Thought mixing mortar by hand was fine until a job in Phoenix last month

Last month I was on a big patio job in Phoenix, 90 degrees by 8am. My helper and I were mixing by hand, and by noon we were wrecked, slow, and the mortar was setting up too fast. The foreman brought over his portable mixer and said, 'Just try it for one batch.' We did the next section in half the time with way better consistency. I used to think it was a waste for small crews, but fighting that heat changed my mind. Anyone else switch to a mixer after resisting it for a while?

3 comments

3 Comments

elliot_patel18d ago

Yeah, I was that guy too. Thought I was tough until a summer in Texas broke me. Now my mixer is the first thing I pack.

the_linda18d ago

Had the same thing happen on a roof repair in July. Borrowed a mixer from the guy next door and never looked back.

bettyroberts18d ago

Why buy more gear you don't need? Borrowing works fine and saves cash. I'd rather spend that money on something else.