Making a concrete mixer with your own hands. Homemade concrete mixers: manual, electric We make a manual concrete mixer from a barrel with our own hands

For the improvement of the site, either mortar or concrete is often needed. Kneading it by hand is hard and long, and the quality of the solution is far from the best: it is difficult to achieve uniformity. Not everyone wants to buy a concrete mixer for its periodic use. A good way out is a do-it-yourself concrete mixer. You need a little money, in terms of performance, home-made units are no worse than Chinese ones, and sometimes even better.

manual concrete mixer

There is not always electricity at the construction site, and large volumes of mortar and concrete are also not always required. The way out is to make a small volume concrete mixer that will rotate manually (with a manual drive). The designs of these models are simple and uncomplicated.

From a milk flask

The simplest manual concrete mixer can be made with an ordinary metal flask (previously milk was sold in such). You will also need pipe trimmings or some other scrap metal. The design is simple, such a do-it-yourself concrete mixer is implemented in a couple of hours. The main thing is to weld the frame. The assembly of the concrete mixer itself will take a couple of tens of minutes on the strength.

Make a frame from round pipe bend the handle. In the upper part of the frame, weld two water couplings (for example). Their inner diameter is slightly larger than the diameter of the pipe used for the handle. The pipe is passed through the flask, welded to the body.

To make the barrel spin easily, you need to find the center of gravity. To do this, you can put it on some thin object, and moving it forward / backward, find this very center. This is where you need to pass the pen through it. Having skipped the handle, it is attached to the walls of the case. This is where difficulties can arise: flasks are usually made of aluminum alloy, and the handle can be made of steel. It will not be possible to connect from by welding. The only available way out is cold welding. He is quite real. Other modes - with bimetallic gaskets or argon-arc welding at home are not implemented. Another way out is to weld plates on the handle, which are riveted to the sides of the flask.

So that the handle does not play much and does not fall out during operation, nuts are welded to it on both sides of the coupling.

In general, this is all about making a manual concrete mixer with your own hands. For one batch in a 40 liter can, you can get 2.5-3 buckets of solution. More than enough for use in the country or on the site near the house (without construction).

If there is no can, you can adapt a barrel (thick-walled). Then the problem with welding the handle disappears, but you will have to come up with a system for fixing the lid. You can do something similar to the one that the can has.

In the video - an example of a manual home-made concrete mixer from a milk flask. The design is slightly different, but not too different. There is interesting idea- dividers are welded to the pipe inside the tank, which accelerate mixing.

From the barrel (manual and electric)

The author called this design a “drunken barrel” because of the peculiar trajectory of movement. The whole point is that the axis of rotation goes obliquely through the container. Because of this, the solution rolls over from one wall to another. The design is also simple and effective. What is important - there are no problems with welding dissimilar metals. A drawing of a manual concrete mixer from a barrel is shown below.

In the upper part of the frame, bearings are installed in the center, into which the handle is threaded. Thanks to them, a 200 liter barrel is spinning easily. Just choose a container with thick walls - it will last longer. Inside, no additional blades are welded: they only delay the components, interfering with mixing and complicating unloading.

AT original design the hatch of loading/unloading is in the bottom. This is a cut-off part (approximately 1/3), attached with loops to the bottom, equipped with sealing rubber around the perimeter and closed with two locks. When loading the barrel, turn it so that the hatch is at the top. When unloading - turn down. The solution moves by gravity into the substituted container, and the stuck one can be removed by tapping on the body with a hammer or sledgehammer.

This design served the author for 10 years, although it was made for one-time work, but it turned out to be very successful: 2.5 buckets of solution mix well in 20-30 revolutions. During this time, it was repeated and improved by neighbors and acquaintances. Basically, the alterations concerned the hatch. Experimentally, its most successful design was revealed - similar to the one used in the milk flask. Such a "neck" is welded to the body of the barrel on one side (see the photo above). They also make handles on both sides - for the possibility of working together.

This design easily turns into an electric homemade concrete mixer. Doesn't fit very well powerful engine- 1 kW for a barrel of 200 liters is enough, a small asterisk is attached to the axis of which, an asterisk is welded to the axis-pipe bigger size(to reduce the number of revolutions), they are connected using a chain (from a scooter, for example).

Do-it-yourself electric concrete mixer from a barrel and a washing machine engine

This concrete mixer is gear type. To make this model you need:

barrel made of galvanized steel for 180 liters (diameter 560 mm, height - 720 mm);
engine washing machine- 180 W, 1450 rpm;
flywheel and starter gear from Moskvich 412;
two pulleys from a washing machine with a diameter of 300 mm and 60 mm;
wheels from a garden cart;
frame scrap.

Gears, wheels - everything is old, everything was in the garage

First of all, we clean everything from rust, process it with a rust converter and cover it with primer.

We cook a frame from pipes, a channel. We strengthen the corners of the frame by welding metal plates. Everything must be tough and reliable. We make a serious crossbar: a barrel with a solution will “hang” on it, and everything will vibrate and spin.

The frame is the basis of the structure. Pipes are almost new.

We weld the pins, a seat for the gears of the transmission. We clean from rust, process with a rust converter, primer.

We fix the wheels from the cart. They have justified themselves with wide treads: it is not difficult to drag a concrete mixer even just around the site.

From the pipes we cook more structures for the stop and installation of the entire “filling”.

The second is for greater stability

We begin to assemble the drive. First we put a large gear on the previously welded pin.

We install an assembly in the seat - a small gear connected to a wheel for a belt drive.

We attach the engine to the plate welded in advance.

We hang it so that the two belt drive wheels are at the same level. It is also necessary to ensure the normal tension of the belt.

It remains to attach the barrel. In it in the center we make a hole for a large pulley, we drill a hole for fasteners. We put it in place.

Remains only electrical part. The cable is connected via

A few photos of the main nodes. Maybe someone needs to take a closer look.

The second transmission option is from a car disk

The 200-liter barrel, its edges were cut, bent and welded, forming the usual "pear".

They made a “pear” from a barrel

The car disk was bolted to the bottom (with rubber gaskets). It was selected so that a recess for the belt drive was formed. A hub was pre-attached to the disk.

Blades were welded inside the barrel for more efficient mixing of the solution.

All this economy was attached to the frame.

Where the plate is welded is a place for the engine. We expose it so that the belt runs smoothly. Power was supplied through the toggle switch, the timer was switched on sequentially from the washing machine, from which the motor was removed.

In general, the rotation speed turned out to be 35-40 rpm. Should be enough.

Homemade mixers in the video version

If understandable general principle how a concrete mixer is made with your own hands, you can modernize and redo it, adjusting it to the available parts. Help in this video, collected in this section.

crown type

Another option, only no longer geared, but of the crown type. The crown, by the way, can be bought (cast iron or plastic) and installed on the barrel.

With rollers as a support

In the construction business, starting from laying the foundation of a future building, interior decoration and the erection of walls, the key building material is precisely the concrete mixture, and the strength and durability of the buildings under construction directly depend on the quality. As for the definition, concrete is a material obtained from a mixture of cement, water, sand and crushed stone, which tends to turn into a durable stone when solidified, and just from the right amount constituent parts and quality mixing depends on the hardness and durability this material. And if the implementation of the first point is entirely entrusted to the initiator of this construction action, then the last - mixing, it is better to provide a special machine called a concrete mixer. This article will show you, among other things, how to make do-it-yourself concrete mixer if finances or personal preferences do not allow you to purchase this equipment in a store or rent it.

Interesting fact:Concrete was first made in ancient Mesopotamia many thousands of years ago. It has been used for three thousand years, having lost its original recipe after the fall of the Roman Empire.

Preliminary preparation.

First of all, before you start creating your own concrete mixer, first evaluate the amount of planned work. If the amount of work is insignificant, for example, strengthening existing structures, then think about whether it makes sense to spend your time and effort on creating similar device, or better use a good old bucket and mixer drill. Or vice versa, if you are planning the construction of a residential building of impressive size, then would it not be better to rent special construction equipment than to spend effort on creating a home-made alternative.

Useful advice:During the planning stage, decide which concrete composition you need for your construction. Based on this, you can calculate the time required for mixing until it solidifies. It will be incredibly disappointing if, having decided to leave for a well-deserved break, upon returning you will find a frozen stone in the concrete mixer.

If, after drawing up a plan for future work, you considered the necessary creation homemade concrete mixing machine, then let's not waste time and get to work.

Classifications:

To begin with, we will analyze the general principle of operation of concrete mixers in order to more clearly depict the processes occurring inside this mechanism. This will help you decide on the choice of machine, based on your tasks.

There are four ways to mix and then get concrete mortar:

Mechanical - a method that combines a bucket, a mixer and physical strength, which has already been described earlier. In our case, ignored.
Gravity - a type of mixing in which the solution, as the name implies, is affected by gravity, being in a moving container constantly rotating and falling, and at the same time mixing. This method kneading gives a satisfactory result and is not suitable for production large volumes concrete mix.
Vibration - a method used in industry, since it gives out best result. From concrete mixed in a vibrational way, there are the most durable structures. It is based on the principle of vibration of an interfering mixer - a concrete mixture is poured into a container, in the center of which a vibrating element is located, after which the mixer creates vibration waves in the thickening mass that mix the solution. The method is effective, but energy-intensive, and building a concrete mixer of this kind will take you more time than building a gravity or mechanical alternative.
Combined - combines elements from the two previous mixing methods. The process of creating a concrete mixer of this classification is even more complicated than a vibration one, since it is the same thing, only the container is also moving.

Since many home craftsmen want to create a concrete mixing machine without spending large sums of money, we will consider two options for creating this machine - manual, working with the help of the physical strength of its owner, and electric. Both of these options are classified as gravity.

Useful advice:When creating a manual concrete mixer, consider the amount of work and your own physical capabilities. There will be no use in the car if you cannot move it from its place, thereby stirring the hardening composition.

Concrete mixer with manual drive.

The mixer, used by our distant ancestors, consists of a container of the volume you need, for example iron barrel with a volume of one hundred liters, closed on both sides (or a large can), a lever, when exposed to which the barrel would begin to rotate. Same way necessary element is the frame on which the entire structure is firmly located. Here is an algorithm of actions describing the method of manufacturing this mechanism:

First of all, drill holes, which will house the driving shaft. Be sure to install flanges with bearings to the joints - this will prevent damage to the container.
Then position the base and cut out in a metal container cover, through which the mixture will be supplied inside and ready-made concrete will be poured out (if it is not already provided for by the design, as in the case of a can). To do this, a hatch should be cut out in the barrel, and then the folded part should be fixed on iron hinges, similar to those that are installed on doors and windows. It is not recommended to expand the hatch to the size of a football field, nor should one go to extremes, the main thing is not to forget to put a latch or some other kind of limiter so that the concrete does not spill over the yard during the rotation of the mechanism.
Position the drive shaft at an angle to thirty degrees and install the entire structure on a durable metal frame, capable of providing immobility to the concrete mixer and, preferably, for additional reinsurance, dug into the ground.

Remember that you yourself will have to set the mechanism in motion, so make sure that the shaft is placed at a suitable height for you and that it is convenient to rotate it. On the this stage the construction of a manual gravity concrete mixer is being completed. Now let's move on to creating a more complicated device, however, capable of freeing the owner from the exhausting hardships of physical labor.

Useful advice:When working with a concrete mixer, do not forget to wear personal protective equipment and follow safety precautions. Before starting work, make sure that the mechanism is securely fastened and properly prepared for the tasks assigned to it. When operating the concrete mixer manually, adequately assess the forces so as not to pull the muscles and not overstrain.

Electric concrete mixer.

In the process of creating an electric gravity concrete mixer, we will need electric motor. Extract this device from an old washing machine or other equipment, the main thing is that it can provide the necessary speed of rotation of the drive shaft, namely no more than forty-eight revolutions per minute, without overheating and without destroying other structural elements. Do not forget to supply the motor with drive belts and check the electrical wiring for damage - it will be a shame if, after completing the creation of the concrete mixer, it turns out that the wires in the motor are burned out and you have to disassemble everything.

In addition to the motor, we need:

Metal container of the required volume.
driving shaft
Toothed ring placed on the bottom of the tank
Bearings and gears
Metal frame capable of supporting the full weight of the movement
Welding machine
Helical mixing paddles
Nuts, bolts and other consumables

The principle of creating an electric concrete mixer is similar to the process of building a manual one, but instead of physical strength necessary work will be performed by a motor connected to the driving shaft by means of drive belts. Below is the algorithm of actions:

Drill holes on both sides of the metal tub to later connect the drum to the drive shaft.
Install the hatch according to the same principle as for a manual concrete mixer.
Weld the ring gear to the bottom of the tank and attach the gears, thereby creating a mechanism that transmits torque from the engine to the shaft and blades.
Insert a bearing into a piece of pipe with large diameter, weld it to the tank, and then connect the driving shaft to the electric motor, and also do not forget about the helical blades.
Build a support structure strong enough to support the weight of the machine and the concrete that will get in the way. For more productive work, you should also equip the mechanism with a rotary device.

In conclusion, it should be noted that any raw material suitable for your needs will do as a metal container, for example gas bottle or a railroad car. Properly approach the concrete production process, take into account the features of the structures you create, and also do not forget to manually check the quality of the mixture, since any machine can fail and cause unnecessary complications, and an inquisitive human eye, attentiveness and concentration can turn routine work into an unsurpassed masterpiece. We wish you good luck in home construction and, during operation, do not forget to observe safety precautions.

The economical owner in his subsidiary farm tries to do everything on his own. If you belong to this category of people, then you cannot do without a concrete mixer. She will be a great help in household. It can also be rented out to neighbors, which will not only return the invested funds, but also help to earn. There are many on the construction market various options similar products. AT model range There are concrete mixers with volumes ranging from a few liters to hundreds of liters.

The choice of a concrete mixer must be approached responsibly, because the quality of the mixture that you get at the output will depend on its work. All concrete mixers are divided into two types:

gravitational - the mixing of the mixture is carried out due to the force of gravity of the earth;
forced - the mixture is mixed with the blades of a concrete mixer forcibly.

Structurally, these are two different concrete mixers. In domestic conditions, mainly gravity concrete mixers are used. They are cheaper, easy to operate and always satisfy their owner.

Forced mixing concrete mixers are produced in two main types - with a horizontal or vertical shaft placement. They provide better quality concrete mix. The main advantage of a concrete mixer with forced mixing is the reduction of the amount of water in the mixture to the minimum allowable for complete hydration of the cement. It is impossible to obtain such a mixture in a gravity concrete mixer.

Forced mixing concrete mixers also include vortex concrete mixers.

When choosing a concrete mixer, you should pay attention to the volume of the pear. It should be noted that in the process of preparing the mixture, this volume will be filled only by 60-70%, depending on the angle of inclination of the pear. Therefore, for a concrete mixer, the volume of which is 120-130 liters of pear, at the output we get 70-80 liters ready mix. Of course you can install minimum angle pear tilt, but this will lead to accelerated wear of the support bearing, an increase in the load on the engine and its failure.

Choosing a concrete mixer - important nuances

For construction works in domestic conditions, small 110-130 l gravity concrete mixers are well suited. Simplicity of design, reliability and ease of operation have made such models popular. True, not all manufacturers are conscientious about their product. So what should you pay attention to when choosing a concrete mixer?

Engine. Most concrete mixers for private construction are equipped with a single-phase motor. But there are models with a three-phase motor. If you don't have a home three-phase network, such a concrete mixer will not suit you. The devices are equipped with motors with a power of 700-1000 watts. A weaker engine will not be able to mix the mixture well. It also makes no sense to put the engine more powerful, since this will only lead to an increase in electricity costs.
Concrete mixer tank. Pay attention to the thickness of the tank wall, the shape and thickness of the blades. The thickness of the metal used must be at least 2 mm.
Ring gear - made of steel, cast iron and plastic. The crown of the concrete mixer does not require lubrication. By applying lubricant, you will only accelerate its failure. Since sand, cement and other dust-like substances adhere very well to lubricants, Construction Materials. For reliable and durable performance, you just need to keep it clean.
You should pay attention to the device tank. The concrete mixer tank can be non-tilting and self-tilting. The time of unloading the solution will depend on the design of the tank. With a self-tilting tank, the unloading time is noticeably lower and amounts to 15-30 s.
Concrete mixers, for ease of transportation, sometimes complete with wheels. The presence of wheels is not necessary, but reduces the time and effort spent on rearranging the concrete mixer.

Warranty is also a criterion for the quality of manufactured components for concrete mixers. Since in the warranty lines you will be able to demand the replacement of failed parts. But there is also an indirect point. The longer the warranty, the more reliable this device is made. The manufacturer himself is ready to service his equipment for a long time, which indicates good quality this equipment is still at the stage of purchase.

How to make a concrete mixer yourself

If you like tinkering, have time, spare parts and, most importantly, desire, then you can make a concrete mixer yourself. Judging by the photos of concrete mixers on the Internet, there are a lot of designs of such units. They are various shapes and modes of action.

To assemble a concrete mixer, an old used barrel is used. The volume of the barrel must be selected, leaving the construction goals. The best option for building a concrete mixer with your own hands would be a barrel with a volume of 150-200 liters.

Feature of the concrete mixer assembled with my own hands, is its simple and reliable operation. As a homemade mixer project, forced concrete mixers are often made.

A stumbling block in the construction of a concrete mixer on your own can be a lack of experience in the construction of such things. But if you are persistent and love to tinker, then this will not be a problem. Component parts for a concrete mixer can be bought at the market or at the nearest hardware store. The final price of the device will be several times lower than the purchased concrete mixer. To save money or in places where there is no electricity, the drive for the concrete mixer can be made manual.

There are a lot of concrete mixer drawings on the Internet, for which you can assemble a mixer for any purpose.

As a rule, construction works rarely do without the use of concrete. It is rather 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. Do-it-yourself concrete mixer is a great opportunity acquire such useful device with minimal financial outlay. how to make it, 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 of 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 use. 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 need a few dozen various 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 a record a short time in a place where there is no electric power, then such a concrete mixer is very useful. 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 1-1.3 kilowatt hammer drill with a percussion 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.

First of all, this wrong selection containers. The latter should only be round, not too wide, but high.
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.
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 is a pair of saucers or plates (it is better to give preference to metal ones), which are stacked together.
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- a drum from a washing machine, an old can, a barrel. Although if you push to future design special requirements, 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.

Craft 3 or 4 constituent elements future capacity. 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 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. Next stage- this is the installation of a container on an axis and a 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 tens intricate details you only need 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 barrel of 200 liters, a 250-watt electric motor at 1430 revolutions, a motorcycle wheel, a pair of rings welded together are used. 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 work. And if for pouring the foundation, for example, it is advisable to use a purchased ready-made mixture, 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 excess 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.

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.
Blades, augers and other parts that act directly on the ingredients of the concrete being kneaded can often be referred to mixing bodies.
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.
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.
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.

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.
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.
Periodic. They are characterized by low power, and therefore need frequent stops. But for private construction, this is a completely acceptable option.
Gear (better known as crown).
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 transformation of energy compressed air or liquids that 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 for industrial, but also for domestic purposes. 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.

Manual-type units, 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

At 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 we see, independent production concrete mixers are nothing complicated, you can handle 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!

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 making homemade units for cement mixing. Indeed, for a small amount of 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 most cheap 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 - face a problem loose fit 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 a 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 takes much less power. 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:

A container that will interfere with the cement. You can also use a small barrel or other metal container for this.
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.
Drive shaft.
Armature for blades. You can use ordinary metal corners.
Several bearings.
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 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:

On both sides of the barrel or other tank, holes should be drilled that will connect the shaft to the drum.
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.
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 a small diameter.
Now the most crucial moment. To ordinary barrel became 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.
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.
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:

First of all, any working tank, be it metal barrel or other container, should 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.
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 actions, in the end they will be inconsistent with each other, respectively, there are Great chance receive a POOR CONCRETE MIXER.
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.
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.