Any pointers would be very much appreciated. We are just tired of paying $20 for 30ml of liquid.
Sincerely, Jeriku
Like mudclub says, there is excellent info in the sidebar with a lot of experienced DIYers sharing their experience.
I'm no expert but since I just started with DIY I'll tell you about my recent experience. Basically you'll want to get some PG and some VG (I bought both from Amazon in quart sizes); you'll mix these in whatever ratio you're used to vaping when you make a batch (ignoring flavors for the moment).
Next you'll want some nicotine concentrate; it ranges in strength from 24mg/ml to 100mg/ml. The higher concentrates are cheaper per mg of nicotine, but are more highly toxic, must be handled carefully, and must be properly diluted before you vape them (unless you're vaping at 24 or 36 mg/ml and order that strength).
Then you'll want a calculator; there are a few linked in the sidebar and a bunch online (I've been using this one). So as an example my gf vapes at 6mg/ml, she likes 50/50 PG/VG, and using 100mg/ml concentrate if I want to mix her up 10ml I'll use .6ml of 100mg/ml nicotine, and the remaining 9.4ml split evenly between PG & VG if I'm doing unflavored.
Most people use syringes to measure out the liquid; VG is very thick so you'll either need a very wide-bore needle, or just take the needle out and use the syringe to extract some VG. People also tend to store their nicotine in the freezer as this is supposed to make it last longer (and definitely store it in the dark and/or in an opaque container) - if you do this and it's PG based it will be a lot thicker than room temperature PG. I expect I'll let mine sit out for a couple of hours next batch so it thins out. Estimates on shelf-life vary from 6 months (for VG) to 2 years+ for nicotine in PG kept in the freezer; some people think it can last far longer but there doesn't seem to be much data on that.
Nicotine concentrate is available from a number of online vendors at varying prices. I bought 125ml each from heartlandvapes, myfreedomsmokes, and wizardlabs so my gf could see if any of them weren't to her liking, but she liked them all fine. There are a ton of opinions on which is "the best"; my sense is that the flavors vary by batch somewhat like any plant-extracted product. Anyway the ~400ml I just ordered between the three vendors will make like 6 liters of juice at 6mg/ml so I don't know if I'll be ordering more right away!
Heartlandvapes is the cheapest I've found, by a significant margin; took a week to receive my order. Myfreedomsmokes ships in amber glass bottles, which is nice, and they use a "certified for vaping" nicotine only one other vendor carries; got it in 2 days. Wizardlabs seems to be the most popular vendor on reddit and mixes each batch when you order; also took a week to arrive.
If you add flavorings, most DIYers seem to steep for a week or so, and there are all kinds of mixing/heating/breathing protocols people follow; haven't gotten into this yet. Also there are some people who only use natural or organic flavorings.
Finally, there's a guy on YouTube who goes by 'RipTrippers', and I've found his videos on coils, mods, steeping, VG vs PG, etc. to be very informative and helpful (if a bit silly at times). If you search his channel he some stuff on DIY as well. Good luck!
Here is a personal write up I did on costs
Popular Juice Clone recipe thread
There is also a lot of monthly recipe threads on the sidebar, and in the current sticky that most people here contribute to.
As far as getting PG/VG, best prices after shipping will be found here, at Essential Depot
Lots of people here get their nic juice from Wizard Labs, however, I get mine from My Freedom Smokes
I personally get all my flavorings from The Perfumer's Apprentice. They seem to be the most popular on this sub in general. If you find some flavors you really like and go through fast, I would recommend signing up for a bulk account through them. The 4oz bottles tend to be the same price as the 1oz bottles.
In order to mix, I like to use syringes with 14 gauge blunt tip needles. The 10ml and 3ml syringes are what I use most. I would order a few as they do not last forever, and some flavors like to "Stick" to the syringe. You will also need bottles. I like these bottles a lot, but there others that can be found much cheaper.
When mixing, I would use a calculator like E-Juice Me Up.
As far as steeping your finished juice, I don't personally subscribe to the idea. I mix and vape right away, but I'm the minority in that sense. YMMV.
Also, remember when mixing, if you aren't using dedicated syringes for each ingredient, to wash them out when switching ingredients, as to minimize contamination.
Hope I helped! Feel free to ask more questions.
I noticed from the website you posted regarding purchasing the nicotine that it comes premixed with vg/pg?
Usually for mixing, a higher level than you vape is purchased, then diluted down to the correct level. The ejuicemeup calculator does all the calculations for you. Nic base becomes cheaper per mg of nic the higher the concentration. For example I only vape at 2mg, but it is diluted from my concentrated nic base.
The most concentrate generally available is 10% nicotine, 90% whatever carrier chemical you want (generally PG). This is 100mg of nicotine per ml of the mix. You can get less concentrated mixtures, but 10% is the max.
This is really going to show my ignorance on the subject.. I ordered everything you suggested (a big thanks, by the way). What exactly are the blunt tips for?
I'm sure it's obvious.
The 14 gauge needles are wider, so it is easier to pull up on the plunger of the syringe. Blunt tip so you don't accidentally stick yourself.
I've been DIY for about 5 months now... Here is what I do/did.
I used Wizardlabs to get all the stuff (PG, VG, Nic ((100mg strength)), Flavorings, bottles for juice/mixing, syringes, gloves)
I use an e-juice calculator (http://ejuice.breaktru.com/).
I fill out the info -> 100 ml pg mix, I want 6mg of nic for 10ml of liquid. Choose the ratio of pg/vg at the bottom (I go with 40/60 for the most part). Fill out the percentage of flavoring at the bottom list (I usually never go over 20 as it's way to much).
When you hit calculate it will tell you how much nic, vg, pg, and each flavoring to put in the bottle in ml for the syringes. Then just mix it all in the bottle, shake, steep, done.
edit: never go over 20% of TOTAL flavor is what I mean.