Manual cement mixer?

cheap £20 1000w drill from one of the sheds and a mixing basket on a stick type thing, large bucket and a bucket trowel.

RT

I have just ordered one, but haven't got it yet. They're called ODJOB mixers and they look great. They take up to a bag of plaster or sand/cement and there's a table so that you can add the exact amount of water. Then you roll it on the ground for a minute and it's all mixed. That's the theory anyway. I'll let you know how I get on.

Alistair

Ideally, you arrange all your jobs at the bottom of a long hill ;-) I've got this mental picture of cement mixer drums bouncing down the road...

We bought a B&Q mixer for £200 about 4 years ago. It's been used for several building projects. It's lived outside throughout. Only just starting to rust now.

I'd strongly recommend one. Second hand ones (including ours!) can be had for not very much money, and there's always a corner somewhere where it can be tucked away.

Need a decent area like a driveway to roll them, not easy to roll. Hard on the back or foot. "Roll for 30 secs". Hm. Translates to at least 5 mins. IRL. I have occasionally used a 10L or 10L paint tub to do the same thing. Not mad keen on 'em.

They are selling them on Ebay £24.95

If "Roll for 30 secs" was real, you'd see the mechanism in at least some powered concrete mixers. Properly incorporating all the stuff with a minimum of water takes a fair bit of energy.

I have one.... to be fair it sort of works, but it is not that good. Might be ok for small mixes, but once it is half full it is a bugger to get it to roll at all (its tendancy is to slide).

You will get better results with a mixing paddle on the end of a slow speed drill.

I bought one about 20 years ago, it's only been used once - more trouble than it's worth. I think it must be in the shed somewhere....

Peter

Some people say that about the violin. If you were of a more positive disposition you'd join the practitioners who are now rotating this type of mixer by walking on it whilst juggling with 5 lump hammers.

Now's your chance.

-- Regards, Mike Halmarack

Drop the EGG to email me.

I always wondered why no-one made a =A315 powered cement mixer, consisting of a tilted big plastic bucket with 2 wood strips glued down the inside, supported on a bearing, driven by a belt from your drill. Just stick drill in, slip belt on, run for 5-10 mins to get a good mix. Small batches ideal for pointing etc, low price ideal for the oddjobber.

NT

I very rarely use ours, it's been a disappointment. Needs a long flat surface to roll on, or it's hard work. Also needs an accurate judge of the mix, because opening and reclosing quickly clogs the threads. I generally shovel-mix small batches in a wheelbarrow now.

:o)