The purpose of paint is to dry in place, but that doesn’t only occur on a wall. If you leave a can of paint on the shelf for a long time, it can start to go stale, with little dry flecks accumulating inside. To keep this from happening, it’s good to have a paint shaker on hand that can mix things up quickly and efficiently. Normally, that’s something you’d go to a hardware store for (appreciate Bart Simpson with Homer’s Duff can), but you can do it at home with the right equipment.
The Air Paint Shaker from Central Pneumatic, available at Harbor Freight, can shake up any can of paint from one quart to one gallon in size, holding it securely in its non-marring jaws. Unlike some standalone mixers, this one is powered by an air compressor. Just plug your compressor in, and it’ll shake the heck out of your paint in just a few minutes. Since there are no electronic components, it’s safe to use in a workshop without concern for errant sparks.
Users of this shaker have praised its relative ease of setup and use, not to refer its lower noise level compared to an electric shaker. One reviewer noted that it’s very convenient if you get paint delivered to your home, as it eliminates the need to go to the hardware store for shaking.
