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Concrete Mixer Question

| Posted in Tools for Home Building on March 3, 2004 07:07am

Checked the archive but did not seem to get answer I’m looking for. Does anyone out there have the Harbor Freight (Central Machinery) 3-1/2 cubic foot concrete mixer? Its on sale for $169.00, is this worth it for the home owner that needs to mix bags of mix every once in a while? I plan on doing some concrete pads for my washer and dryer and leveling a section of basement floor, I will not be able to do it all at once but over a couple of week ends and it seems I can spend that money in rental fees. These projects may need thirty or so bags when all said and done. Passing on your experiences with mixers would be very helpful.

Thanks

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Replies

  1. User avater
    Mongo | Mar 03, 2004 07:47pm | #1

    I don't have familiarity with the mixer from HF, but I do have a small batch mixer. Red Lion. I think I bought it from Northern Tools for $250. I've had it for six or seven years now.

    It's mostly used for small batches...one or two loads for countertops, or several batches for small outdoor projects. I did have to use it on a larger job as a fill-in. Footings. It ran hard all day, we must have run 90 batches through the thing.

    As long as you keep it greased and clean it well before putting it to bed you shouldn't have any problems. 

  2. User avater
    BillHartmann | Mar 03, 2004 08:11pm | #2

    You might want to check to see if there is any "U-cart" crete in your area. In understand that in some areas the ready mix people do this. In my there is a standalone U-cart (brand name) and a rental place that has there own system.

    You get a dump trailer with 1/2 to 1 1/4 cu yd of concrete already mixed and ready to pour.

  3. bill_1010 | Mar 03, 2004 08:40pm | #3

    you know if you do any garden work at all those mixers can also take dirt and mix it with some granule fertilzers for patch work.   or even dirt and some seed to patch brown spots.   

    Even if you turn around and sell it for $75 dollars after youre done youll probably still come ahead.

    1. Ruby | Mar 03, 2004 09:11pm | #4

      We use one to also mix cattle mineral.

      They have many uses, but for one time some 30 sacks, a wheelbarrow and shovel would do it.<G>

      1. ackwik | Mar 03, 2004 10:34pm | #5

        I agree it could be done by hand, my wife and I have done it before, we would take turns mixing, its a good work out. But that was in our younger days, and as an old man once told me "if you don't have it in your back you better have it in you pocket". Thanks for your input I never gave any thought to the other uses it may have around the yard.

        1. brownbagg | Mar 03, 2004 10:40pm | #7

          I got the one from harbor freight, its ok nothing special but it worth the money.

  4. JohnSprung | Mar 03, 2004 10:38pm | #6

    I also have one of those light duty Red Lion mixers.  Be aware that the 3 1/2 cubic ft. rating is as bogus as shop vac horsepower.  If you lay the drum on its back and fill it full, that's 3.5 ft^3.  The biggest batch you can make is about one cubic foot.

    The biggest job I've done with mine is about 2/3 yd. for a footing in the middle of the house.  That was about two dozen batches, and I did have to stop and let it cool a while once.

    BTW, on that job just for grins I had a lab break a cylinder -- 6390 psi.  With clean aggregate and not too much water, you can make mud as good as the big boys.

    -- J.S.

  5. csnow | Mar 03, 2004 10:58pm | #8

    I have that machine.

    It's realistically only good for 2 bags at a time, but it does save time and effort over manual mixing.  I use it frequently.

    In terms of quality, it has held up well for several years stored outside.  The only failure was the switch.  It got corroded internally.  I replaced it with a sealed one.

    If I were to do it again, I probably would have considered the kind where the drum is mounted on a frame with wheelbarrow tires, and you can tip the concrete out (like a wheelbarrow).  Twice the money, but more efficient to use in many cases.

  6. csnow | Mar 03, 2004 10:58pm | #9

    I have that machine.

    It's realistically only good for 2 bags at a time, but it does save time and effort over manual mixing.  I use it frequently.

    In terms of quality, it has held up well for several years stored outside.  The only failure was the switch.  It got corroded internally.  I replaced it with a sealed one.

    If I were to do it again, I probably would have considered the kind where the drum is mounted on a frame with wheelbarrow tires, and you can tip the concrete out (like a wheelbarrow).  Twice the money, but more efficient to use in many cases.

    1. gravy | Mar 04, 2004 12:35am | #10

      I think the one you are describing is made by Kushlan (or something like that). Plastic drum so it won't get rusty, good balance for rolling with a load, dumps pretty easily. Made in USA. I've worked with one, and liked it well enough that I'm planning to get one for myself. Northern Tool carries them.

      Dave

  7. HealeyBN7 | Mar 04, 2004 01:19am | #11

    Yes I also have the HF mixer.  I am proabably the only person to purchase it when it was not on sale.  Still a good mixer - two years running.  Only drawback is the small wheels as it makes it difficult to move it around on rough terrain. 

    1. junkhound | Mar 04, 2004 02:37am | #12

      May be the cheapest person here, but actually paid $180 for a mixer in 1972, a LOT of bucks then!  Anything that can mix 2 bags at a time (mine can do 4 80# bags) for less than that price now is a good deal.. 

      HF has digital VOMs for $3, paid $40 for an analog one in '58. 

      Also apid $400 for color TV in '72, no remote even

      1. joeh | Mar 04, 2004 02:50am | #13

        Art, I priced a new drum for my mixer last year. $1500 without the gear. Just a drum........

        It's got a lot of patches on it & probably more to come.

        Joe H

      2. User avater
        jonblakemore | Mar 04, 2004 07:35am | #15

        Art,

        "HF has digital VOMs for $3, paid $40 for an analog one in '58."

        Do you trust those?  I've always wondered, but don't know enough about electrical theory/electronics to know. 

        Jon Blakemore

        1. junkhound | Mar 05, 2004 03:40am | #18

          On dc voltage, they read the same as a Fluke 77.  Clean sine wave ac reads the same.  Reading is off on ac if it is a distorted waveform. The $18 HF meters are in some ways better than a $180 Fluke if you have access to a standard for camparison as there are about 10 trimpots inside the HF guys that let you calibrate them  (no, there are no cal instructions, you have to figure that out for yourself.

  8. User avater
    JeffBuck | Mar 04, 2004 03:39am | #14

    would depend on just how small ...

    but those plastic barrels with screw on lids that ya roll around the ground with your foot look like they might actually work.

    Jeff

    Buck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

         Artistry in Carpentry                

    1. fdampier5 | Mar 04, 2004 08:16am | #16

      Jeff,

        Don't waste your money on those.If all you need is tiny batches then mix it in a 5 gallon pail or something.. (one of the plastic buckets that joint compound comes in is perfect) 

        . I bought the two bag mixer that Home Depot sells.. it's been well worth it's price.. I've mixed all of the morter for both the wall stone and the driveway stone.  It hasn't had a hic-cup.

        It's got a couple of wheels and a 110 plug in.. (made in Italy of all places)  I've checked around and used it's worth about 1/2 of the origanal price.

           That makes the purchase cost about one weeks rental..

            

      1. User avater
        JeffBuck | Mar 05, 2004 02:10am | #17

        I always mix by hand anyways ...

        Think that's why Dad had us kids ...

        to mix cement and hang drywall ....

        I actually like it ... might be because it's a once in a year kinda thing .....

        JeffBuck Construction   Pittsburgh,PA

             Artistry in Carpentry                

  9. quinnf | Mar 11, 2004 02:05am | #19

    I've had three of them over the years.  Used to be made by Allied.  Good for doing small pours, but especially good for doing brickwork.  Light enough to horse into the pickup and carry up a few stairs if necessary, but has plenty of capacity for small 1-2 man jobs.  I've run them for daily for weeks with no problems.  I buy one for a particular job, use it, and then sell it to someone when the job is finished.  Kinda could use one right now, actually . . .

    1. crosscutter1 | Mar 11, 2004 05:17am | #20

      forget mixing

      no offense if you have to ask these questions you do not know enough about concrete !! for the washer dryer do it in wood . for the leveling of the floor look into gypcrete its a light weight concrete or there is also a sub  floor system that you can install  ( 2 x 2 ) home depot has it . get an etimate from a mason you might find you would be better off working overtime to pay him & not have to worry about where to store the mixer unless your neigbhor borrows it

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