Cement mixers

[sberry]

I spose I should look at Northern etc. It seems I might have a small one somewhere and a Bud says he has 1/3 yard, I wonder what the next step is? I am going to call and see how much gravel is.
There was local gravel but I might have missed that boat.

 

[csp]

Random post again?

 

[txvwnut]

Evidently he's going to make a cement boat.

 

[Jagmandave]

Is he going to make a cement boat, or a concrete boat.....he mentions gravel??

Sberry is a great example of "stream of consciousness" posting, I see a lot of this sort of writing from my students.....and before someone jumps on me about it I am not castigating him for it - one of my brothers does this and he is one of the smartest guys I know.....it's just his way of communicating.

 

[sgrammel]

speaking of cement mixers..the big truck kind...does cement not set if it keeps turning in the barrell? What happens if it quits turning and sets? Some poor schmuck has to crawl in with a jack hammer?

 

[BearsFan315]

Guess someone forgot to take their meds again...

 

[KDXSR5]

speaking of cement mixers..the big truck kind...does cement not set if it keeps turning in the barrell? What happens if it quits turning and sets? Some poor schmuck has to crawl in with a jack hammer?

Yes.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Once you line up a mixer you can either get redi-mix or get gravel, sand (probably from the same place) and cement (make sure it is cement, most box stores and lumber yards assume everyone buys redi-mix).
If you do go the redi-mix route and you want strong concrete you may want to get some cement and add it too, redi-mix is usually a little light on the cement content.

 

[58Yeoman]

I was the new guy in the company in vietnam. The rear fins of the mixer were full, and I had to go inside with a 70# hammer and knock it out before I could use it.

 

[WVBrady]

speaking of cement mixers..the big truck kind...does cement not set if it keeps turning in the barrell? What happens if it quits turning and sets? Some poor schmuck has to crawl in with a jack hammer?

Here is an alternative:

 

[NUTTSGT]

I would have guessed that sberry being the fabricating farmer guy that he is would have a 40+ years old mixer somewhere on the farm under a tarp.

 

[pablo94sc]

Why not rent one? I mean, owning one is cool but I figure it's one of those use once in a blue moon and takes up space the rest of the time pieces of equipment.

 

[bazzateer]

I bought a small 2nd hand one for £80 a couple of years back to mix concrete for fence posts. Still got it and will use for other projects as will my neighbour. Eventually I may sell it on for a few quid. Even if I scrap it eventually the cost will be far less than renting one every time I need one.

 

[MushCreek]

How come when you buy a used mixer, the last guy to use it didn't clean it out? Every one I've ever looked at always had a layer of concrete left in it. I bought a good old one, and spent 4 hours getting it clean. I've used it a number of times, and it's so quick and easy to just hose it out. I was thinking about using something like bed liner inside it, but I just hose it out, and it looks like new.

I love having a mixer around the place. Right after I bought it, a family at our church needed a handicap ramp, so my mixer got to do a good deed right away. I've let several trusted buddies borrow it, and I always point out how spotless it is (hint hint).

One of my winter projects will be to go through it and paint it up pretty.

 

[DonPowers]

I bought a mixer from a lady who went through a pottery phase, probably after watching Ghost. Anyway, she used it once to dry mix ingredients then it sat in the corner of her garage for several years. Nice find, in showroom condition at a fraction of the cost.

 

[NZ0J]

speaking of cement mixers..the big truck kind...does cement not set if it keeps turning in the barrell? What happens if it quits turning and sets? Some poor schmuck has to crawl in with a jack hammer?

Yes, it will eventually set, even if it's turning. Also, depends how much is in the drum; you either get in and chip it out, or, we've even had a blasting company come in before and set small charges in the drum if there is a lot in there (I'm talking numerous yards).

 

[bczygan]

 

[sberry]

Ok, back to this. Somewhere I have a small one and need to find out who has it. I believe it is a 1/3 or so which is kind of small for flat work. I may have missed my Bud for a train load of gravel.
I spose I should look in Northern etc and see what they have. I am going to look round as this s another thing I want to knockoff the list and have on hand. I don't want t deal with a truck for some smaller jobs and can do them at will, move forms etc.
I can loader handle the material.

 

[kgordon]

So if i try to understand you have a 1/3 yd and you think its small. You are doing flat work, but we have no idea how much and how often. You might have missed out on some gravel and maybe you have a loader to handle material?

Seems like some time needs to be taken to clearly state what the problem is, if your looking for input.

 

[sberry]

It was really thinking out loud adn wondering where other guys scored their mixers. I am going to find one have and wouldn't mind something larger, it could even be 3 pt mounted.

 

[NZ0J]

It was really thinking out loud adn wondering where other guys scored their mixers. I am going to find one have and wouldn't mind something larger, it could even be 3 pt mounted.

I see you're in Michigan. Is this exterior flatwork you're doing? I'm asking because I'm curious about air entrainment in concrete you're mixing yourself.

 

[Lx460]

I see you're in Michigan. Is this exterior flatwork you're doing? I'm asking because I'm curious about air entrainment in concrete you're mixing yourself.

Laundry soap

 

[Strouty]

Dawn works better than laundry soap.

 

[Lx460]

You can also use molasses for a retarder. Any sugar really.

But with homebrew admixtures it's difficult to get dosage correct.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I always thought sugar was put into a concrete truck to keep it from hardening? I saw a story once on TV about it wont ever set with sugar in it. Since it came from TV, it must be true

 

[bczygan]

Here's one in Beaverton MI with a Honda motor for $250:

http://centralmich.craigslist.org/tls/5194620026.html

Call quick. He's got someone coming to look at it today.

 

[Lx460]

I always thought sugar was put into a concrete truck to keep it from hardening? I saw a story once on TV about it wont ever set with sugar in it. Since it came from TV, it must be true

It will certainly delay it based on how much you put in but once the hydration process begins there is no stopping it. Concrete will continue to harden indefinitely in the presence of moisture.

Commercially used retarding admixtures have tradionally been made from byproducts of the sugar industry. They now have some different chemical based ones now but the sugar based are still used also.

 

[Lx460]

Here's one in Beaverton MI with a Honda motor for $250:

http://centralmich.craigslist.org/tls/5194620026.html

That's a mortar or grout mixer. Anything with rocks or gravel won't work very well due to clearance issues between the agitator and the drum. You need a rotating drum mixer for concrete.

 

[sberry]

Bill, I put Honda on one just like that for a cement guy. Its a mortar mixer I believe. You are getting close though. That is a deal even if it needs bearings.

 

[sberry]

Is he going to make a cement boat, or a concrete boat.....he mentions gravel??

Sberry is a great example of "stream of consciousness" posting, I see a lot of this sort of writing from my students.....and before someone jumps on me about it I am not castigating him for it - one of my brothers does this and he is one of the smartest guys I know.....it's just his way of communicating.

I will agree its stream posting but it isn't cause I am smart.

 

[bczygan]

I will agree its stream posting but it isn't cause I am smart.

Hey!.......Don't destroy the image we have of you as an idiot savant!

We like to think that your mind is so full of great thoughts, that your fingers just can't type them fast enough.

Bill

My wife says I'm not an idiot......First, I need to work my way up from imbecile. She does say that I'm a PERFECT imbecile though!

It's a fine line between genius and imbecile...(I had to type those words twice, to get them spelled right).

 

[bczygan]

Bill, I put Honda on one just like that for a cement guy. Its a mortar mixer I believe. You are getting close though. That is a deal even if it needs bearings.

OK..........How about this?

 

[Git]

I always thought sugar was put into a concrete truck to keep it from hardening? I saw a story once on TV about it wont ever set with sugar in it. Since it came from TV, it must be true

Yep - if you have ever seen an over turned cement truck - that is what they do, throw sugar in it as soon as they can get the drum turning again

 

[bczygan]

$150 in Shelby:

http://muskegon.craigslist.org/tls/5205740811.html

 

[Showkey]

These things work great.......Home Depot rents them but they sell their rental units every so often.
I purchase one off craigslist for $150.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Kushlan-...ftyoTMlnhafo-OnC8kMWYaAu8j8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[NUTTSGT]

How about this old fella ?

http://flint.craigslist.org/tls/5212837399.html


See that gear ring ? Never bend down to pick something up and hit your head on that gear, it hurts like a sumbit.

 

[matt_i]

As far as I'm concerned those things are for the birds I mixed & poured 65 bags myself putting in a footer one day back about 6 years ago, I was like a grey ghost from all the dust. Rented the mixer from Home D. Anything > 1 yard and I'll hire a truck.

A 3pt would be really neat but like anything 3pt its probably built for 40 years hard service and cost $$$$.

 

[NUTTSGT]

As far as I'm concerned those things are for the birds I mixed & poured 65 bags myself putting in a footer one day back about 6 years ago, I was like a grey ghost from all the dust. Rented the mixer from Home D. Anything > 1 yard and I'll hire a truck.

Even using a mixer, 65 bags in one day is some ball busting work. Mad props to you man.

 

[matt_i]

The sad thing was it totals out to be like 1.4cu yd. Crazy amount of work for the minimal amount of 'crete produced...

 

[lynnbilodeau]

I agree. Sherri and I decided on the spur of the moment early one Sun morning to pour a "landing pad" at the bottom of some stone steps. Already had my brother's mixer that looks just like the one with the gear ring Eric pointed out. That thing is evil. 45 bags. I was whupped by the time we finished. Unless it is a small pour, it just isn't worth it. Brutal work.