of the precautions I should take as well as all of the dangers involved. It will not sit in my house without being diluted into 50mg first.

Below is a link to a place that *I* think (after reading on the forums) has the best bang for your buck on PG and VG. It might seem like alot of each, but it will last a long time AND you'll see yourself using it once you embark on your DIY journey! I made the mistake of buying the smaller bottles of each in the beginning (spending more for smaller quantities) and wish I would have had the foresight to go this route straight away! As far as flavorings go...I have found the easiest route for someone starting out would be to go with VZ, Capellas, and although I haven't yet tried them out...perhaps the newest line of super concentrates from ecigexpress (Tobacco Express brand). Good luck in your DIY journey and have fun with it

http://www.essentialdepot.com/servlet/the-218/1-Gallon-Veg-Glycerin/Detail

I will check them out thanks for the link, I concur with your Sig, Money save: ZERO

Goodprophets, $9 for 120ml of either VG or PG 36 mg/ml is a good price, I've been happy with the quality. Pick up some plain PG in the same area. They also carry multiple TPA Flavorings (perfumers apprentice), again good prices. They at least used to have graduated cylinders and pipettes, too, good to have (handful of pipettes, a couple 10 - 15 ml size graduated cylinders or beakers). For plain VG, use Glycerin USP skin protectant, clear, squat, 6 ounce bottle, in the bandaid area at CVS or Rite Aid -- the ingredients should only be Glycerin 99.5%. Ask at a pharmacy desk for a couple of small oral syringes, else pick them up in the baby medicine area.

Good to know about where I can look for VG thanks, I will probably order some from the site that I'm going to purchase NIC from. But emergency VG pick up info is always good to have

 

[markfm]

VG tends to be cheaper locally, at the drugstores, as long as it's Glycerin USP you're okay.

PG is also cheaper locally if you have access to a Tractor Supply Store that carries it. $20 for a full gallon, shelf life is 2 years if kept in a cool, dark, place.

 

[Hoosier]

..I plan on placing an order for flavors and that is an area where I have some basic flavors in mind from several companies. I'm hoping its not like buying pre-made juices and takes time figuring out preference for flavors from various companies, or is it? I do like menthol fruit flavors, as mentioned before I love malty toffee. I've got some flavors in mind to order with STR8's snickerdoodle recipe in mind. I've strayed away from tobacco flavored juices within a month of vaping and I was a heavy Pack a day smoker for 11+years....

It can actually be worse. With premade juice you can find that you don't like X from A-vendor, but love X from B-vendor. Now with flavoring you may be able to find that you like Y from C-vendor at Z%, but Y from D-vendor needs Q% and a dash of XY to make it any good. Added variables.

First, I usually recommend Capellas to those starting out. Their flavorings are the least likely to screw up making juice with. (They usually, not always, skip level 7 on my Flavoring Levels' chart. See blog for what the blazes 7 means.)

Second, quit sitting on your hands and do it. I'm not going to learn a darn thing from you if you keep sitting on your hands and that's the whole reason I'm here.

Third, have fun. Variables can be such wonderful fun!

 

[colossalK]

I made my order last night! excited to try my hand at DIY.

Wondering if anyone has a recommendation for glass ware such as mixing beakers, need it for my base.

 

[markfm]

A fairly low cost source is good prophets, a couple of their graduated 1 ounce measuring cups plus some pipettes and/or syringes.

 

[cricque]

It can actually be worse. With premade juice you can find that you don't like X from A-vendor, but love X from B-vendor. Now with flavoring you may be able to find that you like Y from C-vendor at Z%, but Y from D-vendor needs Q% and a dash of XY to make it any good. Added variables.

Third, have fun. Variables can be such wonderful fun!

So true, i started DIY now 2 months ago or so ... And it so true what you say, thats why i now make very small batches of about everything, and am very carefull with drops. But it can be easy as you learn along the way ... Like if I add 4 drops and I barely taste the flavor, i'll already add 4 drops. With tobacco I learned to be very carefull and 1 or 2 drops is most likely enough. The only problem I have is ... I can't wait to taste and steeping ... well that usually doesn't happen

 

[Lyndagayle]

Below is a link to a place that *I* think (after reading on the forums) has the best bang for your buck on PG and VG. It might seem like alot of each, but it will last a long time AND you'll see yourself using it once you embark on your DIY journey! I made the mistake of buying the smaller bottles of each in the beginning (spending more for smaller quantities) and wish I would have had the foresight to go this route straight away! As far as flavorings go...I have found the easiest route for someone starting out would be to go with VZ, Capellas, and although I haven't yet tried them out...perhaps the newest line of super concentrates from ecigexpress (Tobacco Express brand). Good luck in your DIY journey and have fun with it

http://www.essentialdepot.com/servlet/the-218/1-Gallon-Veg-Glycerin/Detail

I second this advice. I have a gallon of each and paid less than $50 for both shipped free! I've knocked a bigger dent in it than I would have imagined and I'm glad I have a nice supply to play around with. It's very high quality, USP, Kosher. Can't beat the price nor the quality IMO.

 

[Butters78]

Below is a link to a place that *I* think (after reading on the forums) has the best bang for your buck on PG and VG. It might seem like alot of each, but it will last a long time AND you'll see yourself using it once you embark on your DIY journey! I made the mistake of buying the smaller bottles of each in the beginning (spending more for smaller quantities) and wish I would have had the foresight to go this route straight away! As far as flavorings go...I have found the easiest route for someone starting out would be to go with VZ, Capellas, and although I haven't yet tried them out...perhaps the newest line of super concentrates from ecigexpress (Tobacco Express brand). Good luck in your DIY journey and have fun with it

http://www.essentialdepot.com/servlet/the-218/1-Gallon-Veg-Glycerin/Detail

wow that price is great! I'm going to bookmark that for my next order.