paint shakers

[L.W. Baxter]

I'm wondering if anyone here has tried one of the cheaper paint shakers out there, like the Hinson Hula or the Blair Tornado. Or any other make in a similar price range (~$300)? Or should I just keep running down to Ace Hardware, apologetically asking them to shake my marine paints I obviously didn't buy there?

[Ian McColgin]

I use a heavy stirrer on my drill. Gets 'r done.

[Don Z.]

The MWR guys at the local navy base use a Tornado for all the bottom paints. Had it for a few years, doing about twenty boats a year. I haven't heard any complaints, but that's about all I know.

[Ken Hutchins]

I use a gismo intended for a drill, cut shorter and use in the drll press.

[Eric D]

Ken,

me too...

Drill press, turn on and go slow...

Look ma, NO hands!!

[KNOCKABOUT]

My neighbours wife shakes my paint.

[L.W. Baxter]

I've used a drill attachment also, but maybe it's just not a very good one, because it doesn't seem to work very well. Especially with really high solids stuff like sandable primers and ablative bottom paint, the drill takes forever, with alot of messy scraping to keep the attachment clean and functional. By the time I'm done mixing, dinner's ready, know what I mean?

The drill press is an idea I haven't tried, I'll give it a go. I'd still like to have a paint shaker, though, as I've been doing alot of painting these days, boat-related and otherwise. Might never "pay for itself" but that can be said for many things I buy for my own satisfaction. And I've never regretted buying a tool. Oh, except for that Ryobi table saw, RIP.

Thanks, Lee

[edsr]

Lee, try Miller Paint's pro-dept. for a heavy duty attachment for a drill. BTW, how is the Bartender coming, finished yet?

[L.W. Baxter]

Thanks for the tip, ed, will do.

I'm working on cabin, coamings etc. for the Bartender. I didn't make much progress in '06, mostly too busy (and tired) from the housing explosion, plus I built a little cross-planked skiff on the side. Now I'm shooting for a spring '08 launch.

I think I'll be installing a Steyr turbo diesel from Channel Marine in the fall, how 'bout them apples?

[Bruce Hooke]

Those drill mounted paint stirrers are a pretty hard on the drill motor bearings. Not such a big deal given that drills are not that expensive, but I'd be more hesitant about doing that to my drill press...

[Ken Hutchins]

Taiwnanse drill press, a bit of paint splased around tends to tighten the bearings.

[JimConlin]

I think I've got the same drill press as Ken. Harbor Freight, $39.
The ONLY thing it does passably well is mix paint and epoxy. For that, it's aces.

When I got to mix bottom paint, i usually find it's quite settled out. I pour half of the liquid off and use the aforementioned precision machine to froth up the pigment. When the half-can has been homogenized, the liquid is mixed back in.

The methods of mixing epoxy bog are for another day.

[pipefitter]

Just have UPS deliver it.

[few3]

Kitchen Aid 6 Quart, set the speed at 2 to start ( 1 for the high builds ), and move up to 3. I also suggest you buy a seperate whisker you can modify. Or use it as is. As long as you use a seperate whisker, and cover up your tracks, nobody will find out....maybe

[Bruce Hooke]

I think I've got the same drill press as Ken. Harbor Freight, $39.
The ONLY thing it does passably well is mix paint and epoxy. For that, it's aces.

I get the picture. In that case, mix away!
A good reason to have a cheap drill press.

My drill press is a treasured Delta Radial Drill Press that was my grandfather's and then my uncle's before it came to me...

[Wild Wassa]

I buy the flat perforated plastic paint stirrers from Bristol. They are $1 each.

I like them because they have a chisel blade shaped on the bottom of the stirrer to get the chunky bits off the bottom of the can. They are the most efficient and cost effective tool that I use.

I like my juice stirred not shaken ... and then finely filtered.

Once paint has been shaken up it still pays to stir it ... but not with a wooden leg pirates.

Warren.

[edsr]

Lee, Sounds like a good way to go.
Post some pictures so we can all see. The Bartender has got to be one of the better looking boats ever.