Cheap Mortar mix drill?

[Raisedonadeere]

I have a few projects where i need to mix a bag of premix mortar for block laying and and laying rock. Mixing by hand saps my strength especially on hot days. the half inch corded drills I have just cannot pull the mixing paddle I have without wanting to smoke.

Need a drill that is big enough to mix a bucket of mortar with out burning up or something that takes less effort than a garden hoe and shovel. I dont have much use for that much drill motor torque, hence the reluctance to jut go buy what ever I find. Just wondering if someone has found a good beater drill for this kind of work.

 

[seber]

Check craigslist and marketplace for an old two hand style. Generally sell for around ten or twenty dollars and most of them will twist your arm off. They generally have a pipe thread socket for a torque arm.

 

[DrinkMan]

I had to mix a lot of thin set and grout for laying tile and had smoked my 1/2" drill. So just to get that job done, I decided to buy a Harbor Freight special 1/2" with D-Handle and side handle. It was on sale (what a surprise) and got the warranty. I figured it would last a day or two and I would just keep exchanging it until the job was done. For less than $30 (at that time), it was a chance worth taking and as long as it lasted the project (even if I kept replacing it), it would be worth it. Not only did it work perfectly at mixing quite a few big buckets but it is still going strong 15 years later.

This looks like the current version of what I bought: The drill that just won't die

 

[mike93lx]

Harbor freight d handle geared drill.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

I did a bunch of thinset, grout and paint with mine, no problems at all.

 

[KenC]

I had to mix a lot of thin set and grout for laying tile and had smoked my 1/2" drill. So just to get that job done, I decided to buy a Harbor Freight special 1/2" with D-Handle and side handle. It was on sale (what a surprise) and got the warranty. I figured it would last a day or two and I would just keep exchanging it until the job was done. For less than $30 (at that time), it was a chance worth taking and as long as it lasted the project (even if I kept replacing it), it would be worth it. Not only did it work perfectly at mixing quite a few big buckets but it is still going strong 15 years later.

This looks like the current version of what I bought: The drill that just won't die

Harbor freight d handle geared drill.

Harbor Freight Tools – Quality Tools at Discount Prices Since 1977

Harbor Freight buys their top quality tools from the same factories that supply our competitors. We cut out the middleman and pass the savings to you!

www.harborfreight.com

I did a bunch of thinset, grout and paint with mine, no problems at all.

First quote could have been mine. Same story but over 20 years ago. I've since bought one of the 'hole hawg' clones from HF. I'd recommend that due to being much easier to control the torque reaction. But the old d-handle still works.

One comment, most mortar for block or brick laying is a much stiffer mix than grout and thinset, so would be much harder on a drill of any kind. Maybe consider a little cement mixer??

 

[cjarvis]

Bought the same drill for the same reason and it works perfectly for mortar and taping mud.

 

[mike93lx]

First quote could have been mine. Same story but over 20 years ago. I've since bought one of the 'hole hawg' clones from HF. I'd recommend that due to being much easier to control the torque reaction. But the old d-handle still works.

One comment, most mortar for block or brick laying is a much stiffer mix than grout and thinset, so would be much harder on a drill of any kind. Maybe consider a little cement mixer??

Good point. For mortar, I would consider a small cement mixer if it was too much for hand mixing in a wheelbarrow

 

[captain14]

I have seen the small HF mortar mixes on CL several times.

The listing person bought it for a job and was now selling it since his project was complete. That would be a great investment if you had several small jobs around the house

 

[The Cobbler]

mortar is better mixed with a roll & flop over action than stirring I think

 

[mobiledynamics]

A used Hole Hawg off Craigslist

 

[dogdog]

Don't get the drill version. get the paint/motar mixer. Unless you are getting the Ridgid/Dewalt ones.

Dual Speed Paint and Mortar Mixer

Amazing deals on this Dual Speed Paint And Mortar Mixer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

or a more pro version.

RIDGID Single-Paddle Mixer R7135 - The Home Depot

Provide an essential and ultimate addition to your flooring application by selecting this affordable RIDGID SinglePaddle Mixer.

www.homedepot.com

 

[WVBrady]

I had to mix a lot of thin set and grout for laying tile and had smoked my 1/2" drill. So just to get that job done, I decided to buy a Harbor Freight special 1/2" with D-Handle and side handle. It was on sale (what a surprise) and got the warranty. I figured it would last a day or two and I would just keep exchanging it until the job was done. For less than $30 (at that time), it was a chance worth taking and as long as it lasted the project (even if I kept replacing it), it would be worth it. Not only did it work perfectly at mixing quite a few big buckets but it is still going strong 15 years later.

This looks like the current version of what I bought: The drill that just won't die

This looks like it. Very high ratings.

1/2 in. Low Speed Spade Handle Drill/Mixer

1/2 in. Heavy Duty Spade Handle Drill

www.harborfreight.com

For some reason that does not take you right to it, but regular price is $59.99

 

[Derek91]

+1 on Bauer. I’d get the low speed one. Mine lasted for 1,000 sq ft of tile and a hundred sq ft of mortar. My tile guy bought it off me after he smoked several on other jobs. Still going strong.

 

[Stevenb1]

Don't get the drill version. get the paint/motar mixer. Unless you are getting the Ridgid/Dewalt ones.

Dual Speed Paint and Mortar Mixer

Amazing deals on this Dual Speed Paint And Mortar Mixer at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

or a more pro version.

RIDGID Single-Paddle Mixer R7135 - The Home Depot

Provide an essential and ultimate addition to your flooring application by selecting this affordable RIDGID SinglePaddle Mixer.

www.homedepot.com

I smoked two of the Ridgid “pro” versions. I even babied the second one thinking I was being too rough.

I ended up with a Bauer D handle and it’s been great.

 

[Jland]

I have the bauer sds+ Rotary hammer.. used it to mix several batches of thin set. Never even thought to use it on paint... next time tho...

 

[dscheidt]

I have the bauer sds+ Rotary hammer.. used it to mix several batches of thin set. Never even thought to use it on paint... next time tho...

It's pretty fast, it's easy to make a mess with it. Not that I've done that....

 

[Jland]

It is variable speed....

 

[mike93lx]

It is variable speed....

Holding a trigger at partial speeds for minutes at a time is a pain in the ***, but it works. I'd rather use a geared drill that had the torque at low speed to do the job without running the motor too hard

 

[Jland]

not to beat this point...it has a thumbwheel...0-9 to set the rpm from zero to 750ish i think but i was just saying it worked for me...under 100 bucks... made no mess...didnt fling mud anywhere..mixed well didnt bog down the motor.

 

[mike93lx]

not to beat this point...it has a thumbwheel...0-9 to set the rpm from zero to 750ish i think but i was just saying it worked for me...under 100 bucks... made no mess...didnt fling mud anywhere..mixed well didnt bog down the motor.

Thumbwheel makes it way better than just a variable speed trigger.