Latest KA mixer finished.

[Mosca]

These are beasts compared to the tilt heads. But the internals are actually simpler.

This one took some time because the gear housing in the old ones (like mine) is made out of plastic, and KA recommends upgrading it to a metal housing. I didn’t want to spend the $40. But I’m also not wired to do the job wrong. So I spent the money, and replaced the worm follower gear and the motor shaft seal, too. I’d always know that I cut corners if I didn’t do that.

Then I gave it a nice coat of wax. It looks like I just took it out of the box!




There is no speed adjustment on the newer models, they use a speed control board.

[Draznnl]

Looks great Tom. I hope you get much enjoyment out of it..

[texastweeter]

You waxed it?! Lol. Carnuba, or acrylic? I'm old school and use turtle brand paste.

[barelfly]

Ceramic coat!!!🤣

[Mosca]

Just basic Meguiar’s Cleaner Wax. KA mixers are powder coated, not painted, so it’s just for the shine anyhow. But my 40yo tilt head had a lot of scratches, so I did some buffing on that one, using a product called Scratch X. I don’t know if they still make that.

Turtle Wax is freakin’ fantastic; it always has been. Folks get all freaky deaky about expensive coatings, but a hell of a lot of chemistry goes into putting Turtle Wax, Kit, etc, on those shelves at those prices.

[Huskee]

I'm more of a 'moist paper towel or rag' guy myself for kitchen appliances.

[Jerod Broussard]

That is sweet. Me prefer metal over plasteek.

A new slide for my pistol came with plates for selective optic sights.....ALL plastic.....a metal version for the sight ordered is on my porch right now.

[texastweeter]

Go with shadow systems. Just got the new CR920XL and it's a great IWB piece. DR920P is one of the most enjoyable pistols tho shoot all day too. The optics cut on both are fantastic and deep enough almost all reflex sights cowitness.

[Jerod Broussard]

texastweeter this is a 2018 pistol that just needed an upgrade

[Huskee]

She's a beaut, Clark! Nicely done.

[mrichie1229]

LOL! 😂

[RonB]

Hmmm - I may ask you to bring tools to the next Meatup we both attend.

[mrichie1229]

Is this the same one you purchased a few weeks ago at an estate sale or a different one?

[STEbbq]

Pretty sure it is the estate sale one.

[Mosca]

Yep, the estate sale one.

There’s a lot to learn. KA mixers are very simple to understand, but also very intricate in the way the various systems work together. I’m absolutely fascinated. For example: replacing the motor shaft seal. Simple part: a ring at the end of the motor shaft, from which a gear protrudes.



Simple, right? Except the motor needs to be positioned properly when reinstalling it. You need to push it forward with light pressure until the seal presses against the housing, making sure it’s not too far from or to close to the worm gear (the long sideways gear in the manual), ie perfectly centered:



Then you need to just snug down the screws at the rear. Then reinstall the transmission cover, and torque the screws to 24 inch-pounds in the following pattern:



And then tighten the rear screws to 30 inch-pounds. That is the initial gear in the entire driveline, and any misalignment will multiply throughout the rest of the gears, causing excess wear over time. It would be a lie to say that I’m the kind of guy who has a torque driver in my tool box. I actually have a really nice torque wrench, but I had to order a cheap torque driver from Amazon. I found out that a lot of serious bicyclists have them, but I don’t know any of those.

[Santamarina]

So after all your digging around inside these things, would you recommend a first time buyer go with tilt head or bowl lift?

Thats me, first time buyer.

[Mosca]

How many people is it going to feed, how often is it going to be used, and how much will be mixed at a time?

Keep in mind, I’m having fun learning about them as machines, but my total number of times using one is less than 10. Based on my interaction with the KA community, the vast majority of users are completely satisfied with the tilt head, and the power users need the bowl lift. Just keep it maintained, and it will get passed down to your grandchildren.