Mud mixer vs. hand mixing, went back to the old way

After years of using a paddle mixer, I tried mixing a few buckets by hand for a small bathroom job last week. Took twice as long but the mud came out way smoother with no air bubbles, made finishing 10 times easier. Anyone else notice this or did I just get a bad batch with the drill?

3 comments

3 Comments

david_palmer23h agoMost Upvoted

Three buckets in and I was seriously questioning all my life choices that led me to that moment. I remember thinking, "This is what my drill has been hiding from me all these years?" The smoothness was unreal, like the mud actually wanted to be on the wall instead of fighting me the whole way. My arm felt like it was going to fall off by the third batch, but the finish was so clean I almost cried. Now I'm wondering if I've just been making my life harder with the mixer or if all those air bubbles were just me being too aggressive with the drill speed. Either way, my shoulder is going to hate me tomorrow but my trowel work has never looked better.

nathan_kim23h ago

Almost cried over drywall mud? @david_palmer you might need a day off, man.

anthonyrivera23h ago

...I mean it's drywall mud, not a firstborn child. I get being proud of a clean finish, but almost crying? That seems like a lot for something that's gonna get sanded down and painted over anyway. How bad was your mud game before this that a smooth bucket of all-purpose joint compound has you emotional?