Cement mixing for both large and small projects can sometimes be tedious if you have to physically and manually mix the mortar.
It involves the process of mixing together cement, water, and sand in order to obtain a smooth and sticky mixture. This mixture is called mortar and is used for bridging the space between building blocks.
When using cement for a project, it is often required that you maintain a consistent mixture throughout the project. This is to prevent expansion and cracking caused by uneven mortar.
So, are you wondering if you could use a drill machine to mix cement? Well, the short answer is “YES.” You can do this by adding a concrete mixer attachment to your power drill.
Difference between mixer drills and standard drills
Standard drills are drills used for making holes or driving screws onto surfaces. When it comes to mixing, standard drills can be used for mixtures with low viscosity. Examples of liquids, standard drills can be used for includes paints and glues.
It is difficult to use standard drills to mix cement and other thicker mixtures. This is because they are designed to drill in short bursts and can overheat when used over a long period.
Mixer drills are dedicated mixers that are equipped with attachments such as blades and paddles. These attachments are used specifically for mixing concrete and other high-viscosity mixtures. They are more powerful, produce more torque, and are designed for mixing and handling heavier loads. They are designed for longer use compared to standard drills.
Mixer drills also have a good cooling system. This prevents overheating of their motors when used in mixing heavier loads over a long period of time.
Another important feature of mixer drills is speed control. This allows you to change the speed of the drills as needed in order to get the right consistency in your mixture.
Purpose of using mixer drills
One of the major reasons for using mixer drills is that they save you time and energy. Imagine having to mix a bucket load of cement by hand. This will definitely take a lot of time and energy to mix. But with mixer drills, you could simply just put your cement and other necessary items in a big bowl, add water, and then connect your mixer. This will take less time compared to mixing by hand.
Another reason for using mixer drills for mixing cement is that they are stronger and have more torque. The larger the quantity of cement mixture, the higher the torque required to make a smooth mixture. Standard drills do not have the facilities to produce the needed torque to get a smoother mixture in the shortest time.
Also, mixer drills are the best options on construction sites where the mortar needed will be in large quantities.
How to mix cement with a drill
To successfully mix cement using a drill, follow the listed steps below.
- Gather all your materials
To mix cement with a drill, the first step will be to gather all your needed materials. It will be a disaster if, after you’ve started mixing, you discover that you don’t have some very important equipment on hand.
Materials you will be needing includes
- Cement
- Sand
- Container
- Water
- Mixer drill with its accessories
- Shovel
2. Set up your work environment
After gathering your equipment, the next step would be to set up your work environment. Make certain that the environment in which you will be working is clean. This is to prevent the cement from spilling on other items that might be in the room.
If you are working in your home, ensure you cover the floor with cardboard to prevent staining.
Also, keep all the tools and materials you will be needing close by to prevent unwanted running around.
3. Prepare your mixing container
Prepare your mixing container by washing it thoroughly to remove any forms of dirt or particles. This is important because mixing cement in a dirty container might not give you the desired smoothness.
4. Add water, cement, and sand
The next step would be adding water to your container. Then you proceed to add your cement and sand. Depending on the size of the project, sand and cement should be added in the ratio 2:1. Meaning, the amount of sand should be double the amount of cement used.
5. Use a drill mixer to mix it
Fix the drill mixer blade and connect it to a power source. Gently put the blade of the drill mixer into the mixture and switch it on. Gently move the mixer to the bottom of the container and gently move it in all directions. Make sure you touch all four sides of the container.
Higher RPMs or Low RPMs: Which is required for mixer drills?
RPM stands for Revolutions Per Minute. This is the number of rotations a drill mixer makes per minute. Most high-end drill mixers can make well above 700 rotations per minute. When shopping for a new drill mixer, look for one with 500 RPM or higher.
The importance of RPM in a drill mixer is that it determines how fast your cement will mix. The more RPM a drill mixer has, the faster it will be.
For mixing lightweight cement, a faster drill mixer with higher RPM will be ideal. While for thicker cement mixtures, a drill mixer with lower RPM will be great.
How Much torque is enough for mixer drills?
Torque refers to the force required for an object to rotate, and is measured in Newton meters. It is responsible for the force used by drills to rotate.
How much torque is enough? This depends on the nature of the cement you are mixing with the drill mixer. If your cement mixture is thick, you will need a drill mixer with 35 Nm high torque such.
Likewise, when used for small or lighter cement mixtures, a drill mixer with low torque should suffice.
You can’t ignore variable speed dials
Variable speed dials are adjustable clutch-like switches used to control the speed and torque of the drill mixer.
Different jobs require different speed settings. Cement mixing done for large construction jobs requires more torque and speed. Knowing when to increase and decrease the speed of your drill mixer is important. It will be wrong to operate at full speed when mixing in a very small bucket. It will lead to spilling of cement all over the floor.
What importance does a forward/reverse switch bring in a mixer drill?
The forward and reverse switches on a drill mixer allow you to control the direction in which the drill mixer moves. Moving the switch to the left will enable the drill mixer to move forward or in a clockwise direction. Moving the switch right will direct the drill mixer to move in an anticlockwise direction.
When mixing cement or any other mixture using a drill mixer, it is advisable to mix both in a clockwise and anticlockwise direction. This enables the mixture to be well blended and thoroughly mixed.
Finding the Best Drill Attachment for mixing cement is important
Finding the right attachments for your drill mixer is important. Using the wrong attachments will not only delay your time, it can also lead to wastage of cement.
Before buying any attachments, check the specifications of your drill mixer to be sure they match.
Using the right attachments has lots of benefits. Using the right double spindle can cut your mixing time in half.
The blades and paddles that match your drill mixer will make your cement mixing journey an enjoyable one.
Pro Tips You Can Follow While Using Mixer Drills:
- Get a Double Paddle Mixer (high functionality)
When buying a drill mixer, be on the lookout for a double paddle mixer. They have two separate paddles attached to the same drill mixer.
Double paddle mixers are faster and produce a smoother cement mixture that’s free from lumps. Have a look into the video.
- a Whale Tale vacuum attachment can save you from a mess
A whale tale vacuum is used to cover the lids of buckets when mixing. It is useful when mixing indoors as it limits the spread of flying cement while mixing.
It also limits the spread of dust from the cement into the room.
FAQ
Can hammer drill be used to mix cement?
Hammer drills can be utilized in mixing cement, but they are not designed for heavy mixing.
Can cordless drill be used to mix cement?
Yes. You can use cordless drill for quick mixing jobs that are lightweight. Mixing cement takes time and requires lots of power, therefore making cordless drills inefficient.
Conclusion
Drill mixers are the best option when it comes to mixing cement. Other drilling machines, such as the hammer drill, are not suitable for the task.
When choosing a drill mixer, always go for those with higher RPM. Drill mixers with an RPM of above 700 are great. The more RPM a drill mixer has, the faster it will be.
Double paddle mixers are also a great option to consider. They are faster and more effective.
Also, always remember to mix both in clockwise and anticlockwise directions.