[mitmaks]

Looking to buy a decent paint shaker. I know HF has cheap one and they sometimes last but I'd rather have something that will last me a lifetime if I take care of it. Are Astro Pneumatic any good? I'd like to find one that has rebuild kit avaiable in case I need to fix it later on.

[Old Fool]

You can make one out of an old washing machine transmission and motor if you want a diy style one.

[keen]

happen to have (or have a pointer to) any pics or details of a shaker built from an old washer?

thanks

[JohnnyK81]

I have the HF paint shaker, and it seems pretty good to me.

Don't rip yourself off. What do you specifically think will be better made on the astro? Curious about this.

[mitmaks]

I know I can spend $500+ on one but I'd rather not. I'd rather have neighbor kid shake for me for some ice cream money
Would like something that will last me a long time so I'm open to suggestions.

[Old Fool]

QUOTE=keen;1595768]happen to have (or have a pointer to) any pics or details of a shaker built from an old washer?

thanks[/QUOTE]

I found this on you tube some time ago when I was thiniking of making a paint shaker.

[OneMoreTime]

I am not sure on that clamp arrangement..the regular paint shakers clamp the lids on tight so the lid will not come off in use and create a big expensive mess..Some creativity and a fleeow could come up with a better clamp for the paint cans..

Sam

[MARTINSR]

I got a Dedoes pneumatic shaker about 12 years ago and bolted it to the base of my old Mongomery Wards drill press. I can't believe I lived without one for so many years! It's the REAL one that the Harbor Freight one is copied from.

I have even used it to clean nuts and bolts, in a can with sand!

Dedoes Paint Shaker

Brian

[MARTINSR]

Originally Posted by OneMoreTime

I am not sure on that clamp arrangement..the regular paint shakers clamp the lids on tight so the lid will not come off in use and create a big expensive mess..Some creativity and a fleeow could come up with a better clamp for the paint cans..

Sam

Yep, that is CREEPY scary!

Brian

[Old Fool]

Originally Posted by OneMoreTime

I am not sure on that clamp arrangement..the regular paint shakers clamp the lids on tight so the lid will not come off in use and create a big expensive mess..Some creativity and a fleeow could come up with a better clamp for the paint cans..

Sam

pause the video at :05 and look on the right hand end of the shaker, he has a portion of a c -clamp attached to the shaker that compresses against the lid to address that very problem you mention.

[paint dude]

Cyclone makes a good one, I have had it 20yrs plus

[JohnnyK81]

Originally Posted by MARTINSR

I got a Dedoes pneumatic shaker about 12 years ago and bolted it to the base of my old Mongomery Wards drill press. I can't believe I lived without one for so many years! It's the REAL one that the Harbor Freight one is copied from.

I have even used it to clean nuts and bolts, in a can with sand!

Dedoes Paint Shaker

Brian

That looks pretty dang identical to my HF paint shaker.

Really, I don't know what you could improve on these paint shakers.. It's a pneumatic cylinder that goes back and forth and rotates the shaft, and is secured to the casing by the rubber grommet/bolt you see in your pictures. I really don't see how one could be very much superior to another air brand.

The only problem is keeping them bolted to whatever they are attached to! (Or rather, bolting down whatever they are attached to.)

[MARTINSR]

You make a lot of sense, it is such a simple construction it should be nearly as good as the high end one. But then on the same respect, we KNOW it isn't "as good" just how different, hard to say. I know that I wouldn't dream of using HF screw drivers yet they are made of two parts!

But really, yes there are SOME things that are usable at HF, my staple gun may not be as good as the big boys but it got my convertible top on and that is all I needed.

Brian

[keen]

gambled on the HF shaker today. $89 for "inside track" members.

Missing from the (sealed) box but referenced in the manual and in the parts list/diagram: Control valve and oiler.

The valve is (as pictured, but not actually in the box) is just a ball valve - don't have one free to test with.

The oiler is a bigger issue - if they recommend it in the manual, I'd strongly suggest adding one. Especially with the review on HF indicating early burn out.... Note that it will oil whatever you've mounted the shaker to....

For my test install I installed a regulator on the line (and a whip hose to get the my disconnect away from whirlygig!) - strongly recommended! "40-70psi" line pressure per the manual, but 20-30 was about all I liked with the quart can I had in it. Anything more than that and it was seriously shaking!

A thumb-screw style might be all it needs. and an oiler. and an on/off valve.

Seems like a timer valve might be a good idea so you can set and forget, too?