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www.VaperMonthly.

com VOLUME 1 • ISSUE 2 • MARCH 2011

VaperMonthly The Insider’s Source to the Vaping World

modding 2: Juicy Vapor


In-house modder AJAY owners Anthony & Brad
continues his eductional open up and spill the
shows you how to build beans about the operation
a 3.7 Volt Box Mod
COMMUNITY
DIY eJuice
with new in-house juice
SPOTLIGHT: expert Vapor_Mike
sl1pg8r - Internet Reviewer

TheNickelGGPlatedSlim
Vaping
Philly Vapefest: Get all the details of the event and an exclusive interview with Spikey inside!
CONTENT FROM THE EDITOR
2 From the Editor
Hello, fellow vapers!
3 DIY TIPS FOR MODDERS: 3.7V Box
Mod Welcome to the second issue of Vaper
Monthly! I have been pleasantly surprised
7 COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: sl1pg8r by all of the positive feedback that I
received for the first issue, and I am
W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M

8 COVER STORY: The GG Slim excited to bring you more content, more
10 PHILLY VAPEFEST: Spikey Interview information, and more entertainment this
time around.
13 VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: JuicyVapor
This month we are welcoming two new
15 DIY E-JUICE: Introductory Tutorial writers, Mike “Vapor_Mike” Nance, and
17 TOTALLY WICKED vs. FDA: Asset or Matt “Ivisi” Williams. I am very happy
to welcome them to the team, and their
Liability expertise and work with the community will help to guide the future of Vapor
18 WHATS GOING ON: By Public Vaper Monthly.

19 JOKES OF THE MONTH This issue is quite a bit larger than the previous, and a lot of work went into
making this one special. With contributions from Clouds of Vapor, Juicy Vapor,
20 VM REVIEW: The Drip Shield Spikey, sl1pg8r and others, I truly believe that we have made something special
this month.
V I S I T

Also this month, in-house DIY modder Aaron “Ajay” Heiks will be showing you
step-by-step how to build your very own 3.7 volt box mod, and we will giving
the completed mod to one lucky reader! There will be several chances to win the
I N F O R M A T I O N

prize this month. I will announce various ways to enter from my Twitter account
@VaperMonthly and from the homepage at www.vapermonthly.com during the
month.

At the end of the month, I will take the list of entries and use random.org to pick
one lucky winner, who will receive the box mod, two batteries and a charger!
We will announce the winner in next month’s issue and have another giveaway
then.
V A P I N G

A new feature that I plan on introducing next month will be a “Letters to the
Editor” section, which will allow you to write in with any opinions, rants and/
or praise about Vapor Monthly or the vaping community in general. Email
anything you would like to write to info@vapermonthly.com and use the subject
I N S I D E R

“Letters to the Editor” to be considered.

I will also be attending Vapefest this month in Philly. The Vapefests are great
opportunities for the community to interact with each other and vendors in a
On the cover: “The GG Slim” - from Clouds of Vapor face to face setting, to trade ideas, check out new technologies and help fund
Editor: Eric Johnson the ongoing fight against those that wish to profit from or eliminate vaping. I
M O R E

Contirbutors: Aaron Heiks, Mike Nance, Matt Williams look forward to meeting some of you there!
Information is correct at press time.
Check www.VaperMonthly.com for updates, exclusive
content and more information.
Thank you all for being so supportive and excited about this project. The
F O R

continued praise and enthusiasm from the community in regards to Vaper


Monthly is what is keeping this project alive.
VaperMonthly is published monthly by Normality Blows, a
privately owned company located at 698 S Racetrack Rd Unit
323, Henderson, NV 89015. Signed articles do not necessarily Enjoy.
reflect the official company policy. © 2011 VaperMonthly.
com. All rights reserved. Reproduction in part or whole
without permission is prohibited. Send all remittances and Eric Johnson, Editor-In-Chief
correspondences about subscriptions, undelivered copies
and address changes to:
info@vapermonthly.com

2
DIY TIPS FOR MODDERS: 3.7 V BOX MOD
Part 2 – Build a 3.7 Volt to the battery contacts or reinforce the area around it. This
Box Mod one looks pretty good though, so we’ll leave it the way it is. If
you can avoid messing with that switch, you can bypass a lot
Now that you should have a start of potential headaches. The positive (red) wire coming off the
on your tool collection, it’s time switch is a lighter gauge stranded wire, not my favorite to use and
to put some of them to work. sometimes I’ll swap it out for a better wire, but with simplicity in
mind, it will work just fine.

F O R
We will be starting off with a few
basic mods that are very easy
to do. This way you can get the

M O R E
basic skills you’ll need under
your belt without having to
worry about why it doesn’t work,
or what wire goes where. This

I N S I D E R
month I’ll be showing everyone how to make a basic 3.7v boxmod
with a blue LED and a 510 connector. Feel free to work outside
the lines some if you want to make something a little different.
And please, if you make something cool, leave a comment and a
picture of your work. Okay, let’s get started.

V A P I N G
Step 1: Picking out your parts

This month is easy because I have provided a list at the end of


this article showing exactly what parts I ordered. Even though

I N F O R M A T I O N
this mod has a parts list already to go, picking your parts is always
the first step and something that can be quite enjoyable. Often
times I go into this without a clear idea of what I want to make,
and just look for something interesting that I haven’t done before.
Sometimes all I need to do is see one part, it could be a switch, a Step 3: Atomizer sub-assembly
battery, or anything that I’ve never used or seen before, and the
rest just falls into place. You’ll know it when you see it because It’s nice to get this out of the way early because you will have to
you’ll say to yourself, “I’ve got to make a mod out of that”. wait for the epoxy to dry. For starters plug in your soldering iron
so it has a chance to heat up. While that is warming, cut a red wire

V I S I T
approximately 2.00” long and strip about 1/4” off of one end. Then
take the exposed wire and bend it into the shape of a number 7.

W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M

Step 2: Prepare your box

Since this is a box mod, there are a few things you need to do to
the box before you can really get started. First things first, pry
out all of the battery contacts, except for the positive contact Now check your iron to see if it is hot yet by touching the end of
attached to the switch, and set them aside. Then take a look at your solder to the tip. If it melts easily, your iron is hot. Before you
the on/off switch. The box I picked out has a pretty solid switch, solder anything though, make sure your tip is clean and tinned.
so you won’t normally need to do anything to it. Sometimes If you got some tip tinner this will be pretty painless. Just dip
with different boxes you will need to change how it connects the tip of your iron into the tinner, pull it out, and wipe off any

3
DIY TIPS FOR MODDERS: CONTINUED...
excess on your wet sponge. If you didn’t frustrating, just take your time, it can be a Mix up a small amount of epoxy and fill
get the tinner, try to melt solder around bit of a pain sometimes. Be careful to not the back side of the connector up, using
the tip as evenly as you can. If you need get too much solder on the barrel of the a toothpick makes this very easy. Set the
to you can use a knife to spread the solder connector, if you get a little on the inside connector assembly aside to dry with the
around a little. Once your tip is ready to that’s not a huge deal as long as it doesn’t wire pointing up. This should be dry and
go, take your wire and melt some solder get too close to the pin. ready to go by the time we need it now.
W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M

onto the exposed part of the wire. You just


need enough to change the color of the Step 4: Making holes
wire from copper to silver, no need to get
carried away. This is called tinning the wire, Taking a look at the box (with the on/off
something you need to do to every wire switch towards the bottom) note the two
before you use it in a solder connection. battery slots. The left slot will be for the
14500 battery, and the other slot is for
everything else. You will want to keep the
holes you drill as close to the centerline
of the battery slot as you can. If you have
calipers this is when you’ll want to use
them.

If you get some on the outside of the barrel If not, try to eyeball it the best you can.
though, you’ll need to get that cleaned off Take your time drilling the holes too,
the best you can since that is going to need because the plastic can easily crack. A Uni-
V I S I T

to be pressed through a hole later. Now Bit makes easy work drilling into the plastic.
take your wire and line the top of the 7 up If you don’t have one, pre-drilling with a
with the slot in the atty pin. smaller bit first can help prevent cracking.
Now take your atty connector and screw in At the top of the box start your hole for the
I N F O R M A T I O N

a dead atty. This is going to do many things If the solder on the pin makes the slot hard atty connector.
for you throughout the build. Right now to see, remember we lined up the slot with
we are using it as a heatsink, which will a notch in the barrel. Now you’ll want to For a 510 connector you will need an 11/32”
keep you from melting the silicon insulator re-melt the solder on the pin and gently hole. Once the hole is drilled, take the
between the pin and the barrel. ease the wire into the slot. Once the wire is drill bit and work it in and out through the
fully seated into the slot, remove your iron, hole almost like a file to open up the hole
Stand the atty and atty connector on end and hold the wire until the solder cools enough to get a good press fit with the atty
(atty down) and take a look at the pin in enough to be solid again. If the wire moves connector. The second hole of for the push
V A P I N G

the center of the atty connector. If it has any while it is cooling, you will have what is button, if you are using the button I am,
a slot in it, turn the slot toward one of the called a cold solder and a bad connection. you need a 1/4” hole roughly halfway down
notches in the barrel of the connector with the box.
a small screwdriver or a pair of tweezers. If it moved, reheat the solder and try again.
If your connector doesn’t have a slot, no Also be sure that no part of the wire is The last hole is for the 5mm LED. Since
I N S I D E R

worries, not all connectors do. Most should touching the barrel of the connector. If you metric bits aren’t the easiest to find, I use a
have the notches in the barrel though. have a lot of extra exposed wire sticking 3/16” bit which will get you close. You can
out, you can slide the insulation down a press the LED in pretty good, so if the hole
little to cover that. is a little under sized you’ll be fine. Drill that
hole between the atty connector and the
Now that your atty connector is wired up, push button, making sure you have room
M O R E

we need to make sure it stays that way. for the atty connector once it is in the box.

Step 5: Assembly
F O R

Now that you have all your holes drilled go


ahead and pop in your components. Start
with the Switch and LED saving the atty
connector for last. It really doesn’t matter
too much which order you put them in the
Now melt a small bead of solder onto the box, but if you put the connector in before
top of that pin, just enough to cover the the other parts the wire coming out of the
top of the pin. This part can be a little back can get in the way sometimes.

4
DIY TIPS FOR MODDERS: CONTINUED...
Mark the wire a little longer that would be cake compared to this because, as you will
needed to reach the push button and cut find out, soldering to the outside of the
off the excess. Since this is a stranded wire, connector is like mixing oil and water. The
when you strip the end, slowly pull the end connecter needs to get fairly hot before the
of the insulation off twisting it as you go. solder will stick to it. Once you see it start
This will leave you with a very nice set of to accept the solder work quickly because
twisted strands, perfect for soldering. Tin you don’t want it to get too hot. This is

F O R
the end and wrap it around the left post on where the dead atty really comes into play,
the push button. Depending on the switch because right now you can easily melt

M O R E
you picked out, you might need to snip off the silicone inside the connector or melt
the ends of the posts so that the cover will the box thru the hole that the connector
fit, so try to keep your wires as close to the is pressed into. Once you are happy with
switch body as you can. Once you have the the connection let it cool and work on the

I N S I D E R
wire wrapped around the post good, hit it negative battery contact.
Before you put in the LED, there’s one
with a little solder.
thing to consider. If your LED has a crystal
When you took everything out of the
clear lens it will be shine a very bright,
Now trim the wire coming from the atty box in step 2, one of the contacts was a
unidirectional light. Great if you’re making
connector to length, again leaving a little double contact. You will need to cut off
a flashlight, not so much for a mod you’ll be

V A P I N G
extra to wrap around the switch post. Strip the positive half of the contact, leaving
holding inches from your eyes. If you want
and tin the end and wrap it around the the half with the spring. Tin snips or sheet
to keep it bright skip this part, if not you’ll
right side of the switch. Lightly solder it in metal shears will make easy work of this.
want to diffuse (sometimes called frost) the
place for now since we’ll be soldering more Cut the contact so that when it is in the
LED lens. If you have a Dremel, get a 512E
onto this post later. box there is enough left of the positive
EZ Lock Finishing Abrasive Buffs 320 Grit

I N F O R M A T I O N
half that it almost makes contact with the
attachment. If you don’t have a Dremel, a
Next up is the LED. Take a scrap piece of atty connector, and then slide the negative
Scotch Brite pad will do the trick to; it’ll just
red insulation (roughly 1/4”) and slide it contact into its slot.
take a little longer.
over the positive (longer) LED lead. Now
take a piece of scrap black insulation (a
The goal here is to scuff up the LED lens
little longer than 1/2”) and slide it over the
until it has a uniform cloudy look to it,
negative lead). Now take your resistor and
almost like your bathroom mirror after
wrap one of its leads around the positive
a shower. The more you diffuse it, the
lead of the LED 2-3 times. Slide it all the

V I S I T
dimmer it will be, so you might want to test
way down to the insulation and snip off
it as you go with a breadboard or by just
the extra wire from that end of the resistor.
holding the leads to the ends of the battery
Take the other end of the resistor and wrap
you’re using. Two things to keep in mind

W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M
that around the right post of the switch.
though, the longer lead is the positive lead,
and never power it without a resistor.
Now finish soldering the atty connector
wire and the LED’s resistor to switch.
MadVapes always includes a 470 ohm
An alternative to wiring the LED this way,
resistor with their LED’s which work
which lights when you press the button, is
perfectly. If you wire it backwards, the
to wire the resistor to the other half of the
LED won’t light. If you wire it without the
switch, which will light the LED whenever
resistor, you risk blowing the LED since they
the main power switch on the box is turned
are not rated for 3.7v. If you are using a
on. If you want, you can have two LED’s,
switch that is held on with a nut, make sure
one for power, and one for vape.
it’s snug, but don’t kill it, because we’ll be
gluing the back of the switch in anyways.
Now we still have the negative end of
Use the pictures as a guide for how to
the LED to worry about. Put a 90 degree
orientate the components.
bend (towards the atty connector) in
the negative lead about halfway up the To connect the negative battery contact to
Step 6: Soldering
insulation, and solder the bare portion of the atty connector you will need to cut a
the lead to the barrel of the atty connector. piece of wire roughly 3/4” long and remove
Now that everything is in the box it’s time
This is where patience will definitely come all of the insulation. Stick one end in the
to hook it up. Start with the red wire
in handy. small hole all the way at the top of the box
coming from the on/off switch and lay it
on the right side of the atty connector.
out like it will be it will be once it’s soldered.
Soldering the pin of the atty will seem like Then wrap the wire around the top of the

5
DIY TIPS FOR MODDERS: CONTINUED...
atty connector and tuck the other end of
it between the negative battery contact
and the center rib of the box. Solder
the portion that wraps around the atty
connector, again being careful to not get
things too hot. Also, get some solder on
W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M

the negative battery contact where the


bare wire touches it.

You now have a working mod. You can


take the dead atty off and put a good atty
on it and put a battery in the slot. Make
sure the LED lights and it vapes good. If
there is anything wrong with it, now is the
time to trouble shoot before you epoxy
everything in.
V I S I T
I N F O R M A T I O N

Step 7: Final touches

Once the box is in good working order, it


is time to make sure everything stays in its
place. Before you start mixing any epoxy,
there is a small rectangular hole in the box
V A P I N G

directly behind the atty connector that


you will need to cover with a small piece of
Scotch tape. This is just to make sure that
no epoxy leaks thru that hole.
I N S I D E R

Now mix up the epoxy and liberally apply


it all around the atty connector, LED and
switch. If you are using a different switch
than the one I used, make sure that
the epoxy is not going to wick into the
switch. If you are using one of the smaller
M O R E

switches, use some JB Weld to hold it in


place, and be careful to not get any epoxy
near it. Keep an eye on the epoxy while 3.7 Volt Box Mod parts list from Mad Vapes (http://www.madvapes.com):
F O R

it dries, making sure it stays where you


want it because it does have a habit of • Black 2xAA battery box - http://www.madvapes.com/Black-2xAA-Battery-Box-with-OnOff-Switch_p_2020.html
“wandering off”. Once the epoxy is dry, • 3A black pushbutton switch - http://www.madvapes.com/CK-Components-3A-Black-Pushbutton-switch_p_2429.html
take off the tape and vape away on your • 5mm blue LED - http://www.madvapes.com/5mm-Blue-LED_p_2116.html
new box mod! • AD103 multivolt charger - http://www.madvapes.com/AD-103-Multi-volt-charger_p_2097.html
• 14500 protected batteries - http://www.madvapes.com/Ultrafire-Protected-14500-Battery-900-mAH_p_2039.html
Next month we’ll dive deeper into the • 510 battery connector, sealed - http://www.madvapes.com/510-Battery-Connector-Sealed_p_2164.html
world of box mods with a little high
voltage…

6
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT: SL1PG8R...
VM: Hi, Slip, thanks for taking video game commentary there
the time to talk with us. Can are hundreds of thousands
you tell our readers a bit about of commentators, but I was
yourself? kind of like doing that thing. I
started researching products
Slip: My name is Justin. On and saw reviews from different

F O R
the interwebs, I’m sl1pg8r forums and they led me
and my friends call me “slip”. to video reviews and saw
I am 34 years old and I work GrimmGreen’s reviews and

M O R E
in telecommunications. I do Ritalee’s reviews, and those
a lot of online stuff, that’s my people I thought I would like to
hobby. Online gaming and do the same thing, reviewing
doing reviews. That’s kind of products and putting my

I N S I D E R
my hobbies, and that’s kind of opinion out there. So that’s why
who I am. I started doing reviews.

VM: How did you discover VM: What is your current


vaping, and what was your vaping setup?

V A P I N G
first PV? that’s kind of like the rad part drink the milk to wash away
Slip: My current favorite setup about it, you learn about all the the cake flavor so you can
Slip: I discovered vaping is the Ali’i on 3.7 high drain different voltages, juices, pg/vg enjoy more cake and get that
through getting healthy. I used with a low res 510. (Vapes) mixes, and nic levels. That’s the fresh cake flavor. I vape a lot
to be kind of big, used to weigh Delish! cool part, getting into it. But at of different juices but my daily

I N F O R M A T I O N
like 230 lbs. I started getting the same time for new people vape is Boba’s Bounty, it is what
healthy, started dieting and VM: What mod are you most that is a big inconvenience, to I vape. All day every day, and
running and all that kind of excited about getting your try to gain all that knowledge. have for months and months. I
stuff but I smoked… so, like, hands on? I guess right now the biggest love that juice.
literally I was doing everything inconvenience for me is that
I should be doing and running Slip: The mod I am most my batteries don’t last forever VM: What are your predictions
seven days a week, and I was excited about getting my and neither do my atomizers. for the vaping world in 2011?
smoking so it wasn’t working hands on is the Eclipse. I don’t (Laughs) I guess that would be
for me. So I started looking know if there really needs to be the best improvement I could Slip: I think you’re going to

V I S I T
for alternatives to smoking a why… I guess for people who see, forever batteries. see two things go on. I think
and I heard about electronic don’t really know about vaping it will be the split between
cigarettes online. The first maybe. I think that solutions to pipe tobacco smokers and

W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M
ever electronic cigarette that the problems that vaping has, VM: What is the oddest flavor cigarette smokers. Pipe tobacco
I bought was a Blu kit, then like having to drip or variable you have ever vaped? smokers want flavor and the
shortly thereafter, two days voltages or different things like experience and something that
after I got my Blu kit I ordered that. Slip: So the oddest flavor I’ve is bigger, they are creating an
the Janty Stick. That wasn’t ever vaped, (and this is not the experience. Cigarette smokers
quite doing it for me, I liked I think that the eclipse is going most disgusting flavor I’ve ever just want nicotine.
it but it wasn’t low res and I to solve those problems and vaped. The most disgusting
hadn’t gotten into low res yet. kind of make vaping more flavor I have ever vaped is So I think you will see more
I think the first PV I really loved portable, like you grab one Bacon Wrapped Poppers)… the things like the Eclipse which
was my Silver Bullet on low res. mod and go and it does all the oddest flavor I have ever vaped are an experience and are
that things you need to do. So, is Blue Cheese. It is odd and at heightening vaping and I think
VM: What made you decide to that’s why I’m really excited to the same time, disgusting. you will also see things more
start doing reviews? get my hands on it. like the Ego and Ego T tank
VM: What flavor is in your atty system that are smaller and
Slip: The reason I started to VM: What do you find most right now? more portable and easier to
do reviews was that I already inconvenient about vaping? use. Not necessarily so geared
have a different YouTube Slip: I think that as far toward the experience, but
channel that I do video Slip: What do I find most as different flavors in my more toward the portability
game commentary on. So inconvenient about vaping? atomizers go, I think that and easy to use... once they
I kind of was already in the I don’t know. I guess at first it vaping is kind of like eating figure out how to do it the right
community, I wouldn’t say in was the learning curve, there cake. Cake without milk is not way.
the community because with was so much to learn. But as good because you’ve got to

7
COVER STORY: THE GG SLIM
With so many mods out there in a wide a whopping 7.4 volts. I use the IMR High Monthly. It’s exciting having a vaping
variety of configurations, finding the right Drain 350 mAh batteries and a Joye lr 510 magazine like this!
mod for you can be a daunting task. Do atomizer. I get a couple of hours (more or
you enjoy a 3.7 volt device, or do you prefer less) of steady vaping per charge, but I was VM: Can you tell us how you first
high voltages? Maybe you want something aware of the expected life of the 10440 discovered vaping, and the history behind
that can do both. Personally, I like 3.7 volts batteries before I got the mod, so I really Clouds of Vapor?
W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M

with a low res atomizer, and I also want can’t complain about that.
something that is visually striking. Bruce: I was a heavy tobacco user, I used it
I would consider the GG Slim to be a all! Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff and Snus!
Enter the Golden Greek Slim. great choice for someone who wants a I found vaping by accident on the internet
sturdy, very attractive mod and doesn’t and just had to try it. So, I bought a DSE
mind paying the fairly steep price for the 901 kit. It did not do it for me so I moved on
obvious care and quality that has gone to the KR808D1. That was nice for a while
into building it. The Slim is not the best but I ended up having 25 batteries just to
choice for someone who desires a mod that keep up with my heavy use. It was then in
will last them all day, and although I have August 2009 that I started only vaping and
not personally tried the other GG models, I sold off all my tobacco products and have
the GG Telescopic Storm looks stunning, never gone back.
and uses a wide variety of batteries and
atomizers. On September 5, 2009 I joined ECF. I
bought my first mod a few days later. It was
The GG line is being carried exclusively in a Copper. It looked like a pipe bomb!! But
V I S I T

the U.S. by Clouds of Vapor, and the owner, it worked well for me. The rest is history.
The GG Slim is a gorgeous device. It is Bruce Schneider, was kind enough to sit Many know that I have or have had and
extremely shiny, and the nickel plating down with us an answer a few questions sold almost every kind of mod out there.
really makes the device stand out in a about CoV and the Golden Greek series of This is when I started learning about vaping
I N F O R M A T I O N

crowd. The only problem in that regard mods. in depth.


is that I find myself constantly wiping
my fingerprints off of it. In the 3.7 volt
configuration, the GG Slim fits perfectly in
my hand. It’s not a heavy device at all, but
it feels like it can really take a beating, not
that I tested that theory with my beautiful
little mod.
V A P I N G

I absolutely love the button on the GG Slim.


The button is mounted on the bottom of
the device, and has a screw-out locking
mechanism to protect against accidental
I N S I D E R

activations. However, I do have a problem


with the locking mechanism. When it
screws all the way up to lock out the
button, it feels nice and snug, but I have
had a couple of instances where it loosened
up a bit on its own in my pocket. You barely
M O R E

have to push the button to get it to fire,


which is really nice when you are actually
wanting to use it, but not so special when
F O R

it’s firing against your leg. With freshly


charged batteries, though, I get fantastic
performance every single time I push the
button.

The GG Slim takes one 10440 battery in VM: Hi Bruce, thanks for agreeing to speak I started CoV after a year or so of
its 3.7 volt configuration, or two stacked with Vaper Monthly! unemployment. One day my wife said to
10440s with the extension tube (sold me, “You need to start your own business
separately), bringing the voltage up to Bruce: Thank you for having me in Vaper and take charge of your own destiny.”

8
COVER STORY: CONTINUED...
Saying if I was the boss, I could not lay off All my years of experience trained me to GGs coming, including the new and even
or fire myself. It just then clicked! I flew into source new products and to create them. I better AVS. The AVS is an auto feed system
action! I started going to New York Vapers want to be the first to have new items. This that uses atomizers and not cartomizers. I
Club meetings and really enjoyed them. is how I run CoV. I work hard each day to will have more sizes and kinds of MAP Tanks
I went to the 1st VapeFest in Virginia and find the best products and bring them to including the Mega Map Tank that will hold
met everyone so when I started CoV, they market quickly. I don’t always choose the 10 or so ml of juice! The MAP Tanks are the

F O R
all knew me already. I was one of them! I right ones, but that is what my clearance hottest product in vaping right now. CoV is
appreciate the support everyone has given area is for! This comes very naturally to me. exclusive with the GG in the USA! Exclusive
me. When I came back home, the name, the It is really what I do. with the MAP Tank! I am so excited about

M O R E
site, and product fell into place. With $3,000 being to be the sole supplier for these
in seed money, CoV began. My first big item I do try out all the products from China products! There is so much more, but I can’t
was the IMR14500 high drain batteries. I and my competitors, this gives me give any information on them yet. Keep an
was the first out with it. Then I met Stomp an competitive edge and even more eye out!

I N S I D E R
and we built the 5v StompBox and I knowledge of what will be good and
connected with Missy and became the sole what will be bad. I am willing to take VM: What device or kit do you normally
supplier for the WetBox for many months. risks and to market many new items that recommend to new vapers?
my customers have not tried yet. My
Now, CoV is one of the go to sites in vaping, competitors generally are not willing to Bruce: This is very easy for me to say. Since I

V A P I N G
with thousands of happy customers. take risks and let me “test” new product for try everything, I wished that when I started
Along with great products, I offer great them. But really, I owe it all to my wonderful to vape there was an eGo. My eGo kits that
customer service. I treat all my customers customers who have trusted me. I want offer 2 full eGos with drip tips is the best
like I would want to be treated when I shop. them to have the very best. way to start. You don’t have the battery
Honesty, good products, great prices and life issues that the 510 has. I carry only real

I N F O R M A T I O N
someone there to answer my questions VM: How have you been affected by the JoyeTech eGo product and you can’t beat
and concerns. Most of all, if something import seizures that are plaguing vendors their quality. Best of all, the price is great!
goes wrong, they are there for me. So in right now?
essence, great product and great service is VM: What do you foresee happening
a powerful business plan. Bruce: I have been very fortunate. Except with the potential New York bans and the
for a few delays in customs like the 17 day continuing fight with the FDA?
VM: What did you do before Clouds of delay of my first GG order from Greece, I
Vapor? have not had anything seized. I try many Bruce: I am very positive and upbeat about
ways to ship and ship in small packages. both the New York ban and the FDA. We

V I S I T
Bruce: After a few years on Wall Street, So far they have come in under the radar! I vapers are a fast growing group that has to
I joined Macy’s and trained to be a am sure one day my luck will change or we be represented. The more vapers, the better
Department Manager, moved through will finally get that FDA approval that we all the outcome will be. So, get your friends

W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M
the ranks and ended up being a Buyer for need. and relatives to start vaping! It’s good for all
Lord and Taylor. Then it was onto a buying of us! I believe we will win.
position with Lechters Housewares, where VM: What is your current highest selling
I bought for over 600 stores across the mod? Can you tell us about it? VM: Thank you for your time, Bruce.
country. It was with Lechters that I started Before we go, is there anything you would
going overseas to China. After Lechters Bruce: That is a hard question! I sell all of like to tell our readers?
closed its doors, I did the same work as a my mods really well! Right now it’s the new
Product Manager for many companies in 2011 GG Telescopic Storm in a beautiful Bruce: It’s my pleasure you have allowed
wholesale. I created many multi-million nickel plate. It is the flagship mod from me to fill your pages with CoV!
dollar businesses for people I GG. Super high quality, great functionality
worked for. I have made a total of 36 trips and versatility. It can use most batteries I want to thank you and all my customers
to China. But, with the downturn of the and atomizers. It is truly a spectacular mod for their continued support for CoV. I think
economy a few years ago, I found myself well thought out and works like a dream. I all of us are vapers first. We are all in the
unemployed. It was then that I started CoV. am truly honored to be the exclusive USA community. Let’s treat each other with
supplier and to bring the GG to the vaping respect and friendship.
VM: You seem to always be one of the first community.
US vendors to have the latest and greatest I am always here for you! Thank you again
mods and products, how do you decide VM: Do you have anything new and and keep on vaping!
what is going to be a good product and exciting that you plan on introducing
what not to carry? soon? Visit clouds of vapor at:
http://www.cloudsofvapor.com
Bruce: Thank you! I love new products. Bruce: Of course! Always! There are new

9
PHILLY VAPEFEST: SPIKEY INTERVIEW
bans. Working together to fight that day instead. Tickets for
these bans is the only way Vapefest are $20 for Friday and
we will win. So we organized $30 for Saturday, or $45 for
mailing lists by state and both days. This covers entrance
started taking free members to the event and the afterparty,
and asking volunteers to help but does not cover liquor.
W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M

fight the bans in other states


as well. We got a great deal on the
hotel also, but to get that rate
We began having raffles at the rooms should be booked no
local vapers club meetings later than March 2nd. We are
and auctions online in order trying to extend that deadline
to try to raise enough money if it is possible.
to cover our expenses as
we had previously been Vegas Vapefest has more
paying all expenses out of than a dozen vendors already
our own pockets. We grew looking for tables and should
large enough to hold events be really big! We have not
like Vapefest to help gather signed a contract with the
support for vapers on a larger hotel yet so I would rather not
scale and to raise awareness. say where or when until the
contract is signed,  but the
V I S I T

VM: Would you tell us about date should be in the end of


the upcoming Vapefests? September or beginning of
Locations, dates, costs, etc... October.
 
I N F O R M A T I O N

Spikey: Philly Vapefest is set VM: How dangerous is the


and ready to go for March 25th proposed NY ban to the future
VM: Hi Spikey, thanks for members receive income and 26th (Friday and Saturday). of vaping? Why?
talking with Vaper Monthly. from the e-cigarette industry All of the information is at  
Can you start out by telling us and none of us get paid. We www.Vapefest.com. We have Spikey: The proposed ban in
about yourself and about NVC? put our time and energy into a dozen or so of the best New York is a two-fold threat:
  this because we believe this vendors in the community first, it outright bans sale of
Spikey: I live in New York. I revolutionary product will save coming to set up tables and electronic cigarettes in New
have been vaping for more millions of lives and because it
V A P I N G

show off products and sell York; second, it assumes that


than 2 years now. I quit has saved our lives. them. the only future for e-cigs is as a
smoking after less than 2   smoking cessation device.
weeks with an e-cig. I decided We began as the Long Island Lots of new products are  
I wanted to tell everyone Vapers Club in Long Island, usually introduced at Vapefest The current wording of the bill
and their mother about this New York. Shortly after we
I N S I D E R

also, like new devices, new would first prohibit sales of


miracle product. I had tried formed they tried to ban flavors, and new accessories! electronic cigarettes to minors
unsuccessfully to quit many e-cigarettes from being sold in We may have some special forever. We support that
times. I did not buy the Suffolk County on Long Island. surprise guests speak as well. position, and hope that states
e-cigarette to quit, but to keep We were successful at stopping Some very prominent people do enact legislation that keeps
my smoke from bothering a ban on sales, although they from the vaping community PVs out of the hands of those
M O R E

the children who spent time did ban indoor use and were will be present and accounted under the legal smoking age.
around me. So, like so many the first county in the USA to for, and we will be vaping all
other vapers,  I guess you do so. day and partying all night. However, the bill further
could say I quit smoking
F O R

prohibits all sales of e-cigs


accidentally. We encouraged others to Starting friday the vendors will in the state of New York
  form local vapers clubs in open the event at 2:00 pm and until such time as the FDA
National Vapers Club (NVC) is a their area and decided it was end at 10:00 pm. Bartenders decides that they are as safe
consumer-based organization best to go National and keep will come in at 10:30pm for and effective as Nicotine
sponsored and ran by vapers. every vapers club informed a few hours (cash bar) and Replacement Therapies (NRTs).
We are a grassroots, not for of e-cigarette bans and we will party in the room all
profit organization in our happenings so at least we had night! Same for Saturday, but This provision is extremely
infancy. None of NVC’s board a chance of stopping these the room opens at Noon on hazardous to the future

10
Want to learn about electronic cigarettes? Here’s your chance!
An electronic cigarette / personal vaporizer is a battery-powered device that allows you to get nicotine while you go

F O R
through the motions of smoking, but without the tar, carcinogens and smoke that come along with combustible
tobacco cigarettes. It is an alternative to smoked tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, or pipes.

M O R E
Philly Vapefest will be an event of more than two hundred vapers (e-cigarette users)
gathering to try new products and flavors.

I N S I D E R
PHILL

V A P I N G
VAPE Y
FEST

I N F O R M A T I O N
V I S I T
W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M
 MARCH 25 & 26, 2011 
Vapefest entry fee is $20 for Friday and $30 for Saturday, or $45 for both days.
This will include access to Vapefest as well as the after-party.
Cash bar available at the after-party. Vapefest Vendor room open Friday from 2pm til 10pm & Saturday from Noon until 10pm.
After-party 10:30pm to 4am (approximately).
Door Prizes and raffles will occur throughout the day. Many vendors are sponsoring and attending the event,
so come meet your favorite vendors and video reviewers and get some new products!

JOIN US! GO TO WWW.VAPEFEST.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION!


PICTURES AND VIDEO OF PREVIOUS VAPEFESTS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE WEBSITE.

Embassy Suites Philadelphia Airport 9000 Bartram Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19153 Phone: (215) 365-4500
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sponsored by National Vapers Club www.VapersClub.com 516 695-7007

11
PHILLY VAPEFEST: CONTINUED...
of vaping, since in order to declare the evaluating their merits as reduced risk So read your local paper and become
product marketable as an NRT, it would products. an educated vaper. Vapers can also send
be removed from the market for many   letters very easily through www.VapeBans.
years, subjected to extensive testing at We hope that New York will do the right com where we have set up a website that
the expense of the (virtually non-existent) thing: prohibit the sale of electronic allows you to click a link that will open an
industry, and most likely re-released to cigarettes to minors, and leave the rest to email and sign your name and send it…. It
W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M

the public as a sterilized, over-regulated, the experts. takes less than 20 seconds to do.
non-customizable unit. By taking away the
ability to customize a user’s experience, the VM: What can a member of the community Vapers can personally speak with their
efficacy and appeal of the device will be do to help out and increase awareness legislators if a ban has been proposed
significantly lowered for new users. of the benefits of vaping? Where can and they can find contact info for these
  donations be made? legislators at www.VapeBans.com also.
The other, less obvious We can help educate
implication of this individuals on what
provision is that needs to be said and
electronic cigarettes how to say it. 
are, in fact, smoking
cessation aids and are Further, I can’t
to be used as such. emphasize enough how
This is really not the important it is to have
case at all. The majority vapers at legislative
of users do not use hearings. For legislation
V I S I T

e-cigs to quit smoking; proposed outside of


rather, they use them your area, you can call,
instead of smoking. This fax and email and let
distinction needs to be your voice be heard.
I N F O R M A T I O N

made.  
A lot goes into running
When we talk about an organization such
the safety of electronic as National Vapers
cigarettes, it’s always Club.  We are always
in the context of being working on several
safer than traditonal projects at one time
tobacco cigarettes. such as fighting the
V A P I N G

For each cigarette not various bans, Vapefests


smoked, and instead and IVAQS (www.
replaced with a safer IVAQS.com). And of
alternative, the total toll on our health is   course there are the more mundane chores
reduced. Spikey: The easiest thing to do is vape. such as taxes, contracts, accounting, even
I N S I D E R

  Let others see you vape. I’m not saying little things such as having a phone line
If this bill is passed, it will set a precedent you should blow huge clouds of vapor in to answer media requests and help new
for the entire country. California and New places that are questionable, but vape in vapers when they have questions– all of
York tend to be two of the most influential appropriate places, tell your friends, carry which cost money. 
states with regard to legislation in other information cards (available for free from
states. It will declare that electronic National Vapers Club if you send us an We are completely dependent on your
M O R E

cigarettes are smoking cessation aids, need email asking!), and be proud that you are a donations, every dollar is important to
to be regulated by the FDA as such, and member of the vaping community! us.  You can make donations by going to
should be removed from the market until   www.VapersClub.com and clicking on the
F O R

the proper red tape can be rolled out, cut, One of the most important things that Donations Link on the right side of the
and applied. the community can do is pay attention. page. 
Local & state (paid) anti-tobacco activists
The bill completely ignores the fact that are working to ban e-cigarettes and are If you don’t have a credit card, you can find
the FDA at any time can decide to regulate courting many boards of health, county, our address at the website as well. We are
electronic cigarettes in a responsible way and state governments. It’s important to happy to take checks or money orders. We
by declaring them tobacco products, alert the e-cigarette community of these appreciate all your support and thank you
putting into place safety checks to ensure actions so that we can address them for helping us protect your right to vape!
quality of the product, and eventually promptly.

12
VENDOR TELL-ALL: JUICY VAPOR
Juicy Vapor is a gourmet vapor shop juices are gourmet and each bottle is made will get up the nerve to try it. Roast Beef,
based in Amherst, New York. The to order. We do not have any stock on Bell Pepper, Bacon, Garlic and Cream
company is currently owned and ran by shelves waiting to be sent out. Did I forget Cheese.
two partners and boasts more than 580 to mention flavors? (Laughs)
flavors with new flavors being added all VM: What are some of your top selling
the time. Their juices are 100% made to VM: Who comes up with all of your flavors? flavors?
order and 100% USA made as stated on What is your current favorite?

F O R
their website. This claim certainly caught JV: Wow, its gotta be French Toast, Fruit
our attention and was the basis for us JV: Anthony is by far the flavor mixologist Striped Gum, Ecto Plasma, Caramel

M O R E
wanting to get an interview with them. creating a vast majority of flavors, Brad Macchiato and Butter Rum Caramel. I know
Please make sure to check out the special has had his hand in a decent amount, and that I am leaving some out but there are so
deal we are running with them through even our customers, via the “Create your many.
this month located below. own” section have supplied a nice number

I N S I D E R
of delicious flavors. Anthony’s favorite is VM: Being based in New York, the
VM: First I’d like to say thank you Ecto Plasma. Brad’s is Turkish Tobacco and potential bans have got to be weighing
Anthony and Brad of Juicy Vapor for Wake~N~Vape. heavily on your minds. Do you think that
sitting down and talking to us a bit. Can the bill is likely to pass? What are your
you tell us about Juicy Vapor and how it VM: Where is your juice made? plans if it does?

V A P I N G
came to be?
JV: Juices are made to order on site in JV:
JV: Juicy Vapor was originally two either our New York or Illinois locations. 1. We cannot predict the future but
separate companies. One founded we are very hopeful with all of the
by Brad McNamara and the other by VM: Your site says your juice is 100% USA publicity and attention that it is getting

I N F O R M A T I O N
Anthony Brancato. Being long-time made, does that mean your nicotine is will make a positive influence on the
friends, these companies were never to derived here as well? outcome.
compete with each other, instead we 2. The best part of who we are is that we
shared trade secrets and ideas. JV: All we can say that it’s made from actually have two offices and if it comes
nicotine crystals that are put together in a down to that we can always make
After some time of duplicating stock laboratory here in the United States. Illinois our new corporate offices.
and websites, we decided to join forces
and put our heads together to bring you VM: The “create your own flavor” option VM: Do you have anything new on the
what we have now. Juicy Vapor is a small is a great idea, what are some of the horizon that you’d like to tell us about?

V I S I T
company with less than 10 employees at strangest mixes people have come up
this time. with? JV: We are always looking to expand our
business. We are actually at this time trying

W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M
VM: What is the most frustrating thing JV: “Steve’s Drunk” is by far the strangest to set up franchise opportunities.
about running an ecig company? The mix we have gotten. One of these days I
best thing?

JV:
1. Not knowing the future of where the
laws are going to take the industry.
2. (Anthony) - Personally I love to DEAL OF THE MONTH...
recreate the flavors and keep
everyone smiling about how great JuicyVapor.com is your one stop shop to find your
the flavors compare to the real thing. gourmet vapor flavors and everyday favorites. We
3. (Brad) – The best thing is knowing have more than 580 flavors with new flavors being
that we are helping people find added all the time. All our juices are 100% made to
alternative solutions to traditional order and 100% USA made.
tobacco and all the carcinogens and
ingredients found in them.
Coupon Code: “vaper10” - 10% off any order!
VM: With all of the many, many juice
vendors in the US now, what makes Juicy Visit JuicyVapor at: http://www.JuicyVapor.com/ or check out their VapeTV show
Vapor stand out? starting March 1st, every Tuesday at 9p.m. EST. You will also need to register at
http://www.SticKam.com to be able to participate in the live chat portion.
JV: Our vast variety of flavors, that our

13
DIY E-JUICE: AN INTRODUCTORY TUTORIAL
Howdy Vapers, Propylene Glycol: Warning! Some people
can have severe allergic reactions to Both PG and VG are widely available both
Vapor_Mike here, Propylene Glycol. You should know who online and in brick and mortar stores.
the new in-house you are as PG is in your lives just about
DIY eJuice guru. every day. Please, please be careful if you Nicotine Base Solution: Nicotine can poison
Some of you may are unsure if you are PG sensitive or not. you if it gets on your skin, eyes, or in your
W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M

know me from mouth. Be careful when you are handling


Twitter under it and if you buy a nicotine solution that is
the same name. higher than 36mg, I strongly suggest that
Every month I you cut it down as soon as you get it with
will be showing PG or VG. The ejuice calculator below has
you what it takes a section that will help you cut it down to
to become an ejuice expert and giving you the level you want. Store your nicotine in a
the know-how to make your own. safe and cool place away from those who
should not have access to it. Keep it out of
I have been vaping for over a year now and the light as it will discolor.
making my own juices for about 9 months.
I originally started because of Phee303’s My current favorite nicotine base is from
video on making his own DIY juices and NicVape. It is a great combination of cheap
found my vast love for mentholated juices price and good quality. The base cannot
from VaporCast. To you guys, thank you be tasted when mixed in a juice, which is
for everything you have done for me pretty much the main thing we are looking
V I S I T

and for the community. I would not be for. The average milligrams of nicotine in
here without you. What you do for the Propylene glycol is a food grade additive juices that is vaped is 12-18mg.
community inspires me and I am really that is also used in pharmaceuticals, food
thankful. colorings, and cigar humidors as well as
I N F O R M A T I O N

countless other things. In relation to our


RAWR!!! Lets DIY some Ejuice! ejuice, PG is going to be used as a solvent
for some of the flavorings and diluting
What you need to get started: down our nicotine base. PG is a natural
irritant and does have some effect on the
Ejuice is typically made up of the following: amount of throat hit you are getting from
propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin your juice. PG also has a slightly sweet taste
(VG), flavorings, nicotine solution (usually and is very thin in viscosity.
V A P I N G

nicotine dissolved in propylene glycol), and


occasional other additives such as menthol
crystals, ethol maltol, distilled water, and
pure grain alcohol. Using distilled water Menthol Crystals: Menthol can help blend
and pure grain alcohol is usually only done flavors together, give a cooling sensation,
I N S I D E R

by those more experienced in making their and even allow you to lower your nicotine
own juice. Personally, I do not find either of level by giving a little extra throat
these ingredients necessary and we will not sensation.
be talking about them. You will obviously
also need empty bottles and some sort of Quick menthol drops recipe as heard on
dropper or syringe. VaporCast:
M O R E

• Collect the following items: An empty


dropper bottle, menthol crystals,
F O R

and PG or VG. Having a small funnel


on hand would help this process go
smoother.
Vegetable Glycerin: VG is even more widely • With the menthol crystals still in the
used in the food industry than PG is. It is bag, gently crush them until it is almost
used in everything from sugar substitutes a powder.
to soap. This liquid is used in the exact • Using the funnel, fill the empty bottle
same way as PG is in ejuices, though it is with the crushed menthol crystals until
much thicker and sweeter than PG. the bottle is about half full.

14
DIY E-JUICE: AN INTRODUCTORY TUTORIAL
• Fill the bottle the rest of the way up • Add a very small amount of crystals. ingredient on the shopping list and if you
with PG while leaving room to put the • Wait for the crystals to dissolve. buy any decent quality nicotine solution,
nipple and cap on without making a • Continue adding crystals until they it should not effect the taste of the juice
mess. will no longer dissolve or until you are you are making. Leaving the nicotine out of
• Shake to the bottle to aid in dissolving satisfied. your test batches of ejuice will save you a
the crystals. lot of money.
A 10% crystals to 90% PG ratio seems to

F O R
Optional final step: work for most people. You can then be free to test your flavoring
mixes without the worry of wasting too

M O R E
The crystals should dissolve over time. If What does this mean for ejuice makers? much money if you end up not liking
you wish to aid the process further, you can what you have created. Without the use
apply heat via any of the following 3 ways. PG: High PG percentage in juice generally of nicotine in the juice, however, you will
Either: gives more of a throat hit and less vapor notice a definite lack of throat-hit in your

I N S I D E R
production than a VG based juice might. test batches. This will return when you add
• Hold the bottle with cap firmly on the nicotine. All you are doing is testing the
under warm tap water. VG: In general, a higher percentage of VG flavor and potentially your PG/VG ratio.
in a juice gives you more vapor, a sweeter
or taste, and less of a throat hit. 3. Try a variety of flavors.

V A P I N G
• Put the bottle in your pocket to allow Flavorings: Entirely subjective. Use what There are really four categories of flavors
your body heat to warm the bottle. you like, but stay away from oils and other out there: tobacco, fruits, drinks, other
things that should not be vaped. sweets/desserts. Any and all of these flavors
or can be mentholated, and most of the

I N F O R M A T I O N
Nicotine: Nicotine is what gives you the flavors can be mixed with any other in the
• Put the bottle with cap off in the majority of your throat hit. The average mg list. For example you could take a fruit and
microwave for 2 – 3 seconds. usage is somewhere between 12mg and mix it with a tobacco or take a dessert and
18mg. Please do not try to vape anything mix it with a fruit. Certainly you can also
I get my crystals from Perfumer’s higher than 24mg. add menthol to any of these as well for a
Apprentice and find them to be as good as whole new experience.
any. Menthol: This gives an entirely different
kind of mouth and throat experience. It
This recipe is a VERY strong recipe. For cools and blends flavors.

V I S I T
your typical 10ml bottle, you can use the
following to help you know how much Ethol Maltol: A sweetener that can be used
menthol to use. to sweeten juice without adding any other

W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M
flavor.
• For a Low-Medium Menthol experience
– Use 5 drops Beginner Rules to DIY:
• For a Medium-Medium High menthol
level – Use 10 drops 1. Take it Small!
• For a High menthol level – Use 20
drops I cannot stress this one enough. When
beginning to DIY your own e-juice, do
It is not suggested that you use more than everything in small amounts. Get yourself
this. some 3ml bottles and use them before
making large batches. In addition to this,
Ethol Maltol: This can come in either use very low amounts of your flavoring
liquid or crystal form and is simply used concentrate. You can always add more later
to sweeten juices. If you have crystals and but it is much more difficult to fix a juice
want to turn them into a liquid, use the that you have added too much flavoring to.
following method. This will help keep you from wasting your
ingredients and subsequently save money.
• Collect the following items: Ethol
Maltol crystals, an empty dropper 2. Don’t use nicotine until you find a flavor
bottle, and PG. you like. 4. Use an Ejuice Calculator:
• Fill the empty bottle with PG until it is
about 80% full. Nicotine is by far the most expensive An ejuice calculator is going to be your best

15
DIY E-JUICE: AN INTRODUCTORY TUTORIAL
friend. The one I used can be • The third number is the accurate. I am able to throw menthol drops, an empty
found at: http://ejuice.breaktru. size of the bottle you plan together delicious juices much bottle, and at least two
com/. It is called “eJuice Me Up”. to make. quicker just by counting out droppers.
This program will not only do • Skip the fourth number, it the drops instead of getting • Using a clean dropper, drip
all the calculations you would is for distilled water or pure syringes and measuring them 78 drops of your 36mg
ever need, but it will save grain alcohol. all out. base nicotine liquid into
W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M

recipes as well. It also takes the empty bottle.


into account if you are using All of the rest of the numbers The picture below is an • Using a clean dropper, drip
PG or VG based nicotine liquid are flavoring percentages. You example of a classic but one of 40 drops of your Peach
and flavorings when telling can not vape 100% flavoring. my favorite juices. This is Peach flavoring into the bottle.
you how much PG or VG to add Your typical juice will have Menthol. It uses the menthol • Drip only 10 drops of the
to meet the ratio you are pre-made menthol into
aiming for. the bottle. It should be
in its own bottle with a
How To Make Your Own nipple on it so no dropper
Ejuice! needed.
• Using a clean dropper, fill
Do you have everything you the bottle until it is about
need to get started? Great! half full with PG. Eye level
Then let’s do it! is fine.
• Finish filling the bottle
Once you open this with VG, while leaving a
V I S I T

calculator, you will see little room to place the


numbers and percent signs nipple in the bottle and
all over the screen and it still be able to shake it up
can be a bit confusing to properly.
I N F O R M A T I O N

people who have never seen • Shake and vape.


it before. With that in mind,
here is a quick rundown on Optional final step:
how to use this calculator.
• Let the juice steep over
What All These Numbers night before vaping. Some
Mean flavors take time to mingle
and really taste like they
V A P I N G

• The middle numbers should. Like some foods,


at the top are your PG juice may taste better the
and VG percentages. day after making them.
I personally aim for a Some people even try
50/50 mix and since leaving the bottle of juice
I N S I D E R

that is default, I leave in some hot water for


those values alone. a while after they have
• The numbers along finished the mix. The heat
the right side of the may aid in the mingling
program are the ones process. This is all really up
you need to be most to the individual.
M O R E

concerned with. The


top number is your I hope you have enjoyed
unflavored nicotine a 10% – 30% amount of drops explained above and reading this and learned
F O R

milligram. If you have flavor. This is then divided up Perfumers Apprentice Peach something while you were at it.
anything higher than amongst all the flavors you flavoring. It is very simple and Come back again next month
36mg you are doing it want in the juice very tasty. for another great recipe and in
wrong and need to re-read the meantime, If you have any
this article! I work exclusively in drops. So Let’s Make Peach Menthol questions you can find me on
• The next number down is Some other DIYers use syringes twitter at @Vapor_Mike or you
the nicotine level that you and measure out exactly • Collect the following can email me at Vapor_Mike@
are aiming for, again the everything. I find that using items: PG, VG, nicotine, VaperMonthly.com
average vaper is 12-18mg. drops is quicker and almost as peach flavoring, pre-made

16
TOTALLY WICKED VS. FDA: ASSET OR LIABILITY?
By Matt “Ivisi” Williams be a shift in the FDA’s stance.
But is Totally Wicked a good
On February 15th, 2011, candidate for this initiative?
Totally Wicked Incorporated Totally Wicked’s history as an
filed suit against the FDA, e-cig vendor casts serious
seeking release of e-cigarette doubt on that.
shipments being held by U.S.

F O R
Customs in Miami and an When I first began vaping
injunction barring the FDA almost two years ago, there

M O R E
from future shipment seizures. were very few vendors in the
marketplace. At the time,
Totally Wicked has hired the Totally Wicked was strictly a
same law firm that Smoking U.K. based company. Shortly

I N S I D E R
Everywhere used in their after, they opened a branch
initial lawsuit against the FDA, in Bradenton, Florida, that
and the filing bears a not-so- would serve as the base of their
dissimilar style to Smoking operations in the U.S..
Everywhere’s original filing.

V A P I N G
At this same time, grumblings
At this point in the legal from anti-smoking associations,
landscape, such a lawsuit regulatory groups, and
would usually be welcome. legislators began. One of
Rulings in the current NJOY their biggest (and still biggest)

I N F O R M A T I O N
case against the FDA (the complaints about e-cigarettes
same lawsuit Smoking was a supposed attraction
Everywhere initially began, to them by children. It was,
and later abandoned) have and still is, a manufactured
been squarely in favor of the complaint used to deflect
e-cigarette industry, and there attention away from the
has been little indication that benefits of e-cigarette use and
the FDA will prevail in its short- the success its users have had
sighted course of regulating in reducing, and in some cases

V I S I T
e-cigarettes as drug delivery eliminating, tobacco smoking.
devices and not as tobacco
products, which currently is the The community, however,

W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M
better of the two regulatory recognized the need to not “fan certainly didn’t make things unfair and incorrect association
options available to e-cig the flames”, and consciously easier on the “marketed for to the tobacco cigarettes they
manufacturers and vendors. tried to move the industry children” front, since Totally were meant to supplant and
toward obvious adult-themed Wicked was one of the, if not to dissuade the FDA’s stance
The third option, a completely marketing. It was during the, largest vendors around at that the devices should be
new class of “recreational this time that Totally Wicked the time. regulated as a drug delivery
nicotine product”, would unveiled its new website device.
ultimately be the most ideal design overhaul, which was a Let’s fast forward several
option for e-cig regulation, website themed to look almost months. There had been an About that time, Jason
would require legislative or entirely like the pages from a explosion of vendors on the (Managing Director of Totally
FDA creation, and at this point comic book, complete with a marketplace offering a range Wicked) released a video
seems highly unlikely as an cartoonish devil mascot. of e-cigarette kits, juices, announcing that they were
outcome. and mods. In the preceding now referring to their devices
The same look and feel is months, there had been an as Electronic Nicotine Inhalers,
In absence of that option, prevalent in the current effort to begin changing the or E-NI’s. Being a U.K. based
having multiple court rulings incarnation of their website. “e-cigarette” name commonly supplier, this was, in all
forcing the FDA to recognize It enflamed a lot of people in used for the devices to another honesty, their only move in
e-cigs as tobacco products the community at the time, term, personal vaporizer, or PV the regulatory structure of the
removes the shadow of bans and certainly made it seem for short. U.K, as their best option for fair
on the devices, and the more as if Totally Wicked had only regulation in that country was
lawsuits filed to force that themselves, and their bottom The reasoning behind this was one of medical devices.
view, the more likely there will line, in mind. And it most to distance e-cigarettes from

17
TOTALLY WICKED VS. FDA: CONTINUED...
However, since they also had a major U.S. based operation, this e-cigarette marketplace.
strategy also fell into the stance that the FDA was beginning
to take on electronic cigarette regulation. Again, the vaping Age verification is not only a good idea for vendors for liability
community in the U.S. was seeing Totally Wicked’s marketing as reasons, but shows regulatory agencies that, in the face of non-
detrimental to the regulatory stance the U.S. Government was regulation, the e-cigarette industry is following responsible sales
beginning to take against electronic cigarettes. and marketing guidelines.
W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M

Eventually, Totally Wicked would redefine its ‘E-NI’ designation For them to have been in the industry for as long as they have
for its products as “Electronic Nicotine Imitation Cigarettes”, or and not implemented some form of age verification for its sales is
“E-NIC”, and those products continue to be marketed as such on bordering on inexcusable.
their website.
So, now that Totally Wicked has thrown their hat into the ring in
Now, it’s easy to consider these examples as simply “missteps” a lawsuit against the FDA, will their newfound prominence help
in an industry just emerging from infancy, if that were the end or hinder our fight against regulation as a drug delivery device?
of it. But it’s not. The main argument in these legal cases is that Personally, although Totally Wicked has, in my eyes, quite a few
electronic cigarettes should be regulated as a tobacco product, faults, they still are recognized as a quality supplier with good
utilizing the same regulations and restrictions for sale that products, and that’s more than can be said about both NJOY and
are currently afforded tobacco cigarettes and other tobacco Smoking Everywhere.
products.
I firmly believe that the more suppliers that hold the FDA
Yet, nowhere on Totally Wicked’s website or during their ordering accountable for their faulty strategy on e-cig shipment
process is there any age verification to confirm legal age to confiscations, the better, as the industry currently has two things
V I S I T

purchase tobacco-related products. While e-cigarette regulation on its side: momentum and precedence. I certainly hope, though,
remains in limbo and no age verification is required as of now, that Totally Wicked’s previous track record doesn’t help to shift
verification is performed by many, many smaller vendors in the that momentum away from vapers everywhere.
I N F O R M A T I O N

WHAT’S GOING ON: BY PUBLIC VAPER


V A P I N G

My last open letter was a call to arms asking you, the so we can all purchase one of those too? What was that you
community of vapers, to stand up for your trusty PVs and to said?, “enter your favorite forum name here” is full of slackers
tackle the stigma and disinformation that currently exists in the and wanna-be’s who dont know crap about vaping? Awesome.
public domain. I challenged you to vape in public and to stand Well thanks for single handedly alienating an entire group of
proud for the devices that have ultimately changed our lives people who are fighting for the exact same rights you want to
I N S I D E R

for the better and asked you to do more for the community in preserve, and sorry that they do not fit the mold you have so
general to ultimately advance our cause for the benefit of the meticulously built, o thee king of vapers.
masses. And yet, I have another bone to pick with some of you.
Variety is the spice of life and just in case your parents didn’t
I believe it is safe to say that at one time or another, we have spell this out for you as a child; not everyone in life, nor
all been witness to the vile pissing matches between fellow this community for that matter, will have the same views,
M O R E

vapers and segmented communities that are all too prevalent preferences, and opinions as you do. Too often are there those
in the forums, chat rooms and community boards found across amongst us with the biggest voice who will do anything to
the interwebs. With the ever expanding list of vendors, forums, alienate the community and bash someone or something that
F O R

chat rooms, content providers and the consumer fan bases they dont approve of. Too often are vapers marginalized by
that support them all, we are too often subjected to rants others who have personally dignified themselves as a founding
by “douchevaper4u” (not an actual name) as they claw their member of the “O.G. Vaping crew” simply for being a newbie.
personal preference into the hearts of others with an air of And finally, too often are said vapers busying themselves trying
authority and vigor reserved mainly for the vile, main stream to fame-whore themselves all across the internet in hopes of
politicians we all love so much to hate. being recognized for their achievements of...guess what....here
it comes....doing the same thing we all did; quitting smoking
Hey I appreciate the fact that you support “some awesome and switching to vaping.
company” vendor, but where’d you find that high horse stable

18
WHAT’S GOING ON... JOKES OF THE MONTH
Two old ladies were outside their nursing home, having a smoke
when it started to rain. One of the ladies pulled out a condom,
cut off the end, put it over her cigarette and continued smoking.

Lady 1: “What’s that?”

Lady 2: “A condom. This way my cigarette doesn’t get wet.”

F O R
Lady 1: “Where did you get it?”

M O R E
Lady 2: “You can get them at any drugstore.”

The next day ... Lady 1 hobbles herself into the local drugstore

I N S I D E R
and announces to the pharmacist that she wants a box of
condoms. The guy looks at her kind of strangely (she is, after all,
over 80 years of age), but politely asks what brand she prefers.

Lady 1: “It doesn’t matter as long as it fits a Camel.”

V A P I N G
A tobacco company had heard that the oldest citizen of a certain
village had been smoking their product for over fifty years. They
Well congratulations Master Vaper. When you’re finally done dispatched a public-relations man to the village to interview

I N F O R M A T I O N
taking your bows and stepping down from aformentioned high him.
horse, we’d just like to mention that we’re sick of the shit. Our
community has been marginalized enough by the main stream “Sir,” the P.R. man said, “we are prepared to fly you to California to
media, greedy politicians, and fanatical non-smoking groups appear on an early morning television show to give a testimonial
that the last thing we need as a community is you dividing us about our tobacco company.”
from within ranks.
“Can’t do it!” replied the seasoned smoker.
So I’m going to take this chance to call everyone to task yet
again. Can we lose the inter-vaper hate and do our best to “You can’t do it?” asked the P.R. man. “Don’t you want a free

V I S I T
keep the conversations civil? I know it’s not always easy, but plane ticket to California?”
for the sake of our fight, lets quell the self inflicted friendly fire
and retarget our ammo at the groups who are truly hell bent on “Yep, I’d like to go to California, but I can’t do it.”

W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M
destroying our movement. Think of all the wasted energy that
is put into segmenting this community internally that could be “Well, Sir,” said the P.R. man, “we’re prepared to put you up in
more efficiently tasked at producing something posivite that one of the nicest hotels in Los Angeles for at least three nights.
could affect results we would all benefit from. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

So the next time you feel like trolling a chat or letting the forum “Yep, it would be wonderful, but I can’t do it!”
communities know how silly the vapers are at that other forum
board that only lackeys peruse, why dont you take a deep “Why can’t you do it?” screamed the P.R. man.
breathe and write your congressman a letter letting him know
“we’re not gonna take it, no we’re not gonna take it...no we’re “Well, young fellow,” he said, “I can’t fly to California and appear
not gonna take it anymore!” on that morning television show to give a testimonial about
your tobacco because I don’t stop coughing until noon!”

19
VM REVIEW: THE DRIP SHIELD
him, Keith decided to fix the This allows the Drip Shield to to 510 adapter connected
issue and the Drip Shield was slide down far enough to cover to each other to create a
born out of this mission. the connection point which is make-shift 510 extender.
the leakage point for the 901
Here’s how the drip shield atomizer. Customizable - The Drip Shield
works: The drip shield is a comes in black, silver, and a
W W W . V A P E R M O N T H L Y. C O M

simply designed accessory Both the 510 and 306 atomizers black/silver mix. Both colors
with an important purpose, it’s have male connections and go with most mods easily so
an aluminum tube that slides require batteries or mods that making something match
over your atomizer much the have female connections. should not be a problem.
same as any standard drip tip. While this allows mods to have
On each end of the tube is an juice wells or rings to help Things To Know:
By: Vapor_Mike o-ring that keeps the device prevent liquid from running
snuggly in place and prohibits down the side of your ecig, The very first time you try
A new accessory has hit the juice from dripping down it prevents the Drip Shield putting your Drip Shield on a
market as of late that has been whatever mod or battery you from being placed on these device you may find that it is
answering the prayers of many may be using the atomizer atomizers in a manner that rather difficult. This is because
a 901 user in the the vaping with. Near the top o-ring, but allows it to collect the leaking the o-rings in the device are
community. It’s a nifty little still between the two, are two juice. Adapters will extend the doing their job and keeping
accessory that does a great tiny air holes that tighten the connection to a point where a snug fit. Gently wiggle the
job of improving the 901’s draw on the atomizer. this is no longer an issue. shield back and forth while
usability which ultimately pushing it onto the atomizer.
V I S I T

led to it being mentioned When the Drip Shield is What Adapter Do I Need? Over time, the o-rings will
here at Vapermonthly. This placed over the section of that break in and become easier to
multifunctional device atomizer that connects to your To use a 510 or 306 atomizer apply while still keeping a snug
prevents atomizer leaks, acts battery, any juice that leaks due with the Drip Shield, you will fit to prevent leaks.
I N F O R M A T I O N

as a heat sink, and stiffens the to over dripping will be caught need one of the following:
draw of atomizers or in other between the o-rings. This 1. A Gooseneck from Totally We here at VaperMonthly
words, simply creates general juice can be reintroduced to Twisted Texas E-liquid - This agree that The Drip Shield from
901 vaping awesomeness that the atomizer by giving a swift is highly recommended Empire Mods is a must have
just cant be beat. So what is draw while not activating the as the Gooseneck is for anyone who enjoys the 901
this little heaven sent treasure device. This design mechanism also a wonderful vaping atomizer. It takes an atomizer
you ask? prevents vapers from wasting accessory that keeps the that was impractical to use
juice and may even prolong the mod away from your due to its faulty design and
V A P I N G

It’s the Drip Shield from Empire life of your atomizer by keeping face which is particularly leakage problems, and makes
Mods! it cooler. helpful while driving. it perform as well as some of its
2. A 510 extender top performing competitors.
The Drip Shield was initially Compatibility - Though the from AvidVaper or For the price, this accessory is
created to be part of The device was designed for the GoodProphets something that we certianly
I N S I D E R

Empire, a telescoping mod that 901 atomizer, the Drip Shield 3. Both a 510 to 901/801/etc believe should be in every
Keith at EmpireMods created can easily be used with other adapter and a 901/801/etc vapers stash!
and has been using for about popular models, such
eight months. Being a 901 as the 510 and 306
atomizer lover himself, Keith atomizers through the
had the same problem that use of adapters or with
M O R E

many other advocates of the Totally Twisted Texas


901 have, the leaking. E-Liquid’s Gooseneck
accessory.
F O R

The 901 has a large air hole


which allows juice to leak The adaptors/Gooseneck
out of the atomizer all too accessory are needed
easily. This has turned much due to the 901
of the experienced vaping atomizer design. These
community away from this atomizers have a female
particular design. However, connection which is in
instead of fleeing the problem turn used with batteries
as so many had done before that have a male socket.

20

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