Mixing system - Whats the best mixer?

[XG Print]

After 7 yrs of printing I am about to my first pantone matching system.  What would be the best tool to use for mixing the formulas?  Wondering if mixing by hand with a spatula is best or some type of drill paddle.  I figure to be mixing qts. more often than not.  Thanks

[blue moon]

skinny frosting spatulas work great for the quarts. It does not hurt that they are only few bucks each . . .

pierre

[jvanick]

cake mixing spatulas work great.

we use these:

http://www.webstaurantstore.com/tablecraft-4210-10-icing-spatula/8084210.html

[mimosatexas]

Thats what I use too.  I use the goop scoops for inks where I will not be mixing (stock colors, the base pigments etc), but those are a pain to clean compared to the frosting spatulas so I use those for mixes.

[Ryan]

this work great. Someone posted a while back that they used these, Found a place I can buy a package for $7 and 5 out of the 7 work great, the big ones like full 1/4" don't work as well as the smaller sized ones.

[Doug S]

this work great. Someone posted a while back that they used these, Found a place I can buy a package for $7 and 5 out of the 7 work great, the big ones like full 1/4" don't work as well as the smaller sized ones.

If you don't mind sharing, where did you find them? 

[blue moon]

for quarts, go with the little ones, 4.5" bent blade. Wooden handle is easier to clean, plastisol will dissolve the plastic handles (cheap ones).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WG14FC/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687442&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0000DE0Y0&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0Q7F5K7J789AT283AHWB

pierre

[GaryG]

Found some wood handle straight blade's a long time ago. Been using for 10 years.
One better option I have never found is a cake blade with a …. wait for it….. SQUARE END!

It would be so much nicer scraping, mixing the "bottom" of quarts with a square end, and much less time.

Once had a maintenance worker cut and grind off the round end, but have you ever tried?
Those things are indestructible.

[Ryan]

this work great. Someone posted a while back that they used these, Found a place I can buy a package for $7 and 5 out of the 7 work great, the big ones like full 1/4" don't work as well as the smaller sized ones.

If you don't mind sharing, where did you find them?

Local place near me. I like to refer to it as a poor mans home depot.