"An Affordable Paint Mixer - Review" Topic

This past week, I reviewed an a affordable vortex mixer recommended by a local gaming company. You can find these on Amazon and they are pretty affordable. I paid around $60 USD for mine. Come on over and read or watch the review to learn more.

In the written article, I also talk to (and link to) some other ideas for mixing paint too.

Written Review… link
Video Review… youtu.be/jIS52HWnLEw

Written Review… link
Video Review… youtu.be/jIS52HWnLEw

Here's one like I use.
Been using it for years.
Much cheaper.
link

Cool. Thanks to the original poster and The Tin Dictator.

The Vortex paint mixer looks pretty nice, but a bit pricey.

I made one out of a $20 USD jigsaw, a $2 USD clamp, and some bailing wire.

Thanks for all the responses so far. Tin Doctor… I linked to that mixer in the written post too. I am happy to hear that it lasts a long time. A lot of reviewers said it doesn't, but I personally haven't tried it.

Oberlindes Sol LIC… You're welcome. :)

Yellow Admiral… the jigsaw is an awesome approach too!

I've got the same mixer. I've done numerous reviews and videos for it on numerous FB pages. Only thing one needs to do really is to fasten it down to whatever surface you are going to have it on, so it doesn't slide during mixing.

Oh and I would suggest NOT using the stainless steel mixing balls. There is always the possibility of the coatings coming off and rusting. Go with 6mm glass mixing balls, 1 per dropper bottle or paint pot, or two for really thick stuff or larger containers.

Thanks for the advice Murphy! The comments are much appreciated.

Will it hold hobby paint sized bottles like Americana or Ceramcoat?

As far as vortex mixers go, this particular one is the most affordable I've seen. They will work with any paint bottle, craft or miniature brand.

The Jig Saw approach will run you around $34 USD: $30 USD for an inexpensive Harbor Freight Jig Saw (new), and $4 USD for a clamp. The catch is that not all Jig Saws will have room in their head to accept the shank of the clamp.

I bought a Jig Saw, used, at an estate sale, for $10 USD. I tried the clamp technique, but the head on the Black & Decker Saw was too small. I bought a $4 USD cutting blade, and a $4 USD roll of Painter's Masking Tape: I wrap the tape around the blade, then around the paint bottle. Mix by turning it on, but watch the throttle! Adjust the speed up, slowly. Too fast, and the cutting blade will go through the tape, and the bottle will shoot off somewhere.

Both of these approaches will mix your paints amazingly well.

For mixing spray paint cans, as well as cans of Army Painter Shades, or Minwax, try this video, from YouTube. I made one using 3-inch PVC pipe, and I will always have one handy. Indispensable tools, all of these. Cheers!

I didn't try. The grove seems narrower than that. I saw someone make a flat adapter for the indent to make it work better with GW paint. I don't know how it will work with Craft Store paints.

Look for nail varnish mixers on eBay etc. Exactly the same thing as original post. Quarter the price.

I also use the jigsaw method. No blades for me. Too dangerous. I removed the base of the Jigsaw, the blade and added a small flathead screwdriver where the blade was. Only the handle of the screwdriver shows as the metal part has been inserted into the jig. I attach any size bottle up to 2oz craft paints using 2 or 3 rubber bands to the screwdriver. Mix at half speed for 30 to 60 seconds. Perfect! Cost was zip since it was an older jigsaw and I was replacing it with a new one.

Thanks.

John

I'll throw this into the mix (no pun intended).

If you're willing to spend $60 USD-$100, look for surplus vortex mixers on an auction site. You can get lab grade mixers (which normally run $200 USD-$400) for that much. While it may seem like overkill, my main concern when shopping for a VM were the reviews that talked about the iffy quality in the nail salon/ tattoo parlor models. I got a Thermolyne model (with minor cosmetic flaws) for $50 USD and it's amazing.

Just got the one Tin Dictator showed only it was listed as "nail polish" mixer on ebay. So far works pretty well. Has battery power or plug in.

I bought a vortex mixer during the summer. Different brand but I spent about the same. I like it. I've only used it with dropper bottles, so I can't answer to the question about craft paints. The rubber sheath does sometimes get dislodged and has to be reset or it doesn't work very well. Overall, six months or so down the road, I still think it was a wise purchase.

Thanks KSmyth. Enfant Perdus, I never thought of a Surplus store. That's a great idea too!

I also use the jigsaw method. No blades for me. Too dangerous.

I ground the teeth off one of the blades on my grinding wheel, converting it into a steel blank that perfectly fits the saw chuck. I tightly wired the clamp to the blade through holes in both the blade and the clamp handle. I might have drilled an extra hole in the clamp handle, too, don't remember now.

I also drilled a hole in one of the rubber cushions on the clamp, just the right size to fit the pointy tip of a Vallejo bottle. I didn't feel safe just clamping onto such a small surface area.

The nice thing about the clamp is that it's extra insurance to keep the lid tightly on the jar while it's shaking around. I've had nasty accidents with loose lids just shaking paint jars by hand; I don't like to think about how far the spatter would go in the jigsaw.

- Ix

The Jig Saw approach will run you around $34 USD USD: $30 USD USD for an inexpensive Harbor Freight Jig Saw (new), and $4 USD USD for a clamp. The catch is that not all Jig Saws will have room in their head to accept the shank of the clamp.

I bought this saw from Amazon: link

The price has gone up a bit ($4) since I bought mine, but it's still super cheap. I never run it higher than speed 3, so it's underworked, and should probably last forever as a paint mixer.

I bought the smallest, cheapest ratcheting clamp I could get ($2) at Harbor Freight: link

But I already had the wire, grinding wheel, pliers, and drill bits to do the assembly myself. If you're not well endowed with tools, this might be a bit more of a challenge.

- Ix