Harbor Freight Tools that don't suck

[Threepoint]

Any any experiences with the concrete mixers? Or better option in same price range? Looking for something to mix maybe a pallet of quikcrete at a time, and and not wanting to spend a fortune. View attachment 581170

A neighbor has the larger of the two HF models, the 3.5 cf. I used it a few years ago to mix and pour several bags of quikcrete as a base for a freestanding livestock waterer. Worked very well.

 

[Code54]

I have the 3 ½ unit and it has been great. Done well over a pallet over the last couple years without any problems. The only bad I can say is the wheels are a little to close together so it can be tippy, and it does not dump too far away from the base. I made a little chute for the cement to slide down and attached it to the bottom of the mixer and it worked great when I needed it. Took maybe 10 minutes to make so not a big deal.

 

[Kernopelli]

I have a Black & Decker lightning angle grinder that I bought at Lowe's quite some time ago, possibly in 2007? It's still holding up very well.

Aaron Z

I agree, I bought a 6amp B&D and a 6amp Skil and both held up as well as any of the Dewalts I've owned

 

[LD48750]

Any any experiences with the concrete mixers? Or better option in same price range? Looking for something to mix maybe a pallet of quikcrete at a time, and and not wanting to spend a fortune. View attachment 581170

Yup.... a bag at a time & it will run forever.
Two bags is a real struggle & forget three.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

Any any experiences with the concrete mixers? Or better option in same price range? Looking for something to mix maybe a pallet of quikcrete at a time, and and not wanting to spend a fortune. View attachment 581170

I have the 3 1/2 cuf one for about 12 years now. Probably ran at least 200 bags through it by now. It has sat outside its entire life. Still works good. Two 80# bags is definitely it's max. Two 60# easy. I've known people that have the plastic barrel ones and they're done after about 5 years outside.

 

[LS Tractor Owner]

I have the 3 ½ unit and it has been great. Done well over a pallet over the last couple years without any problems. The only bad I can say is the wheels are a little to close together so it can be tippy, and it does not dump too far away from the base. I made a little chute for the cement to slide down and attached it to the bottom of the mixer and it worked great when I needed it. Took maybe 10 minutes to make so not a big deal.

Yep, did the same thing with the chute. Also changed out the wheels after a few near topples. Had a couple of old $5 specials from HF...fit right on and made the stance a little wider.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Yep, did the same thing with the chute. Also changed out the wheels after a few near topples. Had a couple of old $5 specials from HF...fit right on and made the stance a little wider.

Yep.

 

[Code54]

Also have strapped it to my forks so I could get it up to a project and dump in place.
As other have said 2 60lbs bags is the most you want at one time but for the price you can't beat it!

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Any any experiences with the concrete mixers? Or better option in same price range? Looking for something to mix maybe a pallet of quikcrete at a time, and and not wanting to spend a fortune. View attachment 581170

I have the 3.5 CF one. It is limited, 2 sacks of 80# mix overloads it. For post holes I mix 1 sack of pre-mix with 1/2 sack pea grave land it is all it can handle. Frame work is pretty light weight, definitely not a production item. I have it just to save renting one every time I need to mix a few sacks. more than 1/2 yard I will get ready mix. My days of mixing in a wheelbarrow are over. The solid tier wheels do not work well on rough ground. I replaced with HF pneumatic wheels and devised an attachment to allow moving around with my BX FEL. A previous post shows the pictures of these mod.

Ron

Ron

 

[Diggin It]

but for the price you can't beat it!

Yeah I can. A large wheelbarrow costs a lot less and it's apparently more mobile. And it will handle 2 80s or 3 50s.