GFRC Mixers

[Eciton]

i've been using a single shaft paddle mixer to batch up my GFRC so far. I use a 5 gal bucket for face coat and a 20 gal "muck bucket" for larger batches of SCC and Backercoat. I fear that on larger projects I may not be able to retain a 100% color match between batches. Plus... damn, its a workout mixing up a full 20 gal of GFRC with a single paddle mixer. I know ive done it for a couple days :)

does anyone use a larger mixer for bigger projects? especially for SCC with no facecoat, i'd love to be able to mix up enough to place a table top or small counter in one batch.

thanks!

[Alla Linetsky]

My employees use a single shaft paddle mixer and a 20 gal bucket. The key is to dose your water and super-p such that you're never mixing too dry. But still, it's a workout, and a very accurate scale is essential.

[concretista]

Well, i'm an ebay freak and bought a 2 paddle mixer for $180 and still using it. No problem so far. Here's a link if this can help.
http://cgi.ebay.com/2-Blades-HAND-Electric-Food-Mixer-Cement-Concre...

[Eciton]

is a two paddle mixer easier on the body?

[Paul Lundy]

It depends on the body part you put in the paddles!

Eciton said:

is a two paddle mixer easier on the body?

[Chip Miles]

I don't think the rpms are fast enough for GFRC, maybe some gurus in clarify. I thought somewhere 900-1200rpms

[Mike Cook]

The paddle you use is as important as the mixer. I can mix 300lb of rapid set/HPC/or Quix BY HAND in a few minutes with my cs-unitec with an H-paddle. It creates a great vortex that pulls every thing in for a very uniform mix. (I am using lots of citric for a retarder)

[George Wert, Concrete Revealed]

A vertical shaft mortar mixer is the way to go if you got the dough.

[Jim Ralston URBAN CONCRETE DESIGN]

I used a bent pc of rebar for my paddle for about 8 months , did some big s#*t with this wand.
It now hangs on my office wall.

Twin shaft Colomix with mixing stand. $1600
I swear by this mixer.
I use it in training and day in day out at my studio.
The current one I have, iv had for 2 1/2 yrs
Hands down the best for the money.

the power spray high shear mixer is golden but $$$$$

good friken luk with a mortor mixer.........

[Rich Holschuh]

Always wondered if this HD critter is any good?
http://bit.ly/1cGim3
Anyone have one, trashed one, wouldn't go near one, loves one? Getting ready to make a GFRC baby step and wondering where to start (cheap)?

[Paul Lundy]

Rich
The HD critter looks and sounds like a viable candidate, albeit for someone starting on a shoe string.

[Alla Linetsky]

My first such mixer was a Bolton, not their top model but a weaker one, likely similar to this HD offering. It lasted me a little over 5 months. I now have their most powerful mixer, and it's holding up a lot better.

A feeble mixer like this one is designed for mixing grout or a watery sand mix, not gfrc. It would choke on a .3 w/c ratio.

[Christian Lotte COUNTERINTUITIVE]

Rich, I missed this a while back. I actually have this CRITTER, although I don't think it will work for GFRC - no high shear action here. I use this mixer to make all my wet cast sample batches. It's nothing fancy, but it hasn't given me any problems either. Just be sure that the paddles scrape all mix ingredients from the bottom of the bucket while mixing (I do so by putting a couple of 2x6's under the bucket). I wish I had ordered a second bucket with it also, standard 5 gallon HD or Lowes buckets don't fit.

I wouldn't be without this one for small batch mixing, but again, I don't think I would use it for GFRC mixes.

Rich Holschuh said:

Always wondered if this HD critter is any good?
http://bit.ly/1cGim3
Anyone have one, trashed one, wouldn't go near one, loves one? Getting ready to make a GFRC baby step and wondering where to start (cheap)?