Just been looking at various sale sites on tinterweb for a nail varnish shaker for my bottles of paint for miniature painting and wow, they certainly know how to charge for them. So I think I shall have to put up with arm ache.
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I bought one on Ebay and the noise was so great that I resold it on eBay the following week.
DaveDaveCov - Founder of The Airfix Tribute Forum 2006 -
I bought a Jintai R&D shaker some years ago which I've used regularly with no problems.
These are advertised for use in laboratories and dental practices so they're good quality. I had a very quick look on t' net but couldn't find one in the UK. Maybe you would have better luck?Comment
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Forgot to mention. I first bought one of those cheapo nail varnish shakers - the one with a thick rubber strap that attaches the bottle to the V-shaped shaker. I used it for a couple of weeks until the mains connector fell apart. I swapped to batteries but they didn't seem powerful enough to mix orange squash with water so it ended up in the bin a few days later - hence the Jintai!Comment
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Search eBay and suchlike for a used lab shaker such as Dave’s. Use Vortex mixer, Whirlymix, Rotamixer or lab shaker as your search terms. That’s the common names for them. You should find something. Lab quality ones are built like tanks, quieter, and last for years. They will comfortably out perform and outlast the cheapo nail varnish shakers. Thirty seconds on one of those will mix anything. You may even find a “push to start” one that makes everything really simple.Comment
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I brought one recently from Amazon as it was reduced A few quid (gone back up now)
Reviews where a bit mixed so was a bit of a gamble and I’m not disappointed.
Ive since mixed over 50 dropper style paint bottles and a box of enamel based washes/filters, mud effects stuff that are thick and I’m more than happy.
Its not silent, of course it won’t be, it a vibration based tool and prolonged use will send vibrations into your hands but I did them in small batches and had no lasting problems.
As to its lifespan…well that’ll have to be a grey area
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Has any one tried this type?
John has something similar in the shop from time to time which I’ve thought about trying.
GeoffComment
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I bought a cheap vortex one, similar to that pictured by Si. There were loads on ebay that looked identical so went for the cheapest, just under 20 notes back in April.
I don't expect it to perform or last anything like a proper lab mixer but it does the job, and for that price if it works for a couple of years I'll be happy.Comment
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Couple of examples here…
They are a little dearer, but will comfortably outlast and outperform any of those cheapo plastic jobs……they will also be much quieter due to the metal bodies.Comment
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I also had a vortex shaker but on first use I got lots of pain in my arthritic fingers. That was sold on eBay too!
I fell back on my two trusty devices that have been used for many years - the Tamiya Paint Stirrer and the Mk.1 cocktail stick. I won't be tempted to try any more gadgets. Honest!
DaveDaveCov - Founder of The Airfix Tribute Forum 2006Comment
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The first one looks like it's made out of the same material as the transformer I had on my first Scalextric set...In the 1960sCouple of examples here…
They are a little dearer, but will comfortably outlast and outperform any of those cheapo plastic jobs……they will also be much quieter due to the metal bodies.
If it is that sort of vintage it rather proves your point!Comment
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Well, they are designed to be used pretty much continuously all day in a work environment Steve. That one is an early eighties example I’d say.
This one is mine. I’ve had it about twenty years, and I’d say it is at least forty years old now, possibly longer. I got it out of a skip during a lab refurbishment at work. I expect it to outlast me :tongue-out3: Oh, and I find it best to hold Vallejo bottles upside down to get the best mix……Comment
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Could probably mix concrete with that beast Tim :smiling5::smiling5:Well, they are designed to be used pretty much continuously all day in a work environment Steve. That one is an early eighties example I’d say.
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This one is mine. I’ve had it about twenty years, and I’d say it is at least forty years old now, possibly longer. I got it out of a skip during a lab refurbishment at work. I expect it to outlast me :tongue-out3: Oh, and I find it best to hold Vallejo bottles upside down to get the best mix……Comment
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