9 Ways an Adhesive Mixer Is Worth It & Will Make Your Job Easier
As the name suggests, your adhesive mixer is a convenient tool for mixing all kinds of mix tile adhesive. Using a mixer for the job rather than doing it by hand can mean you can take advantage of a heap of benefits.
1. Get an Improved & Consistent Mixture Consistency
An adhesive mixer ensures that the thinest is mixed consistently, which is important for ensuring a proper bond between the tiles and the substrate. Depending on your strength, skills, experience and even just how you’re feeling that day, it’s tough to always get the right mixture consistency.
2. Be More Precise With Your Mixture
As part of getting, you that consistent consistency, an adhesive mixer is far more precise than manual methods. So, when you need very specific proportions of mixture ingredients, you’re better off trusting an adhesive mixer.
3. Save Time, Especially on Big Jobs
An adhesive mixer can save time by quickly and efficiently mixing large quantities of thinset. Plus, depending on the adhesive mixer you buy, you can also get it mixing while you prepare other supplies. This is a great way to quickly boost your efficiency on any tiling project.
4. Eliminate Pesky Air Bubbles
Mixing by hand can trap air bubbles in the adhesive, which can reduce the bond strength. However, as an adhesive mixer can mix the adhesive more thoroughly, reducing the chances of air bubbles. This can be a real lifesaver, whether you’re a professional working at someone else’s property, or you’re doing some DIY you’d rather not have to do again in the next few months.
5. Reduce Effort Required on Your Part
Adhesive mixers make mixing a breeze, and far less tiring and time-consuming than manually doing so. So, along with saving time, you’re also saving your energy for other parts of the job.
6. Reduce Adhesive Waste
Whether it’s user error from poor mixing or overestimating how much adhesive you need, an adhesive mixer can help prevent wasted. This is because you will always get that consistent mix. Plus, because it is so simple to set the mixer up, you can be more abstemious with how much mixture you create at any given time. You can always mix more if you need it; you can’t save extra adhesive.
7. Make Use of Increased Versatility
Your adhesive mixer isn’t just for thinset and mortar, you can also use it for grout and self-levelling compounds. This opens new opportunities for you to optimise your project’s efficiency and end-result quality.
8. Play It Safe
Anyone who has had to mix adhesive day after day will tell you that they feel it later that night or the next day. It can require a lot of physical effort and energy, and if you aren’t used to the movement, you can do yourself an injury. That’s why using an adhesive mixer is much safer, not to mention easier. Just remember to use safety equipment during the work, such as Carhartt men's boots.
9. Improve the Overall Quality of the Work
Professional tile setters often prefer using an adhesive mixer to ensure a proper and high-quality installation. When you’re getting that consistent and precise mixture, as well as not feeling stiff and sore from mixing by hand or feeling pressured to rush as your surplus adhesive dries, you can do a better job.
But Do You Really Need an Adhesive Mixer?
Whether or not you need to use a mixer when installing tiles depends on the specific circumstances of your project. In some cases, a mixer may not be necessary, while in others it may be beneficial or even required.
If you're only doing a small tiling project, such as a backsplash or a small bathroom floor and walls, you may be able to mix the adhesive by hand. In this case, you can use a margin trowel or a drill mixer attachment, but you should be aware that manual mixing can be time-consuming and may not result in a perfectly consistent mixture.
However, for large projects, or projects where precision and consistency are critical, using an adhesive mixer can be beneficial or even downright necessary. As explained above, it can save time, ensure consistent mixing, and reduce the risk of mistakes, among many other great benefits.
Though, it’s up to you if you think it’s worth it to you and your project to throw an adhesive mixer into the mix!
What Are the Qualities That Adhesive Mixers Should Have?
Of course, deciding you need an adhesive mixer isn’t the end of it. You also need to consider a range of factors to ensure that you get a mixer that is suitable for your needs and that will perform well.
Power
Consider the power of the mixer and whether it is suitable for the size of your project. A larger, more powerful mixer may be necessary for large projects, while a smaller mixer may be sufficient for smaller projects.
Size of Mixing Paddle
Depending on viscosity and the quantity of the adhesive you need to mix, you’ll need different sizes of mixing paddle. When looking at your mixer options, along with accessories and attachments, make sure you will have the right size of mixing paddle for your adhesive.
Speed
Look for a mixer with variable speed options so that you can adjust the speed to suit the type of adhesive you're using. This will help ensure that you get the most value for your money.
Durability
Look for a mixer that is built to last, including being sturdily made with strong materials. If you’re going to be transporting it a lot, it will need to be portable and up to being jolted around in transit.
Ease of Use
Look for a mixer that is easy to use, clean and maintain, as this will save you time and effort. Be sure to stay on top of cleaning and maintenance of your mixer to get the most out of it.
Brand Reputation
Look for a reputable brand with good customer service, so that you can be sure you will be able to get help if you have any problems with your mixer. If you can, talk with tiling professionals to see what they recommend.
Make Sure You Get Your Money’s Worth Out of Your Adhesive Mixer
Once you’ve got your adhesive mixer, it’s important to remember that if you want it to work effectively and efficiently, you’ll need to do your part too. That includes:
- Reading the manual: Before using your mixer, make sure to read the manual and understand the instructions, safety precautions and proper use of the mixer. This will help avoid damaging it, particularly as you get to know how it works.
- Properly preparing the adhesive: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing the adhesive, and make sure to use the correct proportion of adhesive, water and any other additives that may be required. Otherwise, your mixer may struggle and become damaged.
- Cleaning the mixer: Clean the mixer after each use to ensure that it is in good working condition and ready for the next project. While you might want to skip this stage at the end of a project when you’re tired, you’ll be grateful you did it the next time you need your mixer.
- Using the right attachment: Make sure to use the appropriate mixing paddle for the type of adhesive you're using and ensure to replace it if it shows signs of wear. Otherwise, you can expect the effectiveness of the mixer to go down steeply.
- Using the right speed: Like knowing what attachment to use, be sure to use the appropriate speed for the type of adhesive and project on which you are working.
- Monitoring the consistency: While an adhesive mixer can help you get the proper consistency every time, you still need to oversee it. Keep an eye on the consistency of the adhesive while mixing and adjust the speed or add more liquid as needed.
- Not overloading the mixer: Mixing more adhesive than the mixer can handle can lead to an uneven mixture and damage to the mixer. Besides, like we said earlier, it’s better to have to make an extra batch of mixture than to be left with too much.
- Storing it properly: When not in use, store the mixer in a dry place and cover it with a dust cover to keep dust and debris out of the motor. Remember to clean it before putting it into storage.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your adhesive mixer is operating efficiently and effectively, and you'll be able to achieve high-quality tile installations every time.
Are You an Adhesive Mixer Convert?
If you’re eager to buy your new adhesive mixer, check out the range at Tilers Online! With professional-grade tools and supplies available, they have everything a pro or a home handyperson needs for top tiling.
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