Want to lay a bit of concrete under the bach. It is a bit remote so getting a big commercial load isn't an option & available tradies are thin on the ground. My question is: what do you look for in specs for a not-too-expensive electric mixer? Wattage of motor? Capacity? Materials used? Rental ones are quite expensive per day so something under $400 or so would make sense if they are any good as the job will be done in bits. There are plenty on TME with widely varying prices, tell me your advice & experiences thanks.
budgel,
Nov 14, 10:26am
I reckon a good second hand one is the best bet. They have enormous reduction on the V belt, so as long as it runs Ok it will be OK.
lythande1,
Nov 14, 6:37pm
Never used one, always did the wheelbarrow and shovel method.
loukirby,
Nov 14, 9:34pm
We also got a second-hand one off here. My only advice would be to see it in operation with a load in, to see that it does actually work.
geedubu,
Nov 15, 1:04am
Nobody thinks the new ones are any good? They are reasonably light which would make it easier to transport.
timbo69,
Nov 15, 6:44am
How much concrete you talking?
budgel,
Nov 15, 9:21pm
I'm retired now, but when I was building that's what I ended up doing as it was much easier than loading up my big old concrete mixer. Any more than I could mix in the barrow, I got a truck in. The trick about mixing it in the barrow is to mix it dry first!
trade4us2,
Nov 16, 1:38am
I bought a pathetically weak mixer. However it was narrow enough to wheel through doorways and light enough to wheel from the materials to the job, without needing a wheelbarrow.
cleggyboy,
Nov 16, 1:48am
Thought about hiring one if you can get it done in say a couple of days?
geedubu,
Nov 16, 6:17am
It's a flat area about 4m deep by 3m wide which I want to concrete so it is neater as a work area under the house. Don't have to have it so strong that I can park a truck on it, just something neat and clean to walk on. No way I can do it in a couple of days, I want to do it in manageable bits.
gamefisher,
Nov 16, 6:37am
4M by 3M is 0.9 cube at 75mm (3") or 1.2 cube at 100mm (4") half a day job better off getting it supplied.
cagivachick1,
Nov 16, 6:44am
wouldnt want to hand mix that much
kecal,
Nov 16, 6:47am
I know a guy in the concrete laying business he dosnt even own a concrete mixer , he said just as easy to get a truck in and if he needs a small amount hell go bludge of the nearest premix truck,
geedubu,
Nov 17, 8:12am
I would rather get it supplied but I'm a bit off the beaten track no nearby premix trucks to bludge off, hence the enquiry. I agree with cagivachick, & arthritis isn't the best start to handmixing. I'll take all the wise advice into account and throw a small bit of money at a cheap mixer & see how it works out; I get that not enough people have tried the TME cheapo new ones to give me a steer on a brand so I'll just have a go and not risk too much money (or my joints).
omamari,
Nov 17, 5:51pm
Hire a mixer for the day, that's not much to mix at all. Work out your cubic metres required and add 25% - that's the amount of builder's mix you will need
timbo69,
Nov 17, 11:24pm
If you factor in the time and money to go pick u the builders mix/cement/mixer and the time to mix it i believe your way better off getting a concrete truck in
elect70,
Nov 18, 4:41am
Should have at least a 1 HP motor & good belt , older the mixer the better it will be , new ones arent as tough Make sure you use an RCD on the cord . . But stil have to cart the mix & cement up hope youve got a good back , can do half mixes at a time if its not too good . Always sel the mixer afterwards too
geedubu,
Nov 18, 5:52am
Lot of people have thought about this so thanks. We all have different circumstances. In my case I want to do a bit at a time when and if I am ready and after the first pad I have a couple of other bits and pieces I'd like to do. Interesting that absolutely nobody has a good word to say for any of the dozens of new ones that are on TradeMe.
mtbotrev,
Feb 12, 7:47pm
Just hire one. did a driveway with late FIL years ago. Easy enough.
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