Just got my Robart paint shaker.

I've had the electric model for years got it from Micro Mark, I never put bb's in the bottle didnn't know you were supposed to, maybe I should learn to read directions lol, without them I think it works just fine maybe better with them? If you have any let me know if its worth it

John

No BB's here either. I would think that might even be a bad idea in a glass bottle? Anyway, I guess I didn't read the directions either but mine works great without the BB's.

Rich

Alclad used to have BBs awhile back.  A lot of folks had bottles break when shaking up the paint.

I used to use BBs a long time ago, however, I discovered that the copper was corroding in the bottles and had adverse effects on the paint I quit using them.  

I now use a ultrasonic cleaner to mix my paint.

Just a note for ya;

Add a drop or two of light machine oil to the mechanism inside the shaker, will improve the running and starting. Mine was slow to start without some lube.  "thats what she said" ! haha

I still have to stir up the pigments in MM paint. well, I always check MM paints with a stirrer!

when your bottle strap breaks, just use a rubber band doubled over. 

Thanks for the replies.  My paints seem to mix well without a BB also.  I also mix it with one side of the bottle facing up, then I rotate the bottle so the opposite side is facing up, especially when the paint is congealed.  Thanks for the tips as well!

~Dave

I couldn't get rubber bands to hold then I called Micro Mark they carry straps 5 for cheap I forget exactly still got 3 left I won a hand held one in a lot of tools on Ebay that is battery operated which works good just make sure you have it in all the way I think I still have panzer grey measels lol

John

RichardI wrote:

... would think that might even be a bad idea in a glass bottle?...

I put two BBs in every bottle of paint I have and have done it for years.  No problems of any type.  I usually give paint a few stirs, put the cap back on, and shake it for a while after I hear the BBs begin to rattle. 

I have to agree with EasyMike I have put two BBs in all my bottles of paint for years and never had a problem, also saves on wiping excess paint off a stirring stick.

Regards,

Thom

bspeed,

Where do you put the drop of oil?  

~Dave

My paint shaker stopped shaking, any ideas?

I have used BBs for years had have never had a problem.

I'm shaking without BB's, but if the paint has been sitting awhile I'll also stir it up with a toothpick.  If it's a bottle that I've been using recently I just give it some time on the shaker and the paint quality seems good.  If I have to stir I put it on the shaker first and that seems to reduce stir time.   It beats having to shake by hand and have tired hands when painting.

I've never opened my Robart so I can't help you Wyoroy.

Dave

Thanks, perhaps someone else will know. 

BTW a good practice is to wipe the bottle and treads off before closing the paint.

wyoroy wrote:

My paint shaker stopped shaking, any ideas? I have used BBs for years had have never had a problem.

with or without cord?

I guess it would be the same either way but have you checked that the electrical connections are still attached to the motor? I've had a couple of things where over time the connections break away. Most seem to be attached with just a tiny blob of solder and I imagine all that shaking would knock it loose over time. 

I haven't taken mine apart but I can't believe there is much to it inside other than a motor and some gears.

There are really only 4 things that could go wrong and 3 of them would be fairly simple fixes. 1 cord is not connected or has a break somewhere, 2 motor is bad, 3 switch is bad, 4 gears are jammed up and won't let the motor turn.  

If you have a radio shack or similar electronics place you could probably get replacement parts to make it work again (motor or switch which ever is determined to be the problem). I think little electric motors like that are pretty bullet proof so that would be my last expected place for a problem, there just isn't much to them.

If you are not to handy with things like this I bet a decent RC or train shop would have someone that would be able to figure it out pretty quickly. If they stock plastic maybe you could bribe them, "you help me fix this, and I'll buy this nice big model kit from you".  

Woroy,

Did you purchase the Robart fairly recently?  Mine came with a 90-day warranty that you had to mail in a slip to activate.  In any case here is Robart's address in case you have to buy a motor.

Robart Mfg., Inc.

625 N. 12th St.

St. Charles, Illinois  60174

Best of luck,

Dave

Hope it turns out to be fairly easy to get a replacement motor. It's nice to know they can last so long though, if you got 10 years of use out of yours that works out to $3-4 a year.

wyoroy wrote:

Thanks for the info.  I got mine back in 1996 or 97.

So, did you ever get that new motor for your paint shaker?

My problem with shaking the paint is that it seems to increase the potential for stuck-on lids. Stirring the paint instead certainly reduces that bother! I use greeting-card holders from florist shops (the ones I'm talking about look like very long clear plastic forks; I use an old garden shears to snip them to about four inches long). I wouldn't dare use any of the motorized paint stirrers some people like. I have visions of paint flying out of the bottle and all over the model, the walls, the workbench, me...you get the picture! And believe me, a quarter-ounce bottle spilled all over the place actually contains a full gallon of paint! I don't know how that works; maybe somebody who knows about spatial ratios can clue me in.

This is amusing, Reaper paints use a little pewter skull in each dropper.

lead shot or copper BBs are a bad idea though, that much is sure.