Mixing lime - cement mixer?

[Anonymous]

I have a lot of concrete to mix and thought about buying a second hand cement mixer to save a lot of arm ache and hire charges.
Then it dawned on me, I have a lot of lime to mix for plastering the kitchen shortly.
Is it ok to mix this in the cement mixer as well?
Assuming it is cleaned well before use.

Graham

 

[Anonymous]

It mixes better by kneading in a roller pan mixer but should mix ok in a standard mixer. You may just want to give it a final knock up with a spade or lump of wood when it comes out of the mixer. Adding hair can be a bit tricky as it will tend to clump on the paddles.
Dont be tempted to add much water if any at all you would be better leaving it mixing longer, I am assuming you are talking putty lime. Of course if you are talking hydraulic mixing will be no problem at all.

 

[Anonymous]

We've mixed putty and sand for pointing in a mixer no prob.

But why are you mixing cement when you could use lime???

 

[Anonymous]

Use the cement mixer for lime - it'll save your arms. You may have to stop the machine from time to time to loosen the mix and scrape it off the back of the drum, but it beats doing it by hand.

 

[Anonymous]

Concrete is to go on top of the external power cables we are laying, and also for the base of my greenhouse and for various other bits and pieces outside.
Lime is for the house, need to plaster the kitchen. Waiting for my Wye DVD to arrive and to see if the April Lime course from SPAB is still running.

Then I'll know what sort of Lime I'm mixing <IMG SRC="http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/discussing/smileys/smile.gif" BORDER=0 ALT="">

 

[Anonymous]

If you're mixing lime putty, 3:1 I usually add 2 parts sand then add the lime mix for about 20 mins, add the rest of the sand, mix for another 10 mins (stopping to break up and scrape as you go along) then add water (if needed) about a pint at a time. It takes ages so I mix up 2 batches and store them in those black plastic bins with a layer of water on the top.
I can then use it when I need it and add hair when knocking it up on the mixing board.
I'd love one of those paddle mixers but they're about £300!

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Richard.
I'm going to go to the SPAB lime weekend course, so should pick up extra tips there!!!!!
And get the chance to work with some lime, which I haven't done yet.