There is an upside to not converting the mixer. If I need to tumble multiple pieces, I have a bucket of limestone chips and a bucket of pea gravel. If I need to mix mortar, I put the paddles back in. When space is limited, my machines have to do double duty.
Exactly...Im running out of space quick! Plus I can save 139$. I also have access to media we use to tumble castings in to clean, debur and smooth sharp edges that I could use in it! So...cement mixer/muller/tumble blast (kind of)....much better than having multiple machines!