Okay, let’s just start by getting the jokes out of the way. You can imagine all the unsavory places this can go.
All through? Ok, this tool is actually used to mix concrete and mortar — which responds better to vibration than to standard tined mixing. This particluar model vibrates at 12,500 VPM and runs off a 12V NiCd battery. Makita makes a number of different models — including one based on their LXT li-ion line — but this one seemed the most price effective, streeting for around $400 in kit form. (If you’ve already got a 12V setup — or the LXT setup — you can buy these in tool-only form for much less.)
Sure, if you don’t work with concrete regularly you’ll probably skip a tool like this, but if you do — the cordless option could make things a lot easier.
This is a pretty serious contractor tool, so you’ll probably have to hit up a tool supplier for one (or mail order it). Froogle turned up numerous suppliers, and we found it for $389 via Amazon as well.
12V Cordless Concrete Vibrator [Makita]
Street Pricing [Froogle]
Buy It Now from Amazon
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8 Responses to Finds: Makita’s Cordless, um, Vibrator
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Harbor Freight has a pneumatic version of this for $99. I know it is apples to oranges, but I thought I would throw that out. (Actually it is $79 right now)
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=34923
I think the really big thing now in cement mixing, are those portable barrels. Me, I always used a shovel.
Hmm.. I didn’t know this was used to _mix_ concrete.. I was always under the impression that this was used to vibrate the air pockets in poured concrete to the surface so you didn’t end up with voids in the concrete. Kinda like you tap cake batter on the counter a few times right before you put it in the oven..
what rick said. form vibrator, to make the concrete flow into voids around rebar and against the sides of formwork (so you don’t end up with visible voids on the outside of a concrete wall when the formwork is removed).
this would actually probably be very handy versus dragging electric or pneumatic cable/hose the entire perimeter of a foundation, for example.
We use vibrators to level decks before wrenching, and screeing it. Also in forms to reduce air pocket voids. Sometimes to get concrete to go through troughs.
The corded ones are pretty bulky.
They beat me to it. Doesn’t mix. Settles concrete in the forms.
Hey Paul, what do you mean when you say “wrenching”?
Eli Says:
Hey Paul, what do you mean when you say “wrenching”?
A Comealong is also called a concrete wrench.
Here’s a picture:
http://www.durandforms.com/images/products/29-1.jpg
When you use one of those you’ll know why it is called a “wrench”.