Are paddle mixers any good for mixing mortar?

[Sprocker]

Hi
Are paddle mixers any good for mixing mortar? I'm looking at getting one to put in my sds drill as I have a chuck adaptor or am I better mixing by had?
Thanks

 

[oldbutnotdead]

Short answer no.
If you're doing tiny mixes (1 shovel of cement) you can mix it ok with a bucket trowel or pointing trowel in a builders bucket.
More than that, do it in a barrow or on the floor or in a mixer

 

[^woody^]

Yes. But you really need a proper high torque tool, not SDS drill.

I've started to use one for 'barrow' size mixes (or several) and they are great. Use a big gorilla tub and it is quick, easy, less effort than hand mixing and everything cleans up nicely afterwards

 

[noseall]

Yes. But you really need a proper high torque tool, not SDS drill.

I've started to use one for 'barrow' size mixes (or several) and they are great. Use a big gorilla tub and it is quick, easy, less effort than hand mixing and everything cleans up nicely afterwards

The only consequence is that it tends to be a wee bit frothy.

 

[^woody^]

The only consequence is that it tends to be a wee bit frothy.

I'm working on adjusting the amount of fairy

 

[noseall]

I'm working on adjusting the amount of fairy

1/2 a thimble full. How big are your fingers?

 

[23vc]

Yep, I’ve done it a lot for a tub full using my plaster mixer but you really need to be careful not to over mix/over plasticise it, or it’s noticeably weak/soft after it’s set.
Edit: sorry didn’t read OP properly, probably not suitable for SDS drill as it’s too fast, I use a dedicated plaster slow speed mixer jobbie

 

[noseall]

it’s noticeably weak/soft after it’s set.

One of the consequences of mixing in a plastic tub, along with Fairy is that you need much less water to get the stuff mixed. It always ends up fluffy. The lack of water has consequences when the mortar is used particularly on anything porous. What little water remains in the mix is drawn away very quickly which is detrimental to the cement.

Great gear if you are using hard as iron bricks (Acringtons) though.