When you start construction or major renovation, you will inevitably have to use a lot of materials. Mix building mixtures, paints and plasters. The method of doing this by hand with a shovel is already quite outdated and unacceptable. It is both inconvenient and exhausting, and it takes a lot of time. For this purpose, it is best to use a construction mixer.
A construction mixer is also called a mortar mixer or a drill mixer, but it is always a hand-held electric machine that is used to mix construction materials. Using a mixer ensures uniform mixing of solutions and obtaining a consistency with the same density or color.
In the past, mixing materials was done using attachments attached to drills, which quickly wore out. It is preferable to use a specialized power tool with increased power, which allows it to work efficiently and has a fairly long service life when used properly. Increased power and high torque of the mixing attachment are necessary to be satisfied with the effort put in.
The construction mixer is perfectly suitable for preparing mortars in small quantities (the maximum volume is about 20 liters). In this case, the mortar will be much better in quality and properties than when mixed manually.
CONSTRUCTION MIXER - APPLICATION
The demand for electric mixers for construction has been booming in recent years. This is due to the introduction of new technologies in finishing works. In place of the classic construction binding materials - cement, lime and gypsum, there have been ready-made building mixtures of the most diverse qualities and applications, packed in bags, which are mixed with water at the workplace. Cement mortar has been almost completely replaced by all sorts of adhesives for terracotta, granite or natural stone slabs. Refractory bricks are now laid with special refractory adhesives instead of chippings, ordinary gypsum has been replaced by special plaster mixtures on a gypsum basis. Floor leveling screeds are now made from ready-made self-leveling mixtures, mortar plasters have been replaced by elegant and much more advanced artificial plasters on a silicate or silicone basis, etc. And in our country, builders immediately realized that working with ready-made solutions is much more convenient, of higher quality, faster, easier, and with less pollution on the site.
It was precisely these innovations that led to a change in the arsenal of tools for preparing mortars. Instead of shovels, gravel, and trowels, small concrete mixers, and especially electric mixers, are now used.
To prepare any solution from a ready-made dry mixture, only a container (preferably made of elastic material) and water are needed, and the appropriate machine for this purpose is an electric mixer in combination with a stirrer. The use of the mixer is not only aimed at easing the work, but above all at achieving the optimal operating parameters for the given material, which is possible only with good mixing until the solution is completely homogeneous, and in some cases the requirement is added that no air bubbles are involved in it. This cannot be achieved by hand, without a machine. Masters have long been aware of the issue, but due to the lack of specialized machines on the market until recently, and probably also due to the poorly understood economy, they strive to use ordinary electric drills for this purpose. However, they are adapted for a different operating mode and other purposes, and therefore their use is only possible for mixing smaller quantities of solutions and especially for mixing paints.
Don't skimp, sometimes trying to walk the "thin line" comes out salty: in order not to damage a good drill, but not adapted for mixing construction materials, buy a mixer.
Basic principles when working with a construction mixer:
- use the tool strictly for its intended purpose;
- uncompromising compliance with the maximum permissible characteristics - rotation speed or agitator diameter;
- protection of the tool from excessive humidity, temperature fluctuations, mechanical stress and overheating during operation;
- the impressive weight and large dimensions make the drill-mixer not particularly convenient for manual transportation. Usually this tool is transported in the trunk of a car, previously covered with a cover or tarpaulin.
HOW DOES A CONSTRUCTION MIXER DIFFER FROM A DRILL?
The construction mixer has a number of design differences and additional features that distinguish it from the drill: an additional set of attachments, low-speed operation mode, greater power, excellent resistance to overheating.
The high torque enables high-quality and fast mixing of paints and various mortars. The power, high speed and the ability to operate in reverse mode make the mixer optimal for performing quality repairs and construction.
In appearance, the body of the mixing machine resembles ordinary drills, but there are a number of significant differences. First of all, this is the additional handle, which allows the machine to be held comfortably and securely with two hands. This makes it easy to hold and counteract the rather large torque that occurs due to the resistance of the mixed solution. In addition, together with the additional handle, there is a molded guard made of a sturdy steel bar, which together protect the motor part from damage in the event of an impact due to dropping the machine, for example.
The second very significant difference is in the gearbox. In mixing machines, the three-speed gearbox has a higher gear ratio, which is designed to withstand greater and longer loads.
Last but not least, these machines are specially adapted and protected for operation in construction site conditions with an immediate danger of suction of abrasive dust and grit, water droplets, etc. For this purpose, the suction ventilation holes are located on the top cover of the machine.
In conclusion, the choice of machine depends on the type of solutions and the intensity of work. For homogenizing liquids (e.g. paints), pasty and generally low-viscosity materials, machines with a single-stage gearbox are perfectly suitable. When mixing solutions prepared from dry ingredients and with high viscosity, it is preferable to use machines with a two-stage or three-stage gearbox. They have a wide range of applications because they are able to handle any materials.
CONCRETE MIXERS. TYPES OF CONCRETE MIXERS
If the construction work you are undertaking is so extensive that the mixer will “suffocate” from use, then you need a larger machine that has the same mission – to mix construction materials. You need a concrete mixer. It can be used by both amateurs and professionals, although the latter often have to resort to the services of concrete trucks and concrete pumps.
The concrete mixer can be used in practically all types of construction work related to repair, restoration or construction. This machine guarantees high-quality mixing of all components of the solution.
Concrete mixers are divided into different types, according to the technology of mixing in them. It can be forced or gravitational. In the first type, the process is carried out using special movable blades, and the tank is in a fixed position. However, if materials with larger particles are used (for example, gravel), these mixers do not provide the desired quality of the solution.
In gravity technology, the mixing principle is reversed - the blades are stationary, and the drum rotates. Such models are considered universal, as they allow you to prepare a solution of any brand and with any ingredients.
WHAT SHOULD WE CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A CONCRETE MIXER?
- Power
The choice of concrete mixer depends on the intensity of use and the desired volume of finished products. In this regard, the decisive characteristic is the power. You will need a model with a higher power when the device will be subjected to a high degree of exploitation.
- Drum
The capacity of the drum also depends on the volume of work that you have set. It is very important to note here that the finished solution cannot be more than 1/5 of the total capacity of the tank. In general, machines for amateur needs have drums with a volume of 100 to 190 liters. They are also at the most affordable prices. It is logical that the increase in the volume of the tank is reflected in the increase in the price of concrete mixers, but here we are talking about machines that are used for professional needs. Hobby machines are suitable if the workload of the machine will not be more than 2-3 hours per day.
