Choosing Your First Concrete Vibrator

The concrete vibrator is a tool that essential for construction sites were cement is being poured.  When used properly, it ensures that air bubbles in the concrete are forced out before it dries, making the concrete much stronger and smoother.  There are a lot of vibrators available on the market and if it is your first time choosing one, it can be very intimidating.

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A concrete vibrator is not always necessary, especially for smaller concrete pouring projects.  If you have one, the quality of your work will be substantially better on smaller projects.  However, it is essential that you have a vibrator for any larger concrete pouring jobs, specifically any job that is load bearing.

There are a lot of different types of vibrators for every job size.  Some smaller vibrators are battery operated and are good for occasional small jobs.  On the opposite end of the spectrum, there are other larger and higher powered models that are designed for deeper and thicker pour jobs.  There are also a wide range of attachments that need to be used for different concrete consistencies and depths.

How a Concrete Vibrator Works

A concrete vibrator works on the premise that by shaking concrete at very fast rates, larger air pockets that form during pouring will be forced to surface.  These air pockets, commonly found in thicker concretes, significantly reduce the strength on concrete.  As the vibrator powers through the concrete, those air pockets rise out of the concrete and the surface is smoothened.

This is accomplished by spinning a flexible shaft through the concrete mixture at speeds in excess of 10,000 vibrations per minute.  Like a beater, the vibrator mixes the concrete and air pockets are forced out of the mixture.  This is necessary when concrete needs to be strong and smooth.

Proper Usage

Just like any other tool, a concrete vibrator requires some basic knowledge and a lot of practice to perfect the technique.  Putting the vibrator into the concrete when commencing vibration and when removing the vibrator upon completion should be done slowly with great care.  If it is not done correctly, just putting it in and removing it can form unwanted air pockets.

Mentally split the concrete into several sections.  For thicker concrete, the sections should be smaller.  Once the vibrator is in the concrete, it should be slowly be moved from section to section.  Although you should not spend more than about thirty seconds in each section, it is critical that you do not rush.  Your movements should be smooth and calculated.  If you spend more than thirty seconds in a single section, you risk shaking the heavier concrete material to the bottom of the mix, substantially decreasing strength.

Top Recommendations for Concrete Vibrator

The Makita series of concrete vibrators offer excellent reliability and power for the price.  They feature several different models of cordless vibrators that are ideal for most concrete pouring jobs.  Dewalt also makes quality vibrators for affordable prices.  Lastly, Northern Industrial and Hellcat both provide excellent budget solutions for to less frequent concrete jobs.

Hellcat JHV28 Handy Vibrator

The Hellcat Handy Vibrator is an superb choice for infrequent small and medium concrete projects.  With its powerful 480 watt motor, it can handle even the thickest of concretes at vibration speeds between 12,000 and 14,000 vibrations per minute with it 28 millimeter head.  Although it is a corded vibrator, it is lightweight and portable, weighing in at nearly 25 pounds and has an overall length of 60 inches.  It is a top of the line, entry level concrete vibrator.

Northern Industrial Concrete Vibrator

Another value concrete vibrator is manufactured by Northern Industrial.  Utilizing a three quarter horsepower, 5.3 amp motor, it vibrates concrete at around 13,000 vibrations per minute with its large 35 millimeter head.  The perfect combination of high vibration frequency and a large head ensure that you will be able to settle concrete quickly.  The overall length of the Northern Industrial is 54 inches with a 43 inch shaft length.

Makita VR251DWDE 12-Volt Cordless Vibrator

Makita’s 12-Volt cordless concrete vibrator is the entry level, battery operated vibrator.  It is lightweight and ultra portable.  It is the world’s first and one of the only 12-volt cordless vibrators, but it still has enough power to complete any job, big or small.  It uses Ni-MH batteries (two included) for long battery life and weighs only 16 pounds with the battery.  It is ideal for jobs in remote and hard to reach locations, featuring a nearly 47 inch flexible shaft that vibrates at a steady 12,500 vibrations per minute.

Dewalt DC530B 18-Volt Cordless Vibrator

The next step up is Dewalt’s DC530B cordless concrete vibrator.  Dewalt is known for making quality power tools and the this concrete vibrator is sure not to disappoint.  It’s 18-volt, battery powered engine can maintain 14,000 vibrations per minute while vibrating even the thickest of concrete mixtures.  It includes two batteries, which can be charged in about an hour each and it weighs just over nine pounds.  One of the major highlights of this vibrator is that it has a 90-day, no questions asked, unconditional money back warranty.  You can basically try it out for free for that period.  Furthermore, it also offers a three year warranty.

Makita BVR850Z 18-Volt Cordless Vibrator

The absolute top pick for a first time concrete vibrator is the Makita BVR850Z package.  Not only is it the best value for your money, but it will last many years.  It weights almost 12 pounds, but it is made of the highest quality materials to ensure reliable operation for a long time.  It can maintain 12,500 vibrations per minute in any thickness of concrete mixture, the ideal speed for maximum concrete strength.  It includes two Lithium-Ion batteries that each last about thirty minutes under heavy loads.  Best of all, it has an eight foot shaft for even the deepest concrete jobs.

There are many different models of the concrete vibrator available, but some of the best models are manufactured by Makita.  If you are in the market for a vibrator, getting the right one for the right price makes all the difference.  Enhance your professional construction appearance and invest in a quality tool that will last.

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A Quick Guide to Everything You Need to Know About a Cement Mixer

One of the most important parts of pouring concrete is mixing.  Not only does concrete have to be mixed properly with the right ratios of concrete mix and water, but it also needs to be thoroughly mixed.  One of the only ways to guarantee that concrete is mixed well is with a cement mixer.  However, there is a lot to know about mixers than what you may have imagined about these simple devices.

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Capacity

One of the first things that you may notice about a cement mixer is its size.  They range from very small, known as mini mixers, to extraordinarily large, such as industrial mixers.  Mini mixers produce small batches of concrete for personal projects or for production in remote areas.  The next most common size for a mixer is those found on cement trucks.  They are substantially bigger and are able to transport large loads of concrete to construction sites.  The ultimate mixer, which can sometimes be found on very large construction sites is the industrial cement mixer.  These produce massive volumes of concrete for use in constructing huge structures where cement truck operations are too costly.

Portability

Portability is an important aspect of the cement mixer on the construction site.  Mixers are either fixed or portable.  All mini mixers are portable, meaning that they can be moved around relatively easily.  However, some have wheels so they can be moved without much effort.  Other mini mixers do not have wheels and they need to be hauled around a construction site with a truck or trailer.

Cement trucks are the ultimate in portability.  They can transport concrete mixtures over long distances without the concrete drying up en route.  However, transportation of cement can come at an expensive price with fuel costs soaring.

Industrial mixers, as you may have guessed, are not portable at all.  They are built at the construction site and cement still has to be transported to the areas where it will be poured.  When construction is completed, the industrial concrete mixer is then disassembled and reassembled at another site when needed.

Power Source

The power source for a cement mixer is where the mixer derives its energy.  The two most common methods are from fuel and from electricity.  Fuel powered units use either gasoline or diesel.  These mixers are usually cost more to purchase, but they end up costing significantly less in operational (the cost of fuel is cheaper than the cost of electricity) and maintenance costs.  Additionally, fuel powered models offer ultimate portability because they do not require a constant electric power source.

Electric mixers are usually quite a bit cheaper to buy than fuel powered models.  However, they require a power source and may require an extensive network or power cables and extension cords.  If you are working in an area without access to electricity, you will not be able to mix concrete.  Furthermore, electricity costs can become quite high with extended use when compared to their fuel powered counterparts.

There are three major aspects to consider when looking into a cement mixer: how big it is; how portable it is; and how it is powered.  However, these mixers ensure that concrete is mixed well when the correct mixtures of water and cement mix are used.  They are a vital part of any construction site.

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