Everything you need to know about cement mixers

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Cement mixers are one of the handiest items when it comes to construction and can truly transform a construction project into a professional end product. Concrete mixers can save on labour, time and money and should be considered a long-term investment. This guide will answer any and all of the possible questions you may have when it comes to cement mixers.

 

What is the best cement mixer?

 

The best cement mixer for you depends on an array of factors including budget, utility, practicality and personal preference. Although there are many mixers available on the market today, you should definitely do your research beforehand and acquire your machine from a reputable source, such as BS Power. Our top picks when it comes to cement mixers are:

 

The Baumax 400L concrete mixer with B&S Engine: this machine is for larger builds and is considered elite. It is ideal for owners, builders and rental companies and has a ring gear cover as well an enclosed engine cabin which ensures operator safety.

 

The Baumax BS361 360L Concrete Mixer fitted with Baumax RX200 2:1 Engine: This cement mixer is only slightly smaller than the 400L version, and is also equipped with a ring gear cover as well as enclosed cabin. With a drum speed of 25 RPM and an output of 5m3 per hour, this machine will go a long way on any construction site.

 

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What is used for mixing concrete?

 

When wondering what the best possible solution is to mixing cement, concrete mixers shine through. A cement mixer is actually one in the same as a concrete mixer and is a machine that combines different materials to form a cement mixture. This mixture often consists of dry powdered cement, sand or gravel, and water, which is all churned together in the machine to create a seamless batch of concrete.

 

Most mixers make use of a revolving drum which spins around mixing together all of the various aggregates. While there are large vehicles that act as cement mixers, that you have noticed spinning past you while you’re driving, these are often not suitable for small to medium projects. The best bet here is portable mixers, which can be transported around a construction site to any necessary point, and concrete can also be remade right where it’s needed with the help of portable mixers.

 

How do I choose a cement mixer?

 

As mentioned before, choosing a cement mixer depends on a number of different factors, including:

Budget: When setting out to purchase a cement mixer, you will need to set a reasonable budget. While mixers aren’t considered the cheapest tool out there, you should not pay an arm and a leg for one so be sure to assess the market value and what other retailers are charging.

 

Frequency of use: If you will only be using the cement mixer occasionally or for a once off project, then consider renting a cement mixer or go for one with 120L capacity. If you will be using the cement mixer frequently, such as on a construction site, then a 120L machine should do the job, but opt for a larger drum (160L or 190L) if your project will be a large one. If, however, you will be using the machine daily for intensive use, such as if you are mixing cement 5 days a week, then get a large drum capacity of 250L minimum. Here we would recommend the 400L Baumax cement mixers which has more than enough capacity to service a whole site.

 

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What is the difference between cement mixers and mortar mixers?

 

You may have heard the word mortar before, and you may have even heard the words “mortar mixer” before and wondered what it is and how it differs from cement mixers. It is important to know the difference here, because using the wrong machinery in construction could be damaging to the equipment, the building substances, and even your relationship with a client. The first thing and primary difference between the two is consistency.

 

Mortar has a much weaker consistency than cement and is usually not used for structural projects such as walls, foundations and support beams. Whereas cement is much stronger because it usually contains gravel or solid aggregates. This is why cement is often used instead of mortar.

 

While cement is used in the making of concrete, alongside stones, gravel, sand and water, mortar has significantly more water than cement. The higher water content in mortar means that it is often thicker and resembles glue consistency. This substance is commonly used to bond materials such as the bricks when brick laying.

 

Is it worth buying cement mixers?

 

Again, this depends on your circumstances. If you are needing to mix concrete for a small construction project and are not frequently going to be using the machine, then consider renting one. Rental gives you the option to choose how long you need the equipment for and most rental agencies should be able to both deliver and collect the machine before and after use.

 

If you are branching out in the construction industry, have your own home-grown construction company, or if you operate a large-scale building business, then you should look into purchasing a cement mixer. Cement mixers are considered a long-term investment and will save you time and money in the long run, and the machine will be wholly yours to use as you see fit with no contract negotiations. In this sense, it would be wise for construction owners to invest in one or more cement mixers for their projects.

 

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Can you use a paddle mixer for cement?

 

A paddle mixer is the baking equipment of construction and looks quite similar to a kitchen mixer because of the paddle. Paddle mixers are used to mix cement plaster, mortar, paint and tile adhesive. While you can use a paddle mixer to mix cement, you will only be able to mix small batches at a time, which means that cement mixers would do a much more efficient job at mixing cement.

 

Can you mix concrete in cement mixers?

 

The answer is yes! This is because cement is an aggregate of concrete, meaning that you would actually need to use a cement mixer to mix concrete. This is done by combining cement powder with water and other aggregates, such as gravel or sand, and then mixing it all together to form a substance, concrete!

 

While there are different ways to mix concrete and over the years, humans have developed some interesting mechanisms, cement mixers are simply the best option for mixing concrete. Mixing concrete by hand or with a stick and a bucket is an incredibly labour intensive and time-consuming method of mixing concrete and it is seldom seen in developed or professional construction settings.

 

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Is it cheaper to mix your own cement?

 

Mixing your own cement is cheaper than using a commercial mixer, but it depends how you go about it, and this may impact the quality of the product. If you are looking to mix your own cement you can go to your local hardware store or construction outlet and purchase a few bags of powdered cement. Some outlets will stock a “kit” of sorts where it comes with all of the different aggregates and agents needed and then you just need to add water.

 

When it comes to mixing your own concrete, it is vital that you get the right proportions and ratios. If you don’t add precise amounts of each ‘ingredient’ your concrete could become incredibly weak and could crack or crumble much earlier than concrete is supposed to. If you are going to mix your own concrete or cement, you should really consider using a cement mixer to ensure everything is accurately combined, and following a strict set of mixing and ratio instructions.

 

How long should you mix concrete in cement mixers?

 

When mixing concrete with a cement mixer, you should mix it for about 3-5 minutes until it reaches the right consistency. If you find that the concrete mixture is too dry or hard then add a little bit of water at a time until it is smooth and uniform. If the mixture is not a thick oatmeal like consistency and is too runny, then add small amounts of cement powder at a time until it thickens up.

 

Can I mix cement in a 5 gallon bucket?

 

If you are going to be completing a very small project of under 13kg then yes you can mix cement in a 5 gallon bucket. For this method you will need the correct small ratios of aggregates and something to mix with it all together with, such as a large wooden spoon or a spade. Although this method is an attainable way of mixing cement, it will take a lot of manpower as well as time that could be spent elsewhere so it is still advised that you look into cement mixers.

 

Can you mix cement with just water?

 

Yes, you can mix cement with just water, but it won’t be concrete. If you are mixing only cement powder and water, it will form what is commonly known as grout. Grout is used for repairing small damages to concrete, filling voids, connecting sections of pre-cast concrete and sealing joints such as in tiles.

 

Grout is not the same as mortar, as grout will be used to fill the gaps between tiles, the mortar will be used to attach the tiles to the floor itself. Mortar usually contains one extra ingredient than grout and that is fine sand. A cement grout mix will also be used where normal concrete isn’t the appropriate material, such as underwater.

 

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What is the strongest concrete mix ratio?

 

If you are looking at making strong concrete that is suitable for patios, driveways and paths, then you will need to mix the main ingredients in a ratio of 1:2:3:5,5 which will ensure maximum concrete strength. This ratio is 1 part cement, 2 parts sand, 3 parts gravel, and 0,5 parts water.

 

Does adding more cement make concrete stronger?

 

In short, yes, the more cement you use the stronger your concrete will be. This is because the strength of concrete is inversely proportional to the cement/water ratio so the more water you use in the concrete the weaker it will be. If you are looking to thicken your concrete mixture and are looking for strong concrete then add more cement little by little to the mixture, and less sand.

 

What happens if concrete is not mixed well?

 

When concrete is not mixed well it means that the water that has been added has not been evenly distributed. As we now know, the more water you add the weaker the concrete, so there will be weak spots throughout the concrete. This is dangerous as it could cause the concrete to collapse under pressure, which could have been avoided by using cement mixers.