That $80 mortar mixer paddle changed my whole setup

For years I mixed mortar by hand in a tub, figured it was good enough and saved me money. Then I took on a retaining wall job in Akron and my shoulder gave out by day three. I caved and bought a mixing paddle for my drill, cost me about $80 at the supply house. First batch came out so much smoother, no dry pockets at all, and I finished that wall two days ahead of schedule. Turns out the drag and uneven mix was slowing me down way more than the cost of the tool. My joints feel better too, which I honestly didn't think about until I got home without icing my elbow. Has anyone else had a tool they avoided for years that turned out to be worth every penny?

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joseph_west5923d ago

Used to laugh at guys hauling those paddles around, figured my arm was good enough and it saved me a trip to the store. Then I borrowed one from a buddy on a small patio job and the concrete came out like a different material, no clumps at all. That first batch sold me right there, went out and bought my own the next morning. It's not just about saving your joints, it's about the mix being actually right, which means the work goes faster and the final surface looks better. Now I wonder how many other "frills" I've been skipping that would pay for themselves in time and hassle.

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