Just placed a big Vapocalypse order, just to top off the 2nd feezer (LOL), and reflected back on many of the NEW DIY’ers that have signed up here on ELR. We’ve done this before, but I thought re-doing this, in the Beginner section we could re-assist some of the newer DIY’ers here with some of our must have, or favorite Tools, and Equipment for DIY’ing. Maybe some of our lists have changed, or improved since the last time. I’ll gather my list of my favorite must haves.
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I’m an OK sort of mixer (not great by any stretch of the imagination) so I’ll leave it to others more knowledgeable to come along later with their must-have lists but I reckon anyone considering getting into DIY should have all or most of the following as well:
- A willingness to learn.
- The ability to be patient.
- The ability to move on past the inevitable failures that will come.
- The willingness to consider all advice given with an open mind.
- The desire to do some “proper” research.
If you can add those to the lists that will follow soon, you’ll do just fine 
. Cheers…
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Mixing Bottles:
Scale:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UGBG20/
Tester Bottle Labels:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079ZZ2HM2/
Label Markers:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003F0WU1Y
LED Vape Cave Lights:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0197ZOAKE
5 tier clear flavor racks:
https://www.amazon.com/Cq-acrylic-Bottles-Rack-Clear-15-7x7-8x7-5/dp/B01N24LHLZ/ref=sr_1_5?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1517451328&sr=1-5&keywords=nail+polish+rack
NEW Glass Bottles with Phenolic caps for NIC:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003G2ZWZC/
Lockable Low Temp NIC Freezer:
https://www.amazon.com/EdgeStar-CMF151L-1-Medical-Freezer-Lock/dp/B00NO58JLK
Favorite Argon Gas for Storing NIC:
https://www.amazon.com/ArT-Wine-Preserver-Enjoy-Your/dp/B01MEHJCQ2/
PET Cosmo Bottles for bigger batches/selling:
https://www.sks-bottle.com/340c/fin9r.html
Clear PET bottles for Flavor Storage:
Shrink Bands for Bottles:
https://www.kkemc.com/shrink-wraps-for-plastic-bottles_42
Excellent WIFI Label Maker:
https://www.amazon.com/Brother-QL-810W-Ultra-Fast-Wireless-Networking/dp/B01MTWGMRR/
1.1" Continuous Tape for Label Maker
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002VS67G
High Quality Grub Driver:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000O5EFT8/
Favorite Vaping Cotton:
https://www.amazon.com/Koh-Gen-Do-Pure-Cotton/dp/B00EMCGTAW
Favorite NIC:
Temp / Humidity monitoring for freezer and vape lab:
https://www.acurite.com/shop-all/weather-instruments/shop-all/indoor-outdoor-multi-sensor-station-with-3-sensors-105hv.html
Batts for freezer remote sensor:
https://www.amazon.com/Energizer-Ultimate-Lithium-Battery-Package/dp/B00EAKP8S0/
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Forget anything and everything you’ve heard about steeping methods. Speed steeping is for impatient people. E-liquid requires time to mature. Put it away and don’t be fucking around with it. Leave the cap ON, stay away from heat and don’t argue! If you’re impatient then don’t whine about your juice not tasting good or why it isn’t better.
Same goes for “Shake n Vape”. I don’t care if it “works in a pinch”! No such thing!
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-An RDA for testing!
-Take notes! Plenty of notes
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I think shake n vape is a thing…I just don’t waste time with trying to make stuff with the thought process of SnV. I mix and let it sit.
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There’s a whole bunch of great tools, valid in 2019 too in
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My favorite thing after my scale of course, is my half liter squeeze bottles with twist cap like session drummer shows above. I mix in those, then close the cap, drop in in the sink, in water just warm enough to loosen up the vg while I make the label, then I shake the bajeebus out of it and pour from the bottle straight into the little bottles.
I also like disposable pipettes.
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Twist top bottles for PG and VG. Press In Adapter for your Nicotine (this has been INCREDIBLE), the lb weigh scale, and obviously flavors.
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On top of the equipment list, I think a new mixer should find someone here who can explain flavors and how they work. Layering, adding subtle flavors to boost others. Getting some help with the how, what and why would sure help a lot.
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Have to give a shout out to this Amazon seller. They offer a banging little tool kit set; for doing work on atomizers… It is the heat 
$18 smackers… not bad!
https://www.amazon.com/Building-Screwdriver-Scissors-Ceramic-Tweezer/dp/B07PSLSJBV
I love mine and so does my daughter and son! 
Dark pic! Sorry
Better!
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- coil making tools (as pictured above)
- good wicks
- preferably multiple RDAs for flavor / juice testing but 1 will work
- a gallon of VG (pharmaceutical grade)
- a gallon of PG (pharmaceutical grade)
- your favorite flavor concentrates (at least 1 concentrate)
- liquid nicotine (regular or salts)
- empty bottles (the more the better)
- a scale (0.01g accuracy at least, 30ml and smaller would benefit from a 0.001g accurate scale)
- access to ELR
…and you’re good to go
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$13
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Well, for 2020 and the increased use of SC’s I would say a .001g scale is approaching must have status.
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Behold … the Norpro hand mixer 
That 3rd piece fits in ANY bottle. When it’s spinning, those forks separate and mix up your liquid in the tiniest of bottles.
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Nice…where did you find it?
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You can get it on amazon for about $10, just need a single AA battery for it. I’m using a rechargeable one and it lasts pretty long.
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Thanks…
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And I’m living proof of that willingness to learn from others they are not picking fault with your recipe they are giving you advice to help you become a better mixer
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They are good and cheap worth buying two of them
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