Cement Mixing

[tucker99]

Here is the easist way I know to mix a barrow load of concrete.. I lay out a plastic or pvc sheet about 10 ft by 6 ft and throw the mix on it and then pick up the end corners and roll them to the other end. a child can do that part The cement mixes as if by magic. Great for small jobs and soo much easier than using a shovel and a wheel barrow.
Here in NZ there is a lot of earth built homes, mud brick and rammed earth. One guy built a hydraulic mixing scew into his loader bucket and could scoop up the earth, add the cement mix it and put it right on the job.
Cheers,
Russ

 

[tucker99]

BTW I demonstrated this sheet mixer at an inventors field day and one guy standing there watch and beating his head with his hand. I asked him why he was so upset and he said he had been mixing conrete in a barrow for yrs ( he was a drainlayer/plumber) and was p....d that he hadn't thought of doing it this way.
Cheers again,
Russ

 

[B7510]

I see a lot of posts here from folks in warmer climates. In those places subject to freeze/thaw, like here in Michigan, you have an added concern. The cement should be "air entrained". They add a chemical that causes it for create tiny bubbles in the cement paste as it is mixed. Something about these tiny air voids keeps the concrete from deteriorating due to freeze/thaw. To get the air mixed in you pretty much have to use a mechanical mixer. The old hoe and shovel just don't get it.

 

[needtobuildmore]

I'm new to this site, but am intrigued by your project idea.

Here's a thought: Suppose you took the auger mechanism and housing from an old snowblower and encased the open intake... theoretically, you could mix the cement with it (granted, you'd need to rig up a mechanism to turn the auger) and then dump the cement out through the chute where the impeller used to sit.

Just a thought, and I am happy to be a part of such a great site!