I’ve been hanging and taping drywall since 1982, so I’ve mixed countless buckets of joint compound. For years, I mixed with a paddle powered by a heavy-duty 1/2-inch corded drill. It worked, but there were drawbacks: having to bend over slightly while mixing was hard on my back; the constant high torque was a drill-killer; and with thick compounds, I had to hold on for dear life.
About 10 years ago, I picked up a Collomix CX 20 hand-held paddle mixer, and I haven’t mixed with a drill since. I can stand upright while mixing, and the two handles make the tool much easier to control. Using the recommended paddles, I’ve mixed compounds, heavy plasters, concrete, paint, driveway sealers—even dirt—and its rugged 7.2-amp motor and variable-speed transmission have been bulletproof. For the past few months I’ve been using the model Xo 1, the latest version of my old CX 20, and it appears to be even better.
Features
The variable-speed Xo 1 is noticeably quieter and more powerful than my old model. The handles are a bit higher, so I can stand upright with my shoulders comfortably level. And a quick-change chuck means that I no longer need two wrenches to install and remove paddles.
The Xo 1 comes with a universal paddle that can mix a variety of materials, but I prefer to use the optional KR 120 HF “bird-cage” paddle for mixing joint compounds. It’s less aggressive, but it requires less torque to spin, reduces splattering, and doesn’t draw the material right out of the bucket at high speeds. I can also simply spin it in a bucket of water to clean it without splashing water all over the floor.
I really like the ring guards at the bottoms of both paddles because they let the paddles spin smoothly against the inside of the bucket without cutting into the plastic. The paddles are made of steel, so they’re built to last.
You can view a video at collomix.us.
Myron Fergusonis a drywall contractor in Middle Grove, N.Y., and presents the Drywall Trade Secrets clinic atJLC Live.
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