It is quite possible to assemble a concrete mixer with your own hands. Naturally, not every person needs such specific equipment. But faced with the need for construction work, many people think about this in the first place. This is mainly due to the fact that concrete is currently one of the most common building materials.
Types of device
Today in the market of building materials there are many different types of various equipment. Concrete mixers are no exception. There are four main types of this machine. Separate them according to the method by which the mixture is kneaded.
- The first type is gravitational. These are the most common devices that mix components by simply turning them around while the container where they are contained rotates.
- The second type of concrete mixer uses a mechanical method. It is very similar to gravitational, the principle is the same. However, to improve the quality of the final composition in such equipment there are additional cutting elements.
- The third type refers to vibrational. In this case, the concrete mixer will not rotate, but the ingredients will be mixed by using a special vibrator immersed in the mixture.
- The combined type is considered the most universal, since it consists of using two or all three of the above mixing methods at once.
Gravity equipment
DIY is the easiest way to assemble a concrete mixer if it is of the first type. In this case, a minimum amount of time, effort is required. But, as in any simple version, this has its drawbacks. The quality of the prepared mixture will be satisfactory and not at all higher. In addition, mixing a large amount of solution at once will not work, since the volume is limited by the capacity of the equipment.
However, despite these disadvantages, more and more people are wondering how to make this type of concrete mixer with their own hands. This is justified by the fact that the project is quite cheap, and high quality mortar when working on personal plots is extremely rare.
Device design
In order to comfortably use the home-made option, it is necessary to equip a solid and reliable frame. Most often, a welded type support is used as such. As a reservoir, where the components will be filled up and where the mixing will take place, you can use a metal can or an ordinary steel barrel.
DIY assembly of a concrete mixer from a barrel is considered the simplest method. Operating the finished structure is also quite simple. Ingredients are poured through the door, after which it closes tightly, and with the help of a handle or lever, the barrel rotates. When the solution has reached the desired consistency, the tank is tipped with the door down, after which it is opened.
Mechanical type of equipment
How to make a concrete mixer do-it-yourself mechanical type? In fact, outwardly, these two devices are practically no different from each other. All the main difference that exists between them lies inside their design. The guiding and dissecting blades, which are welded to the inside of the tank, became such a structural difference. During the overturning of the components, they will be guided by these blades, and for better mixing, be divided into several parts by sharp parts.
Due to this slight difference in the device, there is a big difference in the quality of the final product. In addition, the presence of such blades allows you to tilt the equipment at an angle, and not just put it horizontally, as happens with gravitational ones. And this means that the volume of the tank will be used in full. Another plus is the lack of the need for an airtight lid for the concrete mixer.
Tank preparation
How to make a concrete mixer from a barrel with your own hands? To assemble this type of equipment, you can use the same steel barrel. However, it will be necessary to weld several guide vanes to the inner walls of the tank, which should be located at an angle of 30-35 degrees. The height of these elements should be equal to a quarter of the total height of the tank. If a shaft is installed inside the barrel, then the blades can be attached to it.
If a suitable barrel or other container is not available, then you can make a working element yourself. In this case, the assembly of a do-it-yourself concrete mixer with your own hands will begin precisely from this stage. It is necessary to acquire a piece of pipe made of thin-walled steel. The thickness should be between 2.5 and 3.5 mm. The diameter of the pipe should not be less than 800 mm, and the length of the segment should be at least 1 meter.
Next, you need to brew one side using a steel circle. On the other hand, from 4 to 6 triangular segments are cut, which are bent from the edge of the pipe to the middle. After that, all the elements are welded together. The result should be some kind of punching bag. When these works are completed, you can begin to weld the blades from the inside of the home-made tank. Further, it is worth noting that you can assemble a hand-held concrete mixer with your own hands, or you can weld a steel circle to the outside of the bottom of the pipe, which will be the axis for the future drive pulley.
Equipment frame
Some use steel corners as a mount, but this is not always good. The steel axis is different in that it weighs less and is also less prone to bending than a corner.
Next, we can proceed to consider the assembly of the frame. It’s worth saying right away that it is worth providing a place to place the rollers on which the working capacity will be mounted, as well as a place where the electric motor will be installed if the concrete mixer is not of a manual type. The frame design itself is quite simple and consists of two parts. The first part is the support, on which the whole structure will be held. The second part is the rotary, on which the tank will be installed. To connect the two parts of the frame, short shafts are most often used, which are fixed in bearings or bushings. One of the shafts must be equipped with a handle for adjusting the angle of inclination of the upper part of the frame, and with it the rotary part of the device.
Drive for mechanical device
When assembling a concrete mixer with your own hands, you can not do without a drive device. Some sources indicate that you can use a mixer drive. However, this is only rational if the volumes of the working capacity are sufficiently small. In most cases, an electric motor is used, which is connected to the mixer using a belt drive.
The best connection option is the assembly of an electric motor through a gearbox, but in this case the cost of a home-made concrete mixer will increase significantly, and this is unacceptable.
Vibration type equipment
Today, it is these models that occupy a leading position in terms of operation at enterprises. This is due to the fact that this method of mixing the components provides the best concrete quality in the end. No matter how strange it may sound, but it is this type of design that is considered the simplest among the rest, and therefore it is quite possible to assemble it with your own hands.
There are several things to keep in mind when assembling. Firstly, to use here as a tub you need round containers. Since the structure itself will be stationary, some install rectangular tanks, but this is best not done. Besides the fact that the container should be round, its radius should not be too large. Narrow but tall tubs should be preferred.
Structurally, this type of equipment looks like this. The fixed-type tank is fixed in an upright position. At the top, download all the necessary components. After that, the right amount of water is added, and after that the vibrator is placed and turned on strictly in the center. It is important to note that the bottom of the bucket itself serves as a window for unloading, which means that there should be an opening door, but at the same time airtight when closed.
What is needed for assembly
The most problematic part of all the work is that an immersion vibrator is needed here. If it is available or there is an opportunity to purchase it, then the rest will not be difficult. The design does not have moving parts, you do not have to deal with the operation and connection of the electric motor and mixer or gearbox.
You can make a concrete mixer with your own hands from the washing machine, more precisely, take a drum out of it as a working container. All unnecessary openings are closed, and the lower part is removed. Next, you need to take care of the manufacture of a truncated cone. The larger diameter should be equal to the diameter of the barrel, and a smaller opening is welded to the opening gate. The gate must have a handle with which it can be opened. To do this, you can use steel corners to connect the two parts. However, you can buy a finished part. When the whole structure is ready, it can be welded to the tank.
After that, the tank is mounted on a support frame. This is best done at an angle or serve the ingredients with a short trough. It is important to remember that unloading will be carried out through the bottom, which means that the height should be such that the selected container is placed below.
Forced Concrete Mixer
With your own hands you can build such an aggregate. The device of this device consists of such parts as an electric motor, a capacity for the required amount of solution, gearbox, blades, shaft, drive, frame. It is worth noting that you still have to spend money on the purchase of certain equipment, but it will still be cheaper than buying a ready-made version.
So, in order to assemble a forced-type concrete mixer from these elements with your own hands, you will need to have tools such as a welding machine, a grinder and an electric drill on hand. As a reservoir, you can use a barrel, as in the previous versions, however, it is important to note here that the volume should be 200 liters. If the container is larger, then with the help of a grinder, you need to cut off the excess parts. The design itself consists of a frame that must support not only the weight of the tank, but also the components. If the tank is 200 liters, then the frame should withstand about 600 kg. In such cases, you can use a large corner or channel for assembly. The installation of the drive and the electric motor is carried out in a similar way with other concrete mixers.
What makes homemade models good?
Naturally, the main advantage is the price. However, it is worth clarifying. This will be convenient only for those who are often involved in construction or repair work. Otherwise, it is better to rent factory models than to assemble a home-made option. In addition, it is not a fact that when assembling the first time everything will go smoothly, and the quality of concrete will be optimal, you may have to redo it several times.