Buy small mixer for mortar and <2cu yd of concrete or pay for redi mix

PAGUY · Jun 9, 2015

Over thirty years ago I wanted to build an off street parking lot that required retaining walls on three sides. My Dad said he would buy the material if I would build it. He got the block, the mortar and sand and a 4X4 mixing box. He said we already had a hoe so I should be already to go at it. It would be big enough to park three vehicles on it. I immediately got in my truck and headed to Sears and bought a steel cement mixer that ran on electricity. It came with a plug that I changed to a electrical switch so I wouldn't have to unplug just turn it off at the switch. Worked great and came in handy many times after that job. I still have it although it hasn't been used for years but kept in a garage and I'm sure can still do the job if needed. It's something you just can't part with.

flusher · Jun 9, 2015

All of my DIY concrete work around my 10 acre place was done with a Harbor Freight mixer that I bought for about $150 at one of HF's sidewalk sales. Probably put 150 bags (60 lb) of redimix through it over the years. Works fine. Main drawback: needs larger diameter wheels to make transporting it easier.

I try to minimize the heavy labor by having the yard guys at the lumberyard load the sacks into my pickup. At home I slide the bags from the pickup to the FEL bucket on my 2008 Mahindra 5525. Drive the 5525 to the jobsite and set the height of the FEL bucket to match that of the mixer. Cut the bags in half so I only have to schlep 30 lb loads into the mixer. Saves a lot of wear and tear on my back (I'm 73 years old).

Good luck

Good luck

CurlyDave · Jun 10, 2015

I try to minimize the heavy labor by having the yard guys at the lumberyard load the sacks into my pickup...

The only way to improve on this is to put a pallet in the bed of the truck. Those pallet forks now make everything easier...

(You are only 4 years ahead of me.)

EddieWalker · Jun 11, 2015

I've found that owning a cement mixer is one of those things that you use over and over again. It might sit for a year and be in the way all the time, but when you want it, it's well worth the cost and space it takes up. Mine is all metal with gear drive from Home Depot. I've never had an issue with it, but from what I understand, just about all of the out there will get the job done and I doubt any one brand or style is better then the other.

I only buy the 60 or 50 pound sacks or readi mix now. I priced them to the 80 pound sacks and the smaller ones are actually a penny per pound cheaper. The lighter weight makes them a lot easier to handle!!!

While the cost for a one time job would probably be a push on not buying the mixer, you will still need the mixer for the mortar, so you might as well get it. I've never regretted spending more on the best tool I could get, but I always regret buying the cheaper tool.

Eddie

MechE1 · Jun 11, 2015

Cheers guys. I found a ready mix guy that will deliver 1.5yrds with no short load charge. Sounds like that's the way to go. As for the mortar. I have a paddle mixer as some have detailed. I've never mixed mortar that way but have a small amount to mix for repair/replace for façade brick for the drive through garage I made. I will try to mix that way and see how it does, then go from there.

Fawken · Jun 11, 2015

MechE1 said:
Cheers guys. I found a ready mix guy that will deliver 1.5yrds with no short load charge. Sounds like that's the way to go. As for the mortar. I have a paddle mixer as some have detailed. I've never mixed mortar that way but have a small amount to mix for repair/replace for façade brick for the drive through garage I made. I will try to mix that way and see how it does, then go from there.

Yes, if you do enough concrete work you can sometimes get that small amount brought out for $50 a yard if you can wait till the end of the day and are flexible on delivery date. The paddle in a strong, variable speed drill works fantastic for mortar. I use the same paddle that you would mix drywall mud with in a 5 gal Home Depot bucket. Don't mix any more than a gallon or two at a time and remember it needs to be about like cake icing. Northern tool actually sells a mortar mixer which looks like a drill with a double blade paddle.

Walt 2002 · Jun 11, 2015

I have mixed 1 yard quantities of concrete in a wheelbarrow with a garden hoe, that was about 45 years ago and it is the best concrete on the place yet today.

Walt Conner

GLyford · Jun 11, 2015

I have one of the HF mixers, which I like using. Used one of those pattern molds and put in a concrete patio with it. I have also put a floor in a woodshed and poured a slab for a small greenhouse/potting shed.

I have also used readymix a couple of times, usually in the 2-3 yard range. It involved a weekend fee and a small load fee, but in the end was worth the extra money each time.

Just recently, I poured a 3x5 stair landing pad and a half dozen piers for a deck. Just under 1-1/2 yards. This time I used one of the "small load" guys whose truck mixes on the spot. While they advertise it as a cheaper option, to my mind the cost was about a wash with either bags or readymix with a small load fee. Nice thing about it was not having to worry about being over/under on the estimate (I went over)...the truck simply stops when everything is full. Definitely less effort (mixer) or stress (readymix) on my part.

What I will also say is that something like piers/sonotubes, where you can do one or two at a go as you have time and energy, your own mixer makes sense. For something like a slab, even a relatively small one, you will be pushing yourself flat out and something like the other two options will serve you better.