I'm going in

[clairea]

Mar 7, 2015 14:47:50 GMT Q said:

You dont want to use the 'drop' method.
How big is a drop? depends on the size of the hole in the nozzle and can vary FAR too much, grab yourself some syringes its much more accurate

I hadn't intended to I got them to tweak flavours rather to do the main work. 

[Pepperty]

One of the easiest ways of measuring I find is pull out plunger of syringe and hold upside down, placing finger over nossle, squeeze concentrate bottle - with its nib in place - the right amount of flavouring required (syringe measurements are designed to be correctly read upside down) then wiggle back on the plunger whilst upside down.

Remember to keep finger over nib and turn right way about, let air settle and remove finger and expel air by pushing plunger up -- that's the amount ready to add to your base and no worries about knocking over/spilling or incorrectly measuring

[clairea]

Just like drawing medicines really something I did everyday when I was nursing so that side of things comes easy to me plus working calculations out
It's mixing flavours and getting the ratios right which will give me the challenges,
Going to start with my first mix today but using one off flavours first until my other flavours arrive and I can mic going to try my pink spot ones out

[whiteshep]

Bit late to this but good luck on the mixing it's not that hard if I can do it and I tend to do it when my pain is bad I find mixing quite relaxing and having to concentrate on it takes my mind off the pain for a couple of hours haven't really got the "small batch at a time" thing worked out I tend to work in half litres . Hope your not in too much pain too often as i know how much it can drag you down sometimes so take your time and take care.

[Tom]

I'm a big fan of the measuring cylinder

I have 6 x 50ml cylinders for measuring out my ADVs.

I have 4 x 10ml cylinders for making test batches.

The only thing I use a syringe for is nic, the rest I do by eye on the tubes.

I tend to use the 'drop' method for tiny flavour samples dripped straight into a bottle.

Normally I'll have about 200ml of nic, vg&pg mixed ready to add to roughly 20% of flavour.

It means when I'm in the mood to make a few little testers it takes me just a few seconds and the testers are done with absolutely no use of any equipment.

I'm halfway between lazy and efficient

[clairea]

I am still playing with my first 250ml of nic I might make w base bottle of it up when I buy more next month.
My next step is to make a menthol base up, need to clear sinus out anyway. Used to love making menthol lip balms and
Deep heat balms, over a Bain Marie, perfect time to do it when you have a cold or stuffed nose. But I used to use the small crystal I bought some of the large crystals the other day so will see how they compare,

[Postmodern Smoking]

Mar 12, 2015 0:15:05 GMT clairea said:

I am still playing with my first 250ml of nic I might make w base bottle of it up when I buy more next month.
My next step is to make a menthol base up, need to clear sinus out anyway. Used to love making menthol lip balms and
Deep heat balms, over a Bain Marie, perfect time to do it when you have a cold or stuffed nose. But I used to use the small crystal I bought some of the large crystals the other day so will see how they compare,

Size of crystal shouldn't matter clairea, they'll both be (/should be) pure menthol; apart from smaller crystals will take up less space and will dissolve quicker... but weight for weight should be the same. 

Most people dissolve the menthol in PG (they don't readily dissolve in VG) to make up a concentrate that can then be used.

[clairea]

I was going to use pg having read up on it although I was unaware they don't dissolve in vg, surely over a gentle heat they would, I bet it's becaue most use a microwave to dissolve rather than in a bowl over a saucepan of hot water I might try with some old vg I have that is useless to use in e liquid as its 8 years old still looks ok though but can use it to experiment with,
I still use it for making models for cakes where they are not to be consumed.

[Perpetua]

Mar 12, 2015 2:46:31 GMT clairea said:

I was going to use pg having read up on it although I was unaware they don't dissolve in vg, surely over a gentle heat they would, I bet it's becaue most use a microwave to dissolve rather than in a bowl over a saucepan of hot water I might try with some old vg

They will dissolve in VG, whether you use the microwave or a saucepan clairea . . . but, they will then re-form when the liquid cools.

Menthol simply needs a decent PG ratio to stay as liquid.

[clairea]

How odd

[wooky]

For my last menthol mix, I put the menthl crystals thru a mortar and pestle so get rid off any big bits, half filled a 30ml bottle with crystals, topped it off with PG, gave it a shake, 10 seconds in the microwave and another shake and voila, done.

Made up a 10mg 50ml 50/50 mix the other night using 3ml of the menthol solution - it's not in your face and not a bad vape, clenses the palate nicely, 5ml of the solution which is what I used last time, I made up a mix, let's just say, that worked.... After using 5ml of it I chucked in 5ml of Spearmint concentrate to calm it a little....

[Perpetua]

Mar 12, 2015 9:12:53 GMT clairea said:

How odd

I'd imagine it's the molecular structure of the two that prevents them from blending permanently, although it will take a greater scientific brain than mine to either know or explain the why's & wherefore's.

I just know that's what happens, which is good enough for my non inquiring mind.

[clairea]

Apparently it's to do with saturation