perkolator Posted February 17, 2017 Report Share Posted February 17, 2017 In the market for some new blungers/mixers for studio, wondering what your preference is and why? Mainly I've been using the standard paint mixers you get at hardware store, usually the 2.5" diameter for 5-gal buckets, that fits a regular drill's 3/8" chuck. Somehow destroyed 4 of them in the last year and I need to buy some more (I guess they were like 5-6yrs old each). Turns out Home Depot and Lowes stopped carrying the size I prefer and replaced them with a different style with solid fins (they only carry the larger 4" version that fits a 1/2" chuck); I bought one to try out and it seemed to make more of a mess than mix, then last week I saw 1/2 the fins broke off when someone used it. The only place I've seen the old classic blunger is at Harbor Freight, I don't mind picking up a few of them since they're only $4 each, but while I'm in the market I'm wondering if there is something that's "better" and still cost effective so I can let people who don't seem to care about their equipment, abuse it weekly Been using for years and cant' get everywhere anymore: This is what the stores replaced it with: I used one of these in the past with good luck, but it was a little small (like for a 2gal bucket) and then someone decided they wanted to use it to mix plaster and not clean it afterward... Anyways, as you can see below there are many different styles -- so I'm wondering who's tried most of them for mixing slip/glaze/misc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcia Selsor Posted February 17, 2017 Report Share Posted February 17, 2017 I have a larger version 3.5" of the 2nd one but a little different When I was teaching, we'd have to screen the bucket often to remove shredded plastic out of the glazes.All students participated in mixing glazes. I like it for 5 gallon buckets because it doesn't chew up the plastic on the bottom of the bucket. I like jiffy mixers for smaller batches. I have several smaller sizes. Marcia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlady Posted February 17, 2017 Report Share Posted February 17, 2017 best glaze mixer i ever had was a stainless steel chain about 13 links long welded to a stainless rod about 20 inches long. the weld was in the center link and when used in my drill, it mixed everything. if the stuff in the bucket was thick and gunky, the rod and chain were mostly inserted down into the center of the bucket working through to the point where the chain could fully expand and mix from the bottom to the top. the links eventually touched the sides of the bucket while the rod was in the center. no chewing up the plastic, easy to wash and no rust or paint flecks. i think i know where it is but haven't used it for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark C. Posted February 18, 2017 Report Share Posted February 18, 2017 I have two styles-one is the jiffy mixers and they work well and do not gouge the buckets. I use all the sizes from super tiny to the 20 inch 1/2 shaft for 5-30 gallon buckets..They are not the best for hard settling glazes-I use another brand for that that only gets the bottom well-it can chew the bottoms up if you are not careful-heres a post about mixers and in my post is the brand name. http://community.ceramicartsdaily.org/topic/5628-what-sort-of-stirrer-do-you-use/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pres Posted February 18, 2017 Report Share Posted February 18, 2017 My personal favorite is this mixer will break up the large and the small quite well, and will break up stuff in the bottom when used carefully. I often reverse the drill when working with it to help clean out if it gets clogged. Big if, as it hardly ever does, but point is it mixes well both ways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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