Soon we will start making the block walls of the workshop. They will require mortar. Rather than mix it on the floor, I plan to use the small cement mixer which my late father used for 30 years and which I own now.

The problem: My brother was the last to use it, and in typical fashion, he let the cement harden inside.

How can I knock this stuff out?
Any secrets? Suggestions? People have suggested large rocks, chucnks of iron mixed and inside with the mixer running, while I bang on the outside with a brass/engineer's/rubber mallet.

Your thoughts please.

__________________
Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

High Explosives? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LIPprUxFap8&feature=related

__________________

Basically, ear protection, eye protection, dust mask and a hammer . . .

. . . for your brother...

Damn, beat me to it

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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out
1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out)
1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481)

"The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care."

Dirty Jobs: http://www.episodeguide.us/dirty-jobs/termite-controller/episode/679077/summary.html

Next Mike learns about chipping concrete from inside of a concrete mixer. Transit mixers carry concrete from the plant to the job site. We meet Dave from Jim’s Chipping Service. Their crews go in with jackhammers when the transit trucks get built up with accumulating hardened residue. This can be as much as a full load to (only) 800 pounds. It generally takes 3 days to clean. The job is highly specialized - meaning no one wants to do it. There are 4 men on a crew and they have 8 crews. The crews work overnight because it’s too hot in the day, plus it’s better for customers since the trucks are ready first thing in the morning.

First they immobilize the drum with safety chains. Mike is then given a hardhat, respirator and jackhammer. It takes Mike a LONG time to make a dent in the hardened concrete. Dave thinks that Mike isn’t putting enough weight into it and that at the rate he’s going it will take him 3-4 months to finish. (With 2 of his guys it would take only three hours.) Mike starts hitting the metal and making dents in the tank. He’s exhausted and still needs to shovel the loose material out. At the end of the day, Mike can’t get out of the truck.

If it's not too thick inside, the usual practice is to but a few 1/2 bricks in and turn it on.

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I choose to be happy, even when the Mercedes is being awkward, lol

I would say strike the outside of the drum with a dead blow hammer if you care about it's appearance. Try a mini sledge if you don't...

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

If it has turning blades and a tub that remains stationary, hitting it with a hammer from the outside will result in the blades wearing holes in the tub in short order. Then you'll be buying a sleeve to repair it.

Sand/shotblasting is the best way to go. If you can't do that, try eye and double ear protection and use a 7lb bosch electric hammer from inside. Various sized chisels help.

After its used, clean it and spray it with form release agent or diesel before putting it in storage.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Take a hammer and chisel to it first. Use eye and ear (noise) protection.

I like this idea since it is simple, easy and I can set the mixer on a timer and leave

But won't this break up the bricks befofre the concrete is gone?

__________________
Strelnik
Invest in America: Buy a Congressman!

1950 170SD
1951 Citroen 11BN
1953 Citroen 11BNF limo
1953 220a project
1959 180D
1960 190D
1960 Borgward Isabella TS 2dr
1983 240D daily driver
1983 380SL
1990 350SDL daily driver alt
3 x Citroen DS21M, down from 5
3 x Citroen 2CV, down from 6

I've used steel blocks in the past with good results. If you don't have blocks, perhaps old pieces of car suspension parts, or other steel pieces you don't want anymore would help...

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles

Go rent a good one and drop that one off at your brothers for cleaning.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Phosphoric acid solution may help in conjunction with chipping, etc. It'll also neutralize any rust.

Harbor Freight has nice pretty red ones w/o concrete inside for cheap.