Testing A Paint Shaker / Mixer For Hobby Paints - Is It Worth $100 ??

Today I test out a couple paint shakers / mixers. One of them is awful and the other is fantastic. Watch as I put it to the test with almost every bottle type in my collection. This shaker comes highly recommended by me.
If you have many paints in your inventory and if you paint often then I feel
you should own this great piece of equipment for your bench

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[whiterose]

I bought a medical lab vertex mixer (cost me over $500.00 in 1980's money) back in the 80's and it served me well for over 30 years. When it died a year back I started to look for a replacement with little joy. The medical grade ones are way too expensive and the eBay / Amazon offerings were weak and troublesome.

Then I watched your video and immediately ordered the one you showcased, and it is as powerful and efficient as my original. It looks to be very sturdy and I bet this one will outlive me (as I'm in my 70's now)

I always enjoy your videos and am looking forward to you upcoming paint line.

Kudos, sir!

[madMARTYNmarsh]

I've had this mixer since about August (I put a video of it on the Warhammer40k sub Reddit mixing Tesaract Glow), it has been a great addition that has extended my painting sessions.
Plus my 5 year old loves it, I'll be painting and she randomly comes up and sticks her nose in the vibrating bit, makes her giggle like a loon!
Edit: I often find that thicker paints mix better when you mix the bottle on its side, especially metallic paints.
Another edit: always check your paint caps before mixing and half way through mixing, I've had the vibration work the cap off, I have Vallejo Gory Red all over my workspace wall now!

[jamiesworkshop]

I never thought that I'd consider a $100 paint mixer, but after watching this, I really want one!! That looks really great!

[lifeinjersey]

Some people say they aren't worth it but to me it makes a huge difference with army painters, Ammo by MIG and any metallic paint. Makes a huge difference with metallics

[jamiesworkshop]

A follow-up. I got this paint mixer a few weeks ago, and I have to say this is the best investment I've made in a long time! I have to thank you Barbatos Rex, for showing us all these things that will enable us to have more success in our hobby!!
I've been mixing lots of paint including 30+ year old paint that I still have around. This mixer really does the job! I wish I've had one of these years ago because it does a superb job at mixing paint.

[Fred-wurt]

I really like the line, I like to test everything. That’s good for me and others. Saves us a ton of money and time wasted. Thanks for doing so.

[timthomas]

I just bought one of these (the green one like you are using) and it does a great job. I'm very impressed by the ease of use and how well-mixed the paints get in just a few seconds. I hate endlessly stirring paint to get a completely mixed solution, so this is likely a very good $100 purchase. I hope it lasts a good long time as that will be the final test.

[jtompkins]

I'm convinced. From the looks of your frugality in other areas, you know this will pay for itself in time, frustration and of course the expense of little plastic throwaway containers that ruin the environment. Thank you for the review! Oddly enough, I've actually cracked paint jars with mixing bearings in them before just by manually shaking them.

[MGB-learning]

Great video! I bought this mixer from your link it is super quick and way better than any other unit I have ever used. It was worth every penny, Thank you!

[jediknutt]

I bit the bullet and got the Four E’s for $107 from Amazon. I’ve had it for about a year. Well worth it. I add a stainless steel ball to each bottle or pot. Works wonders.

[voodoonights]

I can vouch for the shaker. I have a version of it without the larger spread feet, its brilliant. In general I was very sceptical but the difference it makes really is huge. In particular the difference to MIG and Vallejo etc is worth it alone and I have gone from avoiding some of these paints when I could to using any at any time.

[thehazmatguy]

I picked this up on Prime days for $75. Very happy with it! I threw a Model Master metallic that has easily been sitting for years and this mixed it pretty well without a mixing ball! I dropped in a metal bearing ball and it was like new paint. Very impressive. I'd rather have the Typhoon but this should work. Thank you Robert!

[OldManRogers]

I have never been more content watching paint getting mixed

[michaelm.]

ALL your videos are so helpful. I can't get enough of them.
I just ordered the Four E's Scientific Vortex Mixer (blue) + 200 x 3/16" stainless steel ball bearings. I'm in Canada, so the mixer was $176 and ball bearings $23. After watching this video a couple of times, I'm absolutely certain I can justify the cost. Been using my workhorse Badger Paint Mixer for a long time, and it's done a fantastic job with most paints (saw your video on it "Testing 3 Hobby Paint Mixers And 1 Epoxy Mixer"). However, you just convinced me that it's time for an "upgrade." Am looking forward to receiving and using it.
Thanks for sharing your evaluations!

[ruftime]

Thank you for the review!
The “extra” usb is a requirement in my shop, where every outlet gets fought over😎
Update: my wife has uncharacteristically approved this purchase 😱☺️

[MrMatthewPR]

Definitely something I've been looking into but don't feel the need quite yet... even if shaking some paints makes my arm fall off.
One thing to be careful of is the ball bearings. Unless they're marine steel or close to it, they will rust in water-based paints. I've had them in acrylics for several years and noticed they did change the colour of lighter shades. When I got a whole new set of paint I tested 2 sets of so-called stainless steel bearings in salt water (that speeds up potential rust) and within a few weeks, the water of both was muddy brown.
Marine steel would work but is much more expensive than anything else. You can also use glass beads, non-ferrous metal, or hematite jewellery beads. The latter is what I use now and even though they are lighter than glass or metal, they do work okay, and even though they are technically rust, I left them in salt water for months before adding to paints and it made no difference to the water. They're also incredibly cheap.
I should add that a lot of the bearings that come in paints already are a high-grade stainless steel and don't pose much of a problem. The ones sold on Amazon and eBay etc tend to be of a lower cheaper grade though.

[martinthompson]

Used these things for years when I was slinging pipettes back in the day (molecular biologist). When I got into model painting I really wanted one for my paints. Might have to go and get one of these.

[ArtSousa-zi]

Just received my paint shaker it works awesome, love it

[Alfredo.Barros]

This device is magical, i have the same exact one (with red top) and its wonderful for metallic paints and standard acrylic paints. Totally worth it.

[oakleydubois]

I purchased one of these also, oddly didn't look at reviews first. Super happy you made one though because that is SOOOO satisfying to watch, . I can't wait until mine arrives!!