Just another thing on Nic...

This is by no means a treatise or dissertation on nicotine solution and all of it's qualities.
There are people who have done intensive, groundbreaking research in the field of eliquid, nicotine solutions and flavoring, and I am merely referencing what I have learned from them.
Dr Konstantinos Farselinos is one of these pioneers, and it is well worth your time to read his work, which is published and neatly packaged for you on his website.

DIY Basics...What you NEED to know...Part 2

So before jumping into the wide world of flavoring, let's make sure we get this first step down pat.

     For me, and for many others, my base liquid is the most important part of my mix.
By base, I mean my mixture of Nic, PG and VG.
I usually make up about 120mls at a time, and keep it handy for mixing; simply because I can't be pulling out that calculator and mixing in high concentrate nic in every single bottle I make.
Also, I should note here that I mix for myself, and the only time I deviate from my personal nic level is when mixing for a friend.
One size does not fit all when it comes to base. Commercial vendors of eliquid can't possibly accommodate the personal preferences of every customer, so it's lucky you started doing this.
Most companies offer 80/20, 60/40, 50/50 and then in the opposite direction.
Traditionally, the PG number is first, followed by the VG. You may find when making your mixes that you like the viscosity a certain way. You want something for dripping, maybe for a tank, maybe for Kayfun styles...whatever you use, don't be locked in...make what works for you.
Most importantly, whatever blend you make, make sure it is BLENDED...
Whether you shake, stir, jump up and down; use an ultrasonic or a magnetic stirrer, make sure your base is well mixed before starting out.

Let's start by going over our carrier, or diluting liquids.

Propylene Glycol (PG)
Sometimes the media gets nuts over PG. They claim it is an anti-freeze agent, that its eating up your lungs, whatever the scare tactic of the day is.
In fact, PG is often a prominent ingredient in inhalation medications, and many vapers have found improved pulmonary function as the result of using it. We all kind of knew this, but a rediscovery of the research done in 1942 by Dr. Oswald Hope Robertson reveals the success he had in 'cleaning' toxic air and treating victims of fallout and exposure to 'bad air' conditions.
PG is what most of the flavoring we use is suspended in, and for many, it is the nicotine suspension of choice. It will make your eliquid manageable; high VG mixes are great for dripping and big clouds, but PG will keep the train rolling, so to speak.
In the early days of eliquid manufacturing, Chinese brands used very high PG mixes, possibly due to air concerns, possibly due to the higher throat hit (TH), or maybe because the early cartomizers simply burned better with PG mixes.

Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
Everybody wants high VG mixes, right? It just sounds better...it's probably made from vegetables, which are good for you, and it....just sounds better.
The choice of cloud chasers everywhere, they scream for 100% VG.
Well, here's the thing.
Not all VG is created equal.
Made from 'plant sources', vegetable glycerin is mainly included in eliquid to produce vapor and add sweetness.
This article by Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM ... Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition (DACBN)
will give you a breakdown of exactly what VG is. Probably the MOST important thing to know about VG is that it needs to be the highest purity you can find. In liquids, a 90% purity level is giving you 10% toxins, which you will inhale.
Our lungs don't have the necessary metabolizing functions that say, our digestive systems have, to break down impurities; PG helps with this, since PG is an antiseptic agent, but why invite trouble?
Essential Depot provides a COA (Certificate of Analysis) on every product they sell, and is the choice of many serious DIYers.

You can save yourself a lot of time and money by simply going with Essential Depot. It is what Wizard Labs use as their carrier for nic, and like I said, it is the choice for many of us.

Amazon is a good source for Essential Depot (ED) PG and VG, especially if you have Prime, and take advantage of free shipping, but they run sales quite often on their own website.

Can't you just use the Walmart brand of VG?
Sure- you can do whatever you like...just check the purity levels and decide if that is a good enough choice for you.

OK I have my stuff, now what?

     Depending on the strength of the nicotine solution you bought, and whether it is suspended in PG or VG, you will now create a base liquid to be used for mixing.You can use the Ejuice Me Up calculator, or you can use some basic math skills- your choice.
My personal blend of working base is about 25PG/75VG of 8MG...Remember that your flavorings DO NOT contain nicotine and are usually suspended in PG or alcohol. Pure grain alcohol (PGA) is popular among people who don't want much PG in their mixes, but we will cover that later under flavorings; the point is that the flavoring amount you add is going to lower your nicotine level, just as any PG or VG will. I start my base slightly higher so that after adding flavorings, I come close to my target of 6mg nic.I'm not neurotic about this; if it tastes like too much nic, I add a bit of PG or VG; like I said, we're making it for ourselves, and so we control it.
One final thought on base materials.We are doing this for a number of reasons; whether its to save money, fight against Big Corporate, or to control the ingredients of your vape, you have taken steps to insure that you have within your power the ability to create a product custom-tailored to your own tastes.Don't skimp on the materials. If you save a dollar by buying a 96.7% pure VG opposed to a 99.7% pure, that's a conscious choice to introduce 3% more toxins into your liquid.For a dollar or two, get the best quality ingredients available.

DIY Basics- What you NEED to know... Part 1

OK, so you're feeling slightly silly because you just found out that 30ml is equal to a shot glass, right?
And...you just spent 26 bucks on a shotglass full of eliquid that tastes totally different from what you tasted in the store.
And...you have no recourse- the old 'Taste is Subjective' line just bit you right in the ass...somewhere in the vicinity of your wallet.
You're pissed, and rightly so; the eliquid market, unregulated and unchecked, has swelled to about 10 THOUSAND companies nationwide, and growing every day.
There are no prerequisites for the creation and sale of eliquid; no price guideline, no certificate of merit, nothing.
Just mix a bottle and put a pretty label on it- somebody will buy it...at least once.

So what are you going to DO about it? Suck it up?
Hell no! You're going to learn to make your own and be self-sufficient.
You will amaze yourself, your family and your friends but most importantly, you will be weaned off the corporate tit.

So let's get started!

First things first- the nic, or nicotine solution.
This was the thing I had the most trouble envisioning in the beginning. It simply made no sense at all to me; was it a powder, a magic substance? Did they squeeze tobacco leaves out somewhere?

In a nutshell, the nicotine solution we use in eliquid is manufactured by the same companies that produce the same product for pharmaceutical applications, such as patches and gum.

Nicotine in its concentrated form is potentially hazardous, even fatal, and you are going to learn everything you can about handling it properly before starting up, right?

AEMSA is an organization that has exacted standards for industry use; while currently not mandatory, many companies belong to AEMSA, and their publication is well worth a read.

Another preparatory source for you to learn some more about the nicotine we use is an audio recording of a show on Vapersplace.
Nicotine 101 is chock full of the things we NEED to know about nicotine.

So now you've done your research and you're ready to go, right?

Go over to Onestop DIY Shop and get yourself a DIY Kit.
It will be the best money you have ever spent on vaping.

If you want to buy bigger quantities of nicotine solution
Wizard Labs
Heartland Vapes
NicVape
Azure Vaping
OneStop DIY Shop
Are just a very few of many reputable companies.

How do you know what's good?
Refer back to those AEMSA guidelines. Your nicotine supplier should have all the information on your nicotine posted on their site. If they don't, then refer back to those trusted sellers I just listed.
Here is a Certificate of Analysis from Wizard Labs.

Your nicotine solution will be easier to blend if you get it in a Propylene Glycol (PG) carrier.
If you insist upon Vegetable Glycerin (VG), PLEASE be sure to BLEND it throughoughly when you dilute it down (with PG and/or VG) to your desired strength.
Nicotine does not blend as evenly in VG as it does in PG, especially in colder temperatures.

After you order all that, go ahead and get this calculator.

When you get all your supplies, go ahead and Google everything everywhere about DIY.
It is NOT easy, it is NOT simple.

But doable? Hell, yes.

Key to Recipe abbreviations

This list is not complete at all- I will update it later.
I have added links to the most reliable places I've found to get products regularly...but feel free to comment if you know of any other suppliers.
NOTE that you can always try and purchase directly from the manufacturer...
I've just put up links for convenience.

TPA and TFA...          The Flavor Apprentice    

AZ                               Azure

VZ                              Vaping Zone  

OSDIYS                     One Stop DIY Shop

LA                              Loranns

HC                              Healthcabin

FA                               Flavourart

FE                                Flavor Express

IN                                Inawera

CAP                             Capellas

HANG                         Hangsen

FW                               Flavorwest

SM                               Seedmans

NV                               NicVape

DKS                             DKS Aromatics

Welcome to Fukenvapin!

If you are here, then you got here from there.
More to come.
The goal is to educate...
Feel free to take and use any information you find here-
If you use it to make a living, remember our noble intentions with every dollar you make...
We don't want to sell you anything, get you involved in any get-rich-quick schemes,
involve ourselves in any juvenile drama or otherwise engage in many of the things that are plaguing the Vape Community.

Stay Tuned...