I agree that it would be nice to have some step by step instructions
about how to build a mixer. Are you voluntering to write those
instructions? Since you're in the process of building a mixer, you
could easily take some pictures to document the process you go
through.
One reason I believe that there isn't a "standard" version of a mixer
is that nearly every mixer I've seen, heard about, read about, or
whatever has been built using various scrap materials. Most people
build their mixer out of stuff they have laying around. This doesn't
lend itself to easy duplication. The closest thing to a standard
mixer type is McCain's "Third world tow mixer" design.
Keep in mind that most every papercrete mixer is a very dangerous
piece of equipment. Spinning blades inside a tank or barrel that is
large enough for someone to fall into has obvious inherint safety
issues. While common sense is perhaps the best safety device around,
none of us can reasonably assume that everyone that looks at a set of
plans we might produce will exercise common sense. Suffice it to say
that plenty of cautions and disclaimers would be appropriate.
More than once on this list I've encouraged all of us to get into the
habit of checking inside the mixer EVERY TIME before it gets started
up. For motivation, imagine the HORROR if a small child thought that
your mixer would be a good hiding place for a game of hide and seek.
It's not fun to think about, but I'd rather periodically remind
everyone of such potential than to have it really happen even once.
I humbly suggest that if we are to publish plans for a mixer it
should be made as safe as possible.
--- In papercreters@yahoogroups.com, "drivedoctor" <drivedoctor@...>
wrote:
>
> Hello Everyone,
>
> I purchased some cheap ($6 ea.) used 55-gallon plastic barrels that
> contained commercial diswashing detergent to build a papercrete
mixer
> and want to have the mixing blade come up through the bottom of the
> mixer.
>
> I want to build a platform similar to what Mike McCain has in his
> 1997 "Introduction to Fibercrete" video from DirtCheapBuilder.com.
>
> McCain used a gasoline engine with a horizontal shaft that ran
under
> the platform to a 90-degree angle drive that powered an edger blade
> in the bottom of the plastic barrel. I initally want to substitue
> the gas engine with a 2HP electric motor.
>
> Are there any suggestions for some off-the-shelf parts to connect
to
> the electric motor or possibly used auto or farming equipment?
>
> I've seen some small drive shafts for post hole digging machines
> online a the Tractor and Supply Co. website (www.mytscstore.com)
that
> I think will work. But I'm not sure what use to connect the shaft
to
> at the bottom of the barrel.
>
> Just a friendly note here... I'm really surprised as a group we
> haven't come up with a set of "uniformed" plans where a person
could
> purchase off the shelf parts or used parts to make a 55-gallon drum
> mixer. This way all the papercrete newbies could quickly get their
> hands wet making slurry rather than trying to figure all the
> technical aspects of building a mixer.
>
> As a group project, I would like to suggest we formulate a
uniformed
> 55-gallon mixer plan and parts list and post it to the files
section
> of this newsgroup.
>
> Mark in Oklahoma City
>
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