I have been DIYing since
well honestly since I started vaping. As I have just actually ordered quite a bit of supplies for my lab I think I'll add in my two cents and offer what I feel is a very comprehensive list for the conservative mad scientist that won't leave you going 'I have too many of this and too little of that!'
If youre not too worried about shipping costs I suggest ordering from 4 Vendors:
1. Syringes (from
Pet Supplies | Dog & Cat Supplies, Pet Meds | DrsFosterSmith.com Pet Products)
15x1cc
10x3cc
5x6cc
Total Cost (With Shipping): Approximately 12$
Why so many syringes? The markings can wear off, they can wear out, break, become lost and sometimes I'm just a little bit lazy.
2. Propylene Glycol/Vegetable Glycerine (from
http://www.essentialdepot.com/)
1xGallon of PG
1xGallon of VG
Total Cost (with shipping): 48.06
Finding this is simple at the top of their page is a link to PG or VG, either link will offer (after scrolling a bit) the 1 Gallon of each with free shipping.
3. Nicotine Extract and Lab Supplies (from
https://wizardlabs.us/)
125mL of 60mg is only 11.39 (and prices range up and down from here)
The quality of Nicotine is by review just the best (price is amazing too).
7x14ga Blunt Tip Needle (.65 cents per) I suggest this gauge for working with PG any combination of a few others wouldn't hurt.
Total: 4.55
When it comes to bottles, I suggest glass. I like how they can be cleaned out (just make sure to clean them properly and safely) and reused a lot more than plastic. Basically I'm just going to suggest glass and you can just pretty much halve the cost if you choose plastic.
5x60mL Amber Glass Bottle (1.19 per) (Storing base you decide to make once you've cut your Nic)
5x30mL Cobalt Blue Glass Bottle w/ Glass Dropper Top (If they are out of stock, go for the Amber and don't be afraid to use a 1cc Syringe to dip into it.) (.99 for Blue, .89 for Amber)
Total: 10.90
Another note on bottles, when I first started I ordered a lot of 3mL bottles, only a few 5mL and almost no 30-60mL bottles (boy did I regret it). You know just because you have a 30mL bottle, nothing is stopping you from mixing 3, 5, 6, 24mL in it.
Total (with Approximated Shipping): 34.84
4. Flavour Art Flavoring (
http://www.ecigexpress.com/)
I am, always have been and probably always will be one who drinks from the fountain of awesome that is Flavour Art. Their true to life flavors are absolutely amazing, how little you have to use is also amazing. I say this every time with FA remember Apple is Apple, a real Apple not the Runts Candy Artificial Flavoring Apple . So far this has held true for all the flavors I have tried from them. Also I use a maximum of 2.5% flavoring in any recipe I mix at 50% PG/50% VG, 9-12mg Strength without sweeteners (theyre sweet enough on their own). I usually use a glass bottle and give it a boiling water bath to speed up steeping process. (I include all this bonus information so you have the highest chance of replicating what I experience instead of just saying, I use 2.5%).
I suggest to pick at least 5 flavors you think/know you will like and purchase them. Almost all (if not all) non-tobacco flavors cost 3.99 for a 10mL bottle. I at first felt like this was a huge risk considering other vendors sell their flavorings in much lower quantities for slightly less price meaning with my budget I had to carefully pick flavors my first time. I have yet to be dissatisfied with any FA flavoring. It is worth noting some of the flavors sold here do contain Diacetyl which is harmful and should be avoided (its noted even in the brief description however so they are easy to spot/avoid).
Total cost (of 5 flavors with Approximated shipping): 23.94
This brings you to a total cost of:
$118.84
Feels a bit steep and the biggest cost being the PG/VG (though honestly it will be more than likely over a years supply and you also have the option of simply ordering your PG/VG through Wizard Labs at lower quantity and thus lower cost).
This is actually the set up I wish I had purchased from the get-go. If you have any questions or such feel free to contact me. A few things I may have left out such as safety equipment (gloves and such) can easily be purchased at just about any store locally or any vendor listed here.
