Is a Belle Mixer worthwhile over a cheaper brand for DIY projects?

[barki]

Hi,

Just wondered on this. I've been doing DIY project for years, always mixing by hand either in a bucket or in the wheel barrow.

I feel it's finally time to treat myself and fork out for a mixer, particularly since my next project is a other shed base (and a retaining wall to hold it up) to put another shed on that I'll actually be able to store the mixer in.

Anyway, an electric (mains), smaller mixer like the Belle Minimix 130 (currently £430 at Wickes) is what I've got my eye on, but I can see that I could go for a similar sized and powered Draper mixer for about £75 less and so similar sized unbranded mixer at Screwfix and various other place for up too £150 less.

Question is, should I? It's going to get used two or three times a year.

Cheers, Tom.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

I'm not a brand snob at all normally, but I would (and did) buy the Belle. Mainly because, if you finish with it then you'll be able to sell it for only a bit less than you paid for it.

Also parts are widely available. The cheaper ones are probably disposable, as you may not be able to source parts.

Those Belles are super strong. I've had mine running probably too long at a time while mixing concrete and, despite the gearbox getting hot to the touch, no harm was done.

 

[kingandy2nd]

I built my extension and various other projects around the house/garden using the previous version of this B&Q own brand mixer.

Mac Allister 370W 240V Cement mixer 134L MAC90 | DIY at B&Q

Ideal for mixing concrete and mortar, this corded cement mixer has a mixing volume of 100L. The convenient size fits through a standard 2’6” doorway and has a discharge outlet height of 1040mm. It can be used both on or off the stand and comes with robust wheels for easy moving.

www.diy.com

Worked great. Just keep it clean and turn it on before you start loading it with gear.

 

[Diver Fred]

Make sure you store it out of sight of the road. Neighbour had his stolen from outside his workshop door.

Jobbing builder working down the road had his 'walk' the same day - the mix was dumped out of the drum over the customers drive so not only had he lost his machine he had to clean the drive.

 

[noseall]

Hi,

Just wondered on this. I've been doing DIY project for years, always mixing by hand either in a bucket or in the wheel barrow.

I feel it's finally time to treat myself and fork out for a mixer, particularly since my next project is a other shed base (and a retaining wall to hold it up) to put another shed on that I'll actually be able to store the mixer in.

Anyway, an electric (mains), smaller mixer like the Belle Minimix 130 (currently £430 at Wickes) is what I've got my eye on, but I can see that I could go for a similar sized and powered Draper mixer for about £75 less and so similar sized unbranded mixer at Screwfix and various other place for up too £150 less.

Question is, should I? It's going to get used two or three times a year.

Cheers, Tom.

Belle are bomb-proof and won't let you down. We have a couple or orange ones (one on standby) and would never buy anything else. EVER.
Might be a bit OTT for DIY, but I'd be loath to recommend anything else.

 

[^woody^]

Baromix mixers (blue ones) are OK too, and can be equally abused, but I don't think you can get them up on the stand single handedly like with the belles.

 

[Ivor Windybottom]

I don't think you can get them up on the stand single handedly like with the belles.

That alone should be reason enough to get a Belle. I wouldn't fancy lifting it or something similar, but assembling it lying down then tipping it up is reasonably strain-free.

 

[noseall]

Baromix mixers (blue ones) are OK too, and can be equally abused, but I don't think you can get them up on the stand single handedly like with the belles.

I like the fact that guys that work on them can do it blindfold and all spares are freely available. We had an 'incident' with the drum a while back, and replacing it was a doddle.