I still think electric mixers beat hand ones for big mortar batches

Everyone in my crew swears by hand mixing for control, but I did a 600-block retaining wall last spring and my arms were shot by lunch. The electric mixer got me done in 4 hours flat with no lumps. Has anyone else found hand mixing just isn't worth it on bigger jobs?

3 comments

3 Comments

paulw6329d ago

Did you catch that This Old House segment where they tested both side by side? The electric mixer crushed it on time but they said hand mixing gives you better feel for consistency. I'm with you though, on a big wall job like that 600 block one, I'll trade a little feel for not having my arms fall off. Plus those electric ones cost less than a good masonry trowel these days if you shop around. What brand did you use for that wall?

hernandez.morgan29d ago

Ask @jesse_nguyen if his buddy Ron ended up with any lumpy spots on that patio though. In my experience, hand mixing lets you feel when the mud is just right but it's way too easy to get tired and rush through it on a hot day. I've seen guys try to salvage a bad batch by adding water on the fly and that never ends well with block work. Curious what brand mixer you settled on for the 600 block wall too.

jesse_nguyen29d ago

Funny you mention that This Old House segment. I remember watching that and thinking, "Man, those guys have never done a full day of block laying in the sun." My buddy Ron tried the hand mixing thing on a small patio once and spent more time mixing than actually setting the stones. He swore it off after that. The electric mixer I borrowed from my neighbor's brother was a little loud but it did the job without complaining. I think some people just like the romantic idea of doing it by hand even when it makes no sense for the job.