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what kind of drill do you use to mix thinset

by Giovanni Bernier Published 3 years ago Updated 3 years ago

Instructions

  • Measure out water and put in bucket.
  • Add thinset mortar powder from bag to the bucket.
  • Mix water and thinset together with 1/2" corded drill and mixing attachment.
  • Let thinset set (or slake) for 5-10 minutes.
  • Mix one more time after thinset has rested.

Best Drills For Mixing Mud & Drilling
NamePowerChuck Size
Makita DS40009.0 Amps1/2 Inches (13mm)
Makita DS40128.5 Amps1/2 Inches (13mm)
Bosch GMB9-169.0 Amps5/8 Inches (16mm)
Ridgid R71229.0 Amps1/2 Inches (13mm)

Full Answer

How to mix small batches of thinset?

How to Mix Small Batches of Flexbond Thin Set. Add 2 inches of cold water to a 5-gallon bucket. Pour about 15 to 20 pounds of thinset powder into the bucket. Mix the thinset and water using a drill with a mixing bar attachment. Gradually add more water until the consistency is like gravy.

How to mix thinset mortar the proper way,?

Supplies for mixing thinset

  • 5 gallon bucket
  • Power drill (plug in, not battery powered)
  • Mixing paddle
  • Thinset mortar (be sure to get the right kind for your tile & application)
  • Water source (outside hose works great)

Can you mix cement with thinset?

Portland cement is used in thinset to provide the bonding mechanism; sand is added to temper the cement; and a liquid latex mortar additive is added to give the thinset pliability, allowing the materials to expand and contract without cracking. You can make your own thinset by purchasing these items separately and combining them.

Can I use thinset over the drywall?

Thinset bonds best with a porous surface, such as new drywall or backerboard, which needs no preparation, but you can apply it over painted walls or tiles that are flat and in good condition as long as the shiny finish is removed. Use the type of thinset mortar specified for your particular tile. Click to see full answer.

Can you use a regular drill to mix cement?

A standard drill can certainly be adequate for mixing small volumes of low viscosity liquid materials at a low rpm, for example mixing paint needs little effort compared to mixing concrete and you would do fine buying mixer attachments for a standard drill.

Can I use a hammer drill to mix mortar?

A hammer drill is perfect for light masonry. It works best at drilling holes in bricks, mortar and concrete blocks. But it can also handle the occasional hole in poured concrete.

How do you mix thinset without a drill?

1:426:35How To Mix Thinset - Essential Tips For Mixing Small Batches - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first method is to slowly add thinset. Until you get the desired consistency. Which is likeMoreThe first method is to slowly add thinset. Until you get the desired consistency. Which is like peanut butter. Basically. It needs to be wet enough so that it's workable.

Can you use an impact driver to mix mortar?

Just like with mixing paint, you can also get special attachments for your impact driver that will allow you to thoroughly mix small quantities of concrete and cement. Cement and concrete are quite thick, generally too thick for a normal drill or driver to be able to mix.

Can you mix thinset with cordless drill?

It will likely very quickly burn out the motor because cordless drills simply aren't powerful enough to stir thinset. You'll need a drill with corded power and it is preferred if it has a variable speed setting so you can mix the thinset at a slower speed.

What drill is best for mixing mortar?

Best Drills For Mixing Mud & DrillingNamePowerAvg. Customer RatingMakita DS40009.0 Amps5/5 Stars - Tiler's Place ChoiceMakita DS40128.5 Amps4.5/5 Stars - Best All-RounderBosch GMB9-169.0 Amps4.5/5 Stars - Best for Drilling Holes in AnythingRidgid R71229.0 Amps4.0 Stars - Runner Up

How do you mix perfect thinset?

How To Mix Thinset For Tile in Small Batches to the Perfect ConsistencyTools and Supplies:Step 1: Add Water To the Mixing Bucket. ... Step 2: Add Thinset And Mix To Desired Consistency. ... Step 3: Continue Mixing For Time Specified On The Bag. ... Step 4: Let it Slake for 10 Minutes. ... Step 5: Mix again for 2-5 Minutes.More items...

Why does thinset need to slake?

0:151:55LATICRETE® Pro tips: What is Slake? - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe powders to hydrate with the water or a latex additive the slake time allows all the manyMoreThe powders to hydrate with the water or a latex additive the slake time allows all the many ingredients of a cement product to start to work together absorb water liquid or latex.

How do you mix thin set by hand?

1 Mix the thinset mortar. Stir with the trowel, scraping the bottom and sides as you mix. Add the liquid slowly-it's easy to add too much. Keep mixing until you attain a consistency that holds its shape and is barely pourable. Mixing by hand is somewhat strenuous work.

Which is better hammer drill or impact drill?

But what about making holes in wood, metal, or tiles and masonry? An impact drill is a better choice than a hammer drill in that case. Naturally, the powerful hammer drill will have no problem getting through the material, but the high RPM means that there's a risk you'll damage the material.

Can you use a hand drill to mix mortar?

If your drill is 12A & has a low gear speed below about 600 RPM, it should be fine for mixing mud. I used my corded Dewalt 1/2" drill to mix a lot of mortar when laying tile for my basement floor, which was about 800 square feet.

Can I use a hammer drill as an impact driver?

Impact Driver. A hammer drill features a body that's similar to a power drill or impact driver, but an impact driver is not as well-suited for masonry. A hammer drill delivers more power in the form of a hammering action. The force of the hammer drill is applied directly to the bit.

What factors to consider when buying a mixing drill?

A: The factors to consider include a Low RPM, Variable speed control, Forward/Reverse switch, The brand, among others. If you get all these aspects right, nothing will stop you from getting the perfect mixing drill.

What is the 3 position handle on a drill?

With the 3-position side handle, you can be sure that you have ultimate control and comfort as you operate this drill. On top of that is the brushless motor that powers the tool through the most demanding applications.

What is a 60V mixer?

On top of that, the 60V mixer has the capability to mix thinset, concrete and tile mortar with ease.

How big is a spade drill handle?

This size is massive, and it gives you better control over the tool during operation. Also, the spade handle allows for a 360-degree, and you can find your most comfortable position.

What is the chuck size of a 9 amp drill?

Then, the drill features a 5/8 inch keyed chuck which is wider than most standard drills. The significance of this aspect is that it is compatible with more drill bits and accessories.

What is the RPM of a drill?

RPM stands for Rotations Per Minute, and in the drilling world, it refers to the speed at which the tool operates. When it comes to mixing thinset, a lower RPM is better for the job. The low speed is vital in the removal of unwanted air that may be trapped in the mix.

Can you use a paddle to mix concrete?

For concrete, it is best that you use a paddle with a small surface area. Since you will be mixing the concrete with gravel, the paddle should be capable of moving around the larger rocks in the mixture without getting clogged up.

Top pick

The best part of thinset mixers is affordability. You don’t have to spend a fortune to buy one. Most of the setting materials… Read More on Amazon

Reviewing the top five products

To mix thinset, you will need a drill and a mixer, and in this section below, we have listed a mix of both.

How to choose the best drill for mixing thinset?

The range of drills for mixingthinsets is pretty huge. There are basically two kinds of styles that you can check. The first one looks more like a steering wheel, while the other one is more like a corded drill but heavier in size.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, we want you to be able to mix your thinset easily and simply before you start laying your tile. As a guy who has done tile myself, I totally can appreciate the enjoyment that comes from it as an art form. It’s not a bad trade to get into, it can be pretty enjoyable.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are thinking of mixing thinset, you are going to need consistent torque and power. Because of this reason, it is better to go with a corded drill instead of a cordless model. However, cordless ones come with a brushless motor, which is a major advantage over the traditional corded designs in drills.

Should I cover vent holes while mixing?

Very good advice to not cover the vent holes while mixing. It's very tempting to get a solid grip on the drill while mixing and in doing so cover them up. Thought I was going to burn my 3/8" drill out as I couldn't get out of the habit.

Can you mix B&D at once?

My B&D is about that size and it was fine. as wildbill7145 mentioned, don't mix a lot at once and make sure it can cool down between mixes (and don't cover the vent holes with your hand and/or gloves).

How to mix thinset powder?

Mix water and thinset together. Using a corded 1/2″ drill with a mixing attachment, mix the water and thinset powder together at a low speed setting. Continue mixing and moving the drill up and down throughout the bucket to get all of the pockets of thinset.

What is thinset mortar?

Thinset, sometimes called “mortar” or “thinset mortar”, is a setting material to attach tile or stone to a surface. This adhesive material is made from Portland cement and fine sand. Some types of thinset also have polymers or other ingredients added to help make the thinset more workable and stronger.

How long does it take for thinset mortar to harden?

Measure out water and put in bucket. Because thinset hardens quickly you never want mix up more than you can use within 20-30 minutes, so never mix up a whole bag of thinset at one time.

What is tile adhesive called?

When you are tiling, you can choose either thinset or tile adhesive (also called mastic ) for your glue. There are several things to consider when making the decision between thinset or mastic. Mastic (also called tile adhesive) Premixed, so you don’t have to worry about getting the right consistency.

How long does thinset last?

The exact length of how long thinset will last after mixing varies based on your conditions, but typical no longer than 1 hour.

Is thinset mortar the same as mortar?

There are several types of mortar used for different applications and thinset is just one type of mortar.

Can you mix mortar with a battery operated drill?

Tip 6. Don’t use a battery operated drill to mix up mortar. If all you have is a battery operated drill, don’t try to use it to mix up mortar. It will likely very quickly burn out the motor because cordless drills simply aren’t powerful enough to stir thinset.

What is the style of drill?

The style of drill is a more standard version and a lot of people really like how much power it had in the necessary torque to mix up full buckets of mortar. The longevity was also another selling point to most people who chose left a review of seeing as how this drill replaced the previous drills that they had burned up in the past.

What material requires more torque?

Increased Torque - Mixing drills have a massive amount of torque to them for mixing up some of the more stiff material such as concrete, mortar, cement, drywall mud and other materials which require more torque and less overall speed.

How many reviews does the Makita DS4012 have?

Reviews: The  Makita DS4012  had just over 50 reviews at the time, enough to get a good feel for how it performs and what people thought of it.

What is the best way to mix epoxy and resin?

Mixing epoxy and resins requires a low mixing speed and a paddle that will prevent air from becoming entrained inside the mix. This takes a special type of low speed drill and a special mixing pad dle to achieve the results that are recommended by nearly all epoxy/resin manufacturers.

Reviewing The Top Five Products

Image
To mix thinset, you will need a drill and a mixer, and in this section below, we have listed a mix of both. 1. 1.1. QEP 61205 Super Grout Mixer. The best part of thinset mixers is affordability. You don’t have to spend a fortune to buy one. Most of the setting materials, including grouts, thinsets, can be mixed with this simple budge…
See more on clubmandude.com

How to Choose The Best Drill For Mixing Thinset?

  • The range of drills for mixingthinsets is pretty huge. There are basically two kinds of styles that you can check. The first one looks more like a steering wheel, while the other one is more like a corded drill but heavier in size. The choice depends on what you want to use the drill for, but for thinsets in particular, you can settle for the corded ones easily. Below are some more tips at a gl…
See more on clubmandude.com

Conclusion

  • At the end of the day, we want you to be able to mix your thinset easily and simply before you start laying your tile. As a guy who has done tile myself, I totally can appreciate the enjoyment that comes from it as an art form. It’s not a bad trade to get into, it can be pretty enjoyable. So set yourself up with the right mixer before you get into it, that way you have no headaches and you c…
See more on clubmandude.com

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 1. What type of drill is better for mixing thinset – corded or cordless?
    If you are thinking of mixing thinset, you are going to need consistent torque and power. Because of this reason, it is better to go with a corded drill instead of a cordless model. However, cordless ones come with a brushless motor, which is a major advantage over the traditional corded desig…
  • 2. Will I be able to mix thinset without using a drill?
    You will be required to mix thinset in multiple small batches to avoid it from hardening before you apply it completely. You can try to mix thinset without the help of a drill, but it will end up taking a lot of effort and time.
See more on clubmandude.com

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