Well I'm diving into DIY!

[akuser47]

I'm nervous , but I'm tired of the worry of future availability of e-juice and vender prices. So I made my own kit on amazon even a battery powered frother, because I like high VG juice. I used ecigexpress for my nicotine bases got a 3mg nic. 50/50, and a 6mg nic. 70/30 mix plus 10 ml sucralose sweetener. I'm not sure I really need it but 2.49 just in case I want or need it.
loran flavors various fruits to start I'll add to this as I learn. Thanks for this section. I have a lot to learn. Now to start looking for some recipes I'm going to start with soon. I don't vapealot so I will only need to make 30ml a month maybe a bit more. I just want to be sure I have what I need. Also anyone have info on how nicotine base holds up do I need to refrigerate it?
Links to recipes most are here and step by step tips will be awesome. I can also google I know some will be better then others. Thanks again always loved this site.

 

[STRIFE 5454]

Haha I am diving in as well, got my Nic from nicvape, as I vape daily I got 100 mg/ml. They had a 25 percent off sale. I already got started with making my own flavoring naturally extracted tobacco plus bourbon, my VG +PG came before the Nic and flavorings so I found something to do with them haha. I will be following this closely because I also acknowledge that I have a lot to learn

What I do know :
Nicotine based is best stored in the fridge. From my days in biochemistry that is standard practice. I have heard of people purposely 'aging their Nicotine base by letting sit out for oxidation causing a yellowing effect to the base, essentially sacrificing some nic for an added flavor effect I have yet to experience so I don't know if it's worth it. I suggest both of us keep it pure as possible in the fridge before diving down that road.

If you would like me to get into why the fridge is best from a molecular perspective I can, but I don't know how in depth we are getting just yet. Essentially, keep it and the fridge and the Nicotine won't break down on us for the handful of months that we would store it. I saw someone post a table from a study on Nicotine degradation confirming that assumption.
If you don't have space in the fridge or don't want to fight the wife for it, a cool dry place should do

 

[f4milytime]

I'm nervous , but I'm tired of the worry of future availability of e-juice and vender prices. So I made my own kit on amazon even a battery powered frother, because I like high VG juice. I used ecigexpress for my nicotine bases got a 3mg nic. 50/50, and a 6mg nic. 70/30 mix plus 10 ml sucralose sweetener. I'm not sure I really need it but 2.49 just in case I want or need it.
loran flavors various fruits to start I'll add to this as I learn. Thanks for this section. I have a lot to learn. Now to start looking for some recipes I'm going to start with soon. I don't vapealot so I will only need to make 30ml a month maybe a bit more. I just want to be sure I have what I need. Also anyone have info on how nicotine base holds up do I need to refrigerate it?
Links to recipes most are here and step by step tips will be awesome. I can also google I know some will be better then others. Thanks again always loved this site.

Welcome to the wonderful world of diy. First just a suggestion, but don't buy flavorings from Amazon. Their just to darn expensive.

 

[akuser47]

I thought it wasn't best price on 12 ,1 dram fruit flavorings $15.84 free shipping, but also I was trying to consolidate with my syringes and pipettes and other startup gear.
I'm so new at this I'm an infant sibling and looking for the tit of knowledge to suckle on. lol
Also thanks for that info on the nicotine storage I figured it be best in the fridge. I was good at chemistry in school but that was so long ago and not a current thing I deal with so I'm learning again but I build my own coils and vape I learned it the same as I will learn this thanks to a this great website.

 

[IDJoel]

The only caution I would offer is to know your LorAnn ingredients. LorAnn is one of the vendors from the early days of DIY and can be perfectly acceptable. However, they are first and foremost, a food and beverage focused manufacturer. Many of their concentrates are not the best choice for vaping as they contain known unwanted carriers like oils. If you are using LorAnn products I strongly encourage you to read the LorAnn thread that has been stickied to the top of the DIY E-liquid sub-forum or click here. There are color-coded tables that will help you determine which concentrates are safe and which ones you will probably want to avoid.

Have fun, be safe, and welcome to the wonderful world of DIY!

 

[akuser47]

The ones I got said oil free, but I'll check before I make myself sick thanks.

 

[IDJoel]

The ones I got said oil free, but I'll check before I make myself sick thanks.

No worries. If they said they were; I imagine they are. I am glad you are being safe!

 

[Frenchfry1942]

YouTube has a lot of DIY videos.

I use a 50ml glass cylinder for making base. Also, 1, 5, 10, and 20ml syringes. Since I rinse them out well, I just got 3-4 of each. Oh, and put clear tape over the measurement marks on the outside of the syringe. That writing seems to come off quickly.

Welcome to DIY!!

 

[akuser47]

Great info I'm learning already plus I'm a diabetic. So I know what u mean on needles I'll def. Tape them. As I don't use large ones like these I ordered in my diy gear lol. I enjoy vaper because I can over indulge in sweets flavors.I also have beakers n flasks coming 2 are 50 ml one is 100ml. So I have a nice way to make my juice I'm hoping the 20 dollar froth er will work for my high vg we shall see. Lol

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

YouTube has a lot of DIY videos.

I use a 50ml glass cylinder for making base. Also, 1, 5, 10, and 20ml syringes. Since I rinse them out well, I just got 3-4 of each. Oh, and put clear tape over the measurement marks on the outside of the syringe. That writing seems to come off quickly.

Welcome to DIY!!

Ya know, everyone keeps saying this, but I have never had a problem with the numbers coming off of anything I have bought for DIY. I don't order the syringes from the vaper vendors. Early on in my DIY mixing, I bought 100 medical syringes(1mm) in a box and have only used a handfull of them. I always rinse them immediately after use and the numbers never come off. I also have bought medical ones from Amazon, and no problem with those either. I don't know if that is what the difference is, but i have no problems with them.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Great info I'm learning already plus I'm a diabetic. So I know what u mean on needles I'll def. Tape them. As I don't use large ones like these I ordered in my diy gear lol. I enjoy vaper because I can over indulge in sweets flavors.I also have beakers n flasks coming 2 are 50 ml one is 100ml. So I have a nice way to make my juice I'm hoping the 20 dollar froth er will work for my high vg we shall see. Lol

If you are using something with a wide enough opening your frother should be fine. However, I wanted one that would fit into 30 ml bottles. Upon a suggestion from another member here, I followed their advice and ordered this. Works beautifully for me because I mix a lot of 30ml recipes.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BROV02/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[akuser47]

I was looking for a small head frother but I missed that one. No matter. The larger glass I ordered should work with it. I put that one in my list so if I need it in my future. Thanks

Sent from my SM-S975L using Tapatalk

 

[IDJoel]

I don't know if that is what the difference is, but i have no problems with them.

You're just not as messy as the rest of us Sugar!

I followed their advice and ordered this. Works beautifully for me because I mix a lot of 30ml recipes.

Yep; that's the one I use too. I liked it because the head was specifically designed for modeling paints (think the old square Testers bottles) that are pretty thick and you don't want to introduce a lot of air (bubbles make for bad paint finishes). It introduces very little air if I leave the head at the bottom of the bottle/beaker. Though I can still introduce a good froth, if I move the the head up and down, when I want to try to encourage alcohol evaporation.

I did find it a bit cheaper here for those who don't have Amazon Prime or free shipping. It was $9 + $2 shipping for me. Came in a factory box and does just fine for up to 60mL batches. I do need to "stir" it a little for larger batches.

 

[DaveP]

There's two methods for DIY. One is mixing with beakers and syringes and the other involves an inexpensive digital scale (under $30) and dropper bottles. Both methods are easy and effective in creating good juice. The hard part is figuring out the perfect recipe for a daily vape. That's also the fun part, when you experiment and begin to develop a feel for what works and what doesn't for your individual taste. I'm still working on that part.

This is the video that started me off with the mixing by weight method. I never really tried DIY with syringes, but I can see how some would rather mix by liquid volume instead of weight. It's personal choice for the most part.

 

[puffon]

If you are using something with a wide enough opening your frother should be fine. However, I wanted one that would fit into 30 ml bottles. Upon a suggestion from another member here, I followed their advice and ordered this. Works beautifully for me because I mix a lot of 30ml recipes.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BROV02/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Will that mixer fit into plastic bottles, like these ?:
$2.35 Empty Dropper Bottles for E-liquids (5-Pack / 30mL) 5-pack - long tip / PE at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping
Thanks!

 

[dannyv45]

I think the best way to get started it to do some research. Let me get you started.

My blogs will give insight into all aspects of DYI, from steeping to what supplies to have on hand to a basic walk through mixing your first E-juice.

E-Cigarette Forum - dannyv45 - Blogs

Then read hoosier's blogs. These blogs concentrate on fine tuning your mix and give insight on additives.

E-Cigarette Forum - Hoosier - Blogs

Then read Boletus's blog's. These blogs concentrate on formulation of nicotine bases regarding proper calculations methods for figuring Nicotine concentration as well as safety.

E-Cigarette Forum - Boletus - Blogs

Then read Ginger's book "E-Cigarettes 102: DIY E-Liquid". It is a book which I've contributed to that delivers an in depth easy to follow guide in the art of DYI.

E-Cigarettes 102: DIY E-Liquid

I recommend viewing VPLive Vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety and bookmark it for future reference. It explains safety in all aspects of DYI.

VPLive Vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety

then read the stickies at the top of the page.

this will explain a lot of the how's and why's.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Will that mixer fit into plastic bottles, like these ?:
$2.35 Empty Dropper Bottles for E-liquids (5-Pack / 30mL) 5-pack - long tip / PE at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping
Thanks!

No they don't. I just checked. The 30ml bottles I use are the boston rounds.


eta I use these

Boston Round Bottle with Luer Lock Cap

and I buy in bulk from here, comes with 18 gauge needles but I use the 14 gauge because vg flows easier with a wider needle.

JG1.0BC-18-0.5 1oz Boston Round Bottle W/ Luer Lock Cap, 18-0.5 Needle (10 per bag)

 

[puffon]

No they don't. I just checked. The 30ml bottles I use are the boston rounds.


eta I use these

Boston Round Bottle with Luer Lock Cap

and I buy in bulk from here, comes with 18 gauge needles but I use the 14 gauge because vg flows easier with a wider needle.

JG1.0BC-18-0.5 1oz Boston Round Bottle W/ Luer Lock Cap, 18-0.5 Needle (10 per bag)

Thanks for checking. I remember tracking down the dimension, and didn't think it would fit the plastic bottles.
I might be able to reshape it with a Dremel tho.
I've seen this one being used for DIY, it has a small attachment that would fit, but quality sounds questionable. :
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E39LY...TF8&colid=2UOLI9M0N4YWM&coliid=I1B5SFT02YEBDV
Might just find a piece of stainless rod, put a bend on the end and chuck it in the cordless drill.
Again thanks for checking....

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Thanks for checking. I remember tracking down the dimension, and didn't think it would fit the plastic bottles.
I might be able to reshape it with a Dremel tho.
I've seen this one being used for DIY, it has a small attachment that would fit, but quality sounds questionable. :
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000E39LY...TF8&colid=2UOLI9M0N4YWM&coliid=I1B5SFT02YEBDV
Might just find a piece of stainless rod, put a bend on the end and chuck it in the cordless drill.
Again thanks for checking....

The boston rounds I use are plastic. LDPE. My flavors are mostly in glass but I mix in and use these bottles for filling my tanks with. Just screw in the luer lock needle to the top of the cap and it is as easy as it can get to fill a tank. When not filling tanks there is a little luer stopper that is used so you aren't exposing your ejuice to the air and they do not leak. Been using this system since I started DIY in 2010. And just a reminder that the needles are not the sharp ones but the blunt ends.

I too looked at the frother you linked in your post. I believe it is too big to fit in the bottles I use. The mixer that IDjoel linked to is cheaper than the one I got at amazon. Its worth the price either way. IMO.

 

[akuser47]

Great info as always I'll be researching a lot more probably wont start a small test batch until I gain confidence from my research. Also from the help and suggestions so far on this thread and website. Also that's an idea a stainless steel wire chucked into an adjustable speed dremel with a chuck bit in it could do some mixing. So if I need to do smaller bottles I can billhilly something to work.