Starting off - What to get, What not to get, etc

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

So I've been doing some research & I recently received a sample of some nicotine from Nude nicotine

I have quite a few questions so I'll just list them off & if anyone can answer any of them or give me other idea's I'd greatly appreciate it. I'm a green horn & I want to do this right

Nude nicotine has 100mg nicotine in both PG & VG, is there any reason why I would want to buy PG nicotine versus the VG nicotine? They also sell blends of 70/30 etc, etc. I would think buying the most nicotine possible would mean that it would last longer because I don't have to use as much say if I were to buy the 50mg nicotine. If I'm wrong please let me know why, If one has a longer shelf life, or if one is prone to do something that I don't want it doing please let me know. I've only read a few peoples recipe's so that's the extent of my knowledge which is very little

2nd item,
I planned on making e-juice in 15ml glass bottles to start off before I start making large batches that taste horrible. Does anyone recommend I make 15ml is 30ml bottles?

3rd item
Nude nicotine has flavor's as well, I've heard flavor art mentioned a few times but the few times I've read about people using it they didn't speak highly of it. Is flavoring flavoring?
Also, I read of people using McCormicks flavoring like you would buy in the grocery store. Would these concentrates be safe to vape?

Last item
Liquid bard has a start up kit, does $60 dollars sound like a good deal for the following items?
Or am I better off buying these items individually.

DIY Starter Kit Contents:

-Intro to DIY Starter manual
-Liquid Barn DIY mixing mat
-Liquid Barn blank label sheet
Liquid Kit:
-Liquid Kit Manual
-2x 500ml bottles of eLiquid Base (PG and/or VG)
-2x Twist-Open caps
-optional 250ml bottle of 48mg Nicotine
Flavor Kit:
-Flavor Kit Manual
-10x Flavor Extracts (15ml each)
Labware Kit:
-Labware Kit Manual
-Safety Gloves (5 pairs)
-Graduated Cylinder (25ml)
-Graduated Cylinder (10ml)
-100ml Beaker (2x)
-10ml Luer-lock Syringe (2x)
-5ml Luer-lock Syringe (2x)
-1ml Luer-slip Syringe (10x)
-15ml LDPE eLiquid Bottle (10x)
-Electric eLiquid Mixer

if you've got this far I really really appreciate your assistance. Crook County has imposed a tax come january 1st that's going to make a 30 mil bottle 30 bucks. So I have until then to figure this shit out.

Thanks
Mike

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

I've also been playing around with Juicemeup to nic up my 3mg baby clouds to a 6nic. If there are other app's or programs that let me know how much flavoring to use I'd be open to anything.

Squonk · Nov 15, 2015

Save your money and get a scale. http://vapingunderground.com/threads/guide-to-mixing-by-weight.22891/ Use the money you save to buy 15mil glass bottles and 30ml plastic. You can buy Nic, PG, VG and all the flavors you need to get started with free shipping over $60. https://www.ecigexpress.com/

Save 10%

Valid on most items throughout the ecigexpress.com website. Order must be placed online to use this code. Code cannot be used via telephone order.

Offers excludes Capella, LorAnn, Wholesale, Bulk Buys and APV batteries.

Use code: DIYFLAVORMIXER

Expires: November 20th, 2015
EDIT: Ecigexpress also has good pricing on bottles.

AmandaD · Nov 15, 2015

To answer a few of your questions: I buy 100mg/ml in PG - it's easier to work with than a VG base.

McCormicks is not for vaping - buy flavors like Flavor Art, TFA, Capella or other flavors you see commonly used in recipes

I wouldn't waste your money on a starter kit. As Squonk said above, I spent $15 on a scale at Amazon.

Glass bottles are good. If you buy 30ml bottles you can put whatever you want in them up to 30ml, so it makes sense to get the bigger size.

Last piece of advice is to find some recipes here you'd like to try and buy flavors for those - you'll end up with a lot less waste that way.

Good luck - DIY is fun and addictive

Huckleberried · Nov 15, 2015

attackonthebass said:
is there any reason why I would want to buy PG nicotine versus the VG nicotine?

PG nic is MUCH easier to mix with. It is said that it also stores better. If you're getting a liter size, you'll want enough glass bottles to split it up and put it in the freezer for long term storage. ALWAYS shake your nic, prior to splitting and prior to mixing.

attackonthebass said:
2nd item,
I planned on making e-juice in 15ml glass bottles to start off before I start making large batches that taste horrible. Does anyone recommend I make 15ml is 30ml bottles?

Personal preference, I mix up 5ml samples, sometimes 3ml. Less waste if I don't care for it. I use plastic, glass is perfectly fine, some prefer glass.

attackonthebass said:
3rd item
Nude nicotine has flavor's as well, I've heard flavor art mentioned a few times but the few times I've read about people using it they didn't speak highly of it. Is flavoring flavoring?
Also, I read of people using McCormicks flavoring like you would buy in the grocery store. Would these concentrates be safe to vape?

I've never used NN's flavorings. I love FlavourArt. Love their stuff. I also use TFA, Inawera, Cappella's and Nature's Flavors. I also have a couple from Flavors Express. Each makes really great flavorings, I prefer certain ones from each brand. Depends on what type of profile and your preference for a brand, too.

4th item. I bought individual things when I started out, as opposed to a kit. Most kits contain things you will likely never use. If you're starting out mixing by weight, you'll need a scale, empty bottles, maybe a couple eye droppers or syringes, gloves for use when handling high strength nicotine. I've never needed flasks, cylinders, eyewear, mats or electronic mixers.

It's easy to get overwhelmed, so if you do, don't be afraid to ask questions. Everyone here loves to help.

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

I already have a scale, can you let me know which nic I should buy? I usually vape @ 6mg but I'm wondering if I should buy something a little higher since I'm going to be mixing flavors in so it won't necessaritlly be a 6mg ejuice. Or do you recommend buying a 6mg & a 100mg so if I don't like the throat hit I can add a little of the 100mg to make it to my liking?

Huckleberried · Nov 15, 2015

I buy 100mg nic. Way more economical. But buy what you're comfortable handling!

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

Does the scale need to be large? The scale I have is probably 3" in diameter

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

Huckleberried said:
I buy 100mg nic. Way more economical. But buy what you're comfortable handling!

That's what I'd like to do, but I would think maybe with starting off I should stick with buying a nicotine pre-mixed that's at my level.

AmandaD · Nov 15, 2015

attackonthebass said:
Does the scale need to be large? The scale I have is probably 3" in diameter

The size doesn't matter - you just have to be able to fit a bottle on it. But it does have to measure .01 grams!

Huckleberried · Nov 15, 2015

attackonthebass said:
That's what I'd like to do, but I would think maybe with starting off I should stick with buying a nicotine pre-mixed that's at my level.

The very first time I mixed, I had 48mg nic. I wanted to get used to the idea of what I was doing. I was totally freaked out, lol. Everything was totally fine, then after I made the first mix, I thought, "that's it?" So easy. Now, that mix tasted like death and was totally unvapeable, but I didn't give up! After I used up all that nic, I bought 100mg. I shook like a leaf when I mixed with that. Also though, "that's it?" I think I held my breath the whole time, lol. Seriously, buy what you're comfortable mixing with until you feel like you've got a grip on it. If you do decide to buy 100mg, you can always dilute it down when you get it with PG, VG or a combo of those.

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

I have a bunch of old bottles that I kept after I vaped them, so once I receive the nicotine I need to get it out of the plastic container & into glass bottles?

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

AmandaD said:
The size doesn't matter - you just have to be able to fit a bottle on it. But it does have to measure .01 grams!

yes it measures down to .001

Huckleberried · Nov 15, 2015

attackonthebass said:
I have a bunch of old bottles that I kept after I vaped them, so once I receive the nicotine I need to get it out of the plastic container & into glass bottles?

If you order a large quantity of nic, then yes, I'd split it up into glass bottles, and store them in the freezer, only leaving out what you'll use up in a month or two. If you get a 4 oz bottle or smaller, then you could store it in your fridge.

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

Huckleberried said:
The very first time I mixed, I had 48mg nic. I wanted to get used to the idea of what I was doing. I was totally freaked out, lol. Everything was totally fine, then after I made the first mix, I thought, "that's it?" So easy. Now, that mix tasted like death and was totally unvapeable, but I didn't give up! After I used up all that nic, I bought 100mg. I shook like a leaf when I mixed with that. Also though, "that's it?" I think I held my breath the whole time, lol. Seriously, buy what you're comfortable mixing with until you feel like you've got a grip on it. If you do decide to buy 100mg, you can always dilute it down when you get it with PG, VG or a combo of those.

I think I'm going to buy a large 6mg 70/30, & then a small 100mg or 50mg nic so I can top off my e juice if it's not to my liking. My question is the shelf life on nicotine? I don't want to buy all this nicotine & end up having it go bad on me.

I saw a few sites that sold nicotine that said "extended shelf life" Also, if I do find a blend that I like & I use up all of the nicotine does the ejuice have a shelf life as well? I keep all my juice in a dark place, but I've never actually seen or heard what the shelf life of ejuice is. I want to prepare for this Crook county tax, but I don't want to have 1000ml's of expired nicotine

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

ok so to make it simple I just need

nicotine unflavored
scale
flavors
gloves
zip ties for my sawzall to mix my juice

anything else?

AmandaD · Nov 15, 2015

Most of us store nicotine in the freezer in glass bottles for extended 'shelf' life. It will last for years properly stored - so far people have stored it for as much as 10 years (from another forum) with no degradation.

You're much better off to buy 100mg/ml and dilute it - but as Huck says, get what you're comfortable working with.

I never use anything to mix my juice - just give it a good shake in the bottle!

Budds · Nov 15, 2015

If it were me I would keep it simple and just buy One Nic option.
Keeps the math simple ! ( Get one of the many free eliquid calculators.)
How long it stores will depend on how its handled..... Not only by you, but from the vendor you bought from.
There are many threads on proper Nic storage, so I wont go there....
But most believe 2 years is not unreasonable.

Ready to Vape eLiquid, a recipe you love and have made a liter of......
Hard to say how it will age.
The nic should be fine if handled with care, ie dont leave it in the car in the summer heat, direct sunlight, un-necessary exposure to oxygen, ect.
But the Flavor profile could change dramatically over a 6 month steep and become something you dont care for...... or not.

Dive in....
You can do it !
Plenty of Help here.... ask questions when in doubt.
Have Fun ! Save Money !!

Huckleberried · Nov 15, 2015

attackonthebass said:
ok so to make it simple I just need

nicotine unflavored
scale
flavors
gloves
zip ties for my sawzall to mix my juice

anything else?

If any of the flavorings you order don't come in a dropper topped bottle, you'll need a dropper or syringe for those. Some people still prefer to mix their nic/pg/vg with syringes, but that's totally up to you.

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

Huckleberried said:
If any of the flavorings you order don't come in a dropper topped bottle, you'll need a dropper or syringe for those. Some people still prefer to mix their nic/pg/vg with syringes, but that's totally up to you.

I was going to buy some bottles for my nicotine for mixing & syringe's so I can get everything from ecigexpress

Huckleberried · Nov 15, 2015

attackonthebass said:
I was going to buy some bottles for my nicotine for mixing & syringe's so I can get everything from ecigexpress

OK. their flavorings do come in dropper tipped bottles, so that part is fine. They have a large selection of pretty much anything you need. I get my nic bottles from Packaging Options direct. I buy liters of nic at a time, so I buy a case of bottles when I need them.

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

the un nic'd 70/30 e juice is 14 bucks cheaper than the 6mg 70/30. Like you mentioned earlier, should I just buy the 100mg vg juice?

can I make my un nic'd ejuice all at once so I have a base, or do you not recommmend doing this? I'm just looking to save as much money as I can so I can buy more flavors

thanks everyone

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

Also, is it a bad idea buying my pg/vg already mixed with nic?

Will the shelf life be longer if I buy pg/vg without any nic & then buy my nic separate?

AmandaD · Nov 15, 2015

100mg will already be in either PG or VG depending on what you buy. You'll also need to buy pg and vg to dilute the mix down to your vaping level.

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

AmandaD said:
100mg will already be in either PG or VG depending on what you buy. You'll also need to buy pg and vg to dilute the mix down to your vaping level.

I understand that, my question was should I not buy the "pre-mixed" 6mg 70/30 ejuice?

I wanted to know if the shelf life would be any different if I bought my nic seperate from my pg/vg

Heabob · Nov 15, 2015

attackonthebass said:
I understand that, my question was should I not buy the "pre-mixed" 6mg 70/30 ejuice?

I wanted to know if the shelf life would be any different if I bought my nic seperate from my pg/vg

If you feel more comfortable mixing with that, it's fine.
When you add flavoring it will lower the nic value a little tho.
And it won't be 70/30 anymore.
100mg Nic in 60ml bottle can make 120ml of 50mg nic base, easier to use all PG or VG, whatever your preferred mixes are.
Put a 60ml and a 30ml in the freezer and use the other 30ml for mixing.
Only because the 100mg is a better deal economically.
Use a juice calculator to figure out the math.

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

is Capella Flavor Drops the cat's ass when it comes to flavor's? I went through all of the DIY receipe's that I would like to start out with & went to ecig express & every flavor that I need is sold out.

I

Heabob · Nov 15, 2015

attackonthebass said:
is Capella Flavor Drops the cat's ass when it comes to flavor's? I went through all of the DIY receipe's that I would like to start out with & went to ecig express & every flavor that I need is sold out.

I

I like CAP, but I also like some TFA, FA, INW, & FE.
So, no, CAP isn't the "end all be all" of flavorings.
They do have some pretty awesome flavors tho.
Try Eliquidmart or Bullcityvapes.

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

I found it on other site's, I was just trying to consolidate one order through ecigexpress.

I imagine since ecig is selling Cap @ 1/2 the price bullcity is, it's flying off the shelves

my bad, bullcity is selling it for the same price

martinelias · Nov 15, 2015

How do you use a scale to mix? I've been freaking drop counting. I know it's not precise but I've made some good shit thus far, would like to be precise though. I have a scale, what measures does it need and how to apply?

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

martinelias said:
How do you use a scale to mix? I've been freaking drop counting. I know it's not precise but I've made some good shit thus far, would like to be precise though. I have a scale, what measures does it need and how to apply?

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

I was going to ask this as well, but seeing as I don't have anything yet I'm already overwhelmed with all the shit I need to buy

Huckleberried · Nov 15, 2015

We have a thread here, I'll go find it. Basically, it's done with drops, LOL, your online or downloaded calculator will fill in the grams for you. Personally, I'm more about consistency, which I get with mixing by weight. Accuracy, no worries, but I just want my vapes to taste the same from mix to mix, and they do.

BRB

Huckleberried · Nov 15, 2015

Ta da!

http://vapingunderground.com/threads/guide-to-mixing-by-weight.22891/

AmandaD · Nov 15, 2015

martinelias said:
How do you use a scale to mix? I've been freaking drop counting. I know it's not precise but I've made some good shit thus far, would like to be precise though. I have a scale, what measures does it need and how to apply?

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

Basically, 1ml=1gram of flavoring, so it's much simpler to way, say, 0.06 than to measure that with a syringe!

martinelias · Nov 15, 2015

Yeah sounds easier to me

Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk

marksfish59 · Nov 15, 2015

as a noob to diy I found mixing by weight so much easier than using syringes. and as suggested by others in this thread find a recipe/s that looks good mix to the lowest percentage of flavorings because as with salt in cooking you can always add a touch more but once it's in you cannot take it out.

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

I LOVE how ecig let's you know if there are Diacetyl and/or related diketones in the extract's/

I went to bull city vapor's because there was an extract I MUST try & I noticed that some of the flavors have caution above them, does anyone know what exactly I'm to be cautioned about?

Also, on LA's extract's what are DRAM's? I've spent pretty much all day looking for 2 or 3 things that I want to make & I'm close to around 150 bucks in items being purchased. I went over board on a few items, but I want to buy all of this stuff so I don't give up & make a juice that I will like. I don't want to 1/2 ass it & end up just saying F it & going back to paying 22 bucks a bottle. Im determined & I really really want to make my own juice. Even early on there were juices that I liked where I was like, this stuff is good but if it had some coconut or almond's with it, it would be the best juice ever. So I really want to thank everyone here for their support because I'm going to need more of it

attackonthebass · Nov 15, 2015

I hope this works out better than that jelly of the month club, I guess 200 bucks isn't bad for what will potentially be 2,500ML of juice.

Huckleberried · Nov 16, 2015

A dram is a unit of measure. Those are tiny bottles. There are better flavorings out there than Lorann for DIY. If you want a good Almond flavor, FA makes a really good one. Capella's and TFA (Signature) also make almond.

SailCat · Nov 16, 2015

AmandaD said:
The size doesn't matter

I can't hear this too often. Actually I have heard this too often.

attackonthebass said:
I planned on making e-juice in 15ml glass bottles to start off before I start making large batches that taste horrible.

Rule 17. - Never assume you'll make bad juice.

One way to get started ('Worked for me) is to pick a recipe or two with flavors you like and start with just those flavorings. It'll still get out of hand before you know it but this method will soften the blow.

Have fun with it & look at all the help that's here for you!

Donovan (ECX Flavor Lab) · Nov 16, 2015

attackonthebass said:
I LOVE how ecig let's you know if there are Diacetyl and/or related diketones in the extract's/

Also, on LA's extract's what are DRAM's?

1 dram = 3.7ml

attackonthebass · Nov 16, 2015

I took advice from one of the comments up top & found a recipe I thought I would like, then I went & bought a bunch of different flavor's that I thought I would like, then I bought some flavor's to add to some of my premium juices that I always really liked but I thought they would be great with an added almond or coconut.

I spent a good buck yesterday, but I wanted a good base to start off experimenting with. I wanted to go big, & make sure i had all of the items that I thought I would need to mess around & figure out what's going to work for me.

I'm sure I'm going to have to buy additional items in time, but I bought flavoring's where I thought I could just mix the flavorings & my 70/30 blend & just vape from there & add additional flavorings as I go.

I found a video about a guy with his suggestions with using everynote & I'm just going to try my best to make what I like. Once I get into something I figure it out, I need a new constructive hobby & 2 - 3 dollar bottles of ejuice sounds like a good one to start off with. I know I'm not be making top notch juice right from the start, but ever since I started vaping i've always wanted to know WTF was in my juice so what better way to know what's in my juices.

Thanks again to all that helped me out, I'm sure I'm going to have a ton of questions once all my gear get's here but it will be worth it in the long run.

attackonthebass · Nov 16, 2015

SailCat said:
I can't hear this too often. Actually I have heard this too often.

Rule 17. - Never assume you'll make bad juice.

One way to get started ('Worked for me) is to pick a recipe or two with flavors you like and start with just those flavorings. It'll still get out of hand before you know it but this method will soften the blow.

Have fun with it & look at all the help that's here for you!

bad choice of words, I picked flavor's where I plan on just adding that one flavor & after I get tired of that I'll work my way up to something more complex.

attackonthebass · Nov 16, 2015

Here's the list, I have a ton of empty bottles glass bottles in various sizes that I never threw away, but here's my list. I know, I know, I bought a ton of the same items.

American Weigh Scales LB-501 Digital Kitchen Scale
Plastic Transfer Pipettes 3ml, Gradulated, Pack of 100
3 Piece Set - Plastic Graduated Cylinders, 10, 50 & 100ml - PP Material Karter Scientific 219H2
5 Pack - 10ml Sterile Syringe with Needle Blunt Tip and Storage Cap for Refilling Cartridges, E-Liquids, E-cigs, E-juice

Blueberry Jam-Cap
(Size: 13ml Original Packaging)
O1130 1 $2.50 USD $2.50 USD
Horchata-Cap
(Size: 13ml Original Packaging)
O1043 1 $2.50 USD $2.50 USD
Sweet Cream-Cap
(Size: 13ml Original Packaging)
O1098 1 $2.50 USD $2.50 USD
Sweet Strawberry-Cap
(Size: 13ml Original Packaging)
O1073 1 $2.50 USD $2.50 USD
Vanilla Custard V2-Cap
(Size: 13ml Original Packaging)
O1083 1 $2.50 USD $2.50 USD
Vanilla Custard-Cap
(Size: 13ml Original Packaging)
O1079 1 $2.50 USD $2.50 USD
5ml Childproof Dropper Bottle LDPE 1 4-99-0101-01-05-00 10 $3.80
Cinnamon Ceylon by FlavourArt
Size
10ml
7-12-0136-00-08-99 1 $2.93
Bavarian Cream Flavor By Signature (TFA)
Size
10ml
7-34-0034-00-08-99 1 $1.49
Cheesecake Graham Crust by Signature (TFA)
Size
10ml
7-34-0109-00-08-99 1 $1.49
French Vanilla Creme by Signature (TFA)
Size
10ml
7-34-0602-00-08-99 1 $1.49
PG VG 30/70 Mix USP
Size
1 Liter
6-46-0065-00-20-00 1 $15.99
Propylene Glycol USP
Size
250ml
6-46-0001-00-18-00 1 $5.29
Vegetable Glycerin USP
Size
250ml
6-46-0002-00-18-00 1 $5.29
100mg Unflavored Nicotine Base
Size
120ml
Base
VG
6-01-0002-00-17-20 1 $14.99
Fresh Cream by FlavourArt
Size
10ml
7-12-0206-00-08-99 1 $2.93
Bilberry by FlavourArt
Size
10ml
7-12-0040-00-08-99 1 $2.93
Red Touch (Strawberry) by FlavourArt
Size
10ml
7-12-0444-00-08-99 2 $5.86
Vanilla Swirl Flavor By Signature (TFA)
Size
10ml
7-34-0493-00-08-99 1 $1.49
Strawberries and Cream Flavor By Signature (TFA)
Size
10ml
7-34-0443-00-08-99 1 $1.49
Ripe Strawberry by Signature (TFA)
Size
10ml
7-34-0538-00-08-99 1 $1.49
MTS Vape Wizard by FlavourArt
Size
10ml
7-12-0341-00-08-99 1 $3.67
Cookie by FlavourArt
Size
10ml
7-12-0158-00-08-99 1 $2.93
Madagascar (Vanilla Classic) by FlavourArt
Size
10ml
7-12-0488-00-08-99 1 $2.93
3ml Syringe with 18 gauge needle 6-29-0053-00-03-21 1 $1.39

attackonthebass · Nov 16, 2015

I F'd up & bought my nic in a VG base, I kept saying to myself,"make sure to get it in a PG base" & low & behold I F'd up
I tried messaging the store but they said changes cannot be made once the order has been placed so I'll just have to make it work

SailCat · Nov 16, 2015

attackonthebass said:
I F'd up & bought my nic in a VG base, I kept saying to myself,"make sure to get it in a PG base" & low & behold I F'd up
I tried messaging the store but they said changes cannot be made once the order has been placed so I'll just have to make it work

You're doing fine. Relax, enjoy and surprise yourself with how great an e-liquid you can craft with your own hands.

MTLian · Nov 17, 2015

Hopefully I can butt in and ask for some suggestions myself! I've been thinking about it and I too would lie, to take the plunge and go DIY. Mainly because I'm getting more and more into vaping and I'm getting sick of vaping the same flavors all day. I want variety and in Montreal, ejuice costs around 20-30$ a bottle (for 30ml). Also because I don't trust most local mixers. Quebec isn't big on regulating anything!

I've decided to try and keep the budget around 150$ and I've decided to go by weight so I'm trying to limit myself to about 10 flavours of FA (for a total of about 60$). Advice as to which are more versatile/useful is appreciated. Also, I would like to make a tobacco flavor also because I don't like only vaping sweet flavors exclusively. I haven't heard good things about FA tobacco flavour was considering maybe iwanera?

must haves:
Which between Vienna Cream / Catalan cream?
If I purchase one of the above, can I forego fresh cream?
Strawberry
Mandarin
Torrone
Coconut
Some tobacco flavor?
Pear

On the fence:
Mango
TFA green tea or FA black tea
Cola
Black cherry

What about honey? Is it a must have?

I know flavors are subjective but I would like simply to know what are some good basic flavors to get started with. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Huckleberried · Nov 17, 2015

MTLian said:
must haves:
Which between Vienna Cream / Catalan cream?
If I purchase one of the above, can I forego fresh cream?

Matter of personal taste, but my taste buds go with Vienna between these two And Fresh Cream gets a LOT of use in my stash. Matter of fact, I just got a new bottle of it.

Chaotic_Vapes · Nov 17, 2015

So I'm not experienced or anything at all really. I'm a nobody on this forum but let me give you some advice on my experience.

I got a starter kit similar to yours from DIY flavor shack and it came with flavors which are theirs so, uh, no recipes I could follow really. So from that I learned try to go for more common flavor companies.

Now nic. Mine came with 60mg nic and I got an option for what it's base would be. They don't suggest noobies to work with 100mg nic but hell, I trust you aren't stupid enough to work without gloves ect.
I got it in vg, not because it's better but because of what I would use it for. I'm a fan of max vg juice so having my nic in vg means the only pg in any of my mixes is my flavoring. (Side note) I vaped 100% vg just to see how it is and it's not half bad, I might get some vg flavorings and give it a shot for cloud chasing only though.

So bottles. My test batches are in 10 ml (since it starts to get hard to measure with syringes below that).

If you want to mix by weight (supposed to be more precise which imo is only needed if you make complicated recipes or intend to market juice) then you really do just need a scale and some research. I personally haven't looked into it but might in the future.

Looking at the kit you posted makes mine a total rip off, oh well right? However I've seen some people take a paper clip in a drill to make a ejuice mixer haha.

Also never use McCormick... I mean if you see the ingredients and they are vape friendly then go for it but they are not as concentrated as what we use so you better prepare to pour a load in.

Sorry if some of these were already answered or decided on. Too much reading for me right now.

Sent from my dos terminal.

gopher_byrd · Nov 17, 2015

MTLian said:
Hopefully I can butt in and ask for some suggestions myself! I've been thinking about it and I too would lie, to take the plunge and go DIY. Mainly because I'm getting more and more into vaping and I'm getting sick of vaping the same flavors all day. I want variety and in Montreal, ejuice costs around 20-30$ a bottle (for 30ml). Also because I don't trust most local mixers. Quebec isn't big on regulating anything!

I've decided to try and keep the budget around 150$ and I've decided to go by weight so I'm trying to limit myself to about 10 flavours of FA (for a total of about 60$). Advice as to which are more versatile/useful is appreciated. Also, I would like to make a tobacco flavor also because I don't like only vaping sweet flavors exclusively. I haven't heard good things about FA tobacco flavour was considering maybe iwanera?

must haves:
Which between Vienna Cream / Catalan cream?
If I purchase one of the above, can I forego fresh cream?
Strawberry
Mandarin
Torrone
Coconut
Some tobacco flavor?
Pear

On the fence:
Mango
TFA green tea or FA black tea
Cola
Black cherry

What about honey? Is it a must have?

I know flavors are subjective but I would like simply to know what are some good basic flavors to get started with. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Help in your decision making: https://gumroad.com/l/GwMpo#
That is the link to HIC's notes on FA flavors. Don't start mixing FA without it. Best part is it is free! Many thanks to HeadInClouds for the excellent work!

Starting off - What to get, What not to get, etc

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Cranky Old Fart

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