We are building a light garden shed base (there will not be anything heavy
in there) and we were advised to buy two bags of cement to mix with six bags
of sand and six bags of ballast. Then advised to mix it on a board with the
ratio of one shovel of cement: to one bag of sand plus one bag of ballast.

But we have now decided that we should hire one of these small electric
mixers, which in the hire company catalogue says the mixer will hold up to
85 litres of cement.

What would be the best way to load up such a mixer please? Would it hold
one complete bag of sand plus one bag of ballast or would that be too much
weight for it? Also how much cement and water would I add?

Just to confuse us even more, we have just seen in the Wickes good idea
leaflet that they recomment a ratio of 1:3:6 (cement,sand,ballast) for shed
bases.

Basically we just want the simplest and easiest way to measure out
ingredients; plus how much water to use such a small mixer. Grateful for
advice.

On 5 Aug, 11:49, "john hamilton" wrote:
We are building a light garden shed base (there will not be anything heavy
in there) and we were advised to buy two bags of cement to mix with six bags
of sand and six bags of ballast. Then advised to mix it on a board with the
ratio of one shovel of cement: to one bag of sand plus one bag of ballast.

But we have now decided that we should hire one of these small electric
mixers, which in the hire company catalogue says the mixer will hold up to
85 litres of cement.

What would be the best way to load up such a mixer please? Would it hold
one complete bag of sand plus one bag of ballast or would that be too much
weight for it? Also how much cement and water would I add?

Just to confuse us even more, we have just seen in the Wickes good idea
leaflet that they recomment a ratio of 1:3:6 (cement,sand,ballast) for shed
bases.

Basically we just want the simplest and easiest way to measure out
ingredients; plus how much water to use such a small mixer. Grateful for
advice.

Well I have a belle mini-mix, and I just measure by volume using a
bucket. Put in the number of buckets to the correct ratio. Common
stronger mix is 1-2-4, slightly weaker 1-3-6. I add water as required,
never measure it out. I use a hose. Careful as when its getting
wetter, you can easily add too much water.
Simon.

"sm_jamieson" wrote in message
...
On 5 Aug, 11:49, "john hamilton" wrote:
We are building a light garden shed base (there will not be
anything heavy
in there) and we were advised to buy two bags of cement to mix
with six bags
of sand and six bags of ballast. Then advised to mix it on a
board with the
ratio of one shovel of cement: to one bag of sand plus one bag of
ballast.

But we have now decided that we should hire one of these small
electric
mixers, which in the hire company catalogue says the mixer will
hold up to
85 litres of cement.

What would be the best way to load up such a mixer please? Would
it hold
one complete bag of sand plus one bag of ballast or would that be
too much
weight for it? Also how much cement and water would I add?

Just to confuse us even more, we have just seen in the Wickes good
idea
leaflet that they recomment a ratio of 1:3:6 (cement,sand,ballast)
for shed
bases.

Basically we just want the simplest and easiest way to measure out
ingredients; plus how much water to use such a small mixer.
Grateful for
advice.

Well I have a belle mini-mix, and I just measure by volume using a
bucket. Put in the number of buckets to the correct ratio. Common
stronger mix is 1-2-4, slightly weaker 1-3-6. I add water as
required,
never measure it out. I use a hose. Careful as when its getting
wetter, you can easily add too much water.
Simon.

Belle minimix (or 150). Half a 25 kg bag of cement to 10 or 12 shovels
full of mixed ballast. NB 20mm Ballast is a mixture of sharp sand and
agregates no bigger than 20mm so you don't need sand.

AWEM