mixing 0.25 cu m concrete: taxing?

[richard7761]

I'm sitting here thinking I cannot get on mixing 0.25 cu m concrete because I've not arranged yet for a cement mixer.

Okay, but what effort would it take me with shovel to mix 4 25Kg bags of cement and 18 25Kg bags of all-in ballast?

Is this an all-day job that would be pretty strenuos - or what?

Thanks.

 

[theoldun]

Take about an hour if you get a wriggle on and don't sit around thinking about it.
Regards oldun

 

[richard7761]

Take about an hour if you get a wriggle on and don't sit around thinking about it.
Regards oldun

Okay, I'll stop sitting around doing now't and get on with it - tomorrow.

 

[Blagard]

Take about an hour if you get a wriggle on and don't sit around thinking about it.
Regards oldun

Blimey, I think it would take me that long with a mixer, by the time I have loaded it, mixed, unloaded and barrowed it into place.

I would love to hear how long he actually takes mixing 22 bags all by hand.

 

[noseall]

In 't' old days we would occasionally mix decent quantities by hand.

You start with your pile of ballast and shovel say 3 shovels into a small pile add some cement and a splash of water.

You keep doing this process until you have turned the whole pile, then you turn it back over again adding more water when necessary.

Do this a couple of times and you have mixed concrete.

 

[Deluks]

Rich, if you're not reasonably fit, you'll be hurting for the next couple of days.
Which is the perfect excuse to book yourself in for a massage!

Reputable types advertise in phone boxes and the newsagents window.

 

[richard7761]

What is important for strength is getting the cement to ballast ratio correct and the correct constency. I can easily get the ratio correct for C25 (1:4.5)

Can anyone tell me how I can likely get the correct consistency, when adding water. It needs, I know, to be a "dry" mix. It cannot be too wet.

 

[Deluks]

Just add a little water often, you don't want it too splashy, more like a lumpy grey porridge. Although for the majority of domestic jobs, adding too much water does no harm.

 

[Aqua]

I've said this before on this topic but it's worth repeating.

Go to a merchant and get a plastic mixing bath and a decent shovel

Add your ballast and cement gauged in the correct quantity

Mix up DRY

When mixed, add water and further mix until the right sloppyness (for want of a better word) is achieved

Done....

 

[richard7761]

I mixed about 0.25 cu m of concrete today and I'm shattered. I cannot say how long I took, because it's too embarrasing. I'm a 0.25 cu man and that is my day limit, I'll have aches and pains for days. I'm so out of condition.

One other thing: The concrete I put in a hole today is 560mm x 560mm x 750mm deep. How long do I need to wait before laying bricks on it? Bricks will go to the ceiling, about 32 courses.

Probably at least 4 days, and probably longer eh? Rich

 

[noseall]

Next day.

 

[themiddleagedun]

Next day.

Hah, he'll be recovering until tuesday

Come on Rich, how long did it take? No need to be embarrased...

 

[richard7761]

Next day.

Hah, he'll be recovering until tuesday

Come on Rich, how long did it take? No need to be embarrased...

I had to get heavy bags of ballast into the room from outside, and that took some time, but, I started at 1pm and finished abouty 6pm.

 

[dhutch]

I had to get heavy bags of ballast into the room from outside, and that took some time, but, I started at 1pm and finished abouty 6pm.

To be fair, having spend two hours concreting in a post (about two bags ballest) half of which was messing about carrying sand and mixing the cement, it think you have done ok there.

Daniel