Taking the plunge - advice please :-)

[Lee]

Cheapest premix base I found, was blue star
Plus I found a working discount code, that worked on the premix base
bluestar-eliquid.com/unflavoured-base-e-liquid/

7% off code blue72014

Postage was only 1 pound as well

[Postmodern Smoking]

Aug 1, 2016 22:21:08 GMT arieskaz said:

You're a diamond Perpetua ! I have just had a quick look at some of the kits but I'm still confused about pg & vg I'm assuming I need to get some of each. It sure is daunting Tom still not convinced I have confidence

Of liquids, you'll need nicotine base (the stronger the less you'll use, i.e. 72mg/ml goes further), VG and PG dilutents and flavour concentrates.
Having both VG & PG diluents will enable you to play with PG/VG ratio's in your mixes to suit.

Don't get overly daunted!! .... it's like making a glass of orange squash but measuring the orange and water.

We're here to hold your hand arieskaz .

[Perpetua]

Aug 1, 2016 22:21:08 GMT arieskaz said:

You're a diamond Perpetua ! I have just had a quick look at some of the kits but I'm still confused about pg & vg I'm assuming I need to get some of each. It sure is daunting Tom still not convinced I have confidence

You do!

If you buy a kit, it will have all the necessary to get going in it arieskaz.

It does work out more cost effective in the long run to buy all the components separately - but if a kit helps to build your confidence levels starting out, then go for it.

[joeten]

Start reading here allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com/thread/51720/mixing-guide-first-time-mixers?page=1&scrollTo=898320 the calculator does most of the work for you and has a guide for using it breaktru.com/smf/index.php/topic,205.msg421.html#msg421 it is much simpler than it first appears so don't be put off, chances are your using a 50/50 liquid from somewhere right now, so when you put in the info the calculator tells you how much of each thing you need to measure out.

[arieskaz]

I knew I would get great advice on here and you haven't disappointed! Everyone has been so lovely and made me feel very welcome. 😘

[arieskaz]

Aug 1, 2016 21:56:22 GMT Tom said:

I like this as i can use it on the computer or on the phone (web based) - e-liquid-recipes.com

i like mixing by weight as there is no cleanup and i am lazy

it all seems a little daunting at first so ask as many questions as you need! you will get to grips with it in no time at all.

good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of mixing

I'm guessing you would use some small scales? Seems much easier than measuring small amounts in a syringe.

[Postmodern Smoking]

arieskaz , I measure directly into 30ml bottles using a syringe and blunt wide bore needle...
Some seem to prefer mixing by weight... others, like me, by volume. There isn't a correct way, just different techniques in achieving the same thing.


[ETA] -   If mixing the wrong way by weight, then you need some small accurate digital scales, that ideally don't automatically switch themselves off before you've finished. 

[Perpetua]

Aug 2, 2016 0:28:05 GMT arieskaz said:

I'm guessing you would use some small scales? Seems much easier than measuring small amounts in a syringe.

This is an informative thread on the subject arieskaz:

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

Along with some discussion we've had in the past:

allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com/thread/60060/mixing-weight-compiling-sticky?page=1

Having tried it, it wasn't for me as on the whole I mix no more than 30ml and find it easier for those volumes to use syringes - if I'm mixing for friends who like larger amounts then I use measuring cylinders.

That isn't to say that you may not get on with the system - many DIYer's do, it's another thing that what suits one, doesn't another and you don't know until you try!

But, I would recommend getting your head round the very basics at first.

[ghostrider1971]

I think this is why I find the idea of mixing slightly scary....

I got my bottles of Claire's coconuts today.

The bottle says mix at 10% but the website I bought it from says 19%.

Appreciate that flavour is subjective (I like strong...) but that is a huge difference.....

[jtc]

Aug 2, 2016 10:19:58 GMT ghostrider1971 said:

I think this is why I find the idea of mixing slightly scary....

I got my bottles of Claire's coconuts today.

The bottle says mix at 10% but the website I bought it from says 19%.

Appreciate that flavour is subjective (I like strong...) but that is a huge difference.....

Some great advice on here and people here teach me lots.
I'd start off at the lower end with percentage of flavouring ghostrider1971 for testing.
You can always add more if you need to afterwards

[jtc]

I agree with Tom that mixing by weight is simpler, cleaner and more accurate.
Some balance scales that don't turn off auto and measure down to .01 are the ticket

[jtc]

I use these

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Digital-Balance-Scale-2000g-0-01g-Precision-Accurat-220V-C08-/182028155203?hash=item2a61b93943

[Perpetua]

Aug 2, 2016 10:19:58 GMT ghostrider1971 said:

I think this is why I find the idea of mixing slightly scary....

I got my bottles of Claire's coconuts today.

The bottle says mix at 10% but the website I bought it from says 19%.

Appreciate that flavour is subjective (I like strong...) but that is a huge difference.....

Don't think of scary . . . . but exciting ghostrider1971 !

I always try a drop of neat concentrate on my tongue to see how strong it appears to my taste buds and make my decision on ratios from there, whilst it isn't hard and fast - it rarely lets me down.

Or, you can add a few drops to a little water, swoosh that around in your mouth as a gauge.

In this instance I'd suggest making 3 small samples at 10%/15%/20% to see what suits you best . . . . I'll suggest 15% is a happy medium which should agree with most tastes and equipment used - although I'd go 20%. 

[jtc]

Agreed ^^^ it's exciting and fun

[Lee]

I have found so far, not to rush into buying lots of syringes, bottles etc

Find what works best for you

I'm using premixed base. 1ltr, that was then put into 100ml bottles, for easier storage in the fridge
When its cold, out the fridge, its like trying to get thick treacle up a syringe
And you have the fun of tilting a bottle to try and get your syringe in the mix

So I'm now moving onto mixing with measuring cylinders.
Glass for ease of cleaning, plus less chance of getting any kind of taint from a flavouring
www.creamsupplies.co.uk/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=365