How many of ya'll have used it and how well does it mix? I was thinking of purchasing one or building my own after reading the article in the library



Dave

David; Use all the Time,Very easy and works well. get rid of the chunk of metal and pick up some 3/4"-1/2" ball bearings work better

Yes! Once you get used to using it you can't imagine going back. Barry is right on the ball bearings.

I use mine every day, and it's well worth the $$.

I have two, and use them just about every day. I'm still using the rods that came with them but plan to pick up some bearings based on what a few have said.

I agree with Mark, well worth the money!

Walt Davenport
"Roadhouse Rods"

Walt,
When using these mixers, I assume that you have to clean the bearings or mixing rods after each use with solvent?
Roger

Just lift or pour it out into a rag soaked with alcohol. Wipe clean and you're done.

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Love mine. Instead of warming finish you can warm the mixing rod before injecting finish.
Can't seem to get my mind around the reason to change to ballbearings. Seems to me the BB will leave some of the finish un-mixed.
Herb

It won't. Either will work - the key is to have the right weight for the viscosity of the liquid you're mixing. Not all epoxies are the same and temperature makes a difference. Getting the right weight mixing ball is covered in the article.

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I have one, and wouldn't be without it.

Bill in WV

Thanks for all the replies, I noticed that the PAC bay mixer is 24 rpm and I can get a 30 rpm or a 9 rpm motor for 13 dollars and change, I wonder if they would work with flex coat high build as that is the finish I use most often, if that is the case it might be cheaper to make my own.



Dave

If you go too fast, the ball will be overcome by the viscosity of the epoxy and will turn with it, or, create bubbles. The ideal speed for a mechanical mixer is going to be around 18 RPM, give or take a few RPM either way.

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I use a home-made motorized epoxy mixer. It's variable speed, and I use several different size (weight ?) steel ball bearings to mix with, depending on the viscosity of the materials being mixed. I pour the mixed epoxy out onto a piece of foil and when done applying the epoxy to the rod I pick the steel ball out of the remaining epoxy with a small magnet and drop it into a alcohol wetted paper towel for cleaning.

I don't think I'd ever go back to hand mixing as long as my mixer works. I trust the epoxy mix more when I "power mix".

Rog