Cement mixer

[curium]

I'm after a cement mixer and wanted some advice on what to look for as I'm a complete novice.

The reason I want one is I have a lot of garden works which as a DIYer who has to consult the internet and YouTube, it would not be economical for me to hire one.

I have 2 small walls i would like to build and some paving slabs to lay for a patio.

Screwfix will do me an electric mixer with 134L drum and stand for £299 - Is that decent or am I missing something? I'd rather pay less but I guess I can sell it on when I eventually finish or give up!

Can it be left outside under a tarp?

EDIT: Just seen a Charles Bentley 63L for £180 on Amazon. Anyone with experience of this brand?

Cheers

 

[Deleted member 174758]

Belle was always a good make - good enough for you to see builders all over the place using them, and for the hire fleets to offer them. Part of the reason, I'm sure, is parts availability - if you can get parts then you can repair them (mine once got dropped so badly it needed a new drum - it was delivered overnight). I had that one (a 110v model) for about 10 years when I was rebuilding a couple of houses. The main problem these days is the price - you are looking at £450+, but secondhand ones fetch reasonable prices and seem to retain their value if looked after, so a clean second hand one might be a good buy

 

[Old Salt]

I have a belle, worth its weight in gold and holds their resale value. Stored under a builders bulk bag.

 

[Diver Fred]

And chain it down so it can't move in your non-attendance!

 

[foxhole]

I got got a cheap one from Screwfix , £220, used it 2 years then sold it on for £180. Just spend time to clean thoroughly after use .

TMech Electric Cement Mixer, 70 Litre | DIY at B&Q

Portable Cement Mixer for DIY lovers Calling all backyard warriors... it's time. Time to tackle that project you've been putting off for months (maybe even years). Whether it's re-building the crumbling garden wall or laying a patio for the BBQ, there's no need to get the builders in when you...

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[curium]

Any tips on cleaning a cement mixer?

Do I just hose it down when done?

 

[Burnerman]

Chuck a few half bricks into the drum when you're done, add plenty of water and let them rumble away for a while.
John

 

[cdbe]

I've got a belle maxi 140 (I use mainly for concrete so I prefer this style). Mine cost £40 and must be 50 years old but still going strong. My dad had an ex hire standard belle for over 35 years - we were easily able to source a new bearing and oil seal for it a few years ago.

It was only in the past few years we discovered how easy it is to remove the drum for storage and transport.

Apparently a fire followed by a large bucket of cold water is a good way to clean the drum!

 

[dave_104]

Regular size shovels don't go into the 63L mixers, but on the other hand the little 63L mixers are easy to carry around. I'd go for a decent 2nd hand 134/140L, keep it clean, and sell it at end of job!

 

[lostinthelight]

Any tips on cleaning a cement mixer?

Do I just hose it down when done?

Hose it down when your done but to remove any going off reside, chuck 1/2 dozen shovels of clean chipping with plenty of water ,they will scour the drum clean without beating 7 bells out of it.