As a rule, construction works rarely do without the use of concrete. It is quite difficult to knead the solution with one's own hands, using only a large container and a shovel, and with a significant scale of the forthcoming work, it is not at all advisable. It is much more convenient to mix concrete with a concrete mixer. Such a unit can be purchased at any specialized store, but still, many, trying to save money, try to make it on their own. A do-it-yourself concrete mixer is a great opportunity to acquire such useful device with minimal financial outlay. How it can be made, and will be discussed in today's article.

Popular do-it-yourself concrete mixer designs

Consider a few simple options which are the most popular.

Option number 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 minus inherent, in principle, to all units with a tub cylindrical shape- this is poor-quality mixing in the corners. The mixture is also sprayed if the speed is more than 35 revolutions per minute. But the second problem can be dealt with if, upon completion of the assembly, that part of the barrel that was cut off is welded back into place and a hatch is made in it.

Note! Such a concrete mixer with its own hands kneads a simple solution for no more than 5 minutes, and a dry one - 1-12 minutes.

Video - Manual concrete mixer with a cylindrical bucket

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

This design, as well as the one described above, can also be both manual and 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 industrial purpose. Tellingly, the mixing speed is determined by the number of revolutions, and not by time (to prepare the solution, you need to rotate only three or four times).

Although there is a minus - it consists in the fact that the design is quite complicated. For making even manual option you will need several dozen different elements. Wherein Special attention should be given to the unloading hatch - all seals, bolts with hinges must be of exceptionally high quality and reliable. However, if you have a lot of work to do in record time in a place where there is no electric 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 number 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 explain anything in particular. You can find the diagram in the image below. There are many varieties that have certain design differences, and finding detailed drawings is not difficult. In short, here are just a few explanations.

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

Video - Concrete mixer assembly process

Option number 4. Vibrating unit

Quite often, people, having a hammer drill with a power of 1-1.3 kilowatts with an impact mechanism that is forced on, tried to make a vibratory 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 choice of capacity. The latter should only be round, not too wide, but high.
2. The vibrator is not positioned correctly. It should be placed on the axis of the container, and the distance from it to the bottom should approximately correspond to its radius. Above the vibrator itself there should be a solution with a height not exceeding 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 concrete. It is important that the profile of the element be at least approximately the same as shown in the image. The best option- a pair of saucers or plates (it is better to give preference to metal), which are stacked together.
4. And the last thing is the vibrator is too large. Its diameter should be 15-20 centimeters per kilowatt of power. Simply put, if the power of the perforator 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 the concrete mixer with its own hands simply will not be able to "rock" the solution.

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

Video - Making the 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, consider the features of each of them.

Stage one. Capacity

To make a mixing bowl (also known as a pear), prepare a ready-made tub or the materials from which you will make it. There is a mass 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 a pear with your own hands. Prepare sheet metal(can be not 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), the base (in other words, the lowest part), and also the fastening of the cones in the center (if such a thing is necessary at all).

After that, weld all the elements together to get a pear (it, in accordance with preliminary calculations, has a volume of about 200 liters). In addition, it is desirable that at each attachment point there is a double weld. It is worth noting that often craftsmen are advised to fix metal rivets between a pair of welds to increase reliability, although this moment is optional.

Stage two. Body and base

As for the case, 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 with a minimum of rust (if scrap metal is used), also take care of the design of 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, respectively, will only increase. Moreover, keep in mind that in addition to the concrete weighing 100-200 kilograms, you also need to hold the container itself, and with the necessary additional accessories.

All fasteners 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 in parallel. The concrete mixer can be piled on a frame with wheels for more convenient transportation of the “miracle of technology”. You can also take care of a convenient handle, with 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 should be determined based on the requirements for the volume and weight of the mixed concrete, as well as the ability to extract one or another engine. Some use a motor from a washing machine or 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 its own hands should 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, makeshift fixture and also the use of belts.

Stage four. Direct assembly of the concrete mixer

The assembly procedure itself is nothing complicated and includes several sequential steps. Let's consider each of them in more detail.

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

step two. After that, you need to install the engine and gearbox on the frame, and then fix all the parts of the rotating mechanism with high quality.

Step Three. The next step is to install the container on the axle and base. This should be done so that the pear is located at an angle of 35 degrees.

Step Four. Now it remains only to check how the concrete mixer turns on / off, whether the fasteners are reliable, how well the rotation occurs. To adjust all parameters, gears or a belt are used.

Note! The procedure described above is more clearly demonstrated in the thematic video below. After looking at it, you will finally understand how to manufacture and run 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 "shop" equipment. Although, of course, in the absence of the required Supplies the cost of such budget equipment can increase markedly; although the experience is in any case very interesting. In addition, the design of the concrete mixer can be reduced in cost, 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 need only bearings, a handle, a lever, as well as a “comb”, which will be located inside the pear.

Another option for making a concrete mixer

The construction presented below is very similar to that described in the previous section, and therefore some detailed explanations are not required here. The manufacturing procedure itself can be understood from the given step-by-step illustrations. We only note that in this example, a ready-made 200-liter barrel, 250-watt Electrical engine at 1430 rpm, a motorcycle wheel, a 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.

Decision feasibility

So, we found out that cement mortar is required for almost all construction works. And if, for example, it is advisable to use a purchased ready-made mixture for pouring the 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 (you can use a manual one, but better an electric one).

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

Note! The term "concrete mixer" means whole line special building 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, gravel).

How is a concrete mixer built?

Standard design includes:

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

Let's get acquainted with each of the constructive components in more detail.

1. So, the bed 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. The kneading bodies often include blades, augers and other parts that act directly on the ingredients of the concrete being kneaded.
3. A container is an element in which all these ingredients are mixed. Its volume and dimensions depend mainly on the performance of the concrete mixer.
4. Unloading mechanism - it, as the name suggests, is intended for the extraction of concrete for the purpose of 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 a kneading body. As noted earlier, the engine is electric (used most often) or gasoline.

The 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. So, according to the principle of their action, there are five varieties of concrete mixers.

1. Gravitational. They differ in that the drum for mixing the solution rotates under the influence of gravity. The best option for the preparation of viscous and rigid concrete.
2. Forced. A more difficult to manufacture do-it-yourself concrete mixer, where the container does not move, and the blades inside it mix the components of the mixture. Such units are used in private construction infrequently.
3. Periodic. They are characterized by low power, and therefore need frequent stops. But for private construction, this is a completely acceptable option.
4. Gear (better known as crown).
5. Permanent. Such concrete mixers, judging by the name, operate continuously, and therefore are used mainly for large volumes of work.

In addition, according to the type of concrete produced, the equipment can be of two types

• mortar mixers;
• concrete mixers.

Let's consider each of these options in more detail.

Option number 1. Mortar mixers

Simple equipment, designed for private construction. Designed for mixing components, the size of the fractions of which is more than 2 centimeters. Also, the 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 in a forced way, for which a horizontal screw is used, which rotates in an immovable 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 it, as a rule, will include the following elements:

• engine;
• mixing container;
• drive unit;
• 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 number 2. concrete mixers

They are designed for use with components with a fraction size of 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, according to the features of the installation, 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);
• automotive.

We also note that, depending on the type of drive and energy source, all concrete mixers are divided into several more varieties.

• With manual drive. They are characterized by the fact that they are able to convert the muscular efforts of a person into the rotation of a kneading organ. The transmission is in most cases 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 do-it-yourself 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, which are supplied under high pressure. Such equipment is exclusively for industrial use, since it needs powerful additional devices.
• Electrical. The most popular types of concrete mixers today, not only industrial, but also household purpose. The range of such units is quite extensive, and their volume varies from 30 to several thousand liters.

Benefits of using

There are several of them, let's take a closer look at each of them.

• Aggregates manual type, in fact, are completely autonomous.
• But the crown mixer is quite easy to use and, if necessary, repair.
• Motor-driven equipment is also quite autonomous, as it only needs fuel.

Application Disadvantages

• For electrical appliances, this is the opening of the hatch some time after the interruption of the supply of electricity and, as a result, the discharge of concrete (otherwise it will harden).
• In addition, concrete mixers, in principle, are seasonal. For the most part, they (especially small units) cannot be used when 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-driven devices - this is the high cost of the fuel used, high level noise during operation, as well as exhaust toxicity.
• A simple mortar mixer capable of operating at a temperature not lower than +2 degrees does not have equipment that provides heating of the mixture.
• The performance of manual units is quite low, while the labor intensity of mixing, on the contrary, is high.

As a conclusion

As you can see, the independent manufacture of a concrete mixer is nothing complicated, you can deal with it. And the costs are fully justified, since the speed of any construction work with such equipment will increase significantly. That's all, good luck with your work and warm winters!

For the improvement of a summer cottage, cement mortar or concrete is often needed. Masters are faced with a choice - to knead by hand (and this is difficult and inefficient, since the solution quickly hardens) or to purchase an industrial concrete mixer, which is unjustified during irregular work. Therefore, many summer residents prefer to make a concrete mixer with their own hands, as it is easy and expedient.

Principles of mixing concrete

In total, 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 fixed trough. The most unjustified and low-quality way. Not only does the solution itself quickly solidify, it is also problematic to mix the mixture until a homogeneous mass.

Sometimes craftsmen stir the solution with 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 continuous 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, complicated and tedious.

Gravity mixing

With the gravitational method, the bucket with the solution loosens or rolls over, and the solution mixes itself. That is, the components move independently in containers under the influence of gravity. Quality finished products not very good and high volume is hard to achieve. However, many masters living conditions this mixing option is used.

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

Forced mechanical

Forced-mechanical method is the simplest and most common. Its distinguishing feature is a motionless container. The components are most often kneaded by a mechanical drive in a drum. The drum may be 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 do-it-yourself homemade concrete mixers 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 nodes, since there is no contact with the solution. The top of the drum is not closed.
• Details of structures of this type last longer, since the mechanism is reliable and simple.
• The composition of the component can be anything, up to gravel, gravel, expanded clay, and so on.

vibration method

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

In principle, vibratory mixing can mix components almost perfectly. The only limitation is the preparation of a "heavy" solution. To use this type of mixing, significant energy costs are required. Approximately twenty liters of the mixture require a vibrator power of 1.3 kilowatts. In domestic conditions, instead of a drive and a gearbox, a very powerful hammer drill is used. There is no need to press the cartridge, and the vibrations must be independent.

Drawings and designs of concrete mixers

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

The general requirement is the strength, reliability and stability of the structure. It is necessary to make such structures as responsibly as possible, since the slightest miscalculation or inaccuracy will lead to breakage or even injury to the employee.

The simplest concrete mixer from a can

In the case of saving electricity and time, you can assemble a manual concrete mixer from an ordinary milk can. The whole assembly process takes several hours. and the most crucial moment is the welding of the frame. A little patience - and a simple gravity concrete mixing equipment is ready.

For the manufacture of this concrete mixer, you will need a can itself or another similar container, several pipes or thick rods.

Despite the simplicity of the design, even a dry screed concentrate can be mixed in a can. The axis inside the can cuts through the mixture during rotation.

Procedure:

The coupling can be omitted, thereby further simplifying the design. Instead of couplings, you can cut arcuate recesses and place the axle in them. The rotation will be uneven and creaky, but it will knead well. For 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. This raises the problem of how to fix the cover. This issue is 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 with respect to the surface of the earth and the solution does not pour out during rotation. But the quality of the batch with this method suffers.

Barrel concrete mixer

A do-it-yourself homemade concrete mixer 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 suburban area. The unit can be either manual or mechanical.

Scroll necessary details for assembly:

From the tools you need a grinder to cut the 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 put on the axle. Then internal elements are designed to help mix the concrete.

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

A rectangle is cut in the center of the barrel along the long edge. It will be a hatch for backfilling the components of the solution. Approximate dimensions the hatch is about ninety by thirty centimeters. In the case of a small hatch, it will be inconvenient to use it. And if it is made too large, then the strength of the structure will decrease.

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

The rectangle obtained from cutting out the hatch is welded to the hinges that are attached to the barrel. The result should be a closed hatch. After that, a latch or latch is attached to the hatch cover. The main task The lid is not open while the device is in operation.

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

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

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

After that, 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 appropriate assembly, consisting of a motor and a drive system.

Tricks of operating homemade devices

According to the principle of operation, home-made concrete mixers are similar to industrial designs and perform the same functions. But to get comfort, home devices need to be operated a little differently.

Tips for work:

During assembly and operation improvised designs Don't forget about 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 it, in this article we will talk about how to make a concrete mixer with your own hands at home and what you need for the manufacturing process of the device.

We give a concrete mixer from a barrel

Wanting to save money, domestic craftsmen have long been practicing the manufacture of home-made aggregates for mixing cement. After all, for not a large number solution, you can use a simple shovel and own forces, but for large volumes better fit manual homemade concrete mixer from a barrel. This type of unit is manually operated.

Using a barrel as a base is the easiest 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. At the ends of the cover, it is necessary to drill several holes for installing the shaft, and flanges with bearings are placed on the bottom.

Then, on the side of the container, it is necessary to cut a hole 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 - faced with the problem of a loose fit of the hatch. In order for the cover to fit as closely as possible to the structure, it is necessary to glue the sealing gum along the edges of the hole.

The hatch itself is directly attached to the body using conventional hinges. As for the shaft, in order for the do-it-yourself forced-action concrete mixer to work normally, this element should be installed at an angle of at least 30 degrees.

The finished manual concrete mixer is mounted in the ground or firmly installed on the surface. Here everything depends on your imagination and possibilities. The manufacture of the shaft is allowed from several iron rods with a diameter of 0.5 cm.

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

Substituting the container, the hole opens and the mixture is removed. A manual homemade concrete mixer 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 perfect unit than with a manual type control, then this instruction is for you.

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

1.2 What do you need?

Prepare in advance:

1. A container that will interfere with the cement. You can also use a small barrel or other metal container for this.
2. Washing machine motor. You can choose another, but the motor from the 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. Armature for blades. You can use ordinary metal corners.
5. Several bearings.
6. Metal elements for the manufacture of 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 more than enough for one cycle of construction work.

To aggregate electric type the solution interfered more effectively, the container can be additionally equipped with helical blades. They are installed at an angle of 30 degrees.

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

Using a motor with such parameters for the production of the unit, you will be able to 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, in order for the engine to work in normal mode and not let you down at the most crucial moment, you will need to install a gearbox as well as belt pulleys.

1.3 Getting to the assembly of the unit

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

1. On both sides of the barrel or other tank, holes should be drilled that will connect the shaft to the drum.
2. As for the opening for loading and unloading the mixture, it is equipped according to the same principle as in the case of a manual design.
3. A ring gear should be installed on the bottom of the tank, which protrudes as part of the gearbox. Here it is also necessary to mount a gear with no large diameter.
4. Now the most crucial moment. To turn an ordinary barrel into 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 tank. After that, the shaft itself should be connected to the motor.
5. In order to make the operation of the 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 turned ends of the 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 with swivel mechanism. If you do not know how to do this, then there is nothing difficult. 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 that, the device will only have to weld the plugs and handles.

2 Typical mistakes in the manufacture of concrete mixers

In practice, craftsmen in the manufacture of concrete mixers often make mistakes that entail certain problems. In order not to encounter 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 other container, must be of the highest quality. Therefore, make sure in advance that there are no holes in your barrel, there are no signs of corrosion or other mechanical damage on it.
2. Do not forget that the instructions are written specifically so that you can get a quality unit. Therefore, follow the indicated points in as much detail as possible. If you deviate from the actions, in the end they will be inconsistent with each other, respectively, there is a high probability of getting a low-quality concrete mixer.
3. Consider the fact that metal structural elements cannot be welded to cast iron. The process of making a concrete mixer is not particularly easy, and such mistakes will only make it worse.
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 at once.

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

In order for the unit to turn out to be of high quality, you will need a minimum of building materials and tools, but you need to be most careful.

Construction is very often associated with the constant use of a large amount of concrete, the mixing of which requires not only high costs physical strength but so precious time.

To facilitate, or rather solve this problem, the construction of a home-made concrete mixer, a device that allows you to simply and quickly prepare required amount mixes in the right proportions and the required consistency.

The question of designing a home-made 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 device;
2. while using improvised, maximally accessible or simply low-value parts and mechanisms;
3. reliable and unpretentious in operation, including with minimal costs for repairs and maintenance.

With all the variety of ideas and technical solutions to the issue of concrete preparation, all designs of concrete mixers, in principle, come down to solving a simple problem - mechanical mixing 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 do-it-yourselfers are units based on:

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

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 the container with cement and filler, when, under the action 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 fixed tub, or the entire container rotates, with the mixer blades tightly fixed inside.
• vibration method - the method of preparing concrete in this case consists in mixing the components using a vibration mixer placed inside the tub. Such a mixer-vibrator, which creates a sufficiently high vibration frequency, produces the movement of cement and filler.

However, of all the considered types of structures for self-manufacturing the first two types are the most suitable, since the third vibrational method of preparing the mixture is the most technologically advanced and energy-consuming.

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

In this the primary role is played by:

1. the size of the working capacity - tubs;
2. the number and type of nodes 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 can be a lot of options for use as a container for preparing the mixture:

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

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

For horizontal type location of the container, a side filling window is provided, with an inclined, or with the possibility of changing the angle of inclination, tubs with a slightly narrowed neck are used open type for comfortable sleep constituent parts solution.

Inside, to improve the quality of the prepared solution, blades or metal combs are welded, which contribute to 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 today are:

• manual drive- an elementary solution to this problem - an axis fixed on two supports, on which a bucket is fixed, on one side of the axis there is a curved end, similar to that which is installed on wells;
• electric drive- an electric motor that transmits the rotation of the shaft using a belt or gear transmission to the bucket. 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 mixer can be:

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

Simple Mechanical Concrete Mixer

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

The design of such a device consists of:

• base in the form of welded from corners, pipes or a profile of a stable base that can withstand the rotation of a barrel with 50-7 kg of concrete;
• a tub, as a rule, is a barrel, a milk can, a metal container from under paint, or part of a gas cylinder with a hermetically sealed neck, and a shaft in the central part, mounted on a base, on bearings or bushings;
• pen manual drive for the rotation of the tub, in large options devices for facilitating rotation, handles are provided on both sides of the barrel, for the 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 (the triangle is the most stable and rigid figure), on top of which the shaft of rotation of the bailey is fixed on bearings.

Horizontal barrel mixer

A simple and efficient mixer.

Comprises:

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

A design feature is the location 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 inside the barrel on a working rotating shaft, two or three combs are attached, resembling a rake. The combs are made of a metal rod, strip, or other material, in such a way as to mix the concrete during rotation, passing between the teeth.

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

This version of the mixer is considered as the pinnacle of the engineering abilities of do-it-yourselfers in the field of concrete mixers. In fact, this is a copy of a commercially produced concrete mixer.

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

1. instead of the ring gear used in industrial units for home-made analogues, a drive is used through a gearbox or a gear train to the barrel, sometimes the latter to the track rollers;
2. at the same time, the tub-barrel, 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 the mixing of the solution;
3. the base is designed taking into account the weight of the container with the filled mortar and the possibility of its tipping over to drain the finished concrete;
4. The most commonly used drive is:
5. an electric motor with a belt drive to the drum rotation shaft;
6. electric motor with reduction gear.

Among the indisputable advantages of such a machine is ease of operation and minimum costs labor force at 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 when using a vibrating concrete mixer. This is also the most high-tech type of mixer.

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

As a vibrator, a conventional perforator with a specially made working body in the form of two dish-shaped or even mesh plates turned upside down to each other can be used.

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

The propulsion power must be at least 1.5 kW, the use of a smaller engine or a rotary hammer is fraught with inefficient operation of the system or a quick breakdown.

The base of such a concrete mixer is almost identical to all other types and must ensure not only the stability of the structure itself, but also the possibility of turning over the tank to drain the finished concrete.

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

• constructive:
• discrepancy between the calculated and real design in terms of the rigidity of the main parts;
• wrong container for the mixer;
• an electric motor that does not correspond in terms of power and number of revolutions;
• gearbox that does not meet the requirements;
• technological:
• insufficiently tightly connected body parts;
• unstable base;
• high location of the rotating tub;
• narrow or vice versa wide necks;

In addition, one should also 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 mode of operation is variable-long 5 minutes of work, after which a 15-minute break is required;
2. drill gears today are mostly made of plastic, and are designed for a force sufficient to drill holes no more than 13 mm in concrete, 20 mm in wood or 12 mm in metal, but 70-90 kg of working volume are not intended for mixing;
3. making a concrete mixer with a bowl volume of 5-7 liters is not rational.

Conclusion

As experience shows, the creation of any, even the most a simple remedy mechanization of labor 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 mandatory higher engineering education, a few skills in working with electric welding, and a couple of days of work will allow you to have a working model of the unit, which makes it possible in the future not only to improve the design, but also to correct the identified flaws.

If you have own house or cottage, 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, a fence, a terrace or a path.

If you have planned several large buildings, then you can place an order for ready-made factory 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 mix;
• you will have to purchase a volume concrete mixer, i.e. several cubes. Not every construction site requires this amount of concrete;
• dense housing developments may not allow heavy vehicles to pass through.

There is another option - to rent a concrete mixer, but with frequent use it will be more expensive than acquiring it as a property.

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

Advantages of a homemade concrete mixer

A do-it-yourself concrete mixer has the following advantages:

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

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

Large does not mean the best option. Such units are very energy intensive. 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 a concrete mixer with your own hands, you will need a strong cylinder-shaped container, a solid frame structure, a reversing mechanism to unload the finished concrete, and a gear motor.

Don't be afraid of so many necessary materials- many of them can be bought at a low price or found in the garage.

Instructions for making a manual concrete mixer

You will need:

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

Of the tools you will need a grinder and a welding machine.

• We cut a hole in the barrel in the form of a rectangle, forming a gap along the joint. We weld on inner surface sill from the corner and lay it with rubber in order to seal.
• The lid will swing open outward, so you need to install strong hinges and a reliable constipation. The existing filler hole can not be welded, the standard cap is quite reliable.
• Inside, we weld several blades of sheet steel 2-3 mm thick for mixing.
• We weld the bearings in the center of the side parts, fasten the hubs or push the steel axle through.
• We fix the barrel on the frame, weld a handle on one end, like a well. The concrete mixer is ready!

Electric Concrete Mixer

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

This unit has both pros and cons.

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

The downside is the need for glands on the drive axis.

The tank is made from a 200 l barrel with welded walls. The upper part is covered with a lattice. For the base, a profiled pipe is used. 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 an automotive cranked analogue, the blades are made from corners and steel sheets welded to them, 3 mm thick. An oil seal is located at the exit point of the shaft to the gearbox.

Engine 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 pallet is placed under the working concrete mixer, collecting the water flowing out at the beginning. 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 to do such a necessary thing yourself.

DIY concrete mixer photo

Note!