Difference between revisions of "Cement mixing"
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| − | There are several ways to mix mortars. | + | There are several ways to mix [[Mortar Mixes|mortars]]. |
| − | In almost all cases the dry components are mixed first, then water is added and mixed in. There are also times when mixes are used dry. | + | In almost all cases the dry components are mixed first, then [[Water|water]] is added and mixed in. There are also times when mixes are used dry. |
| − | = | + | =Cement mixer= |
| − | Very popular, but too expensive and bulky for small jobs. Storage is often impractical. Its often cost effective to buy one for a job then resell afterwards. | + | Very popular, but too expensive and bulky for small jobs. [[Storage]] is often impractical. Its often cost effective to buy one for a job then resell afterwards. |
Always rinse out before the [[cement]] sets if you want the machine to last well. | Always rinse out before the [[cement]] sets if you want the machine to last well. | ||
| − | Can be used to break soft bricks down into powder/pieces which can be incoporated into mortars. | + | Can be used to break soft bricks down into powder/pieces which can be incoporated into [[Mortar Mixes|mortars]]. See [[Pozzolan]] for information. |
Can also be used to break glass into cullet. Add the glass and add a brick. Pick a hard brick rather than a soft one. | Can also be used to break glass into cullet. Add the glass and add a brick. Pick a hard brick rather than a soft one. | ||
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=Paddle Mixer= | =Paddle Mixer= | ||
| − | Better suited to paints and [[lime mortar]]. | + | Better suited to [[Paint|paints]] and [[Mortar Mixes|lime mortar]]. |
| + | |||
| + | When used with haired or fibre reinforced [[Mortar Mixes|mortar mixes]] these tend to form 'dead mice' clumps of hair. | ||
=Board & Shovel= | =Board & Shovel= | ||
| − | Mix [[sand]] & [[cement]] dry on board. Make a ring of the mixture. Add a little water in the middle and fold the dry mix in. Repeat until mixed. | + | Mix [[sand]] & [[cement]] dry on [[Sheet Materials|board]]. Make a ring of the mixture. Add a little [[Water|water]] in the middle and fold the dry mix in. Repeat until mixed. |
| − | = | + | =Sandpit= |
| − | This is a flat board with raised edges. Mix dry materials, then add water and mix in. The advantage is its not necessary to maintain a ring to prevent water escape, so work can be quicker. | + | This is a flat [[Sheet Materials|board]] with raised edges. Mix dry materials, then add [[Water|water]] and mix in. The advantage is its not necessary to maintain a ring to prevent [[Water|water]] escape, so work can be quicker. |
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For small amounts its faster to toss the bucket than mix with a small shovel. Move the bucket rapidly in a banana '''(''' shaped motion, and the contents will go round and mix very quickly. At 2 tosses a second a batch can be done in 20 seconds once the water is added. | For small amounts its faster to toss the bucket than mix with a small shovel. Move the bucket rapidly in a banana '''(''' shaped motion, and the contents will go round and mix very quickly. At 2 tosses a second a batch can be done in 20 seconds once the water is added. | ||
| − | Works best when the bucket is a quarter full or less. | + | Works best when the [[Hand Tools|bucket]] is a quarter full or less. |
| − | = | + | =Tarpaulin= |
| − | Place tarp on the ground, in a shallow hollow depression if available. Mix dry | + | Place tarp on the ground, in a shallow hollow depression if available. Mix dry sand & [[Mortar Mixes|cement]], add [[Water|water]], then 2 people lift opposite corners alternately to mix the [[Mortar Mixes|mortar]]. Quick. |
=Rubble bag= | =Rubble bag= | ||
| − | Mix by kneading the mass of mortar through the plastic. Use of pointed or square cornered tools not recommended. | + | Mix by kneading the mass of mortar through the [[:Category:Plastics|plastic]]. Use of pointed or square cornered tools not recommended. |
=Drum= | =Drum= | ||
| − | A drum with securely fitting lid can be used as an unpowered | + | A drum with securely fitting lid can be used as an unpowered cement mixer. Mixing is much easier if you bolt a bar or 2 down the side on the interior, like the paddles in a motorised cement mixer. Turn by hand or roll along the ground to mix. |
| − | The drum can be whatever size suits you, so size and cost are typically much less than for a powered mixer. This often makes storage practical. | + | The drum can be whatever size suits you, so size and cost are typically much less than for a powered mixer. This often makes [[Storage|storage]] practical. |
| Line 57: | Line 59: | ||
=Mega mixer= | =Mega mixer= | ||
| − | For really large batches it is possible to make a giant mixer driven by a car engine. These can be scaled up versions of a cement mixer for cement mortars, or a giant version of a food processor for | + | For really large batches it is possible to make a [http://www.livinginpaper.com/mixers.htm giant mixer] driven by a car engine. These can be scaled up versions of a cement mixer for cement mortars, or a giant version of a food processor for [[Papercrete]] and similar formulae. |
| − | Only suited to large | + | Only suited to large cement mixing jobs, [[Papercrete]] and similar mixtures. Making one is not a trivial exercise. |
http://www.livinginpaper.com/mixers.htm | http://www.livinginpaper.com/mixers.htm | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | =See Also= | ||
| + | [[Special:Allpages|Wiki Contents]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Special:Categories|Wiki Subject Categories]] | ||
| + | |||
[[Category:Mortar]] | [[Category:Mortar]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Tools]] | ||
Revision as of 10:14, 19 May 2007
There are several ways to mix mortars.
In almost all cases the dry components are mixed first, then water is added and mixed in. There are also times when mixes are used dry.
Cement mixer
Very popular, but too expensive and bulky for small jobs. Storage is often impractical. Its often cost effective to buy one for a job then resell afterwards.
Always rinse out before the cement sets if you want the machine to last well.
Can be used to break soft bricks down into powder/pieces which can be incoporated into mortars. See Pozzolan for information.
Can also be used to break glass into cullet. Add the glass and add a brick. Pick a hard brick rather than a soft one.
Ditto scrap tiles.
Paddle Mixer
Better suited to paints and lime mortar.
When used with haired or fibre reinforced mortar mixes these tend to form 'dead mice' clumps of hair.
Board & Shovel
Mix sand & cement dry on board. Make a ring of the mixture. Add a little water in the middle and fold the dry mix in. Repeat until mixed.
Sandpit
This is a flat board with raised edges. Mix dry materials, then add water and mix in. The advantage is its not necessary to maintain a ring to prevent water escape, so work can be quicker.
Bucket & Shovel
Don't fill too full, or you won't be able to mix. Half full is comfortable, more soon becomes hard to mix. Some tendency not to mix material at the bottom well.
Fast Bucket Method
For small amounts its faster to toss the bucket than mix with a small shovel. Move the bucket rapidly in a banana ( shaped motion, and the contents will go round and mix very quickly. At 2 tosses a second a batch can be done in 20 seconds once the water is added.
Works best when the bucket is a quarter full or less.
Tarpaulin
Place tarp on the ground, in a shallow hollow depression if available. Mix dry sand & cement, add water, then 2 people lift opposite corners alternately to mix the mortar. Quick.
Rubble bag
Mix by kneading the mass of mortar through the plastic. Use of pointed or square cornered tools not recommended.
Drum
A drum with securely fitting lid can be used as an unpowered cement mixer. Mixing is much easier if you bolt a bar or 2 down the side on the interior, like the paddles in a motorised cement mixer. Turn by hand or roll along the ground to mix.
The drum can be whatever size suits you, so size and cost are typically much less than for a powered mixer. This often makes storage practical.
Mortar Board
Very small amounts can be mixed on a mortar board with a trowel.
Mega mixer
For really large batches it is possible to make a giant mixer driven by a car engine. These can be scaled up versions of a cement mixer for cement mortars, or a giant version of a food processor for Papercrete and similar formulae.
Only suited to large cement mixing jobs, Papercrete and similar mixtures. Making one is not a trivial exercise.
http://www.livinginpaper.com/mixers.htm