Wasted $80 on a mortar mixer that couldn't handle a half-bag batch

I picked up a cheap electric mortar mixer off an auction site for $80 thinking I was being smart. First real job with it last Saturday, mixing up just a half bag of Type N for a small retaining wall, and the motor started smoking after 4 minutes. Took me 30 minutes to finish mixing by hand with a hoe in a wheelbarrow while the thing sat there useless. Called a buddy who does this full time and he said those little consumer mixers burn out fast under any real lime content. Anyone else had bad luck with budget mortar mixers or is there a small one that actually holds up?

2 comments

2 Comments

west.anna15d ago

Check the paddle clearance - close gaps burn motors fast.

oliver_wilson4915d ago

Yeah, you're spot on about the paddle clearance thing. That's a lesson I learned the hard way too. Appreciate you pointing it out @west.anna, probably saved some folks from the same mistake.