How to Mix Concrete (with Solar) 

Good to see you got the strong muscly person on the shovel. So essential to have the right person doing the right job.

I read the entire Ryan’s ru-vid.comUgkxGqOCINHE0Z0E5gxzSdNi9NWGugRY5Hm2 Plans and was able to make a shed plan. Using Ryan’s Shed Plans alone, the shed itself is great. Where I wish I knew more is with respect to ground preparation and foundations. Maybe that's beyond the scope of Ryan’s Shed Plans.

Carl, I've been watching your videos ever since you started posting and I have to say what you share is not only entertaining but also very informative. Your explanations of how you overcame obstacles presented by the original build to something as basic as mixing concrete it doesn't matter, you break it down and make it easy to understand. Thanks for sharing and as always looking forward to what comes next.

Bonjour Carl. many thanks for the most recent vidéo. having mixed tons of concrete by hand as a young man on massive construction sites in the hot sun of southern california, the "wet" the wheelbarrow and mixer method is news to me. well done. a shout out to your kind and loving "assistante" who lifted the buckets and shoveled with grace and certitude. my July and August, north of you, was filled with many challenges: avoid heat exposure. worked early in the morning, stopped at noon, began anew the work after 21h. it was a brutal 'socal' kind of summer. despite all, me and my Slim soldiered on with pride and style. cheers

Carl, I really like how well thought-out and structured your videos are. Good job, mate!

What a beautiful view overlooking the valley from the end of the driveway.

I worked as a grunt/gofer for years, and mixed a lot of concrete. I used to hate those concrete mixers because they would always be a pain to use later. I was tasked with cleaning them, but only *AFTER* someone had turned them off and let them dry. That simple use of water and rocks is brilliant. That alone was worth the entire video, and there was a lot more besides. Thanks man. You've saved me money and time :)

Sorry for the wait on the staircase Part 3, I tried to get it published but rural France internet really f***** up my schedule (normally I upload from London). Trying to find a fast internet solution but this will have to do until then

Probably the best how to mix concrete video I have ever seen.

I used to set a lot of posts and poles. One trick we used to to keep the post stable was to put large stones in around the post to keep it vertical, then we would put in the cement. On larger poles we would put in cement at the bottom before using the large stones. Never had to go back for any of them. Great demo on mixing the concrete.

Carl, thank you for a very informative video. Rafi did a fine job as quality control inspector and site supervisor!

I am retired from the masonry business. I was probably 5 or 6 years old when I started going to worth with my father and I always like watching how things are done in other parts of the world. We never had laborers as cute as the one you have!

Not sure what Mr. Carl Rogers does for a living... but here he is one of a few master craftsman (although his dad does not have his own channel) to follow. Another job well done.

I love your channel! It's so satisfying to watch you take a project from start to finish!

One of the best examples I've seen of what the Ecoflow can contribute, charge, etc. Appreciate the simple instructions for concrete! Have a project or two where that will come in handy!

Carl, awesome content! Always good to see your videos come up. Hope you and your family have been well! 👍👍👍

Invaluable information about correcting an off mix! Much appreciated.

hands down the best tutorial ive seen of mixing concrete with a mixer good job ✊✊

Probably one of the most informative videos of this type I've seen. Well done!

You have answered two very important questions for me in one video - I am embarking on a reconstruction of my front concrete steps and have been chewing on whether to buy a solar charged battery generator. Thank you very much, I feel more confident now.

That's a great real world example of the capacity of that system. Thank you, we're looking for something like that for the new shop.

Clear and concise, plus a creatively made sponsored advert I'll happily watch. Always a pleasure! 👍

Great instructional video Carl nice to see Sis helping out.

Hello from Texas and let me say what a clean , conscientious concrete team ! Great job 👍💯💯

This is exactly how I developed the method of mixing concrete, I made 7-8 cubic metres of concrete yet during my renovation project, and your method gave me the best results and is easy working relatively said. As hand filling the mixer and barrowing concrete is still hard graft. But another tip to make things easier is to empty a couple of bags of cement at a time in a mortar tub, also I use a separate bucket for the cement and keep it dry and place the bucket in the tub to fill, easier than scooping from a bag and no spillage on the floor. Also you never should stick your hand or any tools in a turning mixer, these things can break fingers and arms.

Nice tutorial on the concrete mix. Simple and easy to follow.

Great content - beautifully produced !!

I can't believe I just learned more about mixing concrete after all the times I've bloody mixed concrete!! Great video ... always cheers me up when I'm going through a Crohn's flare and need to let someone else do the heavy lifting when I can't ... her technique was amazing .. far better than mine which is probably why my back hurts these days.

Great video. Very informative and thorough

You survived the dial up internet experience! Congrats, never had a doubt.

In the US we call that “pokey thing” a puddle stick. They can even be store bought made from aluminum. Nice video, good work, done right, concisely presented.

Thank you for the tutorial. You make it look easy x

Carl, i really enjoy your videos and am looking forward to watch next video. Good day.

That shot @ 6:18 is so great. Awesome video as usual. Been a fan of the channel for a long time. Don’t beat yourself up for the upload speed in which you post new vids - it’s all good brother!

Best tutorial for cement I have ever seen. Here in the US the postal service will not put mail in that box because it is too high. Here they have to be about the height of the car window because most carriers will not get out of their vehicle to deliver mail. In fact it 41inches minimum to 45" maximum height and 6 inches to 8 inches from the street curb. I have seen them reject deliveries here over being 2 inches off.

Hey, Carl, welcome back. YT is kinda wonky, sorry about #3 upload. And in 2 and 1 how you all are able to get the dimensions so spot on. Wow. Ancient Roman Engineers would be proud of ya! I am both impressed and shamed! Good work, folks!

That view from your drive! 😍

That looks like a very nice method of making concrete. Thanks for the tips! Though I don't like placing posts into concrete directly. At least not like this. If I put a post in concrete, I'd prefer a coated post (epoxy, tar, rubber, ...). And I would try to shape the concrete in a slight cone around the post, to ensure all water runs away from the post, and nothing pools up against it. But when possible, I'd go for a metal post anchor at any time.

Excellent! Very useful info. Thanks for posting.

Nicely done. It's always good to learn stuff I thought I knew, but didn't. Thank you. I'd have rather seen the postcrete benched up the post above ground level, than topped up with soil, which is often the usual failure plane for timber posts. Although if that's an oak post, it'll hopefully have better resistance to decay than some other species. Still time to improve, should you wish to return and rake out and re-bench it. Those power bricks are becoming all the rage. Here's looking forward to a price reduction in future years (albeit probably not too soon in the current world climate). Far more socially acceptable than a fuel genny clattering all day. Nice piece of kit that - one of the rewards of years of hard work building up a channel. Well done you 😀👍

Nice efficient work, thx man

Really nice clear video on concrete mixing. One youtuber from years gone by said that throwing about a cupful of used engine oil into your wheel barrow when you've cleaned it out will stop it rusting. They will always get scraped with a shovel and start to wear out. I guess more people would rather just watch them rust and then buy a new one. You didn't use a hose for the water - really handy for spraying down the equipment when you're done. Also, when setting a post, it may be a good idea to shape the concrete into a low rise pyramid so rainwater runs off. If it's waterproof wood, it'll be alright. Good video all the same.

I always tell anyone who's on the mixer to never put your hand past the rim while it's turning- get your hand caught in there and it will keep turning- a very simple mistake can end up disastrous.

that was excellent. I always wanted to know how to do that. thank you

Stunning concrete mixer Carl look after her your a lucky one 💯👈🏻

When cleaning the mixer with the stones, it's important to do this late at night, when everyone is sleeping. Make sure your will is made out before this though.

Excellent in every regard.

Merci, Carl très joli paysage

That's a very useful sponsor and a great video as always.

I thoroughly enjoyed that 👍

That is one amazing Countryside as well as the house 👍

Excellent tips on the concrete mix I have been doing it wrong lol 👍👍

just a small tip for you instead of adding more water you can just tip the mixer forward into a more upright position hold it in this position and it allows gravity plus the mix already inside the mixer to pick up anything left stuck to the back. Adding more water also sometimes isn't necessary if you use a basic Admixture when mixing just allow the mixture to turn for longer and it will become wetter in time. Also wet gritsand mixture will also affect the amount of water which needs to be added but this comes with time using a mixer.

Nice job Carl! Also, with the construction ;)

i love your videos, i really like seeing how other people work out stuff from other parts of the world, good job be the way, and i really like your helper she makes your day go by better i guess, be safe

Wow! There are sure a lot of Concrete experts here. Nice job. Looking forward to Part 3 of the stairs.

Bonjour Carl, merci pour le partage. Ce piquet et cette boîte aux lettres vont avoir une belle vie avec un tel panorama.😊🇧🇪

Concrete crews didn't look like that when I was pouring back in the day.

Great video, thanks

Wow! Great informative video

It is not necessary to use any mortar at all to set a post securely in the ground. Dig a neat deep hole (post hole tongs are the best tool) and then really ram the spoil back around the post in stages checking verticals as you go. A few larger stones when nearing the top and you'll be amazed how firm it is. I gave up using mortar a long time ago.

Good work

Excellent!

fantastic advice as usual ...thanks fro Aus.

When you are putting a wooden post into a concrete base, cone the concrete around the post so the water will run away from the wood and not pool against it. You'll get several more years out of the wood that way :)

Useful tip about throwing the water in first to stop everything sticking applies to most things when using cement.

Lugar lindo!!!!!! Parabéns pela sua moradia!

Nice one !

I've always used the 4:2:1 ratio in Australia, 4 coarse aggregate, 2 sand, 1 cement, your mix seems to work though. Very nice assistant. A quick spray with the hose pipe cleans the mixer...

yes, well done

Not that i have to do anything with concrete in the near future but i think i can do it after this video thanks :) well explained.

Nice to see that you're mixing the concrete basicly the same was I learned to do. Indeed tried and tested. For rough concrete we just dump cement from the bag and use shovels tho. Anyway can't wait for the 3rd part of the stairs!

I've always done 'Two of sand, one of cement'. Also you can make a pile of the mix, shovel in a trough and pour the water in and pile it over. Mixes what quicker and with less effort.

i grew up doing this! ah the nostalgia

We do it differently in America. Not better just different. I still learned that water is your friend, and that trick with using water and stones at the end was brilliant. So many mixers are ruined because people don't clean out the mixer.

Love it ❤️

in the states we use sand and gravel separately. Usually #57 gravel along with the sand and Portland. 3-2-1 :)

Good job

I love your videos. I’m waiting for rebuilding the staircase 3/3. Bring it on. I understand time concept, just wanted to say thanks

fantastic explanation how to make concret fantastycznie wytłumaczone jak robić beton. Goed gedaan

Very good

Watched a guy messing with a mix when his sleeve got caught on one of the mixer vanes. He was instantly doing perfect forward somersaults until the plug was pulled. Damn near nerly lost his arm. Never stick your arm inside a mixer even if your are just tittivating with a trowel.

Good to see someone else using the safety boots at the end

Thank you

My mix is much better no I use buckets instead of shovel measures. Thanks for the video. I think credit should be given to your sister being present as the this video has had the most hits. Keep up the good work. I am very interested in the trailer making its move to its new location and what you do there.

Wow! I came here to refresh myself on mixing concrete but I left as an expert on solar panels

I have the same Italian mixer. Finally someone on RU-vid that doesn’t have a soupy mix. The only thing I would add is to this use polypropylene fibres. They’re incredible cheap and add incredible strength to any mix. Too much water is the worse enemy when it comes to making strong cement.

It's like making that perfect bread dough.

I live in Mississippi, USA. I've built a shed for my mower and a carport roof for my old work truck. Nothing fancy just 4x4's 3 feet in the ground. Never used one drop of water. Just poured the bag of Quikrete directly in the ground around the 4x4. There is so much moisture in the ground that the cement will absorb all it needs. This serves several purposes. 1: Once it sets up it is there. The cement will expand a little and grip the wood. 2: NO MIXING!

👍i like your videos so much ❤️

Great how to video, concrete mixing is an art form, love your mastery. In a Australia we call the pokey thing an “off cut” 😉 Serious inspiration for a job I’ve been putting off for a while. Ecoflow needs a episode by itself. Great content as always

lol, this is exactly what i need in near future :)

What Rob says. Good on you and your family and friends. The young lady's technique and lack of groaning also good form!

Love it, everything you do is explained so well it should have or could have _ course concrete 101 _ 😃 👍

Nice job. We wrap the bottom of the post in a livestock feed bag (we have dairy goats) so the concrete cause it to rot.

Another great video! Any idea when the part 3 of the staircase videos will be up? Those longer videos are amazing!

Nice! Got a sponsor!

Ah Mate yo had me at Creamy Streaks like the Legs on a Glass of Wine never gonna forget that one next im mixing up some Dugga as we call it here in South Africa! 🤭 Fantastic !

Those look some solid high quality mixers what brand are these machines

It's like making bread dough! But without the punching!