Cement Mixers of Different Breed

Cement mixer construction comes in different design and build. This is true due to each builder tries to keep the cost to a minimum, one builder suggests his design is better than the other, most of the time, parts availability in the area is one factor to consider, too. Below are photos of different built, different brand, with varying prices that gives me the ideas on how I conceived mine:

Kobalt brand from Lowes Store.

This was built from a discarded washing machine.

Made from a metal drum.

This looks like a big hand mixer to me.

Hand driven swinging metal drum.

Cement Mixer Mod1

After learning some basic arc welding, I decided to up the ante on my cement mixer. One of the problems I encountered is the mixer bucket is low to ground. If I have to transfer mix cement to a wheelbarrow I will have to raise the whole machine. Also, carrying the mixer itself is a bit awkward, although the mixer feels more rigid when in placed, with its outward facing legs there will always a chance that it will hit your knees as it happened to me one time. Transporting the whole machine takes some space, have to allow at least 3 sqft of space.

Cement Mixer 3/3

   So far I've been enjoying this new addition to my equipment. I thought about adding more feature to it and so I did. I had this geared motor from which I bought for a buck from the previous garage sale. It's labeled 12 volt geared motor, though no amps specified, 128 rpm. This was probably pulled out from a car, it could be a wiper but I have no idea. This should be enough to rotate the drum.

I went one step ahead by making it a battery operated mixer. Just hooked it up to your car's cigarette lighter.

   In conclusion, there is so much to do with the recycled materials lying around and ready to be put to used. I found it enjoyable and worth building things from scratch. Everyday that I see things around, I knew I have something to put it to used. It's just a matter of time or if I can pass it around. Going over with the expense of my project. I would say I spent a lot, too.
Expenses rundown:
Metal drum - free
Bike crank set - free
Steel bracket - free from bed frame
Set of rubber wheels - free from discarded travel suitcase
Nuts and Bolts - a couple of bucks
Geared motor- a buck
Labor - priceless

Cement Mixer 2/3

   Below after some modification, comes the stable manual crank cement mixer. Made from recycled metal drum, bed frames, and set of wheels from discarded suitcase.

Cement Mixer 1/3

   I have been slowly finishing up my weekend project. A 14 feet x 14 feet front patio project and because of my tight budget and busy schedule on weekends, I decided to do it one phase at a time. I mean do when whenever I have the time. This month, I will be leveling up the ground, a month after will be laying out hollow blocks around it, and so forth. I am doing it myself and if lucky enough, my daughter will lend her hand out. I have purchased all the materials needed awhile back and the only things needed are the equipment.  Lately I thought about buying a cement mixer. I thought about buying a used one from craigslist or just rent one from so called Home Depot.
   Well wait, they said necessity is the mother of innovation.  I have this small metal drum that has been lying around in my backyard and at one time was trying to get rid of it. There goes my idea. Why not build one from scratch from these common materials rusting in my backyard. I have this metal drum, a broken bike, some bed metal frames that has been collecting rust, and there you go...

Building cement mixer from a discarded metal drum using a kid's bike

   After completing this 6 hour project I decided for a trial. Not quite successful as expected. Unstable, it wobbles by just looking at it. More changes next week, it's getting dark now.