What equipment should I be using?

Hardware
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I tried to shorten this, but the kids in grade school called me a blabber mouth.

So, this’ll be a long, rambling, incoherent post, so forgive me in advance. Memory’s not so sharp anymore so my timeline and flow may be hosed at times. Having said that, I’ve been concerned with this subject for some time now.

I “think” I understand, RDA, RDTA, MTL, DTL, but what the hell is an AIO. Or was it AOI? It’s been more than 5 minutes since I read it, so I can’t rightly recall.

Deal is, some time ago, my son came out from Michigan, here to California for a visit. While here, he noticed I coughed a lot each time I took a hit of my swisher sweet. Of which I smoke at LEAST 8 a day! Probably more like 10 to 12. He said I might like vaping. I can reduce the nic a little at a time and simply enjoy the taste.

Gave me a hit of his. Fruit. Hell no! We went to a local smoke shop, where he got me a “Pod, Penn?” Re-chargeable, re-filletable tiny little thing, with brown sugar. Sorry, I do not recall the nic %. Hell, yeah! One of those jobs that you push the only button to create the vapor. I hit it like a joint. Dunno why… Experience? Loved it!

A month or so later, he sent me a tank/mod along with some sweet juice that I don’t recall the flavor nor nic % of. Again, dunno what make/model, but I loved it! I dropped it and destroyed it. I went to the local smoke shop and asked for advice. The salesman asked me a “VERY” few questions on how I vape. Answered as best I could. I DID bring the bottle of juice I was using, saying I hit it like a joint and that I loved it.

He sold me a Smok Mag-18. I loved it with the juice I had. Of course I ran out of juice, went back and tried a few others that I didn’t like, and bought a few boxes of Swisher Sweets. Then a year later I wondered if I could make my own juices. Asked google. She sent me to ELR. I didn’t understand the nic %’s, so I said screw it, if it tastes good, I bet I can stop cold turkey. You know, I’ve only been smoking for some 65+ years, right? Are you laughing WITH me or AT me? LOL.

Bought some equipment, base and flavors. Mixed some milk chocolate, nougat and sweetener. I had NO idea about flavor percentages. Looking at other recipes, I noticed most were around 8 to 12 % total. I “THINK” I mixed 4, 4, and 2% respectively. AWESOME! Just no nic. Back to the swisher sweets. A few months ago, I was thinking WTF am I doing? I have a significant investment what with scales, syringes, bottles…etc. 20 +/- flavors, VG/PG…

With the help of this here vaping community, especially @sessiondrummer, I finally understand nic %’s in the calculator. Not to mention your calculator is FAR superior to that of ELR’s. AND, with the help of the efforts put into the flavor database, I can see what the median % of flavors have been used.

Alas, I still have issues. Not the least of which is mixing. I bought a bottle of 100 mg/ml nic, with 50/50 PG/VG. I made 6 bottles at 30 ml each. From, 3, 6, and 12% nic. HOWEVER! At the time I made them, I still knew nothing about median flavor %’s, so I used ratios I had in the past as described above.

Googles experimental AI said 1 swisher sweet is = to a boat load of smokes, so I tried the 12 mg first. After picking my lung up from the filthy garage floor, putting in a cooler and taking us to the hospital, I tried the 3%. Still a no go, captain. Not AS bad, but totally intolerable.

10 days ago, I made a new batch of chocolate, nougat and sweetener at 3% nic and recommended flavor medians. I have 4 days before I test it. (Still smoking swisher sweets in the meantime)

So, what the hell am I asking? Should I be looking at a different tank/mod? I’m willing to get my ass kicked by the wife for spending $$ on 2 or 3 tanks/mods, (See, not even sure of the difference) so should I consider something different? The Boro seems interesting, I like the idea that I may be able to make my own coils… I LOVE to tinker, but 1st I want to quench the thirst.

I DO come from a long line of engineers, and was in fact one myself, but the fact is, at my age, I’ve forgotten more than most of y’all will ever know.

What IS a feller to do?

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Pauly, click the link to watch the following video…

Wayne has had a website(DIY or Die) on the internet for years, and this video should help you. All of us here started where you’re at, with lots of questions, etc, and would be happy to help you along, BUT, and (I’m really not trying to be a dick) you have to put a little leg work in, to familiarize yourself with the lingo, and methods used to mix. I found the video up above by searching “how to make eliquid”. You asked about a good Mod…if you search “www.youtube.com” for vaping mods reviews, you’ll likely find something that catchs your eye at a price point you’re willing to open your wallet for. There’s really no shortcut for making and then dumping out countless mixes before you get a keeper that tastes good to you. Have you tried using the “what can I make” feature, in the VC Calculator? It’ll show you recipes based on your current stash? Again, I’m happy to help, but you’re asking alot of questions that can be answered by searching either here at VC, or on the internet, Pauly.

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I have to agree with @whthek - the resources are there but you have to be willing to put in some level of work and learn. I’ve been vaping for over six years and only recently have I started to feel like I’ve refined the craft enough for myself, and I’m still learning! One of the moderators here @Grubby already did a lot of the legwork for us by creating an “Ultimate Guide” category, below:
Latest Ultimate Guides topics - Vaping Community
That man has done a lot for us - check it out! There’s also a large group of YouTube reviewers who have reviewed most every device imaginable:
Mike Vapes - YouTube
Wendy V Reviews - YouTube
DJLsb Vapes - YouTube
Vaping Bogan - YouTube
GrimmGreen - YouTube
Hunky Vape - YouTube
Sorteal - YouTube
Jim Vv - YouTube
Another Vape Channel - YouTube
EatMaBB Vape Reviewer - YouTube
The Devil Vaper - YouTube
DeucesJack The Vaping Insider - YouTube
Vaping Insider - YouTube
MTLounge - Mouth To Lounge - YouTube
These are just some of my favorites that I have bookmarked. For recipes, one of the most followed guys is Wayne Walker of DIYorDie:
DIY or DIE - YouTube
Good luck Man - don’t be afraid to ask for clarification on anything you may have questions on. I’ve asked a lot of them myself!

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Read that. Got me to wondering what type of rig I should consider. (That’s a lot for this classic antique to absorb, and I’ll be reading it again. And gain.) Thing that got me to asking is that I hit my Smok Mag-18 like a joint.

Ha! Just got done watching one of those. Thanks to y’all I actually have that setup. I’ll be watching it again. I need to make notes of the order he added the liquids. Something like flavors, first, then nic, then PG, then VG?

He also mentioned alternatives to shaking. No way I’m asking the boss to let me buy that lab vortex, job! Though it sounds like the best idea…

We have a very deep ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. Did I understand correct that that is a good idea?

BTW, I do have ONE bottle of juice getting happy. Brown sugar and Cannoli shell. At the flavor percentages as pointed out by @Grubby 's recipe builder. 3% nic. Sunday marks it’s 2nd week of steeping so I’m looking forward to the results. Don’t dare make more until I know I’m on the right track.

I actually have 13 recipes following the rules I’ve learned here. 13. I should probably add another for good luck, eh?

Well, thanks, y’all! 'Ya found me something to kill time. Watching those youtube videos :v:

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All In One @PaulyWalnuts.

You are very welcome, I was glad I could help out.

Maybe you should try NIC Salts instead of Freebase NIC.

That is never a bad idea. Some tanks are better than others, harsher than others, simply produce (reveal) flavors better than others.

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Hi Pauly,
One last offering I have for ya if you’re wanting to kick the Swisher Sweets:
DIY Swisher Sweets (Gmix) ejuice recipe :: e-Liquid Calculator
Good Luck!

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Google it, the said. Youtube it, they said. Are you kidding me? I now know no less about vaping than I did before I ever heard of it!

Mike Vape. Very 1st link. Hundreds of video’s.

I’m liking the idea of RDA’s. At first I was like, Pods? Yeah, no. Can’t adjust crap. Now I’m thinking it may not be a bad idea for learning. They come in sub-ohm, and ser-ohm. They come in different wattage’s.

THE biggest thing I dislike about testing flavors is that it’s so messy emptying out the juice and cleaning it in preparation of a different juice. This thing I have holds 8.5 ml juice. Not to mention, I’m soaking coils in Everclear, rinsing, drying…

I’m thinking, I get a few pods at different ohms, watts, some empty replacement heads, and it’s a hell of a lot less messy, and a more thorough analysis.

My kids the one that got me a sub-ohm. From the reading I’ve done, I’ll probably stick with sub-ohm, but I owe it to me to see for myself. All in all, I think it’s a wise investment.

I will of course try DTL, but I like hitting it like a joint. I miss those days. Hmmm… Years… Hell, decades.

So, the next time .gov gives us back a fraction of what we gave them, I’m going on a spending spree. And @SessionDrummer I’m getting some nic salts.

Okay, more videos to watch, more reading to do, more confusion to gather. And read ALL of the guides here, not just one and think that’s all of them.

BIG shout out to y’all!!!

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Well @PaulyWalnuts I’m trying to keep up with the issues you’re having with the NIC/NIC levels. If I read you right, even low levels of Freebase were harsh for you. If that’s right, then Salts may be EXACTLY what you need. Much smoother, and many people increase their NIC levels using them, which is because of how smooth (less throat hit) than FB. Now, increased NIC levels may not be desireable so that’s up to you.

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Just talked to the wife. Explained the difference between freebase nic and salt nic, watts and ohms of mods, pods and I got the green light to spend money! Didn’t even ask how much.

Timing is everything! She comes home to show off her new nails, and I ask to spend money to help me quit smoking. Everybody wins :innocent:

Shit. Just noticed I said RDA’s. I meant RTA’s. Significant ROI. Plus something else to do.

I have to do more research on pods - which ones have what watts/ohms…etc. Probably get 3, maybe 4. Again, after more research. Just some simple units. Extra empty pod heads, so I don’t have to clean the juices up each time I empty some and worry about cleaning coils.

I’ll try 1 flavor at 18 mg nic, 12, 6 and 3.

If I have to add more to an 18 mg nic, how long do I have let it steep?

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@CaptainKirk Thanks for your links. Just bought these:

GeekVape Wenax Q Ultra Pod Kit 1300mAh USD 38.90
Cartridge Pod 3pcs/pack

And from elementvape:

Suorin FERO Lite 25W Pod System 3 pack empty pods
VOOPOO ARGUS E40 Pod System 3 pack pods

Yesterday I made these:

#1 Smores @ 12% nic
#2 Custard Milk Shake @ 9% nic
#3 Whoppers @ 6% nic
#4 Butter Fingers @ 3% nic
#5 Butterscotch Toffee @12% nic
#6 Almond Joy @ 6% nic
#7 It’s all about the Coglione’s @ 3% nic

I don’t label the bottles with names, I use a p-touch to put only the numbers (#1, #2, #3…) on the bottles and rely on a Word doc for reference.

Just took A hit from the juice w/ 3$ nic I mentioned. Good thing @SessionDrummer told me about nic salt. Even at 3% nic it was too harsh. I have some 100 mg/ml coming, I think it’ll be here later next week.

Which leads me to a question. Say I add the nic next Sunday. The bottles will have been getting happy for 1 week by then. Will I have to steep for an additional 2 weeks?

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Hi Pauly,
I don’t currently use pods or nic, so @SessionDrummer 's advice absolutely cannot be faulted - sounds like a good pod and nic salts will be right up your alley as you say you like to “hit 'em like a joint.” However, if you’re fed up with the effort and mess of changing pre-built coils in your tanks in order to test mixes and flavors (not very feasible or economical), when you’re ready, I would recommend an RDA (one RDA!) dedicated for that. Easy to clean and re-wick, they are among the easiest atomizers for those new to rebuildables to learn and use. I’d recommend a single coil flavor banger - great flavor and low juice consumption. Some coils, cotton, and perhaps a tool kit with ceramic tweezers and you can be set for life! (And before you ask, there are more instructional videos on RDA usage than Carter had little pills.) I always test mixes in an RDA before that mix ever gets into a tank. I always mix 5 ml test batches to avoid wasting products on failed mixes. (And there will be failures.)
One note however about nic salts, and again, I’m not an expert - don’t think you can vape a high nic salt mix in something like your Smok tank. I believe salts are designed for mouth to lung or pod style devices, so please be careful.

I think this is a matter of preference - some folks steep without nic and add later - some folks mix all together and let steep. When I was using nic, I’d mix it all together. No need IMHO to extend the steep.

Good luck.

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Wow, thanks! I bought these pods with refillable tanks (3 packs each) for the sole purpose of learning. I “think” at least one of them can do sub-ohm pods and other pods for the same device are not sub-ohm. Ser-ohm? This way I can learn what nic % I need to keep the cravings low. Hell, for that matter I think I can use the pods until I CAN use low salts in my tank. and then of course… none.

With the bottles I have brewing, I’m sure Some of them will have been steeping for a few weeks by the time I get to them.

And those mixes I have listed don’t have the nic yet.

An RDA is on the do list.

Speaking of “Do lists”, do any of you guys have honey do lists? All I ever get is a damn it, do it, or die list.

Thanks!

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Googled single coil flavor banger. Would you please explain why? I understand the difference between single, two and three… Why is one coil better than three? Or for that matter, why are the number of coils themselves important? Relevant?

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Single coil RDAs use less coils, cotton, e-liquid, and battery power, and can produce excellent flavor. They’re very easy and economical.

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Doncha have to keep dripping juice on them all the time? Like every few minutes? I have the time… I have nothing BUT time, but if I have to add a few drops every few minutes, seems like a waste of time. Damn, that doesn’t even make sense, does it? Seems like there’s gotta be a better way to waste time.

Who said: Timeline? This is no time to talk about time. We don’t have the time!.. What was I saying?

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You do, but it’s just meant for testing - your pods can be your regular daily vape tools.

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Oh, cool! I see what your saying, thanks.

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