Thinking of trying DIY

[oldlady]

In light of a possible ban, I have been trying to build a stock pile of pre-made e-liquids. This is proving to be expensive and stressful. First, I realize DIY is a much less expensive alternative. Second, it is stressful, because I have no idea what strength of nicotine I may want/need several months into the future.

I use a two-piece KR 808D-1. The DIY kits seem to include a lot of stuff I am not sure I will need to prepare liquid for refilling cartomizers.

I saw a video on DIY in which a lady used just a syringe and an empty bottle for this purpose. She used the syringe to extract and measure the nic liquid, PG/VG and flavorings from the manufacturers' bottles and place them in the empty bottle. Then, she shook the empty bottle and she was done. She used the syringe to refill her cartomizers.

Could someone verify whether this method works? Do I really need all those pipettes, funnels, fillers and whatnot?

As I am a coward, I am thinking of just ordering a few bottles of 24 mg non-flavored juice to have on hand. Since it seems unlikely the PG, flavors and empty cartomizers would be banned, I could make whatever strength I need as and when I need it, right?

 

[RenaissancePuffer]

I can't comment on the refilling of cartomizers, I have heard they are easily refilled, and you can even buy blanks to fill with your own liquid.

I would suggest against preflavoring your unflavored liquid in large quantities. Liquid's worst enemy is oxygen. You want to keep your unflavored liquid bottled up, unopened as long as possible. I suggest to start out mixing 3ml bottles to start, trying to build your recipes. Once you know the flavor that you like, and how much flavoring/PG/VG that you want in the liquid, you can move up to 10/15ml batches to use for the week. At the most, I would say mix up 30ml batches.

Pipettes are just a simple way to measure small amounts of liquid. I use them to transfer my flavoring from their respective bottles over to a measuring cup or bottle. A regular dropper would also work, as some people measure their liquid by counting the "drops" used from each of the components. I find this method rather slow, but it's a great way to create your recipe as you are working with smaller quantities. If your batch turns out not to your liking, it's not a big loss if you end up pouring it out.

So, for basic supplies, I would say at a minimum you would want at least 2-3 pipettes or droppers, to transfer your liquids without having to wash them or clean them between uses, a variety of dropper bottles, and a syringe with a needle to refill your cartomizers.

If you want to create a specific strength of nic liquid, you will want to use an e-juice calculator. Scubabatdan's is the best one out there. Click on his link in his signature on this thread to get the latest version -

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...e-calculator-added-quantity-calculations.html

 

[MaxUT]

Here's a simpler, web-based calculator that I like to use for simple recipes:

eJuice Recipe Calculator

Dan's calculator requires Microsoft Excel to run, which you may not have. It *is* an excellent mixing aid though, and among other functions it lets you calculate nic strength when mixing two different strengths of e-liquid.

 

[oldlady]

Thank you both so much! I will follow your advice.

Since I have a large supply of prepared liquid at this point, I will just order some bottles of unflavored 24 mg juice to have on hand should there be an actual ban. I will leave them unopened in a dark place just in case...

 

[the86d]

Get higher than you believe you will need. (My last was 75mg/ml, and I cut it to about 1-4mg/ml as a finished juice after mixing depending on my mood. This should last VERY LONG.)

You can always cut it (and this saves a bit too). If you go too low, you can't raise the nic level.

Each is a %age: 30/30/20/10/10 that's PG/VG/eLiquid/Flavor/DistilledWater my favorite mix!

I just do a dropper full for each 10%. A few droppers is very helpful. Small 3ml container with a corresponding droppers works very well for testing a mix before going ml droppers. Lorann droppers are so small you can get away with those, just buy a few. Or you will have to rinse between ingredients to avoid getting pg in your vg, or say English Toffee in your Distilled Water, which is a pain rinsing. (I use Lorann droppers that are made for the small dram size flavors, and they were like $0.75 to $1 each.

Just stay away from dark, and if you try menthol... make the mix, and DO NOT USE MORE THAN say 1 DROP PER ML OF THE FINAL MIX. You could kill an atty.... um so I've heard! hehehe OK I DID IT!

Have fun!

 

[MaxUT]

Something to consider when buying unflavored nicotine liquid: the higher concentrations have better resale value, in case you later decide to change to zero nicotine liquid or just quit altogether.

Be sure the strength is clearly marked on the bottles if you keep a variety of concentrations, to avoid mistakes in mixing (too weak or too strong).

 

[oldlady]

Thank you all so much. I really appreciate your help.

This probably sounds silly, but I have been feeling very anxious about the possibility of a ban. Your help has really helped me feel much calmer...