The Benefits of Mixing Properly
How to Mix Quikrete
Concrete is the basis of many construction projects. When it's mixed correctly, it can remain strong and durable for decades, creating a solid foundation for structures of all types. The mixing process is more science than art. Measuring amounts correctly and using the right tools pays off.
When you're working on a project with Quikrete, using a Collomatic or Collomixer product can help ensure positive results every time. Every Collomatic Compact Mixer is designed to make this tough job easier and faster, while each of the Collomixers are the perfect tool for mixing smaller batches of Quikrete in a mixing bucket.
What Is Quikrete?
While there are many types of concrete, Quikrete is a well-known brand in the construction industry, with a fast hardening time that makes it a preferred product for busy contractors. Quikrete blends are designed to harden in 20 to 40 minutes, making them ideal for projects with a fast turnaround time. These blends come in premixed bags, also known as “ready mix”.
Ingredients in Quikrete Concrete Mix No. 1101 (Original Quikrete)
Quikrete concrete mix No. 1101 (the original Quikrete recipe) is made from a blend of Portland cement, aggregate and water.
Portland cement. Portland cement is a binding material that's made from finely ground powder. It's formed by grinding a combination of limestone and either clay or shale. Portland cement is rarely used on its own with water. Instead, it's used with other ingredients like stone or sand.
Aggregates. Sand, rock and gravel are generically called aggregates. When they're combined with cement and water, they give concrete its strength and load-bearing ability. Larger pieces of stone specifically help give concrete the ability to withstand great stress. However, large pieces of stone can also make the mixture more difficult to work with. Using a mixer like the Collomatic under these circumstances can help make mixing concrete faster, easier and less physically taxing.
Water. Water binds Portland cement and stone or sand aggregate. It's important not to use too much water when mixing Quikrete, as this can weaken the mixture. The Quikrete website reports that adding one extra quart of water per 80 pound bag can reduce the strength of the mixture by as much as 40%.
Safety Check
Safety comes first. As with any construction project, it's important to wear the correct PPE and avoid wearing loose clothing and jewelry. Pull back long hair. Wear alkali-resistant work gloves, eye protection, full-length pants, waterproof boots and coveralls. Wear an N-, P- or R-95 respirator to minimize inhalation of cement dust. Follow any safety recommendations in the manufacturer instructions for your Collomixer product.
Mixing Quikrete with a Collomatic TMX
Mixing Quikrete with the Collomatic - whether it's the TMX 1500 or TMX 1000 - is convenient and efficient, especially for larger jobs. The Collomatic is designed to make mixing your Quikrete fast, so you can pour your concrete quickly and be done with it. Collomatic are compact products that are easy to transport around the jobsite and even into difficult to reach areas. Despite their small size, they hold a lot of concrete. For many contractors, a Collomatic is the only concrete mixer you need to get the job done.
Gather Tools
- Collomatic TMX Concrete Mixer
- Wheelbarrow
- AQiX
- PPE
Step-by-Step Instructions
Put on all PPE before beginning the mixing process. Place the Collomatic TMX on a level surface to prevent tripping, falling and tipping.
The TMX mixer is not a conventional concrete mixer with a rotating drum, like most of the automatic concrete mixers out there. The process is somewhat different because the mixing drum is stationary while the mixing tool inside is rotating.
2. Place the bag of material on the grid of the mixer. The specialty tear-bar will open the bag and the powder automatically falls into the mixing drum.
3. Pour water into the mixing drum. You can add more water as needed, but use it sparingly. Do not overwater! Too much water will weaken the concrete.
4. Mix for about 3 minutes. The mix will be ready when the concrete has achieved a consistent and workable consistency. Due to the rotating mixing tool, the mixing is much faster and more thorough than in a normal concrete mixer. This significantly reduces mixing time. Well-mixed Quikrete should look like oatmeal. When it is squeezed in your hand (wearing a glove), it should hold its shape. You can add more water as needed, but use it sparingly. Too much water will weaken the concrete.
5. When the mixer has churned the concrete for 5 minutes, dump the concrete into a wheelbarrow to transport to the pour location.
Benefits of Mixing with Collomatic TMX
Mixing by machine is the fast way to get the job done and get it done right. The Collomatic’s are designed to do the mixing so your workers don't have to. This saves your worker's energy and prevents injuries from over-exertion.
Mixing Smaller Amounts? Use a Collomixer Xo-R with a MK Paddle.
While some Collomatics can mix up to 32 gallons of heavy pre-bagged materials (that's about 5 bags), for smaller projects and smaller quantities, the handheld Collomixer does the job just fine. The smallest Collomixer, the Xo 4R, can be used for batches up to 10 gallons. Every Collomixer is ergonomically designed so that you can use it while standing upright. The MK paddles are designed to mix tough, viscous substances from the ground up, for an even, thorough mix, every time.
- Collomixer paddle mixer Xo-R 4/6
- Collomix mixing bucket
- Collomix paddle MK
- AQiX
Put on all PPE before beginning the mixing process.
2. Empty the Quikrete into the mixing bucket.
3. Use the Collomixer to mix the Quikrete and water. As you mix, add more water slowly until the water is fully added to the Quikrete, and the mixture is the correct consistency. Well-mixed Quikrete should hold its shape when you hold it in your gloved hand. It will look like oatmeal.
How to Mix Mortar With Collomatic
Mixing Quikrete mortar is similar to mixing Quikrete concrete mix. With one of the Collomatic Compact Mixers, mixing mortar is a fast process and the results are consistent.
Put on all PPE before beginning the mixing process. Place the Collomatic on a level surface to prevent tripping, falling and tipping.
2. Empty the bag of mix into the Collomatic.
3. Turn the Collomatic on. As the machine is running, add more water slowly until the water is fully added to the Quikrete Mortar Mix and the mixture is the correct consistency. Well-mixed mortar should cling to a trowel when it’s dragged through the mixture and look like thick peanut butter.
Coloring Quikrete
Coloring Quikrete is easy. Colorant can be added to water in any of the processes described above. Once the colorant is added to the water, mix the Quikrete as described. Colorant takes many forms and, depending on the type of colorant being used, can also be added after the Quikrete has been mixed, or after it has been poured. For more information about coloring concrete, see our previous article on the topic.
Mixing Concrete for Your Construction Jobs? Collomatic Compact Mixers Get the Job Done.
Each Collomatic Compact Mixer is designed to mix concrete like Quikrete consistently and quickly. Using the Collomatic can make your team more efficient on the jobsite, all while saving your team time and energy.
Collomatic Compact Mixers and Collomix handheld mixers with paddles are made to last. To get started with your concrete pouring project, find the right Collomix product for your needs, or contact us to learn more about our products.
