Simple, inexpensive paint shaker

[Scottl]

I found this idea for a simple, DIY paint shaker.  I made mine in 3 minutes with my old jigsaw and a clamp and it works extremely well.  I was contemplating buying a dedicated paint shaker online, but this is very serviceable.

[wazzou]

I found this idea for a simple, DIY paint shaker.  I made mine in 3 minutes with my old jigsaw and a clamp and it works extremely well.  I was contemplating buying a dedicated paint shaker online, but this is very serviceable.

I prefer stirring myself and bought a battery operated stirrer from MicroMark many, many years ago.
One AA battery in the handle, works like a champ.

[Scottl]

I have one of those too (bought it at IKEA, a drink stirrer for $3), but it needs to be cleaned after use.  I prefer shaking just because it is cleaner.

[wazzou]

Yeah, I don't know? 
I clean mine maybe once or twice a year.  Some lacquer thinner and a paper towel makes pretty quick work of it.
The benefit of not having paint buildup on the underside of the lid or on the rim is why I prefer stirring.
YMMV.

[peteski]

I found this idea for a simple, DIY paint shaker.  I made mine in 3 minutes with my old jigsaw and a clamp and it works extremely well.  I was contemplating buying a dedicated paint shaker online, but this is very serviceable.

For even more energetic shaking Sawzall paint shakers have been around for some time now.  Both as a DIY solution or now you can buy specially made attachments which hold the paint bottles.  Just Google for Sawzall paint shaker.   

[Chris333]

I made a parts washer before by wrapping tape around a Tupperware container to a palm sander. Then just let it hang from the cord.

[Bangorboy]

Hang?

[Chris333]

Yes.  Oops.  Phone. 

[sirenwerks]

I have one of those too (bought it at IKEA, a drink stirrer for $3), but it needs to be cleaned after use.  I prefer shaking just because it is cleaner.

I got one of the cappuccino frothers from Ikea, which I think is what you're talking about. Haven't used it yet.

[Philip H]

I got one of the cappuccino frothers from Ikea, which I think is what you're talking about. Haven't used it yet.

I've got one but its too wide to fit in most jars.

[peteski]

I've got one but its too wide to fit in most jars.

One of these?


I have a similar one, and its stirrer end fits into even the tiny Testors PLA Enamel jars. 
I got mine years ago with a Badger label.  Micro Mark sells the one above, but these stirrers (with various stirrer shapes) are sold on eBay cheap. Usually as drink stirrers.
It works well, but it is a pain to clean, and it will usually whip some air bubbles into paint.

[Philip H]

@peteski  - nope one of these:

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/produkt-milk-frother-black-30301167/



the wire whisky thing is wider then the blade thing you have.  It BARELY fits into wide Tamiya bottles, and can't do anything in a Polyscale or smaller bottle. But the price was right!

[peteski]

@peteski  - nope one of these:

https://www.ikea.com/us/en/p/produkt-milk-frother-black-30301167/



the wire whisky thing is wider then the blade thing you have.  It BARELY fits into wide Tamiya bottles, and can't do anything in a Polyscale or smaller bottle. But the price was right!

These all have similar body and different stirrer ends.  How do you clean it? Stick it in a jar of lacquer thinner and run it for a while?

[wazzou]

The one Peteski showed is the one I have.
I don’t know what they cost now but I paid $7.99 about 20 years ago.
Sometimes you may just need to pay a little more for the right tool.  🤷🏽‍♂️

[Philip H]

These all have similar body and different stirrer ends.  How do you clean it? Stick it in a jar of lacquer thinner and run it for a while?

I used water based paints so soap and a bristle brush of some sort.