Cement Mixer and other projects that I've done lately

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A year ago last Dec I learned that my dad was loosing the lease on one of the places he was keeping cattle. On that place there's a barn where I've been storing extra machines and stuff that I don't have room for. Thus started a really long term project for adding a shed to the side of the shop. It's not done yet though I've about got all the pieces in place for it to happen. The first part done for the project was this cement mixer. Due to the local cement company being bought out by a out of town company years ago it's gotten difficult to get concrete here. While they do still run the plant catching someone here and getting a pour scheduled is difficult especially if it's a small one (plus they charge by the minute for the time spent at site). I needed several retaining walls that needed poured individually and since they where relatively small it was going to be a problem. Add to that the fact that I was wanting to replace my house even back then and I had figured on concrete for much of it I needed a good cement mixer to fit on my tractor. I was going to go for a large conventional mixer but while looking up some for build ideas I found a very interesting mixer in the Northern Tool site. http://www.starindustries.com/scoopNMix.htm After seeing that I decided it was the best way to save labor and would allow me to mix large batches with less help. After looking around my pile of stuff laying around I found that I had most of what was needed to build on. I started with a old diesel tank though after dealing with the reinforcement needed I think I would start with a piece of rolled 10 or 12 ga sheet if I did it again. Mines a bit bigger than the commercial one in that mines 4' wide compared to 3'. It did take a bit of experimentation to get the right material for the paddles but the last retaining wall we poured showed that I've got it about right now. Attached ImagesMillermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Since I needed the mixer to go on the tractor I needed a quick attach for my bucket. I'd been planning on making one for a long time but this gave me the excuse needed. I'd made one similar for my previous tractor right before trading for this one so I had the general idea for what I wanted. However I did add a hydraulic cylinder for the lock. Since I had to run hydraulics to the bucket for the mixer it made sense to add the cylinder. Attached ImagesMillermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Some of the other things I've been up to lately have more to do with machining than welding. Dad had a gear go out at the Slaughter plant and since it was made in 1949 there was no replacement available. Due to the cost of replacing the whole machine it was decided that I would make a replacement. I didn't have a dividing head or a tailstock for my rotary table. Since a tailstock would cost half the cost of the whole head and tailstock together I decided to get a dividing head. I kind of regretted that decision later since the dividing head wasn't that well built. It took me longer to get it machined properly than to make the gear.  The first pic is where I cut the groove for keying the tailstock to the mill. Since my mills a Abene it's got a unusual slot size. Plus the fact that the tailstock wasn't really flat on bottom this needed to be done.The next two pics is of me doing the same for the indexer. That's after lapping the gears, the dovetails, and milling the face of the indexer so that it was square with the spindle.   Next is the mild steel test shaft so that I could check the fit on the machine with the original gear.   The next pic is me milling the teeth in the final shaft. I made the shaft out of preharden 4140. Attached ImagesMillermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:The next pic is the cutting of the woodruff key and last the keyway for locking the nut. This is a case where the versatility of the Abene mill comes in handy. Of course I no more than get that fixed than he breaks another. This time it's the connecting rod in the splitting saw. I've been down this road more times than I like to remember. I've tried welding in the past on the old saw and while they would work for a while it's never for more than a year or two. The last time I fixed the old saw I made a new rod. I decided to bypass all the heart ache and go directly the building a new one for this saw. I ordered some 2024 aluminum for this one (though I think they may of substituted 7500). I'm not done but here's after a little over 1 hour with the bandsaw and belt sander. Attached ImagesMillermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:Nice work on all your projects. Its a shame that you have to work on new stuff to get it into uasble shape. PeterEquipment:2  old paws2  eyes (that don't look so good)1  bad back
Reply:very cool . I always wonder how to cut gears.  I got small millrite mill, All I know how to do is slot holes and square up stuff.thanks for posting   Daye
Reply:That's a heck of a mixer Irish!That copy of a Brown $ Sharp #2 divider looks pretty nice, darn shame you needed to work on it to square things up. I suppose the little divider came with 5/8" keys and the 40 taper mill slots are 11/16"?Good to see you have things going on, the parts look nice.MattPS, I like the Timken 123 block!
Reply:Originally Posted by castweldNice work on all your projects. Its a shame that you have to work on new stuff to get it into uasble shape. Peter
Reply:The pictures of the machine work are cool. It's a shame that something  new has to be rebuilt before it's useable. It's that" move manufacturing out of the US so we can make it cheaper. We don't care if it's worth a damn or not" mentality. When all the good paying jobs in America are gone I where the market for all this cheap crap will be.The cement mixer was very interesting. I've never seen one like it. Of course I live in the boonies. If something isn't used in the petroleum industry or ranching it isn't found in this neck of the woods.
Reply:Good Save!!You get all the fun jobs..I was gonna ask about the bearing.....zap!Last edited by zapster; 01-16-2011 at 02:47 PM.I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:Originally Posted by OldtimerThe pictures of the machine work are cool. It's a shame that something  new has to be rebuilt before it's useable. It's that" move manufacturing out of the US so we can make it cheaper. We don't care if it's worth a damn or not" mentality. When all the good paying jobs in America are gone I where the market for all this cheap crap will be.
Reply:Here's the final pics of the connecting rod. I did all the machining in the lathe to save setup time. I left some more meat in some areas and put the oil hole back where there was more metal so it didn't weaken it as much. Attached ImagesMillermatic 252XMT 304'sDynasty 280DXHypertherm PowerMax 1250Miller Trailblazer 302 EFIOptima PulserXR feeder and XR Edge gun and more athttp://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm
Reply:When I get to be as good at the mill, I will mention the bearing as a seat. Until then, knock yourself out. Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:I really like your mixer. I you were closer I'd borrow it now and again  Great rod repair!
Reply:Originally Posted by Robert HallWhen I get to be as good at the mill, I will mention the bearing as a seat. Until then, knock yourself out.
Reply:I love that mixer!Anymore pictures of details or of it in use?  Any concern with grit getting into the flange bearings?  Great build!
Reply:Originally Posted by ponch37300I love that mixer!Anymore pictures of details or of it in use?  Any concern with grit getting into the flange bearings?  Great build!
Reply:Amazing.You needed a big cement mixer so you made one.I love it when you blokes do that sort of thing.Yeah, I carry.House keys, wallet, some change, usually a newspaper, maybe a pen.
Reply:Thanks for the details irish!I did watch that video.  I don't have a bobcat or tractor.  So my thinking right now is a trailer like setup like the masons use for mortar mixing.  I have a couple of heavy duty gear reduction boxes and can get some sprockets and chain if needed to lower the RPM further.  And use an electric motor.You say the paddles were the hardest part, what about them?  I like the tires idea, do they rub against the sides or is there a small gap when they turning?
Reply:What brand of coolant are you using?  It's leaving a nice rust free surface.  I've experienced some rust with the stuff I'm using."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Real Men mix their mud in a wheelbarrow"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammReal Men mix their mud in a wheelbarrow
Reply:Originally Posted by scott brunsdonAmazing.You needed a big cement mixer so you made one.I love it when you blokes do that sort of thing.