Vortex mixer- worth investing in?

[Evil Eye]

I have a cheapo Chinese paint/nail polish shaker that consists of a vibrating bracket that you strap your paint pot to, press the button and let it get shaken until it's mixed. It's pretty decent though it does take a while with some paints. However, I've heard vortex mixers are really, really good for paints. Is it worth upgrading?

[Firedrake Cordova]

There was a thread on them here recently, which might be of help.

 

I use AK Shakers and Tamiya paint stirrers (they're cheap ), so can't really add anything else...

[Sir Clausel]

I used to just shake paints. 

Now i got a vortex mixer and some agitators in most paints and my paints are much more consistent ! I recommend it!

[andes]

I have one and really like it. If you've got a spare (roughly) hundred bucks, it's worth it imo. Not sure I'd save up for one though.

[Bryan Blaire]

I really enjoy having my vortex mixer - it has helped every type of paint I have.  It does take up space that I can’t use on my desk for other painting supplies for storing it, and while it has rubber feet and is on a rubber mat, it still causes some things to vibrate some and make noise while it is in use.  It does make a motorized use & spinning noise, so if there’s any noise concern - don’t use it in that room.  

 

I can use mine on all kinds of bottles - it’s a Four E’s version - I use GW pots, Tamiya pots, custom poured dropper bottles, ProAcryl, Vallejo, AK 3rd Gen, ScaleColor, and Reaper dropper bottles, DecoArt Americana large squeeze bottles, and both Daler-Rowney and Liquitex acrylic ink bottles, and it mixes all of them very well that I can tell (as in they are all smooth out of the container, if they had the right amount of medium in them - if not, I add a custom mix of thinner + flow improver).  It takes partly separated paint + medium containers back to smoothly mixed in just a few seconds, although I like to keep it going for about 10 seconds if the paint has really sat around for a while without use.

 

I think that you really need to look at how much you are going to use it and for what, and decide if it’s something worth having for you.

Edited October 16, 2023 by Bryan Blaire

[Painta Boy]

 

Got this one from Aliexpress.

I use glass beads and it works great.

[Guest]

Will always recommend the 4E's its solid and well made.

[Evil Eye]

Thanks all! I may have to invest in one, in that case. Something to ask for as an Xmas present maybe?

[Stitch5000]

I got a 4Es one as part of a second hand bundle meaning it was effectively free to me. At that price it is worth having, but honestly I would not have paid the £100 that it would have cost otherwis, if I had have known how effective it was/wasn't.