I currently use a very old Black and Decker to attach my mixing paddle to for mixing adhesives.

I've been lucky in that the first two I've got off Freecycle, however the chuck on the current one now shakes itself loose on a regular basis.

I have just bought a £20 job from B&Q for this purpose but would take it back if anyone can point to a much cheaper unit.

This would be very disposable and dedicated to this job.

It needs to be:

Low speed (C600 to 800rpm) or variable speed
Cheap
Corded - I don't want to faf about with cordless as the batteries on the cheap ones have a habit of dying young.
Preferably key chuck as these are less likely to suffer from plaster/adhesive dust.

I don't need:
Hammer action
keyless chuck
accessory pack
reverse action
etc

Thanks

Why just that job?

Originally Posted by sWe

Why just that job?

Because:

1) The mess created can give the drill a short life, I've already got through 1 cheap 1970s vintage Black and Decker and one I bought in 1994, all in the space of 3 years, and the next drill chuck is on its way out.

2) The drills I use for other jobs are quite good quality. I tend to stick to brand names. They last a long time and do the jobs they're supposed to.

3) The drills I use for other jobs tend to be cordless, whereas I want a corded drill for this. Running low on battery whilst drilling and screwing is one thing, whereas running low on battery whilst mixing plaster is another. I've mixed plaster by hand before, but like the consistancy that machine mixing gives me.

I've got a half decent corded drill that is quite powerful that has up until now served me well when I needed some strength that the cordless haven't been able to give me. I was thinking of using that but it's too good really.

why not buy a proper plaster mixing drill that has plenty of torque to cope with a full bucket

i used to use my makita core drill but recently bought a cheap plaster drill for £89 from B&Q

all depends how much mixing you do....i would never even think about mixing plaster/adhesive by hand if you need a large mix

Hi cornish crofter,
You could recycle an angle grinder. Screw a M14 adapter on, and screw a mixing stab on! 2Balls

Sim hopper

Can't really justify a paddle mixer, plus TBH, I'm not that efficient at washing the paddle down afterwards, which is why I go for the disposable option.

2 Balls, I think the angle grinder will be too fast. I need either variable or low speed. My old B&D two speed (rebuilt from two drills) has a 'slow' speed of 800rpm, and even that distributes the mix on the walls if I'm not careful.

But thanks for thinking for me

I bought an Ebauer mixer from sf a bout 18 months ago for £68 it's low geared and does'nt throw the stuff round the room, I had a few old b&ds before that and as you said they are far too fast.

You want it cheaper than £20 ???????


Anyway the local tile shop i use sell these but i have never tried one £30.37
Information...

Hi cornish crofter,I use a variable speed Angle Grinder(Flex), no probs mixing up to 20 litres adhesive,it stays in the bucket and does´nt splatter everywhere.Try it!2Balls

£20...hugo......lol..pmsl...you do make me laff mate....you tight git.....

Try screwfix - will deliver next day too. Brother in law swears by them, he's in mid devon and gets deliveries no problems.
I took the trouble to check their site ( I use them often) and have a quick look found the one below. There may be cheaper but I have never had a problem with stuff I buy from screwfix. Best buy was a 3 function sds drill I bought for one specific job. I was prepared to destroy it and bin, but it refused to die even after 3 weeks considerable abuse - not bad for under £50

Evolution Twister1100 1100W Mixer Drill 110V - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

There will be a 240 volt option I'm sure if that#s what you need

Hope this is of use - Oh and Happy Christmas to all

I have the cheap titan 6kg sds drill which i use for core drilling for waste pipes in walls and for taking tiles up off floors with the tile chisel tool,i also use it for mixing etc,i bought the sds paddle adaptor and the makita mortar mixing paddle,but beware if your not concentrating it will either spin the bucket including what ever your mixing in the bucket or it will rip your arms off lmao but it will last you for ages as long as you look after it ie;grease it etc etc.all above was bought from screwfix but the best thing is i dont need two different drills for two different jobs

I hardly ever use a drill to mix up adhesive, I am a keen cricketer and this hand mixing keeps my grip strong and my forearms too. By the way what do you chaps reckon on getting a tilers forum league together, local levels to start with, then national then we could use the overseas links to tour the world !!! It's a great idea, you have to admit that, how many would you think would be interested?? David 198lw

Originally Posted by cowgomoo

I hardly ever use a drill to mix up adhesive, I am a keen cricketer and this hand mixing keeps my grip strong and my forearms too. By the way what do you chaps reckon on getting a tilers forum league together, local levels to start with, then national then we could use the overseas links to tour the world !!! It's a great idea, you have to admit that, how many would you think would be interested?? David 198lw

What about a Rugby ,Cricket drinking Team league?2Balls

Originally Posted by Dave

£20...hugo......lol..pmsl...you do make me laff mate....you tight git.....

was thinking the same myself, CC was thinking the first "C" is for cheapskate........ can't think what the second could be lol!!

i use a bosch variable hammer drill, have used this for about 3 years now, still no signs of it wearing down, plus when I'm not mixing with it I use it for hole cutting, jack hammering etc

Originally Posted by Dave

£20...hugo......lol..pmsl...you do make me laff mate....you tight git.....

Great Idea Dave, I'm off to the tip to see what they've got.

If not it's Freecycle or check the rubbish bins over Christmas

Originally Posted by cornish_crofter

Great Idea Dave, I'm off to the tip to see what they've got.

If not it's Freecycle or check the rubbish bins over Christmas

Hi cornish, Can you peel an orange in your pocket!!

the problem with cheap/secondhand gear is that it's unreliable, what if you're in middle of a big floor for eg, middle of nowhere, and your cheap freecycled bit of kit packs up? I'd be wishing I'd bought a decent one

On reflection I may up my budget and go for £21.00

No, seriously, that B&Q mixer is starting to look more attractive. I know it's £89 but.

I also like the look of that £30 mixer that Neale posted a picture of. Which tile shop was that Neale?

Its a local shop to me but thats the price anywhere maybe cheaper if you flutter your eyelashes

Silverline Tools > Power Tools > DIY

i have the siverline plaster mixer, the orange one with 2 handles.
can recommend it!
i too never get round to cleaning the paddle, so i just tap the dried adhesive off with a hammer the next day! a bad habit i know

The paddles I use for mixing can cost with delivery about £40 and would'nt be banging them with a hammer to clean them

i think the more you pay, the more torque you get. im using a 800w wickes old fashioned hammer drill, its does the job and cost 30 quid. but you can tell its lacking in torque as its either spinning too fast in the mix or not at all. still its ok for everything apaprt from doing loads of full bag mixes

Originally Posted by burncross

i have the siverline plaster mixer, the orange one with 2 handles.
can recommend it!
i too never get round to cleaning the paddle, so i just tap the dried adhesive off with a hammer the next day! a bad habit i know

shame on you ( i do aswell when i cant be bothered cleaning the paddle)

I always have a bucket half filled with water where I mix stuff. After I've mixed a batch, I run the paddle in the water bucket for a couple of seconds, and then I brush of anything that's left with a regular dish brush. Takes 30 seconds, if that even... Then I leave the paddle mixer standing in the bucket, so any crap left on it doesn't set properly. Makes the final cleaning of the day alot easier.

Same as swe

Well today I decided to bite the bullet and opened up the £20 drill I got from B&Q. It's actually not a bad bit of kit. Variable speed, hammer action, keyless chuck and reverse action. 710W. I should probably have spent a little more and got a 1050w version for £25 that they were doing a week later, but this is nice and light.

I thought since I paid more for the Bal Mosaic I ought to use the new drill rather than struggle with the really old 2 speed B and D with the chuck that keeps shaking the paddle loose.

I found it an absolute dream. What I like is that there is a dial on the trigger that limits the speed. Ideal if you don't want to cover the whole room in adhesive

I did look at the paddle mixers, they're too big for what I need. I don't mix that much adhesive or plaster up at once.

The good thing is, although I only bought this as a mixing drill, I could use it for something else if I got stuck.

My only problem is the wife! She can identify a new power tool at 100 paces. "What have you been buying now? - I like the way these just sneak in etc".

"It's to use on your bathroom dear", sort of worked

I'm on my second mixer now,both Eibenstock.Great machines that will mix all day long,need new paddle very soon though!!