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DIY Tips and Info I know this is a lot of information, but I hope it helps those looking at trying their hand at DIY. Keep in mind, This is just my own experience. PG- Propylene Glycol : It is a colorless, nearly odorless, clear, viscous liquid with a faintly sweet taste, http://en.wikipedia....ropylene_glycol VG-Vegetable Glycerin(Glycerol): In foods and beverages, glycerol serves as a humectant, solvent and sweetener, and may help preserve foods. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycerol PG and/or VG are both used as the base of the E-Liquid. PG/VG can be purchased from most E-Liquid suppliers with or without Nicotine. Unflavored PG or VG with Nicotine can be purchased for the purpose of mixing your own liquids and can be purchased is many strengths. PG/VG without Nicotine is necessary for mixing your own liquids. Glycerin can also be purchased from most pharmacies-over the counter. Humco is one brand of Pharmacy Grade (USP) glycerin. It is sold as a skin protectant. It is a clear, slightly thick liquid and has a sweet taste to it. There is also a Food grade VG- Wiltons- sold at Craft stores in the baking sections. Can sometimes be found at Walmart in the craft section. The information will have to be put into a couple posts--The server doesn't like the long version....

The main difference between the 510 kit and the eGo is battery life. The standard 510 batteries will last 1-2 hours between charges (unless you're a very light vaper). The eGo batteries are bigger than the standard batteries and will last around 8 hours (most report 8+ hours). The eGo also uses the 510 attomizer so performance is similar. Also, if you're looking for better throat hit, you can use an LR atty on the eGo, but not on the regular batteries. The LR (Low Resistance) atty heat up faster and will give you more vapor and throat hit. It's designed to simulate vaping at higher voltages without having to buy a more expensive 5V device. I would definitively check into getting a drip tip and try direct dripping (vid link below). Personally, I was never able to get good performance using carts. The eliquid would just stay in the cart. More often than not I was having to remove the cart and add 3-4 drops to it after every 5-6 drags, which is basically direct dripping. You don't have to have a drip tip to direct drip, but it helps. What is Direct Dripping It takes about 20 drops of eliquid to make 1 ml. Everyone vapes differently and uses different amounts of eliquid per week. I'm using about 15-20ml per week. Once you get started and see how much you use, you'll have a better idea how much you need to keep on hand. Do you know what nic strength your carts are? What nic strength juice did you buy? I smoked about 1 1/2 packs of Marlboro Lights per day and I vape 24mg. If you don't feel like you're getting enough nic, you may want to step up a little.

Dude...your concern is so touching...thank you...I feel now however that I need more...........no...so much more....I'm sorry...please bear with me.....I feel so....despondent...NO..more than that. My friend, you are reading the post of a man who is teetering on the edge. One edge leads down..down..down to self pity..the "why me god..except for that short period from 1976 to 1988, I've been pretty good" slope. The other edge is so...dark. So dark that even I.. even I, the man that lived...and survived that that dark and scary 14 year blurry history can hardly stand to think of what I may be capable of at this moment.(side note...I just shivered..Did you feel that?) Alas my friend...the mailbox was...EMPTY. I know. I was stupified. I could not believe it. How...HOW could this be happening. I...I...I'm not proud of this, but I decided to find solace at the bottem of a bottle tonite. I decided that since the gods (and by "gods" I mean the usps) had decided to do this to me, I would do the only thing a mere mortal could do......I WOULD HAVE A GOOD STIFF DRINK OR 2. Don't know about you but I think the creative writing classes are really paying off. $499.99 seemed like a lot till I go back and read that and I'm like...WOW..I wrote that? My wife pretends to be put out by me, but bless her heart....she is one lucky lady. Just happened to hit the mailbox at the same time as the mail person. Stood there very patiently, gave her a curt nod and a smile...all the while waiting and hoping that she would pull out a priority package and stick it in the communal "big bin". Don't know how many of you are familiar with the communal mail box, but it is one big box, usually located very far away from where YOU live and in the most inconvenient location that can be found in a subdivision. The actual bins are slightly larger than a pack of gum...so if you recieve a large package it goes into the big bin. She didn't pull out a priority package and put it in the bin. Now I still smiled as she pulled away...but in my mind I was doing terrible...very horrid things to this lady. I know...not her fault(or is it?) but horrid things nonetheless. A couple of stiff bourbons on the rocks and I feel now that I might make it. But I need to give y'all a big heads up. My hawkeyes are playing ohio st.tomorrow....at home....But I'm not feeling it. So tomorrow if my Hawks lose.....and the usps gods diss me again....you very well may turn on your t.v. and hear "BREAKING NEWS OUT OF OMAHA..A SEMI NAKED MAN...YELLING EGO...EGO....EGO, LEGGO MY EGO" that will be your cue to start a bail/public defender fund. I'm not proud of what I have become this week....and I'm even less proud that I hung it out here on this public line......but somewhere deep in my tar saturated heart....I know that you understand' Thank you for letting me vent GO HAWKS

To me, the mailbox is a magical inigma. Thats why we love it(internet shopping) so much sometimes. The anticipation; a gift to yourself; the moment of arrival. My favorite is when I dont know if the mailman has come. One minute the box is empty - the next - BAM! a package! Magic! - You walk out to the road, big black rubbermaid bat-proof wonder in your eyes; mind aloof as you look around and notice that the world around you is slowly becoming completely wrapped in plastic, and, as you march the seemingly endless path toward the box, the excitement building with each step, thinking to yourself, "did it come? will it be in there? oh god please let it be there!" This is your third time to the magic box today and each time - empty - your desperation intensifying with each fruitless trip, but maybe, just maybe it'll be there this time. Oooh, can you picture it? It's gonna be there this time, you can feel it. And there you are standing at the precipice of glory. The only thing seperating you from massive clouds of glorious vapor is that little black plastic door. You reach for it. !@#$ watch the car! as some maniacal youngster screeches past trying to beat the mailman home in case a signature is needed for a package. "PUNK!" Forget him, back to the box - your hearts really pumping now, your pulse is racing, palms sweaty; the handle feels cold as pause before opening it - as if taking your time might allow it a few more seconds to somehow magically appear. Wait. What's this? Could it be? Your actions quickening now as you begin to see the rough corner of a white cardboard box coming into view. It is! It finally came! Indeed, there it is crammed inside upon piles of wasted trees and political garbage. "But wait!" you think to yourself. "Is this some sort of practical joke?!?!" "How in the @#$! did that ***hole get it in there?!?!" you say aloud as you pull and tug at the mangled package. Ripping and shredding away at the useless pile of junk that seems to be holding everying back. "OOOOH they're gonna hear about this one! You grunt and curse and pull and twist so hard the plastic mailbox begins to lose its grip on the ground. And all of a sudden - POP - there you are, a** down in the road parcel in hand; shedded paper still drifting peacefully to the ground like confetti on New Years Day. You finally have what you've been waiting for - your precious; your eGo. Then again, maybe your mailman will just set the damn thing on the porch! GL and hang in there, it'll come!!! Happy Vaping! Dude.

Yesterday I contact my employer's benefits office to make sure they had received my fax about my choices. I don't take their ins. but do take a few suppliments, anyway they are starting a smoking penalty so I wanted to make sure they knew I was a non-smoker. Lady tells me I don't have to worry as I have other coverage, I say you don't understand I am 101 days smoke-free I just want that known(ok pretty happy about this). She asked how I did it, I explained, she was very excited and said she is going to pass this along to others. I explained it isn't a smoking cessation device, LOL, but for me I didn't want to smoke anymore. She was very excited anyway. Then my director stopped in office, asked how I was doing with my electric thingy, I told her. She has been recommending this to other smokers in our network. Then I find out that one of our cardiology nurses is using ecig and having the same success as I am. I have had several people stop me in the halls or call me to inquire where to get these. Small steps I know but like a ripple in pond it can grow. Just wanted to put my 2 cents in about medical community using or recommending vaping.

(moment of prayer) Most High and Etherial Whispy Godess of all things Vape, In his most trying of times, we ask the following: 1) Allow Hawk to remain calm. 2) Help him avoid aiming his four wheeled mode of transport at innocent furry critters scavaging for nuts in preparation of the winter months that are soon to be upon us. 3. Curb his desire to hurt the things he loves. and 4)LIGHT A DAMN FIRE UNDER THE POSTMAN'S ***. Godess, I feel his pain as I anxiously awaited my Ego this week, however feel blessed and honored that you chose have it delivered a day earlier than I expected. In all things atomized, aaaaaaaa-- mmmeeeeennnnnnnnnnnnnn Bahamasboy p.s. Could you tell Santa to bring me a flavor assortment for Christmas???

With all the no smoking band wagons out there, more and more people are looking at alternatives. Was talking to one of our security guards at work--apparently, they are implementing a new policy that they are not smoke at all during work hours, they are not to bring cigarettes with them to work at all. needless to say--I think I may finally be able to convert him. I have even loaned a spare unit to an occasional patient that is climbing the walls. even the die hard non smokers I work with have no problems with my e-cig and vaping. still keep it a bit on the DL while at work.

Hopefully Last but not least...... Supplies: 1.Empty dropper bottles- 3ml, 5ml, 10ml sizes are great for mixing. 2. Pipette or syringe with blunt needle. Personally, I prefer using a syringe for mixing--More accurate. 3. paper towel or rag for handling any spills or messes 4. Labels are good for identifying your new mixes. If using paper labels I have found that applying scotch tape over the label keeps the label legible. 5. mixing calculator helps with acheiving the correct nicotine strength. There are other calculators out there, but I like Todd Muellers: http://www.todmuller.com/ejuice/ejuice.php . I usually put my flavor at 30 - 40%. I like lots of flavor. Mixing -can be simple (combining premixed liquids to create a new flavor) or more complicated, mixing from scratch. Or somewhere in between. 1. Always start your mixing or experimentation with small amounts. Its much easier to throw out a small amount of liquid if it turns out bad. The 3ml bottles are great for experimenting. 2. Its a good idea to keep track of what and how much you have added to your mix--just in case you want to make more. **It is easy enough to mix 2 or more premixed liquids together to get a new flavor. This is easiest if you are using the same nicotine strength. i.e.- Tobacco 18mg/Watermelon 18mg/menthol 18mg/pina colada 18mg. The amounts would depend on taste. Start with 5 drops of each in a 3ml bottle, shake and vape--can adjust the flavor as you want by adding more of one of the flavors. with the menthol--using just 1-2 drops/3ml will give a nice cool throat hit without tasting like menthol. ** Can use PG/VG or both to cut a higher strength liquid. i.e.- 24mg premixed liquid 1ml can be mixed with 1ml PG or VG to make 12mg/ml liquid. If cutting a premixed flavor, keep in mind, it will also decrease the flavor. If you don’t want the flavor loss you can cut with 0 nicotine strength in the same or a different flavor. You can also use flavorings to boost the flavor. use the calculator to determine how much PG/VG to use to achieve the desired strength. Just put 0 in the water and flavor boxes. ** Adding Flavoring to premixed liquids This is actually one of the easiest forms of mixing and is a great place to start the DIY journey. We all have flavors we don’t really care for, but by adding flavoring you can create a flavor you like. Keep in mind--when adding flavoring it will dilute the nicotine strength of the premixed liquid. one way around this is to get some unflavored higher nicotine liquid- i.e. 36mg that can be added to your mix to keep the nicotine strength at your desired level. My preferred nicotine level is 12mg/ml--so I will use that dose for mixing examples. i.e.-- cappuccino 36mg/ml, 1.7ml + FlavourArt apple pie flavoring 1.5ml + VG 1.8ml for a total of 5ml 12mg/ml. This is where the calculator comes in handy. Just put in the numbers, hit enter and the calculations are done for you. This is where having a syringe is helpful. However if you are using drops, I have found that 30 drops of PG = 1ml and 20 drops of VG = 1ml. You can use more than one flavoring: cappuccino 1.7ml + apple pie flavoring 1ml + Vanilla 1ml + VG 1.3 ml = 5ml 12mg/ml Don’t be afraid to mix more than one flavor. When cooking, most dishes require more than one flavor to get the right taste. ** mixing from scratch You will need PG and/or VG Unflavored Nicotine liquid ( I usually use 36mg/ml) Flavorings of choice i.e. Easy Watermelon 12mg/ml 3 ml PG or VG 1 ml Lorann Watermelon flavoring 2 drops Menthol flavoring (Flavourart) 2 ml 36mg/ml Unflavored liquid i.e. using multiple flavors: Apple Pie (6ml) 18mg/ml 3 ml 36/mg unflavored 1 ml FlavourArt(FA) Apple Pie 6 drops (Flavourart) Irish Cream 2 drops (FA) perique black (tobacco) 3 drops (FA) menthol .5ml PG .5ml VG 3 drops hazelnut 6 drops vanilla ** Misc Notes Tobacco Flavorings are very, very strong--a little goes a very long way. A couple drops to 5ml will give a nice background flavor. If using more, add a drop or 2 at a time to taste. Lorann flavorings are very concentrated. You would use less Lorann than you would with other flavorings. Avoid flavorings with oils or sugars--both can damage your atomizer. If you find your mix needs to be sweeter there are a couple of options: 1. Loranns cotton candy or Marshmallow flavorings are great for adding sweetness. 2. DIY flavor shack carrys Eythol Malto which is a sweetener. 3. I actually prefer the Lorann--overall sweeter tasting. 4. I add a few drops of Menthol to all my mixes-adds a cool throat hit and enhances the flavor. Just a little does not taste like menthol. If you like menthol, just add more. 5. always start mixing with small amounts and keep track of what and how much. 6. For taste testing--dripping works best. Mixing is a lot of trial and error in the beginning. Add flavoring a little at a time until you find the balance you like will help keep waste to a minimum. I am hoping others will be able to add their tips and ideas. the above is just my own opinion and my own experience. If all or part of this is confusing please let me know-writing documents is not my strong suit !!!! Merry Mixing

I want to start out by saying that "I don't like mint or menthol" If when smoking I had to choose between a menthol cig or doing without,then I did without! At halloween or xmas etc.I passed up or gave away any mint candies. The only exception to this is WINTERGREEN ! Yes I know it's strange but wintergreen is the only mint type flavor that I like and I really like it. Now for the good stuff. ofortuna as yall know has started DIYing juice,bless her for it. One night in tiny chat we were discussing her wintOgreen juice and she offered to send me a sample,which I jumped at the chance for I practically had my addy PMed to her before she finished asking me what mg I would like! This necter was waiting for me when I came in this afternoon,so like the kid with no patience that I am,I immediately filled an 808 carto placed it on a KR batt and HOLY RETSIN BATGIRL! If you ever wanted to know what vaping a certs tastes like this is it! I love wintergreen certs with retsin(I think that's another word for menthol crystals lol ) and this juice smells and tastes just that way. If you want to know what the TH is like just let a certs melt in your mouth and then do a huge mouth inhale I don't plan to even try this juice at HV (yes I'm a wimp) since it's such a strong flavor at 3.7 and I know it's gonna be kept for a treat vape like after a spicy meal. Also on those days when I just can't taste my other juices I believe this one will come thru. This will be great for when after brushing and mouthwash you just don't get the right taste from other juices,wintOgreen will shine thru Sorry if this got a bit long winded but O did me a nice turn and I wanted everyone to know that she has some mad skills for mixing. Suffice it to say that if she decides to start selling her DIY juice I'll jump in line to be a customer. Thank you again Ofortuna.

1. Cartridges. A. How long does the average 501 cartridge on my eGo last? How many puffs, maybe? I've gotten into the groove of pulling like this: Press the button, pull softly for ~4-5 seconds, release the button, finish the pull, inhale, exhale. My use is sporadic. I'll take a few pulls a minute or 1 pull every 30 minutes. Given this, how long can I expect a single cartridge to last? - about 10 drops, 3 drops on an atomizer is bout 4-5 puffs. 3 into 10 = 3ish so 12 puffs "roughly". a. Is there a general consensus yet on how many pulls = 1 analog (of equal nic strength) or how many cartridges = 1 pack? This really isn't important to me. Just a curiosity thing. - you could draw up some mathematical bit of info but it wouldn't be conclusive with out blood samples. - most of what people would say is hear say and holds no merit to real science. - vape the mg you feel you need, i started with 18mg, went to 24 then 30. i'll do any of the 3 currently. as a general rule do not go above 24mg; Ever! B. How can I tell if a cartridge is empty enough that it will hurt my atomizer and I need to replace/refill? - the taste and vapor production will get lower C. Using the cartridge-refill method, depending on the answer to A, how many cartridges/refills can I expect to go through in a single day? a. Approximately how much e-liquid goes into 1 cartridge? - 8-10 drops. please for the love of all that is holy, don't refill cartridges! that is by far the worst experience i think all of us have had with ecigs. the mess, the time, and then its time to do it again. for sitting around drip, for on the go cartomizer it. and before you ask 40ish drops per cartomizer. D. What is the best method to reusing cartridges? Will my bottles of E-liquid come with droppers to help me fill them using the paper clip method, or will I need to buy a syringe? I really don't want to go the syringe method personally, but if it's a must, I can suck it up. - the best, is to not, reuse. E. Why do some claim that cartomizers are replacing atomizers/cartridges? - neither replaces either, atty for lounging, carto for out and about. F. Atomizers/Cartridges seem to have longevity compared to cartomizers. What is so bad about cartridges that most use the drip technique or cartomizers? - i only used attys at the start but now that i use a mod i only use cartos G. I've heard that you can buy a bag of the fluffy stuff inside the cartridge that soaks up the e-liquid from Walmart and you'd never have to worry about buying cartridges again. You just replace the fluffy stuff, refill, and vape away. What is the validity to this? Is this method safe? Is it effective? - you can, the blue u-foam for fish tanks is what most people move to. then after that they just direct drip and think to themselves "why did i wast all that time and energy filling those damn carts and cutting foam. H. Is cleaning the fluffy stuff inside the cartridge effective? -no 2. Atomizers. A. While it was in my pocket, I accidentally had the button pressed down (I'm getting a cover soon (Yes, I know. I'm a noob. lol)). When I pulled it out, it was quite hot, but not so hot that it burned to the touch. How can I tell if I've damaged that atomizer? (No worries, I've got spares!) - when it doesn't work anymore. the only other thing that might happen is you burn the wick inside, if you haven't already removed it. DO NOT REMOVE THE BRIDGE, no matter what anyone says! and before you ask, removing the bridge is the best way to flood the battery with all the juice that should be in the atty. the wick on the other hand is crap and shouldn't even be part of the atty. B. What is the average life expectancy for an atomizer? - i had one last me 95+ days and then destroyed it (not by using it but trying to clean it), long story short don't clean your attys with vinegar or by boiling them. thats some serious over kill and doesn't help at all. let them soak in hot water for a few days and then rinse them a few times. C. How will I know when I need to clean/replace the atomizer? - i pretty much don't clean them, not even when i switch juices. my theory is that people put to much energy into thinking about cleaning and end up killing them because of all the extra measures they do. an atty is about 6 bucks, a cartomizer is around 1 buck. its not like you're buying them every day so if it last a week then who cares. one pack of smokes is 6 bucks and for most of us that would be one day of smoking. 3. E-Liquid. A. Can someone point me in the direction of a detailed DIY guide? It seems to be the way to go for a sustainable and relatively cheap vaping experience. I'm guessing you get PG/VG and use that to dilute large quantities of extra strength nic flavored mixes to turn say a 120ml 36mg into a 240ml 18mg? I'm totally new to this, so this is just my impression on DIY. - there is a diy section on the forum. go there and ask, keep it more geared to something you want to try such as caramel apple or something nutty. 4. Batteries. A. I currently have two 1000mah batteries for my eGo. How long can I expect these bad boys to survive? (Sidebar: I know nothing about modding, but these things last all day and into the night. I don't even need the second one since I just use the same battery all day, then charge it while I sleep, take it off the charger, and repeat. Couldn't imagine needing a mod for a longer lasting battery. The 1000mah is quite an amazing battery.) - a day maybe two, hell could last you a week if you don't vape but a few puffs a day. - mods are for people that either want higher voltage, something sexy or beastly, or to save money. an stock ego battery is in the $20 range, for 5 bucks i can get two batteries that last just as long as the mega ego battery. even at 12 bucks i can get two batteries that are 3x the life of the ego PER battery. after you are into this for a while, you will get a mod. when the day happens i'll be the guy saying; "see". 5. The whole package. A. What is the correct way for me to store this at night after putting the battery on the charger? a. Should I separate the cartridge from the atomizer and replace the little white cap on the in-use cartridge and the empty cartridge back on the atomizer? b. Is it OK for the atomizer if I just left the in-use cartridge attached to it or will this cause damage overnight? -lay it on its side. there isn't a need to take it apart. if you have an auto battery you may want to take them apart and stand it battery threads down to drain any juice that got into the hole.