Making a concrete mixer with your own hands: choosing a design and material, drawing and manufacturing

Making your own concrete mixer is a project that can be both economical and satisfying. Making your own concrete mixer can save costs and give you a sense of pride, whether you’re planning to take on large construction projects or little backyard projects. Choosing the appropriate design and materials, creating an intricate drawing, and carefully assembling the parts are all part of the process.

Selecting a design that meets your needs should be your first step. Concrete mixers come in a variety of styles, each with pros and cons. Making an informed decision that fits the scope and complexity of your project is made easier when you are aware of these options. For small batches, for example, a basic hand mixer might be adequate; for larger quantities, a more powerful mixer with a motor may be required.

Next, the longevity and effectiveness of your mixer depend greatly on the materials you choose. For powered versions, common materials include a sturdy motor and metal for the frame and drum. Ensuring the quality and availability of these materials can facilitate a smoother assembly process and improve the efficacy of the finished product.

When building a concrete mixer, creating a comprehensive plan is a crucial first step. Every part should be included in this blueprint, along with their exact measurements. During construction, a precise and unambiguous drawing acts as a guide to help prevent errors and guarantee that all the components fit together perfectly.

Lastly, the parts are cut, welded, and assembled in accordance with the plan during the actual manufacturing process. This stage necessitates paying close attention to details and following safety procedures. You can build a dependable concrete mixer that fulfills your unique requirements and endures the rigors of concrete mixing with perseverance and meticulous execution.

Types of concrete mixers

Two categories are used to group products:

The second type of concrete mixer is more expensive to manufacture independently because it requires understanding of how to connect electric motors and engines.

The different types of concrete mixers have different working principles, regardless of whether mechanical or current efforts are used. These types of mixers are:

• forced type;
• vibration;
• gravitational.

Mechanical or electrical?

Consider your own abilities when selecting the drive type. You will need to select a mechanical option if there is no electrical communications at the construction site. This kind usually necessitates having an assistant. To combine a fresh portion of the solution, you will need to stop pouring all the time.

If several people are busy in the work, then some of them can be busy with alignment of concrete in the formwork, preparing and measuring the components of the concrete mixture, and 1-2 people will rotate the mixer lever. Using electricity reduces the need for assistants.

Forced, gravity or vibration?

You should consider potential drawbacks and assess a product’s efficiency before selecting one based on its working principle.

The working principle determines the mechanism’s design:

1. Forced.
   Mixes the components of the solution by rotating the blades on the shaft inside a stationary container. It is convenient to add water to such a mixer and add components of the mixture during its operation, without stopping the process.
2. Gravitational.
   Differs from the previous one in that the container in which the concrete portion is mixed rotates. A number of models do not allow adding components of the mixture without stopping the rotation. The mixing blades in gravity-type mechanisms are fixed to the walls of the drum.
3. Vibrational.
   Mixing is carried out due to the vibration of the structural element immersed in the mixture. The vibrator sets the entire mass of crushed stone and sand in motion, the components are mixed evenly and without the formation of air bubbles. But you need to load the entire volume of components at once; to knead a portion of the solution, work will have to be interrupted. Manufacturing a concrete mixer requires an electric drive.

Concrete mixer volume

The type of drive is taken into consideration when calculating the drum volume. The motor power will be the limiting factor for electric mechanisms. Furthermore, the needs are considered: a larger container will be needed for pouring the foundation, whereas a smaller one will be needed for paths or screeds.

The manual design’s maximum volume if one person works there is 150–200 l; otherwise, turning the drive will be too challenging.

Drawings and design of simple concrete mixers

By choosing the appropriate size, ready-made metal containers can be used to easily construct basic models of electric or mechanical concrete mixers at home. Use barrels of fuel, flasks, and two to three bucket pots. Self-welded drums are a feature of more sophisticated designs. From a variety of devices with manual and electric drives, you can select the necessary design and its drawings.

Vibrating concrete mixer from a hammer drill

You will need a hammer drill with a minimum power of 1-1.3 kW in order to make it. Mixing happens while its impact mechanism is in action.

The vibrator must be made before the concrete mixer is put together.

1. Select or make a metal part in the form of a lentil or biconvex lens. You can connect 2 identical steel plates. The diameter of the vibrator depends on the power of the hammer drill: for every 1 kW, you need a part measuring 20 cm (for 1.3 kW, a size of 25 cm is suitable).
2. Attach a round part of the vibrator to the rod from any nozzle to the hammer drill (you can take a fragment of a broken nozzle).

You also need to choose an appropriate mixer container in addition to the vibrator. The tank’s diameter is selected so that there is a space equal to its radius between the walls and the edges of the centrally located nozzle. You will need a tank with a diameter of 40 cm for a 20 cm vibrator and 25–50 cm for a 25 cm vibrator. The container’s height ought to surpass the nozzle’s two diameters.

The edge of the container has a hammer drill holder fastened to it. The vibrator "plate" is positioned in the center of the circular container after the bracket is installed. The diameter of the nozzle (20–25 cm) is the same as the distance from the bottom to it. Make a mark at a distance of one vibrator diameter measured up from the nozzle level.

Place the hammer drill bit into the bracket and add enough ingredients so that the level meets the mark. After connecting the device to the network, turn on the impact mechanism. Air bubbles that are knocked out of the mixture surface during operation. When it’s ready, there will be a tiny ripple or the gurgling sound will cease.

A concrete mixer with a manual drive from a barrel

Barrels from fuel and lubricants (200 l) are typically used to prepare more concrete at once. There are numerous designs where the container is arranged horizontally or inclinedly.

Barrels must be ready for each of them:

1. Cut a hatch hole. If the barrel is inclined, it is made closer to one edge, for a horizontal one – in the middle of the side wall.
2. Weld 2-4 blades onto the walls inside the container. Leave a small gap between the edge of each blade and the wall.
3. Weld the hinges, securing the lid. Equip it with a lock. Install a rubber seal around the perimeter of the hole and the lid.
4. If the barrel does not have a lid, cut a steel circle for a new one.
5. Make holes in the bottom and lid and put the container on the axis. Weld the lid seam.

Weld steel pipes or angles to create a sturdy base (A-shaped posts connected by crossbars). Fasten holders to the structure’s horizontal axis. The oarlocks should release the ends of the axis. Weld rotating levers to these components.

Constructing your own concrete mixer can be a useful and satisfying project. You can make a sturdy, effective tool that suits your unique needs by carefully following the drawings and choosing the appropriate design and materials.

Making the effort to comprehend the building process and find high-quality materials will guarantee the mixer operates efficiently and endures for many years. Regardless of whether you choose a basic hand-cranked model or a more intricate motorized one, your hard work will be rewarded with a dependable piece of machinery.

Building your own concrete mixer can save you money and provide you with useful skills if you have the right equipment and a little perseverance. This project not only makes you feel good about yourself, but it also makes future construction projects more productive and economical.

Making detailed drawings, adhering to a simple manufacturing process, and choosing the appropriate design and materials are all necessary to build your own concrete mixer at home. By doing it yourself, you can ensure that the mixer fits your needs precisely and save money while still having a useful tool for a variety of construction projects.

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