Question about mixing small batches of mortar by hand

For years I'd just dump a whole bag in a wheelbarrow and try to mix it all at once, which was a huge pain and wasted a lot. About six months ago, I started using a 5-gallon bucket and mixing only what I need for the next hour. I use a cheap drill with a paddle mixer, and it takes maybe two minutes to get a perfect, consistent mix. No more dried-out waste at the end of the day. Anyone else switch to small-batch mixing and find it saves time and material?

4 comments

4 Comments

the_ray2mo ago

Man, I was the king of the dried-out wheelbarrow full of concrete soup. Felt like I was paying for bags just to make weird modern art sculptures in my driveway. The bucket and drill method is a total game changer, no lie.

luna2612mo agoMost Upvoted

But what about mixing big batches?

the_ray2mo ago

Honestly, the real win is not having to clean that crusty wheelbarrow after. That cleanup time alone makes the bucket thing worth it.

averyc9423d ago

@the_ray I gotta say I don't really get the hype about the bucket and drill. I mean it works fine for small stuff but you make it sound like it changed your life. You were the king of dried out wheelbarrows? That seems like a bit much. I've used both methods and they both have their annoyances. The bucket is just trading one mess for another. You still gotta wash the drill bit and the bucket liner. And if you mix too fast you get bubbles and weak concrete. It's not that deep man.