An apparatus for mixing dry and liquid components is used to form a setting paste. A holder is mounted on the apparatus for reciprocating movement with respect to a base of the apparatus. The movement has an amplitude with components in first and second perpendicular directions. A drive system is operatively connected to the holder for imparting said reciprocating movement to said holder at a predetermined number of cycles per minute. A container having a mass of said dry and liquid components therein is mounted in the holder. The mass, amplitude and cycles per minute of reciprocation being chosen to produce an energy input of at least about 3×10−3 Joules per second per 3 cc of mixture.