Replies

1. 
   DavidThomas | Jan 12, 2005 03:43am | #1

   Aviation analogy.  Cars have BIG radiators (4-5 sq ft) and little fans (200-300 watts = 1/4-1/3 hp).  Single engine planes have small radiators (0.5 sq ft) and BIG fans (78", 100 hp).

   You can spin a big paddle slow with a gear-reduction drill.  Or you can spin a small mixer blade fast with any old 3/8 drill.  Think milk-shake machine.  High velocity right at the blade and that induces a slow general circulation in the large container.

   Gotta keep the small, fast blade submerged so it doesn't mix in air, but otherwise, I like it for paint or mud.   What it doesn't do nearly as well as the big slow paddle is dig the dry powder out of the corner and get it into the bulk of the mix.

   David Thomas   Overlooking Cook Inlet in Kenai, Alaska
1. 
   HammerHarry | Jan 13, 2005 03:40am | #16

   And, if the consistency stays the same, hp will go up (or down) roughly equivalent to the increase or decrease in the size of the prop..ie, doulbe the prop size, double the hp; BUT hp will go up / down roughly in proportion to the CUBE of the change in speed...ie, double the speed, 8 times the power.

   Now, if you're talking paper stock, each 1% increase in consistency also means about double the hp.....

2. 
   FastEddie1 | Jan 12, 2005 04:03am | #2

   I bought a cheap Black & Decker 1/2" drill and use it only for mixing thinset and grout.  Single speed.  Works well.  If the grout gets a little dry, the drill will spin a full 5 gal bucket ... plenty of power.

    

   I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.

1. 
   Pierre1 | Jan 12, 2005 05:08am | #3

   My 1/2" Makita Model 1500 variable speed does not like to mix more than 1/2 a bucket's worth of mud at a time. Even that is pushing it with the big paddle, so I've gone to a smaller paint-type paddle.

1. 
   FastEddie1 | Jan 12, 2005 06:10am | #6

   I didn't say my drill likes to mix mud and grout ... but it does work pretty well.  You have to develop a sense of how much motor smell is too much, and be a little careful, but it does work.

    I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.

1. 
   Pierre1 | Jan 12, 2005 06:34am | #9

   You're right, with my Makita, mudding takes a good nose!

3. 
   G80104 | Jan 12, 2005 05:50am | #4

   I got the "Old Mule" Hole Hawg, mix all my stuff with it . If your limber enough the best way to mix is by standing on the five gal bucket when mixing. I bought the drill in 82, money well spent!

1. 
   f1fan100 | Jan 12, 2005 05:56am | #5

   I am an amature but was mixing durabond with the same Rigid 1/2 and the #### was getting every where any suggestions?

1. 
   FastEddie1 | Jan 12, 2005 06:12am | #7

   The only times I throw stuff out of the bucket, is when I lift the paddle up, or if it is way too wet.

    I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.

2. 
   JohnSprung | Jan 12, 2005 11:12pm | #12

   > I got the "Old Mule" Hole Hawg, mix all my stuff with it . If your limber enough the best way to mix is by standing on the five gal bucket when mixing.

   I have the Hole Hawg, too.  Instead of standing on the bucket, what I do is take about 6 ft. of sash cord and tie one end to a stud or something at about bucket height from the floor.  Then I wrap the rest of it around the bucket clockwise, the same direction the paddle will turn.  The tied off part has to cross over some of the wraps on the bucket.  That holds the bucket from spinning, and I can stand on the floor while mixing.  I'm too clumsy to get on and off the bucket without dumping it.  ;-)

    

   -- J.S.

    

3. 
   joeh | Jan 12, 2005 11:26pm | #13

   Break your arms and tear your parts off at the same time?

   Joe H

1. 
   IMERC | Jan 13, 2005 01:07am | #14

   my kinda drill...

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

   WOW!!!   What a Ride!

4. 
   savvy | Jan 12, 2005 06:19am | #8

   Idealy, you want a 1/2" variable speed drill .it's safer. If you must use a low speed-high torque drill, start the mixer at the top and ease it into the material.

   Todd

5. 
   Tyr | Jan 12, 2005 09:30am | #10

   What kind of mixer?  I don't like to use it but my 18v DeWalt (variable) mixes a 5 gal bucket with no sweat.  I usually chuck up a small version of my bigger mixer and use the same drill to mix up smaller amounts of setting compound & water right in my mud box.  Also have made a mixer out of 3/8" rod.  Just has a 3" piece welded perpendicular to a piece about 18"/24" long.  Doesn't take a lot to spin it but variable speed gives you a lot of control.   I have never used those square paddle mixers usually seen around rock tools in stores.  Mine are round, have two hubs with blades that face each other.  Probably made for paint but have worked well in mud for me.  I'm a general contractor but like to keep a hands on approach.   Thor

1. 
   FastEddie1 | Jan 12, 2005 04:18pm | #11

   Oops ... my B&D drill is variable speed, not single speed.  But it still works well enough.  I use a large square paddle mixer ... basically a rectangle of 1/4" x 1/2" steel on the end of the shaft.  I start with about 3/4 of the water I think I needd, then add powder slowly until it gets to the righht consistency.  That way the drill motor can easily turn the way-too-wet goop, and by the time I get all the powder in the bucket, there's only a few more turns needed.

   unknown, aka Ed H

    I'm sorry, I thought you wanted it done the right way.

6. 
   RW | Jan 13, 2005 01:58am | #15

   Love the hole hawg. On low speed, it mixes the mud, turn it on high for a sec, and the muds all on the walls for you. Just grab a knife. But really. Low speed, love it, plenty of power. I've mixed all kinds of stuff with that thing. You know, Idon't think its ever drilled a hole in its life.

   But hey, for about $20, mapei (tile stores) makes a holder for 5 gal buckets that works great, you stand on the feet and mix away. Or you can hold the bucket with your legs if your shins are in to being beat up.

   "If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain

1. 
   donpapenburg | Jan 13, 2005 06:12am | #17

   Use the Mill 1/2 HD drill and square mud mixer. I hold the bucket with my feet and let the bucket turn slowly as I mix. Just hold the mixer slightly off center and the bucket will turn ,very the pressure with your feet to set bucket speed.