Thinking about starting to make my juice, what is a good place to buy everything I need in one spot?
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What's a good vendor for buying supplies?
- Thread starter Adam Paseman
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Teresa P
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If you're just starting, I highly recommend Mama J's for 3ml flavor samples, at least until you figure out what you really like. They carry an extensive line of FlavourArt. If you want TFA, Capella, Inawera, then go to Wizard Labs. You can get 8ml bottles for $1.49. Then when you get the hang of it and develop a taste for certain flavors, knock yourself out. I've seen so many "just getting started" that dive right in and order 4+oz bottles of flavorings, spend a flat out fortune, then end up tossing or selling them because they don't care for them or can't make it work. Some don't realize just how little you need to make a mix, mere drops. I have 3mls I've had for months. 
I just took the plunge this morning. Here's what I did:
1.) I found 4 recipes that I knew I would like. Basically, 3 highly recommended clones of flavors I love and 1 that is very similar to another flavor I love. I also wanted recipes with overlapping flavors - that way I could use the liquid concentrate at least twice.
2.) I spent the last couple of days pouring over online flavor vendors. My goal was to be able to keep the number of shops I was purchasing from to a minimum. That way I would save on shipping. Since I'm not entirely sure that DIY is for, I wasn't prepared to spend the amount needed to qualify for free shipping.
3.) Track down coupon/discount codes. This takes no time at all and one shop had a 20% coupon - because of that, I wound up getting my nic and pg & vg dilutants there.
4.) Once you know which method of mixing is for you, find the necessary equipment. I've opted for mixing by weight, so it was simply getting the scale on Amazon. If you choose to mix by volume (not sure if that's the correct terminology), the cheapest place to look for beakers and cylinders is eBay. There are quite a few vendors in China that sell them inexpensively.
All up, I found everything I needed (including 30ml bottles) from 3 vendors - one being Amazon for the scale. A majority came from Bull CityVapor (as @skeene mentioned above)
It took a bit of time, but it was worth it.
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1.) I found 4 recipes that I knew I would like. Basically, 3 highly recommended clones of flavors I love and 1 that is very similar to another flavor I love. I also wanted recipes with overlapping flavors - that way I could use the liquid concentrate at least twice.
2.) I spent the last couple of days pouring over online flavor vendors. My goal was to be able to keep the number of shops I was purchasing from to a minimum. That way I would save on shipping. Since I'm not entirely sure that DIY is for, I wasn't prepared to spend the amount needed to qualify for free shipping.
3.) Track down coupon/discount codes. This takes no time at all and one shop had a 20% coupon - because of that, I wound up getting my nic and pg & vg dilutants there.
4.) Once you know which method of mixing is for you, find the necessary equipment. I've opted for mixing by weight, so it was simply getting the scale on Amazon. If you choose to mix by volume (not sure if that's the correct terminology), the cheapest place to look for beakers and cylinders is eBay. There are quite a few vendors in China that sell them inexpensively.
All up, I found everything I needed (including 30ml bottles) from 3 vendors - one being Amazon for the scale. A majority came from Bull CityVapor (as @skeene mentioned above)
It took a bit of time, but it was worth it.
Sent from my SM-T217T using Tapatalk
https://www.ecigexpress.com/
Has been very good for me. So has Bull City Vapor and Wizard Labs. Skeene is right about out of stock flavors. It will make you nuts. I haven't ordered from Mama J's because they always seem to be out of stock on what I need every time I go to order from them, but I will eventually. Teresa P has a great point about Wizard Labs 8ml samples, but they don't carry Flavourart. Most sites will have a "notify me" option on out of stock items and I always use it. Build your cart and slowly build your flavor inventory over time. Before you know it you'll wounder how in the hell you ended up with all this stuff.
Has been very good for me. So has Bull City Vapor and Wizard Labs. Skeene is right about out of stock flavors. It will make you nuts.
I haven't ordered from Mama J's because they always seem to be out of stock on what I need every time I go to order from them, but I will eventually. Teresa P has a great point about Wizard Labs 8ml samples, but they don't carry Flavourart. Most sites will have a "notify me" option on out of stock items and I always use it. Build your cart and slowly build your flavor inventory over time. Before you know it you'll wounder how in the hell you ended up with all this stuff.
That's about the way I started out as well @barbaraann72
I think all in I spent about $40 to start and already had some syringes and empty bottles. I bought a premixed 60/40 with 3mg base and some flavors of recipes I wanted to try. You can actually go real cheap if you get the 15ml sample nude nic sells: http://www.nudenicotine.com/nicotine-sample-request/
@Teresa P is right that a small amount of flavor can go a long way. I only order large bottles of flavors I know work well in a lot of mixes but to try I order the smallest I can find.
I think all in I spent about $40 to start and already had some syringes and empty bottles. I bought a premixed 60/40 with 3mg base and some flavors of recipes I wanted to try. You can actually go real cheap if you get the 15ml sample nude nic sells: http://www.nudenicotine.com/nicotine-sample-request/
@Teresa P is right that a small amount of flavor can go a long way. I only order large bottles of flavors I know work well in a lot of mixes but to try I order the smallest I can find.
Cheap plastic dropper bottles, different sizes and cap color options. I got 40 on my last order and they're perfect. If you know your going to keep DIYing and can wait for the shipping from China these are a great deal. The more you order the cheaper they get.
https://www.fasttech.com/product/1614006
https://www.fasttech.com/product/1614006
I'm mixing by weight.
No beaker or cylinders, I mix directly into the bottle. For VG and PG, I'm utilizing those squeeze bottles for cake decorating.
Bottles (you have to order according caps):
http://packagingoptionsdirect.com/glass-bottles-jars
Syringes (if needed):
http://www.dudadiesel.com/search.php?query=Syringes
Nicotine base:
http://www.vaperstek.org
VG/PG:
(VG = Vegetable Glycerin, or short Glycerin, PG = Propylene Glycol)
http://www.chemworld.com/default.asp
Flavors:
Best brand for flavors is FlavourArt (FA). Besides flavors you might need a sweetener. Usually Sucralose is used for that. I'm using the one made by The Flavor Apprentice (TFA).
http://www.bullcityvapor.com (BCV)
http://www.flavorjungle.com
http://www.ecigexpress.com - WA (West coast) - (ECX)
Coupon Codes:
BCV - permanent 6% - VU6
ECX - permanent 10% - UNDERGROUND10
No beaker or cylinders, I mix directly into the bottle. For VG and PG, I'm utilizing those squeeze bottles for cake decorating.
Bottles (you have to order according caps):
http://packagingoptionsdirect.com/glass-bottles-jars
Syringes (if needed):
http://www.dudadiesel.com/search.php?query=Syringes
Nicotine base:
http://www.vaperstek.org
VG/PG:
(VG = Vegetable Glycerin, or short Glycerin, PG = Propylene Glycol)
http://www.chemworld.com/default.asp
Flavors:
Best brand for flavors is FlavourArt (FA). Besides flavors you might need a sweetener. Usually Sucralose is used for that. I'm using the one made by The Flavor Apprentice (TFA).
http://www.bullcityvapor.com (BCV)
http://www.flavorjungle.com
http://www.ecigexpress.com - WA (West coast) - (ECX)
Coupon Codes:
BCV - permanent 6% - VU6
ECX - permanent 10% - UNDERGROUND10
That place is almost twice the price of Essential Depot on the VG/PG 1 gallon each combo: http://www.chemworld.com/Propylene-Glycol-USP-and-Glycerin-USP-p/cw-usp-1.htm vs http://www.essentialdepot.com/product/GLYERIN-1-PLUS-PROPYLENE-1.html
I'll be doing Essential Depot next time around. Bookmarked
Thanks everyone. One more question, if it's labeled glycerin with no "VG" in the label, is that VG? (soy based?)
If your getting your VG from any of the listed FLAVOR vendors(above) in this thread, you'll be fine. I know once you start adding VG, PG and Nic base to your order the shipping cost sky rocket. If you make the bulk of your order with ECX(ecigexpress), free shipping kicks in at $60. They carry all three bases. Bull City stopped carrying Nic. This is why I would recommend ECX for your first main order.
That might be true. However, it's produced right there in Kennesaw, GA, and I basically live around the corner.
ok im going nuts today folks
i want to order some FA and vg
mamj's dont have vg or all the flavors i need
bcv dont have some of the main flavors i need to restock
ecig express has everything but fuji but their shipping is ridiculous they ship UPS and want 14 dolars for a liter of vg and 16 10ml bottles and its west coast and im east coast so that will take 7-10 days via UPS versus being able to ship it for about half that price and taking 3 days to arrive with priority mail.
flavorjungle is also west coast and dont say how it will ship only 10 for their best way flat rate so thats ridiculous
any other suggestions for FA flavors
i want to order some FA and vg
mamj's dont have vg or all the flavors i need
bcv dont have some of the main flavors i need to restock
ecig express has everything but fuji but their shipping is ridiculous they ship UPS and want 14 dolars for a liter of vg and 16 10ml bottles and its west coast and im east coast so that will take 7-10 days via UPS versus being able to ship it for about half that price and taking 3 days to arrive with priority mail.
flavorjungle is also west coast and dont say how it will ship only 10 for their best way flat rate so thats ridiculous
any other suggestions for FA flavors
https://www.myfreedomsmokes.com seems to sell FA flavors they're located in NC. Just checked myself. Mainly tobacco flavors.
yeah i need fruit licorice and creams
Get your VG here: http://www.essentialdepot.com/product/GLYCERIN-VEG-2.html There is a coupon in the coupon code section here, oh wait, it popped up int he cart for me, it is 10% off using the code: edpc10
Then FA with whichever retailer has everything you need, the shipping will be a LOT lower if it is only flavors.
Here is some other vendors who carry FA:
http://www.eliquidmart.com/ Never used them before but have not heard bad things.
http://www.onestopdiyshop.com/ Used a couple of times, super fast shipping and you might be able to hunt down a coupon code but the one I used has expired. I really do like ordering from them, great service.
Then FA with whichever retailer has everything you need, the shipping will be a LOT lower if it is only flavors.
Here is some other vendors who carry FA:
http://www.eliquidmart.com/ Never used them before but have not heard bad things.
http://www.onestopdiyshop.com/ Used a couple of times, super fast shipping and you might be able to hunt down a coupon code but the one I used has expired. I really do like ordering from them, great service.
Teresa P
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Since when does ECX only ship UPS? I've always chosen first class USPS with them.
Heartland Vapes only uses UPS, that's why I don't use them. Last time I tried to order one 4oz bottle of flavoring it was gonna be $8 to ship. Ordered from someone else.
Heartland Vapes only uses UPS, that's why I don't use them. Last time I tried to order one 4oz bottle of flavoring it was gonna be $8 to ship. Ordered from someone else.
If you let them choose the shipping it's $6. If you order $60 or more it's free. I live in S.E Palm Beach County FL. and my orders get to me in 3 days, 4 at the most(excluding Sundays and holidays). That's letting them choose the shipping.