Ink Mixer?

[mimosatexas]

I have been hand drilling all of my inks to date, but have seen a bunch of posts recently about using a drill press to mix, which seems like a no brainer.  I just looked on craigslist and used drill presses are like $50, so I am going to go ahead and buy one, BUT I wanted to make sure I got one that would work well.

I'm looking for any advice people might have related to choosing a drill press (height, power, etc) and any tips, tweaks, add-ons that would make it more efficient and easier to use (some way to hold the ink bucket, a source for mixing bits, how you keep it clean, etc).

Any and all info is appreciated!

[tonypep]

Mimo try Indco for blades. They have everything. Look for one that's easy to clean.

[mimosatexas]

I've been using these on my handheld drill: http://www.homedepot.com/p/Workforce-5-Gallon-Helix-Paint-Mixer-HM5HD/202251543

They work really well, but aren't very easy to clean.  I tried using just a wire hanger bent in half, which worked and was easy to clean, but would fling ink everywhere as it rode up the wire.  If the made bit with a wide looped wire end with a single straight shaft it would be ideal, but I haven't come across anything like that.  Not sure that would work in a press either since the bit will have to move the ink on its own more than with a handheld drill.

[jsheridan]

harbor freight drill here set to the slowest speed option.

Took a dozen of the small paint or drywall mud mixers from depot, cut them down a little so we can put the cup up and into the blade and this way we can re-use them in similiar ink colors.

[kingscreen]

That extension cord situation gives me anxiety. 

[jsheridan]

hahahha... yeah that was my exact thought before taking the picture..

[3Deep]

hahahha... yeah that was my exact thought before taking the picture..

How dare you take a pic of that fire hazard, the time you took to take that pic you could have clean that mess up, dude your a professional, you should know better, we all look up to you and then you post that...just shameful that's what it is   Now got that out the way, how much was that drill press looks like a good idea

darryl

[jsheridan]

How dare you take a pic of that fire hazard, the time you took to take that pic you could have clean that mess up, dude your a professional, you should know better, we all look up to you and then you post that...just shameful that's what it is   Now got that out the way, how much was that drill press looks like a good idea

LOL!!

Yes I cleaned it up by giving my ink smith a new power strip.

we have their rewards club membership thingy so it was a little over 60 bucks.

[screenxpress]

I make these out of brazing rods.  Bendable, but not so much they warp when stirring like cut/bent coat hangers (I tired that first)

Easy to clean.

I looked at the paint stirrers at HD and decided it would take too much effort to get clean in all the tight spaces where the blades roll under.

[Gilligan]

We totally stole Wayne's idea and my guy has fun making different shapes with them.

Works well for us.

[3Deep]

I've been using a long allen wrench in my hand held drill to mix ink, but looking at the drill press I'm liking that alot but still might keep using the allen wrench because it cleans off very easy.

darryl

[Prosperi-Tees]

Harbor Freight has them on sale for $59.99

[mimosatexas]

Are the 8 inch models large enough?  I hate buying undersized and underpowered tools only to wish I had spent a bit more for a larger or more powerful version.  A bunch of the craigslist ones are 13 inch models with "variable speed" vs "5 speed".  Not sure if that means they have truly variable speed or just a handful of pre-sets, or if that even matters...

[tonypep]

Variable is better. Way better

[ebscreen]

Stainless rod is cheap.


What I want to know is how to clamp buckets.