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Got burned on a 'bargain' mortar mixer that cost me a whole day's pay
Saw a used mixer for sale online, a 'SturdyBuilt 300' (sounded good, right?) for about half the price of a new one. The guy said it just needed a new plug, easy fix. Well, I drove an hour to pick it up, spent $40 on a heavy-duty cord, and got it back to the job. It ran for maybe ten minutes mixing a small batch before the motor started smoking and just died. Completely seized. Ended up having to rent one last minute for $120 to finish the foundation pour we were on. Between the gas, the 'bargain' price, the cord, and the rental, I was out over $300 and lost a bunch of time. That's a day's wages gone. I should have just tested it with my own generator on the spot. Anyone have a good brand for a small mixer that can actually handle regular site work without falling apart?
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evafoster29d ago
Oh man, that "just needs a new plug" line is the universal sign for "this thing is completely cooked." I once bought a pressure washer with that exact story and it shot a piston rod through the block in my driveway. Felt like a real genius that day. For a small mixer that won't quit on you, I've had good luck with the smaller Multiquick models. They're simple and you can actually get parts for them.
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abbyf7929d ago
Totally get that feeling of instant regret when the thing just explodes on you. Learned the hard way to always ask to see it plugged in and running before handing over cash, even if it feels awkward. Those old mixers are often worth fixing if it's just a cord or a switch, but you need to know how to check for power at the motor. If it's dead inside, scrapping it for parts is sometimes the only win you get.
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price.linda29d ago
My buddy bought a table saw that "just needed a belt." The whole gearbox was full of metal shavings, it was a total loss lol. He's super careful about testing stuff now.
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