Harbor Freight Cement Mixer Review and DIY TEST! | Tool Reviews |
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- Опубліковано 28 сер 2024
- Today I will be testing the harbor freight cement mixer that I picked up at my local harbor freight store. The price was a little over $200 after tax and I attempt to pour 2 yards of concrete with this machine. Perfect for any solo DIYer that needs that little bit of extra help. Sit back, relax, and ejoy the show.
Harbor Freight Cement Mixer Review and DIY TEST! | Tool Reviews |
#harborfreight #toolreview #diycement
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Thanks for making a video on this mixer.
I bought the exact same mixer 2 years ago. I've used it on several foundations and just finished using it to pour approximately 15 cubic yards of concrete for a path (6ftx 150ft?) downa hill to my dock. I just bought 15 pallets of 80lb ready mix bags, instead of custom mixing it. I didn't save anything on material doing it this way but there was no other way to do it because of the distance and terrain. I couldn't geta concrete truck in there. The easier method would have been a pump truck, but than I would have needed a huge crew and hopefully somebody besides me that knew what they were doing.
On that project alone that little mixer processed exactly 609 bags! That little mixer has paid for itself many times over.
Word of advice for those buying this Chinese mixer: Yes, it's a POS, but if you are careful it will do the job if you heed these precautions:
1) instructions are crap; so, your intuition and hopefully mechanic skills to put it together. Recomendation: use thread lock on on as many bolts and screws as possible that are susceptible to loosening, especially, the arm mechanism that tilts the barrel of the mixer.
2) lubricate all moving parts before use ( grease gear).
3) level the mixer both directions before starting (you may have to dig out some dirt), in order to prevent movement of the mixer which makes it unstable causing parts to loosen up
4) don't overload the mixer! Use common sense. I mixed just one bag at a time. Treat it like it was made in China! 😆
5) thoroughly clean it up after each use
Thats pretty crazy! Its paid for itself on my stuff already too. Just gotta be gentle 🤣
@@NightWrencher i concur with Bob. i too have mixed hundreds of 80lb bags of concrete through this cheap mixer. Make sure you wear a N95 mask when you mix.
A friend had this mixer for 20 years. I find it mixes about half the rated capacity well.
Isn't most EVERYTHING Chinese POS.
I've put about 500 90lb bags through mine and it still works like a champ.
Very nice, I've been using it to make potting mix. Works pretty good!
@@NightWrencher it’s like a bob the builder mixer
Mixed 48 80# bags of concrete this weekend. Mixer will do a very good job mixing 2 bags at a time. I found it necessary to mix it a little on the wet side. Only problem was I have a large contractors wheelbarrow - would not fit under the mixer so I had to put the mixer up on concrete blocks so I could get my wheelbarrow under the mixer. I am very strong but 80# bags would be a lot of weight for the average guy. It takes a little longer but splitting the bag and putting the contents into two 5 gallon pails made it easier to pour with the mixer on blocks. I have a few more little projects to finish and then I will sell it. Really a good value for $200.
I know exactly what you mean, my wheel barrow is really tall too so dumping the mix onto the wheel barrow was always tricky. I mix my own concrete which is cheaper so going wheel barrow by wheel barrow took a really long time
Holy crap! 2 bags at a time??? Mine is struggling and moaning with one 80lb bag.
I have done same exact process you did on your post👍
I poured a slab 4 days ago that was 36 #80 bags in 70 degree temperatures. Had no problems finishing the surface but mixing in a wheelbarrow was back aching.
Picked up a cheap, Chinese made mixer on Amazon that is very similar to this one for my next slab, which was done yesterday.
Struggled getting concrete out of the mixer and into the forms. Had to fight with that damn mixer. Barely got the slab floated but might have to resurface a couple of spots. Temps yesterday were in the 90's.
Anyway, I will try these techniques for the third slab. My gut feeling is that using these techniques will make the next job go much easier so thank you for posting this!
I got my cement mixer from home depot. His name was Santiago.
🤣 you could have bought 2 santiagos for the price of this mixer
Ha!
got the same mixer from Harbor Freight. Yes not best mixer out there but for the money it got the job done and it beat the hell out of trying to mix +500 80lbs bags of concrete by hand in a wheel barrel.
It does what it needs to do, its not a commercial grade unit but for the DIY guy, its great.
My HF 4 yard mix > after idk how many years i had it? It mostly sets in the barn. So the other day i need to make a pad for a shed, and it wouldn't turn on.. The off and on switch was bad. So. I had a simple, 84 cent, cheap, house light switch, and put it on. And it works GREAT 👍
I found if you dig a small hole for your wheel barrel to go into you don’t need to raise the legs or modify. 😊👍🏻
Very smart! Thank you!
That sounds like a great idea, that was a problem using my mixer since the wheel barrow was a bit too tall, thanks!
just be ready to pull your full barrel out of the hole. It will be very heavy
I haven't had a look down the comments and I'm probably not the first person to tell you but it's a portable mixer so for a job like this move the mixer and the ingredients to where you're pouring instead of using a wheelbarrow.
Cutting out the barrow saves a lot of lifting, so it's easier on your back.
I would also think about fitting some better wheels to it because the Chinese have a tendency to cut corners when it comes to wheels on things like this. I have a 2HP workshop dust extractor that moved really well when the bag was empty but when the bag was half full it was impossible to move.
Looking great young man, got to be happy with that.
Its been useful! I'm very pleased
Get 4 concrete blocks. Set 1 under each wheel so they sit in the hole. The other one the foot sits on. The 4th one can be suspended from the mixer with rope to help anchor it and keep it from tipping over. That's why they can't be very tall.
I had to cut one more slot in the tilt lock to get 2 80 lb bags to mix without sloshing out (or 3 60 lb bags). It’s not pretty but it works.
You gotta do what you gotta do!
Good review after actually using it for a fairly large scale project for one person.
I just used it last weekend. 30 bags of ready mix concrete. Mixed 2 bags at a time, no issues and it was a breeze 👍
Thank you for creating this. Helped me make up my mind which mixer to buy
I hope it works out!
Picked up a cobalt fr $200 used.
That job came out great!
Three sand, two stone, one+ cement. Recipe for concrete.
Don't the Redi-Mix companies near you have the 1-2yd carts that they will fill, and then you tow it and dump it?
Seems like a lot of work for that little mixer.
I’m horrible at finishing concrete. I did a small section of concrete big enough to hold my two big trash and yard waste bins a couple of years ago. The pads function, but are not pretty.
it just needs to function, we arn't professionals right?
I have the same mixer and it’s been pretty good
I bet around minute 4:50 you realized you should’ve picked up the industrial size one 😂
I had a towable Gas 9 cf that I sold when I got out of the business to become a stay home dad 🤦🏻♂️😍
Well I picked up this “toy” to do about 4 yards and it’s a no go for me. I’m actually gonna modify it to suit my needs. It’s great for the price! But for those who have used actual “cement mixers” is so SLOOOOWWWW to work with.
Tell me about it 🤣 I'm use to much bigger units but its cheap and it works. I do 1 yard at a time when I do use it or I use it to mix potting soil
You got me beat, I only did 1/2 yard then was able to finish that area really nice. It was a perfect section to stop, right at my first expansion joint. So now replanning my approach after mods. The machine itself is VERY GOOD FOR THE PRICE. I did take the drum off to put thread locker by the sprocket. Used it on every bolt and lubed her up like if it was party time and the kids are at grandmas 😳😂🤣🤣
Great, I think I will get one of those soon, faster than bucket or wheel barrel mixer, cheaper than truck mixer....
Its got its purpose for sure. I don't use it too often but its a life saver
The best way to describe your repair is, "it was ugly and fast but outlasted their welds".
exactly right
How many bags could you mix at one time and how much concrete in the bag? Kudos for the weld and getting back on track!
Thanks man, of the 60# bags it could do 2 really easy, it can do 3 but it spills so maybe 2 and a half
Thanks 🎉
👍 no problem
Ccp stand for? Cheap Chinese products?
Your right about the directions they suck the worst I’ve read I had to just look at the picture in order to put it together
At least it works 😂
Also I would have done fiber or wire to keep it from cracking
Good information and presentation
Thanks man 👍
Thanks great revue
Thank you!
The belt keeps slipping on mine I'm only putting about a half a bag of concrete in it and it it just stops spinning I have to end up mixing it with a shovel
You need to loosen the motor and pull the base plate down a bit and then tighten the motor back down so you can add more tension to the belt
@@NightWrencher thanks, it was actually the key way had sheared
Jeez man. How does that even happen??
@@NightWrencher The key way is a softer metal than the pulley shaft and is designed to shear in case of too much load to protect the motor and shaft from more severe damage. I only had about 20 lbs of cement in it and it sheared when I added one more shovel full, so I don't know why it failed so easily. Probably just a weak key mad from Chinese pot metal. I picked up a 12" length of key stock at Tractor Supply yesterday (5 bucks), I can make 180 key ways out of it.
Time to start breaking key ways 🤣
Do you know how much you saved by mixing it yourself? thinking of doing this, thanks
You'll be surprised, but not much. There were savings, but not as much to offset the cost of the machine but if you do enough concrete, you will see a good return on the investment.
No rebar needed for the slab? I have a 12 x 10 space in my backyard and I want to put concrete base down for a shed
I would use wire mesh. I believe its 6"x6" but I'm not sure. I have that in my slab that I drive my truck over and have had no issues in over a year
mine i had to help the machine to turn by hand the engine is too weak
I have heard similar stories
Interesting! You get what you pay for!
Chinese can turn out great quality. It's all about who is doing QC at the factory.
Super wet, you'll get a bit of shrinkage cracking
@@danerickson1733 hasnt cracked yet 👍
Oh ok. So the guy saying he was doing the work just narrated when the other guy was actually doing the work 😂🤣😂
Theres only 1 guy 🤣
@@NightWrencher unless you have a voice changer or got sick... No way 😂🤣😂
🤣 I had to watch it myself to see what you meant. The narration was recorded on a sound record app and it distorted my voice quite a bit.
@@NightWrencher hahahaha 🤣😂🤣 I was thinking that is 2 different dudes for sure! Classic! And apologies
🤣
Great for making biscuit dough in a commercial environment!! Seriously!!!
😂
It’s like a bob the builder concrete mixer
Look,,, you get what you pay for!
If you make a ton of money, and can afford to pay for a 'trade grade' mixer then go for it!
I personally don't make much money, so I cut corners where I can to be able to pay for food, electricity, rego, diesel, etc.
Look, all I am saying, you just need to cut corners where you know you can manage the risk. Just to keep feeding the family.
Hey good job 👍 I have been wanting to do a slab for a shed that’s 8’x10’. And been meaning to buy this cement mixer at harbor freight when it’s on sale. How much cement mix do you think I would need ? Yards ? I think it would have to be at least 2-3” deep if
That’s the recommend thickness for shed. I need to buy everything and I would like to do this myself. I don’t mind the work .
That would be a little less than a yard. Theres a lot of concrete calculator online that you can use. A yard takes like 6 bags of regular concrete so that should be enought for you, good luck!
You need 45 80lb bags to make a yard…. Not 6
What? Have you ever used a concrete calculator? We're not talking about that ready mix stuff. We're talking about pure portland cement that you have to mix yourself.
@@NightWrencher so u still have to mix with with sand and gravels? i still don’t see how u get 6 bags, concrete calculator never mention about mixing sand , gravels or anything they usually say 60 bags or 60lbs or 90lbs
@@derpherpp yes, you still have to mix with sand and gravel. The concrete calculator you are talking about uses premix bags where you just add water. The cement we use you have to mix yourself and buy everything seperately. Its much more cost effective.
A+ job
The instructions suck and the motor was bogging down and failing towards the end of pouring a 10x12 pad. Temperature was high 80s. Was mixing 2 bags of 50lb concrete. Not sure if motor is permanently shot.
I have a gas-powered concrete mixer. It leaks gas what are the possible causes?
There are only a few places it could leak from, a hole in the tank, a split in the line going to the carb and the carburetor itself could be leaking. I would power wash everything, let it dry and put some fuel in it after to see if you can find the cause of the leak. If you see it dripping, follow it as far up as you can and you'll find the culprit.
@@NightWrencher ok thank you so much for responding
Cut the slab to prevent cracks.
you need to put 1/4 sizes gravel on that mix thats what makes it strong. And that mixer is 3.5 cu ft
if you don't know the right amount to mix you will kill it..
your mix needs to be sand gravel and cement..for slabs that is.
Plus you need to use wire mesh
Or rebar to reinforced. if not it will Crack..
Looked like a sand gravel mix out of the dump truck (which is not something I would go for), but rebar doesn't help with cracking, all slabs crack. Mesh/rebar only keeps it from separating when it dose crack, not to mention puts a maximum 50 year lifespan on a concrete exposed to water/weather (metal rust and expands)... Unless it's the fiberglass kind.
How come you didn’t use rebar?
Because its only for foot traffic , no cars. Plus I made the mix a little rich for more strength
@@NightWrencher what was the mix ratio
50 rock 50 quick rete:50 sand?
Kind of late but I dont use quickcrete. I use regular portland cement. 7 bags per yard of concrete was the old measurement. half a bag of portland every 2 wheel barrows.
@@NightWrencher can you make a video to explain this
Ie
ua-cam.com/video/_rLwT46eWyA/v-deo.html
12 bags for a 12 x7? Sounds like 30 bags short.
You're talking about the premix stuff. Look up how many bags of Portland in one Yard of concrete
I noticed you didn’t use any Remesh or rebar ?
Its a low traffic area so it wasnt nessesary. If youre going to drive over it or its a high traffic area, I would use wire mesh.
@@NightWrencher Thanks for the tip , I am poring a concrete base in my backyard now to tile the whole yard and this saves me money
Good idea! Wire mesh is pretty cheap and I would use it for a patio. To prevent cracks. Floor cracks will translate to tile cracks so you gotta be carefull
@@NightWrencher Yes very confusing informations out there , as I am trying to do this by my self to save thousands . I am in Florida and most keep saying you have to create a concrete base before you can tile a backyard. Most peoples here do pavers but we want to do something different . Overseas usually in southern Mediterranean regions we compact the ground and than use a cement mix directly to the ground to tile , no concrete base no tile adhesive necessary !! Looks great and last forever, here I don’t know why no one seems to know this method. Maybe it has to do with the type of soil in Florida or weather . Also they taking about joints etc .. Than it’s more issues to tile over joints .
I've use that method when installing slate floors. It does work but over time it does develop fractures. Tile over concrete slabs seems to be the most common thing to do. Tile floors are made to be laid smooth. When you pour concrete and lay tile on top at the same time, the floors dont end up straight and are a little wavy which most people dont want. Its really a matter of preference.
هل تستطيع نقله من طابق إلى طابق مثلا إلى الطابق الثالث عن طريق السلالم وشكرا لك اخي الكريم
Hmm... yes, yes
How big was your generator?
3500 watts but it didnt need to be that big
be very very careful with this cement mixer when you open the box reach for the panel that holds the motor assembly on one side you will see a switch flip the switch see if it click click click take the switch assembly and the motor plug it in turn the motor on and off harbor freight has a terrible problem with the switches on this cement mixer harbor freight has a terrible problem with motors burning up do not assemble this you will be sorry
don't you need rebar or wire mesh?
Or is that a special cement
I didnt show it in the video but I added 6 20ft bars worth of rebar. I didnt have any wire mesh available so I threw in the bars afterward so I wouldnt be stepping on them with the wheel barrow. Good catch! My other section I used wire mesh. Check out my instagram to see the other one I poures
🤣good job !
So, it sucks.
I'll have to look for an American made mixer
It works for basic things. We use it as a mixer for potting soil. I wouldnt depend on it if you needed to mix several yards of concrete
concrete looks way too wet... wet = less strength when it cures
Its a low traffic area, has been fine for over a year now
Please how can I get one of this machine
You can get it directly in person at Harbor Freight Tools or you can get it on amazon amzn.to/39pqEwN
I agree the directions are garbage.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍🏻🇦🇪
👊👍
be very very careful with this cement mixer when you open the box reach for the panel that holds the motor assembly on one side you will see a switch flip the switch see if it click click click take the switch assembly and the motor plug it in turn the motor on and off harbor freight has a terrible problem with the switches on this cement mixer harbor freight has a terrible problem with motors burning up do not assemble this you will be sorry
I agree the directions are garbage.