Getting started

[Deleted]

Ok guys my mixing kit (including mixing kit for newbie mixers)

I make usually about a 30ml plastic medicine bottle (well it's a 35ml bottle but anyhow) to store my mix in

* Medicine cups/Plastic shot glasses (for decanting nic base/PG/VG before adding to mix)
*20ml syringe (for measuring. Usually I need about 15ml VG and about 12.04ml PG - this will vary between people but you get my drift)
* 1ml oral syringe (blue ones seem not to have markings that rub off - chemist - I have one - I need a spare )

PG - 1 litre - classikool
VG - cheapo stuff from boots - saver range - near kiddies cough medicine or you can order it in this is the one you need
Nic Base
Flavour concentrates (i keep mine in chinese take away box with the top off )

I'm a 2% flavour girl so most of my flavours are going to be 0.6ml on a 30ml mix .....Hence the need for the 1ml syringe

Nic Base I generally need about 2 (just over) ml so I use the 1ml syringe for that

I was concerned about spillage of nic base when I started mixing so I got one of these and plastic gloves

That phase didn't last long

If worst comes to worse baby wipes are thy friend and nic's half life is 2 hours - if it's going to kill you it'll do it in 4

Simples

[Q]

I would also suggest that you make your mix 7.2mg nic, its a lovely calculation from 72mg base

[chykensa]

If you are mixing 10ml samples, the difference in points of a ml is going to be of such small consequence to the final mix as to not worry about. Syringes are so convenient, and with a range of difference sizes, you will always have the right size to hand.
I started off paranoid about nic base, and wore gloves, the whole malarkey. Now I'm not advocating treating nicotine with gay abandon, but over the years of mixing, I now treat it with respect, working slowly in an atmosphere where I will not be disturbed, but with no protection on my hands.

I have just mixed up 3 x 60ml batches of new T-Juice concentrates, and the whole business from getting out my mixing box to washing my hands for the umpteenth time at the end of it was about 30 minutes; that included writing labels, and topping off my small 100ml bottles of PG, VG and Nic Base from larger 1 litre ones kept well away from prying whatevers in the bottom back of my wardrobe!

That gives me 180ml of juice, some of which will be ready in a couple of days, and for the grand total of about £16, roughly calculated on the back of an envelope. Makes perfect sense to me

EDIT: I should have added that measurements like 8.77ml of nic base were rounded up to 9, and 14.9 concentrate up to 15ml. A bit more nic, or a bit less PG over 60ml of juice will have no tangible difference whatsoever.

[Q]

I think a lot of people read far too much into the accuracy side of mixing and the worry puts them off, I use syringes, I round up or down, and my blends are always the same.

Just do it, enjoy it and then start experimenting with your own recipes, it isn't rocket science, says it quietly "its easy" get out there and have fun

[Deleted]

Feb 19, 2015 18:52:31 GMT doveman said:

Feb 19, 2015 18:23:00 GMT lairey said:

Have you seen the kits on UK Flavours doveman?  Sarah did link to them earlier in the thread but think it may have got lost with all of the other replies...  Postage is free 

Yeah I looked at them thanks but they charge £26.99 for a kit of only 100ml Nic base and 250ml each of PG and VG, whereas the everything liquid bundle for £32 inc P&P has 250ml Nic base and 500ml each of PG and VG. The UK Flavours kit does have a few more syringes, measuring cups and flavours than the everything liquid one but the base ingredients are the most expensive components, so I don't feel that these extra bits and pieces make up for the fact that it has less than half the volume of the base ingredients.

I reckon the the uk flavours larger kit is better value. You will get get everything you need, and 12 concentrates. UK flavours don't charge postage.

Concentrates are the most expensive part of mixing. Cappella at £2.77 for 10 mil = 27p per mil. Nic base £19.99  for 250ml is 8p per mil.  UKF own brand 30ml bottles are really good value

I started mixing just before Christmas, and neither Everything Eliquid nor UKF did mixing kits so I had to get bits and bobs from a couple of vendors. I spend ages working out all the costs and deliberating. My advice is to stop doing the maths and buy one or the other. They are both good value, and both will set you up. You could save a few quid here or there, but it won't be much. 

Enjoy your mixing

Nick

PS When you get your syringes cover the markings with clear nail varnish or sellotape or they will quickly disappear.

[sydsut]

Feb 19, 2015 20:50:44 GMT @kopiert said:

PS When you get your syringes cover the markings with clear nail varnish or sellotape or they will quickly disappear.

Are there differences in syringes as the ones I got from Ebay  syringes seem to keep the markings very well. Used them a lot recently and still as fresh and readable as new. Also does anyone know where I can get 14 gauge blunt needles. Seem to be plenty of 18 gauge on ebay but can't find 14 gauge

[Perpetua]

Feb 19, 2015 22:43:39 GMT sydsut said:

Are there differences in syringes as the ones I got from Ebay  syringes seem to keep the markings very well. Used them a lot recently and still as fresh and readable as new. Also does anyone know where I can get 14 gauge blunt needles. Seem to be plenty of 18 gauge on ebay but can't find 14 gauge

I just buy new syringes if and when the markings wear off sydsut, though like you I find mine seem to last for ages before that happens. LT have some glass syringes quite reasonably priced which also solve any problems:

www.ltecigs.larsentilbrook.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=63_73

Some 14 gauge needles here:

www.ltecigs.larsentilbrook.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&filter_name=14+gauge&product_id=854

www.amazon.co.uk/Luer-Syringe-Blunt-Needle-Mixing/dp/B00SFS3ZHO

Needles I've never used must admit, as I find it easier to use measuring cups for VG and draw up from them.

[doveman]

Feb 19, 2015 20:20:50 GMT chykensa said:

If you are mixing 10ml samples, the difference in points of a ml is going to be of such small consequence to the final mix as to not worry about. Syringes are so convenient, and with a range of difference sizes, you will always have the right size to hand.
I started off paranoid about nic base, and wore gloves, the whole malarkey. Now I'm not advocating treating nicotine with gay abandon, but over the years of mixing, I now treat it with respect, working slowly in an atmosphere where I will not be disturbed, but with no protection on my hands.

I have just mixed up 3 x 60ml batches of new T-Juice concentrates, and the whole business from getting out my mixing box to washing my hands for the umpteenth time at the end of it was about 30 minutes; that included writing labels, and topping off my small 100ml bottles of PG, VG and Nic Base from larger 1 litre ones kept well away from prying whatevers in the bottom back of my wardrobe!

That gives me 180ml of juice, some of which will be ready in a couple of days, and for the grand total of about £16, roughly calculated on the back of an envelope. Makes perfect sense to me

EDIT: I should have added that measurements like 8.77ml of nic base were rounded up to 9, and 14.9 concentrate up to 15ml. A bit more nic, or a bit less PG over 60ml of juice will have no tangible difference whatsoever.

OK cool, I'll stop worrying about having to be precise with my measurements then

[doveman]

Feb 19, 2015 20:50:44 GMT @kopiert said:

Feb 19, 2015 18:52:31 GMT doveman said:

Yeah I looked at them thanks but they charge £26.99 for a kit of only 100ml Nic base and 250ml each of PG and VG, whereas the everything liquid bundle for £32 inc P&P has 250ml Nic base and 500ml each of PG and VG. The UK Flavours kit does have a few more syringes, measuring cups and flavours than the everything liquid one but the base ingredients are the most expensive components, so I don't feel that these extra bits and pieces make up for the fact that it has less than half the volume of the base ingredients.

I reckon the the uk flavours larger kit is better value. You will get get everything you need, and 12 concentrates. UK flavours don't charge postage.

Concentrates are the most expensive part of mixing. Cappella at £2.77 for 10 mil = 27p per mil. Nic base £19.99  for 250ml is 8p per mil.  UKF own brand 30ml bottles are really good value

I started mixing just before Christmas, and neither Everything Eliquid nor UKF did mixing kits so I had to get bits and bobs from a couple of vendors. I spend ages working out all the costs and deliberating. My advice is to stop doing the maths and buy one or the other. They are both good value, and both will set you up. You could save a few quid here or there, but it won't be much. 

Enjoy your mixing

Nick

PS When you get your syringes cover the markings with clear nail varnish or sellotape or they will quickly disappear.

Yeah, the 12 flavours vs 3 might swing it for me. The percentage of the cost that comes from the flavouring obviously depends how many ml of flavour I need to use per 10ml e-liquid though, so for example if I need to use 1ml of a £2.30 10ml flavouring, that's 23p per bottle, whilst the Nic base, PG and VG comes to roughly 38p per bottle. I'm confusing myself now but I think that might mean that the cost of the base ingredients is more important than the flavourings. It doesn't say on either site what size the sample flavours are either, so does anyone know?

Anyway, whichever kit I go for I need to decide what flavours to get, as whether it's 3 or 12 if I get ones that I don't like it doesn't benefit me at all. That's why I originally thought I'd rather get the base ingredients first and worry about the flavourings afterwards but I guess it makes sense to order flavourings at the same time as the kit to save on postage. At the moment, I like Virtual Vapes Apple & Blackcurrant Strudel, Wild Berries, Banana (and Banana & Custard), and I quite like Vanilla and Cinnamon flavours. Strawberry's generally nice (I haven't tried it yet but I bought some Strawberry Ice which is meant to be quite a mild Menthol, other Menthols my friends have bought which I've tried have been a bit overpowering for my taste). I haven't tried any from Virtual Vapes but I haven't liked the citrusy liquids I've tried from elsewhere, like lemon & lime and fruit cocktail.

So maybe you guys and girls can recommend some good flavours for me to start with based on that?

I was speaking to my friend today who I was going to make some 100% VG liquids for but he's ahead of me and has already ordered the gear to start mixing his own. He was a bit disappointed that he paid so much more than he needed to though, so that'll teach him to rush into things and not ask me for advice first

[Perpetua]

Feb 22, 2015 3:27:48 GMT doveman said:

 It doesn't say on either site what size the sample flavours are either, so does anyone know?

Anyway, whichever kit I go for I need to decide what flavours to get, as whether it's 3 or 12 if I get ones that I don't like it doesn't benefit me at all. That's why I originally thought I'd rather get the base ingredients first and worry about the flavourings afterwards but I guess it makes sense to order flavourings at the same time as the kit to save on postage. At the moment, I like Virtual Vapes Apple & Blackcurrant Strudel, Wild Berries, Banana (and Banana & Custard), and I quite like Vanilla and Cinnamon flavours. Strawberry's generally nice (I haven't tried it yet but I bought some Strawberry Ice which is meant to be quite a mild Menthol, other Menthols my friends have bought which I've tried have been a bit overpowering for my taste). I haven't tried any from Virtual Vapes but I haven't liked the citrusy liquids I've tried from elsewhere, like lemon & lime and fruit cocktail.

So maybe you guys and girls can recommend some good flavours for me to start with based on that?

I was speaking to my friend today who I was going to make some 100% VG liquids for but he's ahead of me and has already ordered the gear to start mixing his own. He was a bit disappointed that he paid so much more than he needed to though, so that'll teach him to rush into things and not ask me for advice first

UK Flavours sample bottles are 5ml doveman, so they're a reasonable way of trying out a selection of flavours:

www.ukflavours.com/12-5ml-sample-flavours

Perhaps some Fruits/Custard . . . . and maybe some Menthol crystals ( so you can make your own concentrate ) from another source could be worth consideration.

I'd also suggest looking at Pink Spot & Tjuice:

www.chefsvapour.co.uk/32-pink-spot-concentrates

www.chefsvapour.co.uk/43-t-juice-concentrates

Their flavours are very much of the ' one shot ' variety, which when you're starting out can be immensely helpful cutting back on some of the ' faff ', whilst you get your mixing eye in and find out what suits your tastes.

I hope your friend realizes that many concentrates, the flavours are suspended in PG, so it's not always possible to actually achieve a 100% VG eliquid. Although JustVape have a selection of VG based concentrates if he hasn't discovered them already:

www.justvape247.com/vg-base-flavours-75-c.asp

[jevans]

Feb 19, 2015 22:43:39 GMT sydsut said:

Seem to be plenty of 18 gauge on ebay but can't find 14 gauge

If it's for VG, I use a short length of aquarium air line, fits very nicely on the syringe!

Jim

[Deleted]

Now where do you get that from LOL jevans

[babs]

For VG I just use syringe easier to use. In fact I use only the syringe for everything much easier than messing around with needles.

[jevans]

Feb 22, 2015 10:05:32 GMT @johanino said:

Now where do you get that from LOL jevans

My ever inventive, agile mind!

It's my moving parts that have seen better days.

Jim

[Deleted]

jevans I've found some but do you need 6mm or 5mm?

Can you get back to me and yes looks mega cheap