Diablo Hand-Held Mixers Cicero IL

Source: TOOLS OF THE TRADE Magazine
Publication date: April 27, 2009

By Michael Springer and Kevin Gardner

Tile contractors spend a lot of time standing over a 5-gallon bucket mixing various setting materials, and most just use a 1/2-inch drill for the job. That's not an ideal approach, because the tool isn't purpose-built for the application. Always on the lookout for something better, we found the right tools for the job in the new Diablo DM800E and DM1602E hand-held mixers. There's a big difference between using these machines and a standard drill, because they have features designed specifically for mixing needs. Both come with a 1/2-inch chuck for any hexagonal-shank paddles and an M14 threaded metric adapter to fit European-style paddles.

Unlike a drill's pistol-grip handle, the mixers' steering-wheel-style handle provides a really strong grip and lets the operator hold on tight with both hands. Distributing the load and control equally to both arms makes the mixer less tiring to use than a drill; our own tile-setting veteran says the tool reduced the tendonitis pain he's developed during 20 years of setting tile. This benefit won't apply to everyone, but the enhanced control and comfort will.

Thinset mortar, floor leveler, and grout aren't too difficult to mix, but concrete and especially dry-pack sand and cement mix can strain a drill's motor. The smaller 7-amp Diablo DM800E had more than enough power and a good speed range (150 to 570 rpm) for everything we ...

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