As a rule, construction work is rarely completed without the use of concrete. It is quite difficult to mix the solution with your own hands, using only a large container and a shovel, and, given the significant scale of the upcoming work, it is completely impractical. It is much more convenient to mix concrete using a concrete mixer. Such a unit can be purchased at any specialized store, but still many, in an effort to save money, try to make it themselves. A do-it-yourself concrete mixer is a great opportunity to acquire such useful device at minimal financial costs. How it can be made will be discussed in today’s article.

Popular DIY concrete mixer designs

Let's look at a few simple options which are the most popular.

Option #1. Mechanical

You can see the design of this simple mechanical mixing unit in the image below. The main advantage of such a concrete mixer is that it has an impressive volume. As for the drive, in this case it can be either manual or electric. To unload concrete, the bucket must be tilted to one side.

But there is also a disadvantage inherent, in principle, to all units with a tub cylindrical– this is poor quality mixing in the corners. The mixture also sprays if the speed is more than 35 revolutions per minute. But the second problem can be dealt with if, after completing assembly, you weld that part of the barrel that was cut back into place and make a hatch in it.

Note! This DIY concrete mixer mixes a simple solution in no more than 5 minutes, and a dry solution in 1-12 minutes.

Video - Manual concrete mixer with a cylindrical bucket

Option #2. Horizontal combined design, which is equipped with combs

This design, as well as the one described above, can also be either manual or electric. The advantages include high homogeneity of mixing, as well as high speed and quality of this procedure. A similar concrete mixer is made from old barrel, but its quality is not much inferior to the best modern models for industrial purposes. What is characteristic is that the mixing speed is determined by the number of revolutions, and not by time (to prepare the solution, you need to turn it only three to four times).

Although there is a minus - it is that the design is quite complex. For making even manual option you will need several dozen different elements. Wherein Special attention should be given specifically to the unloading hatch - all seals, latches with hinges must be of exceptional quality and reliable. However, if you have a lot of work to do in record time in a place where there is no electrical power, then such a concrete mixer will come in very handy. Finally, we note that similar structures are also manufactured on an industrial scale.

Option #3. Electrical design

This is perhaps the most common option, which in most cases is copied by home craftsmen. Therefore, there is no need to particularly explain anything. You can find the diagram in the image below. There are many varieties that have one or another design differences, and finding detailed drawings is not difficult. In a word, we will give only some explanations.

• The neck and bottom of the container must be reinforced with strips welded crosswise.
• Most suitable in this case is a frame mixer, which is welded to the axle.
• It is recommended that the container rotates along with the axis - this will make the frame design more complicated, but you will not have to seal the shaft in the bottom (the latter is precisely one of the reasons for the short service life of the mixers).

Video - The process of assembling a concrete mixer

Option number 4. Vibration unit

Quite often, people, having a hammer drill with a power of 1-1.3 kilowatts with a percussion mechanism that is forcibly turned on, tried to make a vibrating concrete mixer on their own, but in most cases they did not get the desired result.

Let's take a look at common mistakes.

1. First of all, this is the wrong selection of container. The latter should only be round, not too wide, but high.
2. The vibrator is not positioned correctly. It should be positioned on the axis of the container, and the distance from it to the bottom should approximately correspond to its radius. There should be a solution above the vibrator itself with a height that does not exceed its (again) diameter.
3. A flat vibrator is used. The fact is that if it is made of a sheet of metal, it will not be able to excite the required system of waves in the concrete. It is important that the profile of the element is at least approximately the same as shown in the image. The best option– a pair of saucers or plates (preferably metal ones), which are folded together.
4. And the last thing is that the vibrator is too big. Its diameter should be 15-20 centimeters for each kilowatt of power. Simply put, if the power of the hammer drill is the same 1.3 kilowatts, then the device will cope with plates with a diameter of 25 centimeters. If the diameter is large, then a concrete mixer simply will not be able to “pump” the solution with its own hands.

If you follow all these requirements, you can get concrete of excellent quality.

Video - Making an original concrete mixer

Making a concrete mixer - step by step guide

To make the design described below, you will need, first of all, patience, since you will have to work hard. The process consists of several successive stages; let’s look at the features of each of them.

Stage one. Capacity

To make a mixing bowl (also known as a mixing bowl), prepare a ready-made tub or the materials you'll use to make it. There are a lot possible options– drum from washing machine, old can, barrel. Although if you put forward special requirements for the future design, then it is preferable to make the pear yourself. Prepare sheet metal(can be new) with a thickness of 2 to 2.5 millimeters. Then get to work.

Make 3 or 4 components of the future container. A pair of truncated cones (this will be the bottom and top), a base (in other words, the very bottom part), and also fastening the cones in the center (if this is even necessary).

After this, weld all the elements together to obtain a pear (it is, in accordance with preliminary calculations, has a volume of about 200 liters). In addition, it is desirable that there is a double weld at each attachment point. It is worth noting that craftsmen often advise attaching metal rivets between a pair of welds to increase reliability, although this point is not necessary.

Stage two. Body and base

As for the body, it is often made of wood, but if you are serious about durability, then it is better to use a metal corner. Give preference to durable material that has a minimum of rust (if scrap metal is used), and also take care of designing the most convenient base. The future body must withstand the planned weight with a margin of 20-50 percent, since during vibration and mixing, the load will accordingly only increase. Moreover, take into account that in addition to the concrete itself weighing 100-200 kilograms, you also need to hold the container itself, with the necessary additional accessories.

All fastenings are carried out by welding and auxiliary bolted connections. At the same time, it is recommended to take care of the practicality of the future unit. The concrete mixer can be placed on a frame with wheels for more convenient transportation of the “miracle of technology.” You can also take care of a convenient handle, with the help of which the body will move around the construction site.

Stage three. Engine

This stage is rightfully considered the most difficult, since it is quite difficult to calculate what characteristics and parameters the future equipment should have. Therefore, the power must be determined based on the requirements for the volume and weight of the concrete being mixed, as well as the ability to extract a particular engine. Some use a motor from a washing machine or a scooter for these purposes, while others prefer less expensive equipment (for example, a motor from an electric drill or any similar tool).

We also note that both the power and the speed at which the concrete mixer will rotate with your own hands must be taken into account. It is important that it is not very high - say, about 15-20 revolutions per minute. There are several ways to adjust the speed - automatic, gears with shafts, homemade device, and also the use of belts.

Stage four. Direct assembly of the concrete mixer

The assembly procedure itself is not complicated and includes several successive steps. Let's look at each of them in more detail.

Step one. First you need to make sure that all connections - both pears and housings - are strong enough. Fasteners should be provided in advance, the same applies to the connection location and installation of the motor.

Step two. After this, you need to install the engine and gearbox on the frame, and then carefully fix all the parts of the rotating mechanism.

Step three. The next stage is installing the container on the axis and base. This should be done so that the pear is located at an angle of 35 degrees.

Step four. Now all that remains is to check how the concrete mixer turns on/off, whether the fastenings are secure, and how well the rotation occurs. Gears or a belt are used to adjust all parameters.

Note! The procedure described above is more clearly demonstrated in the thematic video below. After watching it, you will finally understand how to make and launch the device described in this article.

Video - Homemade concrete mixer

It is worth noting that any of the designs described above can be a good alternative to expensive “store-bought” equipment. Although, of course, in the absence of the required Supplies the cost of such budget equipment may increase significantly; although the experience is in any case very interesting. In addition, the design of a concrete mixer can be made cheaper, and the principle of its operation can be simplified. This can be done, for example, by replacing automatic rotation with manual rotation. In this case, instead of dozens of complex parts, you will only need bearings, a handle, a lever, and also a “comb”, which will be located inside the pear.

Another option for making a concrete mixer

The design presented below is very similar to that described in the previous section, and therefore no detailed explanation is required here. The manufacturing procedure itself can be understood from the step-by-step illustrations provided. We only note that in this example we use a ready-made 200-liter barrel, 250-watt Electrical engine 1430 rpm, motorcycle wheel, pair of rings welded together. The finished pulley will be welded to the bottom of the tank. You will also need a pair of belts, a channel and pipes 59 for the frame.

Feasibility of the solution

So, we found out that cement mortar is required for almost all construction work. And if, for example, it is advisable to use a purchased ready-made mixture for pouring a foundation, then in the case of work involving the periodic use of relatively small portions of the mixture, it is advisable to rent/buy a concrete mixer (a manual one is possible, but an electric one is better).

Of course, you can use the same trough with a shovel for kneading, but this approach, in addition to being labor intensive, has other disadvantages. In this case, the quality of the concrete will not be high, the mixture will be heterogeneous, which, in turn, will lead to unnecessary consumption of dry cement and low strength characteristics of the finished concrete.

Note! The term "concrete mixer" means whole line special construction mixers (manual/electric), that is, devices designed to obtain a homogeneous cement-containing mixture by mixing ingredients with dissimilar fractions.

As a rule, dry cement is mixed with water, special additives and fillers (the latter can be sand, expanded clay, screenings, crushed stone).

How does a concrete mixer work?

Standard design includes:

• bed (it can be either on a chassis or stationary);
• kneading working bodies;
• the container in which the mixing process takes place;
• unloading mechanism;
• transmission;
• driving unit (it can be, for example, gasoline or electric).

Let's take a closer look at each of the structural components.

1. So, the frame is a structure made of profiles/pipes and is intended to connect all parts of the concrete mixer into one system. If the unit is small, then the frame can be equipped with two/four wheels to make it easier to transport.
2. Mixing organs often include blades, augers and other parts that directly act on the ingredients of the concrete being mixed.
3. The container is the element in which all these ingredients are mixed. Its volume and dimensions depend mainly on the productivity of the concrete mixer.
4. Unloading mechanism - as the name suggests, it is intended for removing concrete for further use in construction work. It can also be different.
5. Finally, a transmission with a driving unit is needed to convert this or that energy into the movement of the kneading organ. As noted earlier, the engine can be electric (used most often) or gasoline.

Main types of concrete mixers

There are several classifications of the unit described in the article, according to which it is divided according to one or another parameter. Thus, according to the principle of their operation, concrete mixers come in five varieties.

1. Gravitational. They differ in that the drum for mixing the solution rotates under the influence of gravity. The best option for preparing viscous and rigid concrete.
2. Forced. A more difficult to make concrete mixer with your own hands, where the container does not move, and the blades inside it mix the components of the mixture. Such units are rarely used in private construction.
3. Periodic. They are characterized by low power and therefore require frequent stops. But for private construction this is a completely acceptable option.
4. Geared (better known as crown-type).
5. Permanent. Such concrete mixers, as their name suggests, operate continuously, and therefore are used primarily for large volumes of work.

In addition, depending on the type of concrete being produced, equipment can be of two types

• mortar mixers;
• concrete mixers.

Let's look at each of these options in more detail.

Option #1. Mortar mixers

Simple equipment designed for private construction. Designed for mixing components whose fraction size is more than 2 centimeters. Also, units can be industrial (if the volume does not exceed 1200 liters) and for private use (over 30 liters).

As a rule, all ingredients are mixed in mortar mixers forcibly, for which a horizontal auger is used, which rotates in a fixed container. If the volume of the unit is more than 100 liters, then it must be equipped with dispensers. And if the volume of equipment exceeds 250 liters, then, as a rule, it will include the following elements:

• engine;
• mixing container;
• drive unit;
• a rotating shaft having blades.

Note! Small mortar mixers with a volume not exceeding 65 liters are emptied by tilting the drum. If the volume is larger, then a hatch is used for this, which is located at the bottom of the device.

Option #2. Concrete mixers

They are designed for use with components whose fraction size is no more than 7 centimeters. All units of this type are classified in the same way as described in one of the previous sections of the article.

In addition, depending on the installation features, they can be:

• mobile (this includes both concrete mixers with a chassis and units without it);
• stationary (often for industrial purposes, characterized by increased productivity);
• automobile.

Note also that, depending on the type of drive and energy source, all concrete mixers are divided into several types.

• With manual drive. They are characterized by the fact that they are capable of converting human muscular efforts into rotation of the kneading organ. The transmission in most cases is chain gear or belt. Such concrete mixers are not very common, since their volume is insignificant, and they do not facilitate labor very much.
• With motor drive. A concrete mixer (including a self-made one) of this kind operates on a diesel/gasoline engine.
• With pneumatic and hydraulic drive. The kneading organs in this case move due to the conversion of the energy of compressed air or liquid that is supplied under high pressure. Such equipment is exclusively for industrial purposes, since it requires powerful additional devices.
• Electrical. The most popular types of concrete mixers today, not only industrial, but also household use. The range of such units is quite extensive, and their volume varies from 30 to several thousand liters.

Benefits of use

There are several of them, let’s look at each of them in more detail.

• Aggregates manual type, in fact, are completely autonomous.
• But the crown concrete mixer is quite easy to use and, if necessary, repair.
• Equipment with a motor drive is also quite autonomous, since it only needs fuel.

Disadvantages of use

• For electrical appliances, this is the opening of the hatch some time after the power supply has stopped and, as a result, the discharge of concrete (otherwise it will harden).
• In addition, concrete mixers are, in principle, seasonal. For the most part, they (especially small units) cannot be used for sub-zero temperature. As a result, in winter it is necessary to additionally use a steam generator.
• Separately, it is worth highlighting the disadvantages of motor-drive devices - the high cost of the fuel used, high level noise during operation, as well as toxic emissions.
• A simple mortar mixer, capable of operating at a temperature not lower than +2 degrees, does not have equipment that ensures heating of the mixture.
• The productivity of manual units is quite low, while the labor intensity of mixing, on the contrary, is high.

As a conclusion

As you can see, making a concrete mixer yourself is not difficult; you can handle it. And the costs are completely justified, since the speed of any construction work with such equipment will increase significantly. That's all, good luck with your work and have a warm winter!

To improve a summer cottage, cement mortar or concrete are often needed. Craftsmen are faced with a choice - to knead by hand (which is difficult and ineffective, since the solution hardens quickly) or to purchase an industrial concrete mixer, which is unjustified for irregular work. Therefore, many summer residents prefer to make a concrete mixer with their own hands, as it is simple and practical.

Principles of mixing concrete

There are several options for mixing mortar in a concrete mixer. Namely:

• Gravity method.
• Forced-mechanical.
• Forced vibration.
• Combined gravitational-mechanical.

The easiest way to cook concrete mortar- This is mixing with a shovel in a stationary trough. The most unjustified and low-quality method. Not only does the solution itself quickly harden, but it is also problematic to mix the mixture until smooth.

Sometimes craftsmen stir the solution using a drill with a mixer attachment in a bucket. This option is somewhat better, but has its own very serious drawbacks. First of all, the drill is not designed for long-term continuous operation, with all the ensuing consequences. In addition, the technology of this type of mixing requires constant rotation and movement of the tool in the mixture. It's unreliable, difficult and tedious.

Gravity mixing

With the gravitational method, the tub with the solution is loosened or tipped over, and the solution mixes itself. That is, the components move independently in the container under the influence of gravity. Quality finished products not very good and high volume is difficult to achieve. However, many masters in living conditions This mixing option is used.

The advantage of this type of mixing is the simplicity of the concrete mixer design. Therefore, devices of this type are often created in garages, cottages and small businesses.

Forced-mechanical

The forced-mechanical method is the simplest and most common. Its distinctive feature is its stationary container. The components are most often mixed mechanically in a drum. The drum may have a horizontal or vertical arrangement. The essence of this method is clearly revealed by the example of using a drill in a bucket.

With limited volumes, this method may be justified, but it has its own characteristics:

Combined type of mixing

Many homemade concrete mixers made with their own hands use a combined method. It simultaneously combines the previous two methods and has a number of advantages:

• There is no need to tightly seal the rotation units, since there is no contact with the solution. The drum is not closed at the top.
• Parts of this type of structure last longer because the mechanism is reliable and simple.
• The composition of the component can be anything, including gravel, crushed stone, expanded clay, and so on.

Vibration method

IN Lately The vibration method of preparing concrete is gaining popularity. This method allows high-quality mixing of large volumes of mixture and is used in cases where it is necessary to produce a reinforced concrete part with excellent and precise operational parameters.

In principle, vibration mixing can mix ingredients almost perfectly. The only limitation is the preparation of a “heavy” solution. To use this type of mixing, significant energy consumption is required. About twenty liters of mixture requires a vibrator power of 1.3 kilowatts. At home, instead of a drive and gearbox, a very powerful hammer drill is used. There is no need to press the cartridge, and the vibrations should be independent.

Drawings and designs of concrete mixers

Before starting assembly, you need to prepare a working tool, decide on materials and prepare a container of the required volume. It is not recommended to select small containers, since the solution in it may harden before the required time, and if the prepared mixture is not enough, then the whole process will have to be repeated all over again. The optimal capacity of the container is two hundred liters.

The general requirement is strength, reliability and stability of the structure. It is necessary to manufacture such structures as responsibly as possible, since the slightest miscalculation or carelessness will lead to breakdown or even injury to the worker.

The simplest concrete mixer from a can

If you save electricity and time, you can assemble a manual concrete mixer from a regular milk can. The entire assembly process takes several hours and the most crucial moment is welding the frame. With a little patience, simple gravity concrete mixing equipment is ready.

To make this concrete mixer you will need a can or other similar container, several pipes or thick rods.

Despite the simplicity of the design, even dry screed concentrate can be mixed in the can. The axis inside the can cuts the mixture as it rotates.

Procedure:

The coupling can be omitted, thereby further simplifying the design. Instead of couplings, you can cut out arcuate recesses and place the axle in them. The rotation will be uneven and squeaky, but it will knead well. In one cycle of work in a forty-liter can, about three buckets of solution are obtained. Sometimes a barrel is used instead of a can. In this case, the problem arises of how to fix the lid. This issue can be solved in an original way if the handles are attached to a barrel without a lid at different levels. One end of the handle is near the bottom, the other is near the top. As a result, the container is placed at an obtuse angle relative to the surface of the earth and the solution does not spill out during rotation. But the quality of the kneading with this method suffers.

Concrete mixer from a barrel

A homemade concrete mixer made from a barrel can replace factory model and mix a uniform good mixture. All materials needed for assembly can be found in the garage or summer cottage. The unit can be either manual or mechanical.

Scroll necessary details for assembly:

Among the tools you need a grinder to cut metal, and welding machine for a strong connection of parts.

After preparatory work The question of how to make a concrete mixer with your own hands is no longer a question.

First, the barrel is centered and placed on the axle. Then internal elements are designed that will help mix the concrete.

Using a drill or welding device, two holes are drilled at the top and bottom of the barrel. A metal axle with a diameter of thirty millimeters is pulled through them, and this structure is tightly welded. Thus, the shaft and the tub are securely attached to each other.

A rectangle is cut out in the center of the barrel along the long edge. It will be a hatch for filling the components of the solution. Approximate Dimensions the hatch is approximately ninety by thirty centimeters. If the hatch is small, it will be inconvenient to use. And if it is made too large, the strength of the structure will decrease.

Blades are constructed from a metal square and mounted in a barrel. One side is welded to the wall, and the other to the axle. For good mixing, four or five blades, evenly spaced inside the barrel, are enough.

The rectangle obtained from cutting out the hatch is welded to the hinges, which are attached to the barrel. The result should be a lockable hatch. After that, a latch or latch is attached to the hatch cover. The main task The cover cannot be opened while the device is operating.

Then the frame is welded. A second length of fifty millimeters is welded to the long channel. The same is done with the second support.

A pipe is welded to the other edge of the channel into which the concrete mixer axle will be inserted.

Then, when the metal axle fits into the bushings, retaining rings are welded on both ends. Their role is played by thick metal washers.

After which the steering wheel is welded to one of the edges of the axle.

If an electric model is being assembled, then it is necessary to assemble and connect the corresponding unit, consisting of a motor and a drive system.

Tricks for using homemade devices

According to the principle of operation, homemade concrete mixers are similar to industrial designs and perform the same functions. But to achieve comfort, home devices need to be used a little differently.

Tips for working:

During assembly and operation homemade designs We must not forget about compliance with safety precautions. This applies to the rules for working with power tools and conventional equipment. Following the usual simple instructions will prevent unpleasant situations and avoid injury.

Carrying out almost any construction work in your home requires the use of concrete mortar. Those who have a concrete mixer are very lucky, because this unit greatly simplifies the process of mixing the mortar.

But even if you don’t have one, in this article we will talk about how to make a concrete mixer with your own hands at home and what is needed for the process of manufacturing the device.

Let's take a concrete mixer from a barrel

Wanting to save money, domestic craftsmen have long been practicing making homemade units for mixing cement. After all, for not large quantity solution, you can use a simple shovel and own strength, but for large volumes would be better suited handmade homemade concrete mixer from a barrel. This type of unit is controlled manually.

Using a barrel as a base is the simplest and cheapest option, especially if you have a barrel. And if it has a frame in the form of welded corners and rods, then this option is also very reliable.

A do-it-yourself concrete mixer can be made from a barrel with a capacity of one hundred liters or more. Several holes must be drilled at the ends of the cover to install the shaft, and flanges with bearings are placed on the bottom.

Then you need to cut a hole in the side of the container through which the mixture will be loaded to make the solution. Optimal size holes – 30×30 cm.

Many people wondering how to make a concrete mixer with their own hands - are faced with the problem of the hatch not fitting tightly. In order for the lid to fit as closely as possible to the structure, a sealing rubber band must be glued along the edges of the hole.

The hatch itself is directly attached to the body using ordinary hinges. As for the shaft, in order for the forced-action concrete mixer to work properly with your own hands, this element should be installed at an angle of at least 30 degrees.

The finished manual concrete mixer is mounted in the ground or tightly installed on the surface. Here everything depends on your imagination and capabilities. The shaft can be made from several iron rods with a diameter of 0.5 cm.

In principle, at this point the manufacturing of the structure can be considered complete. For first use, load the elements of the future solution into the barrel and twist it until the mixture is ready. To unload the resulting solution using a manual concrete mixer is installed with the container so that the hatch is at the bottom.

Substituting the container, the hole opens and the mixture is removed. A handmade homemade concrete mixer made from a barrel will last longer if you treat it with anti-corrosion agents from time to time.

Homemade concrete mixer from 200 liter barrel(video)

1.1 Electrical unit

If you are interested in how to make a concrete mixer with your own hands, but you want to get a more advanced unit than one with manual controls, then this instruction is for you.

A homemade manual concrete mixer made from a barrel cannot be compared with an electric unit, at least because in the case of the latter, the resulting cement mortar will take a lot less strength. So, manufacturing the structure will require you to prepare certain materials, a list of which is given below.

1.2 What will you need?

Prepare in advance:

1. A container that will mix the cement. You can also use a small barrel or other metal container for this.
2. Electric motor from a washing machine. You can choose another one, but the motor from a washing machine usually withstands heavy loads. Moreover, the engine of a washing machine, especially an old one, is not so difficult to find.
3. Drive shaft.
4. Fittings for blades. You can use regular metal corners.
5. Several bearings.
6. Metal elements for making the frame.

Using a washing machine engine and a barrel with a capacity of about two hundred liters, you can get from seven to ten buckets of cement in one go. On average, this is enough for one cycle of construction work.

To unit electric type the solution was mixed more efficiently, the container can be additionally equipped with screw blades. They are installed at an angle of 30 degrees.

If you don’t have a washing machine motor, then you can look for a motor whose rotation speed is about one and a half thousand revolutions per minute. It is desirable that the shaft rotation speed be no more than 48 revolutions.

Using a motor with these parameters to produce the unit, you can achieve the most optimal mixing results: the solution will be of high quality, and there will be no dry lumps left in it. In addition, to ensure that the engine operates normally and does not let you down at the most crucial moment, you will need to install the gearbox as well as the belt drive pulleys.

1.3 Let’s start assembling the unit

How to make a concrete mixer at home using a motor from a washing machine or other device - read below:

1. Holes should be drilled on both sides of the barrel or other container to connect the shaft to the drum.
2. As for the opening for loading and unloading the mixture, it is arranged according to the same principle as in the case of a manual design.
3. A gear ring should be installed on the bottom of the tank, protruding as part of the gearbox. Here you also need to install a gear with no large diameter.
4. Now is the most crucial moment. In order for an ordinary barrel to become an electric concrete mixer, you need to insert a bearing with a large diameter into a piece of pipe that will be welded to the container. After this, the shaft itself should be connected to the motor.
5. In order to make the operation of an electric concrete mixer more convenient and, if necessary, it can be moved around the construction site, the structure can be equipped with wheels. The wheels are mounted on the machined ends of an axle made of metal fittings. The diameter in this case should be 40-45 mm.
6. Another important point. To simplify the work with the unit, it can be additionally equipped rotating mechanism. If you don't know how to do this, then there is nothing complicated here. By welding you need to connect two segments metal pipe with a diameter of 50-60 mm with several stops, as well as bearing housings. After this, the device will only have to weld the plugs and handles.

2 Typical mistakes when making a concrete mixer

In practice, when making concrete mixers, craftsmen often make mistakes that lead to certain problems. To avoid this, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with all the nuances in advance:

1. First of all, any working tank, be it a metal barrel or another container, must be of the highest quality. Therefore, make sure in advance that there are no holes in your barrel and that there are no signs of corrosion or other mechanical damage.
2. Do not forget that the instructions were written specifically so that you can get a high-quality unit. Therefore, follow these points as closely as possible. If you deviate from the actions, they will end up inconsistent with each other, and accordingly, there is a high probability of getting a low-quality concrete mixer.
3. Please also take into account the fact that metal structural elements cannot be welded to cast iron. The process of making a concrete mixer itself is not particularly easy, and such mistakes will only complicate it.
4. Also remember that it is better not to overload the concrete mixer with mass. It is better to run several mixing cycles than to break the unit in one go.

If you follow the rules described in the instructions and take into account in advance all the mistakes that can be made during the process, you can save a lot of money.

To make the unit high-quality, you will need a minimum of building materials and tools, but you need to be very careful.

Construction very often involves the constant use of large quantities of concrete, the mixing of which not only requires high costs physical strength, but so time consuming.

To alleviate, or rather solve this problem, the construction of a homemade concrete mixer, a device that allows you to simply and quickly prepare required amount mixtures in the required proportions and consistency.

The question of designing a homemade concrete mixer, in principle, rests on a very simple technical task to build:

1. simple in design, with the least number of parts and connections;
2. using available, maximally accessible or simply low-value parts and mechanisms;
3. reliable and unpretentious in operation, including minimal costs for repairs and maintenance.

With all the variety of ideas and technical solutions to the problem of preparing concrete, all designs of concrete mixers, in principle, come down to solving a simple problem - mechanical mixing of dry, and after adding water and liquid mixture until a homogeneous composition suitable for further construction work is obtained.

In view of this, the most popular among home-made craftsmen are units based on:

• on the use of muscular strength;
• using electric motors and various gearboxes;
• small machines using ordinary household power tools as working parts.

According to their type of construction, homemade concrete mixers can be divided into the following groups:

• using the gravitational principle of mixing - simply obtaining a homogeneous mass by simply turning over a container with cement and filler, when under the influence of gravity the mixture is repeatedly poured and mixed;
• forced-mechanical method of preparing working concrete - most often this is an option when the solution is mixed in a horizontal or inclined container using an internal mixer. Options are possible here - either the mixer itself rotates inside a stationary tub, or the entire container rotates, with the mixer blades tightly fixed inside.
• vibration method - the method of preparing concrete in this case consists of mixing the components using a vibrating mixer placed inside the tub. Such a mixer-vibrator, creating a sufficiently high frequency of vibration, produces the movement of cement and filler.

At the same time, of all the types of structures considered for self-made The first two types are the most suitable, since the third vibration method of preparing the mixture is the most technologically advanced and energy-intensive.

When starting the practical stage of project implementation, you should clearly understand what characteristics the design should have.

In this the primary role is played by:

1. size of the working container - tub;
2. number and type of units containing various rotating parts;
3. the design of the unit - it must ensure reliable retention of the tub, be stable and at the same time relatively light.

Tub

There are many options for using it as a container for preparing the mixture:

1. milk concrete for 40 liters;
2. gas cylinders;
3. barrels;

The main issue when choosing a material should be its quality, thickness, and the possibility of fastening parts using electric welding.

For horizontal type For the location of the container, a side filling window is provided; when inclined, or with the possibility of changing the angle of inclination, tubs with a slightly narrowed neck are used open type, for comfortable falling asleep components solution.

Inside, to improve the quality of the prepared solution, blades or metal combs are welded on, facilitating better mixing of the components. Such blades are made of metal with a thickness of at least 2 mm.

Drive unit

To activate the working capacity of the mixer, the simplest ones today are:

• manual drive– an elementary solution to this problem is an axis fixed on two supports, on which the tub is fixed; on one side of the axis there is a curved end, similar to the one installed on wells;
• electric drive– an electric motor that transmits shaft rotation using a belt or gear drive to the tub. This is the most common version of homemade concrete mixer drives, however, it is poorly suited for working in unprepared areas without an electrical network;

Mixer

The following can act as a mixer:

• metal rods with a diameter of 8 mm or more, welded in the form of a comb and used in mixers with a fixed tub, where only the central shaft rotates;
• sheet metal with a thickness of 3 mm, welded in the form of blades onto the walls of the mixer container at an angle of 45 degrees to the bottom;
• standard mixer for electric drill-mixer used in vibration systems;

Simple mechanical concrete mixer

The simplest and most effective option for a budget concrete mixer.

The design of such a device consists of:

• a base in the form of welded corners, pipes or a profile of a stable base capable of withstanding the rotation of a barrel with 50-7 kg of concrete mortar;
• a tub is usually a barrel, a milk can, a metal container for paint, or part of a gas cylinder with a hermetically sealed neck, and a shaft in the central part, fixed to the base, on bearings or bushings;
• pen manual drive for rotating the tub, in large options devices for facilitating rotation are provided with handles on both sides of the barrel, for simultaneous operation of two people in order to facilitate work;

The base is a square, to two opposite sides of which the sidewalls are welded in the form of two triangles (a triangle is the most stable and rigid figure) on the top of which the ball's rotation shaft is fixed on bearings.

Horizontal mortar mixer from a barrel

A simple and efficient mixer option.

Comprises:

• grounds;
• tubs, with hinged lid, and a locking mechanism;
• rotation shaft on bearings or bushings with a handle for rotation;

A design feature is the placement of the barrel horizontally or the installation of the shaft diagonally across opposite sides of the bottom and neck of the barrel.

IN this option homemade products inside the barrel, two or three combs are attached to the working rotating shaft, reminiscent of a rake. The combs are made of a metal rod, strip, or other material, designed to mix the concrete while rotating, passing it between the teeth.

The combs along the shaft are attached in such a way that there is an angle between them of 180, 120 or 90 degrees from the central axis. The base is made according to the principle of other concrete mixers. Draining the finished solution is usually done by tipping the tub or by opening the drain neck.

This version of the mixer is considered to be the pinnacle of the engineering abilities of DIYers in the field of concrete mixers. Essentially, this is a copy of a commercially produced concrete mixer.

But, at the same time, it has a number of features:

1. instead of a ring gear used in industrial units of home-made analogues, a drive is used through a gearbox or gear transmission to a barrel, sometimes to the support rollers;
2. the barrel-tub, like the industrial prototype, has a narrowing in the upper part of the body, and inside there are 2-3 side mixer blades welded in a spiral to improve mixing of the solution;
3. the base is designed taking into account the weight of the container with the filled solution and the possibility of its overturning to drain the finished concrete;
4. The drive most often used is:
5. electric motor with a belt drive to the barrel rotation shaft;
6. electric motor with gear transmission to the barrel.

Among the indisputable advantages of such a machine is ease of operation and minimum costs labor force during work, but the minus is the accurate calculation of all components and parts, the presence of almost professional knowledge and skills when working with many tools, including electric welding.

Obtaining the highest quality solution is possible by using a vibrating concrete mixer. This is at the same time the most high-tech type of mixer.

Used as a working container gas cylinder or another container with thick walls, but a relatively small diameter, since the vibrator requires quite a lot of power to operate.

An ordinary hammer drill with a specially made working element in the form of two disk-shaped or even mesh plates turned upside down towards each other can be used as a vibrator.

The container is fixed vertically on the base in such a way that it ensures stable retention of the container itself and the vibration mover.

The propulsion power must be at least 1.5 kW; using a smaller engine or hammer drill is fraught with inefficient operation of the system or rapid breakdown.

The base of such a concrete mixer is almost identical to all other types and should ensure not only the stability of the structure itself, but also the ability to turn the container over to drain the finished concrete.

When assembling such a unit, the following main errors and shortcomings are possible:

• constructive:
• discrepancy between the calculated and actual design in terms of the rigidity of the main parts;
• incorrectly selected container for the mixer;
• an electric motor of a design that does not match the power and speed of the design;
• gearbox that does not meet the requirements;
• technological:
• insufficiently tightly connected body parts;
• unstable base;
• high location of the rotating tub;
• narrow or, conversely, wide necks;

In addition, one should take into account mandatory requirement electrical safety when installing electrical equipment.

With a drill everything is much simpler:

1. The electric drill is not intended for continuous use. The operating mode is variable-long: 5 minutes of work, followed by a mandatory 15-minute break;
2. Drill gears today are mostly made of plastic, and are designed for a force sufficient to drill holes of no more than 13 mm in concrete, 20 mm in wood or 12 mm in metal, but are not intended for mixing 70-90 kg of working volume;
3. making a concrete mixer with a bowl volume of 5-7 liters is not rational.

Conclusion

As experience shows, the creation of anyone, even the most simple remedy labor mechanization significantly increases productivity and reduces work time.

In fact, this is not the most complex human invention, created from improvised means and does not require a mandatory higher engineering education, a little skill in working with electric welding, and a couple of days of work will allow you to have a working model of the unit, which will make it possible in the future not only to improve the design, but also to correct identified flaws.

If you have own house or a dacha, then you are often faced with the need to carry out construction work of one scale or another.

No construction can do without concrete - be it a gazebo, fence, terrace or path.

If you have planned several large buildings, then you can place an order for ready-mixed concrete - it will be delivered directly to your site. The construction team usually does this.

But this option has the following disadvantages:

• high price of concrete mixture;
• you will have to purchase concrete the volume of a concrete mixer, i.e. several cubes. Not every construction project requires this amount of concrete;
• dense residential buildings may not allow passage of heavy equipment.

Another option is to rent a concrete mixer, but if you use it frequently, it will be more expensive than purchasing it as your own.

Due to all of the above, having your own concrete mixer is the best option. It is quite feasible to make such a necessary unit with your own hands.

Advantages of a homemade concrete mixer

A self-made concrete mixer has the following advantages:

• It will have the shape you need;
• Such a unit has a low cost, since it can be made from material that is at hand;
• A homemade concrete mixer is easy to maintain and repair;
• You can be proud of her in front of your neighbors and friends.

Before making a concrete mixer, it is better to own experience try out the purchased option - offer your help to neighbors who have an industrial copy, or use a one-time rental. This will help you understand the principle of its operation and choose the appropriate parameters.

Big size doesn't mean the best option. Such units are very energy-consuming. Both small and large containers limit the amount of concrete produced in 1 cycle. As a result, the choice of tank parameters should be approached very responsibly.

General technology for creating concrete mixers

To make your own concrete mixer, you will need a sturdy cylinder-shaped container, a sturdy frame structure, a turning mechanism to unload the finished concrete, and a gear motor.

Don't be scared by this number necessary materials– many of them can be bought at low prices or found in the garage.

Instructions for making a manual concrete mixer

You will need:

• metal barrel, capacity 100 - 200 l;
• steel corner or profile for the frame;
• two used bearings;
• a piece of metal pipe for the axle and handle.

The tools you will need are a grinder and a welding machine.

• We cut a rectangular hole in the barrel, forming a gap along the joint. Weld on inner surface threshold from the corner and line it with rubber to seal it.
• The lid will swing outwards, so it is necessary to install strong hinges and a reliable lock. The existing filler hole does not need to be welded; the standard cap is quite reliable.
• Inside we weld several blades made of sheet steel 2-3 mm thick for mixing.
• We weld bearings in the center of the side parts, screw on the hubs or insert a steel axle.
• We fix the barrel on the frame, weld a handle at one end, like a well handle. The concrete mixer is ready!

Electric concrete mixer

The essence of such a concrete mixer is a stationary tank and active mixing blades.

Such a unit has both pros and cons.

The advantage of an electric concrete mixer is that it does not require making a sealed hole, as in the manual version.

The downside is the need to install oil seals on the drive axis.

The tank is made of a 200 liter barrel, onto which the walls are welded. The upper part is covered with bars. A profiled pipe is used for the base. The tank is firmly attached. The initial components of the solution are loaded from above, the finished concrete is drained thanks to a shutter with a rubber gasket.

Note!

The mixing shaft is made from a car crank analogue, the blades are made from angles and steel sheets welded to them, 3 mm thick. At the point where the shaft exits the gearbox there is an oil seal.

The engine is used from crane. Its power is 5.5 kW. The gearbox is from there. The motor has 3 phases and the ability to change the direction of rotation.

A tray is placed under the working concrete mixer to collect the water that initially flows out. It is poured back into the concrete mixer.

In conclusion, we note that the self-created concrete mixer better than analogues from China. We hope that this article will help you do this necessary thing yourself.

DIY concrete mixer photo

Note!