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Post by amanitovirosa on Dec 31, 2015 16:20:25 GMT -5
...I have mixed a lot of media over the past year. I was using my little electric cement mixer for a while, it worked fine but just wasn't practical enough and required too much cleaning. I was also worried about contamination from masonry materials. I was not about to buy a new one dedicated to CP media only, too expensive (wise man say, spend money on plants, not pots ). Anyways, this is the alternative I came up with. ...All you need is some scrap lumber, some swivel castors and screws. It is basically a cradle/stand made to accept one of those Wal-mart plastic bins. Once in, the cradle allows for easy rotation of the bin. The bin is completely removable and once the media is mixed you simply take the bin out of the cradle. This is just the prototype but it works perfectly fine so I doubt I'll be making another 'nice' one. Although it was a bit tricky because of the shape of the bin (tapered cylinder), a lot of weird angle cuts, it is still easy enough to make and makes mixing very easy and cheap. Cheers! ...have a crackin' 2016 everyone!!!
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Post by Apoplast on Dec 31, 2015 17:13:03 GMT -5
Brilliant!!! I've spent too much time and back strain mixing and rinsing sand. You sir, are a genius!
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Post by amanitovirosa on Dec 31, 2015 20:53:57 GMT -5
...well thank you Apoplast but I do believe you are using those words a bit loosely. I will agree with you that mixing media by hand is a bit of work, it definitely didn't help my back problems either. If you just need a pot or two then I guess it's ok but anyone needing larger quantities can appreciate a crude contraption such as this. There is also no need to hydrate your peat moss using it, just add your dry ingredients, add water and turn (it kind of drives like a bus). The mix comes out like butter, very consistent. G.
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Post by Apoplast on Dec 31, 2015 21:33:47 GMT -5
Hi amanitovirosa - I assure you, I am using those words with intent. I grow lots of tuberous Drosera. The mix is 80% sand. Heavy sand, that needs to be rinsed. Then mixed with peat. I go through cleaning and mixing 70+kg of sand a season. It's a labor of love - but have no doubts, labor nonetheless. Mid-effort, I have often dreamt about getting a small cement mixer. Never did I dare to dream of building such a device. The innovation that takes - Genius! I'm jus say'n yo. Happy new year to all! And may the coming year be more innovative, and more efficient for us all.
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Post by amanitovirosa on Dec 31, 2015 22:16:53 GMT -5
...washing sand, don't even bring that up, arghhhhh!!!! I washed over 150 kg this season already and have 5 X 50kg bags in the garage that still need to be washed. (I started getting the big bags, don't know why, they're not cheaper just heavier ). It is my least favourite thing to do. I have come up with a quicker and easier way but it can only be done outdoors and requires the sun's heat and the wind to dry the sand. As you probably know this already, wet sand is a pain to work with. The mixer cradle, it's really not that difficult to make. I bought the castors yesterday and put the thing together this morning in about an hour. Total cost: plastic bin $8, castors $30, that's it. The lumber scraps and screws I already had. I think the best thing about it is its portability. I haven't checked yet but it would probably work with those larger Rubbermaid garbage bins that you can get for about $12. If you'd like to make one I could draw up some plans for you. G.
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Post by Apoplast on Jan 1, 2016 9:52:50 GMT -5
Hi amanitovirosa - 150kg!!! My hat's off to you. I would have quit. Maybe quit growing plants altogether. Seriously though, that is absolutely backbreaking, and I can see why you created this. Next time I'm washing my piddly little 70KG, I'll think of you and try to stop whining. Thanks for offering the plans! I'd be curious to see them. Plus they might be useful to others here as well! I don't know if I'll end up making it or not though. The sad truth, and one of my shames in life is that I am not that handy. Though, if I could find someone with power tools around here, so I can make straight cuts for the lumber, maybe I will give it a go. Probably cheaper than a back brace.
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Post by lloyd on Jan 1, 2016 17:08:11 GMT -5
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Post by amanitovirosa on Jan 1, 2016 17:39:24 GMT -5
...I've never heard that song before. Unfortunately Marianne was not around while I was 'siftin' sand'.
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Post by seasmoke on Jan 6, 2016 19:47:40 GMT -5
I've washed sand from the beach in the past. Unfortunately I didn't sterilize it and I believe it caused some stagnation (bacteria growth) in a Utricularia compost mix. Lost the plant (U. biloba), never again, it's in the oven for a couple hrs from now on.
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Post by amanitovirosa on Jan 6, 2016 21:13:14 GMT -5
...a coarse grade silica sand is pretty much the norm for CP mixes. I have personally never used any other type but I can say, that I have never lost a plant because of the sand I use. Happy growing!
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Post by amanitovirosa on Jan 18, 2016 19:07:56 GMT -5
Hi amanitovirosa - 150kg!!! My hat's off to you. I would have quit. Maybe quit growing plants altogether. Seriously though, that is absolutely backbreaking, and I can see why you created this. Next time I'm washing my piddly little 70KG, I'll think of you and try to stop whining. Thanks for offering the plans! I'd be curious to see them. Plus they might be useful to others here as well! I don't know if I'll end up making it or not though. The sad truth, and one of my shames in life is that I am not that handy. Though, if I could find someone with power tools around here, so I can make straight cuts for the lumber, maybe I will give it a go. Probably cheaper than a back brace. ...Apo, what do you mean you're not handy??? I just looked at your Dew thread, there's clear evidence, in several pics of your handiness. I'm sure you could monkey one of these mixer cradles together in no time.
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Post by Apoplast on Jan 19, 2016 20:44:59 GMT -5
Hi Ama - I am most certainly not handy! The things I made wouldn't be fit to adorn a hillbilly outhouse (but there is some imagery for you!). What I make is not elegant or well crafted like so many of the folks here, yourself included. If only I could buy one of those. It would save my back over the years. I still might try to build one. It's a fantastically simple and elegant solution to a problem we all have.
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Post by amanitovirosa on Jan 21, 2016 21:36:32 GMT -5
...so here are some plans I came up with. These are just general suggestions as to how to build one of these. Any container can be used as long as it has a smooth bottom, so measurements must be taken off of the one you have. ...the arm base can also be screwed to the front of the arms, this eliminates the need for notching. Just make sure your final arm base/arm positioning does not interfere with the rotation of the bin. Another important thing is to transfer the angle of the bin taper to the ends of the arms. Or, you can eliminate this altogether if your bin is not tapered. Either way, all cuts here can be made with a basic hand saw. Idea drawings, Apo, you're not building a walnut china cabinet. It works great!, I should've built one of these months ago. Cheerio.
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Post by amanitovirosa on Jan 21, 2016 21:48:34 GMT -5
...per Apoplast's New Year's wishes regarding innovation and efficiency I thought I'd post this. Some of you have already received these. ocps.proboards.com/message/87670/quote/75729...I've destroyed enough pots to get plants out, these are a great alternative. Cheers!
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Post by WillyCKH on Jan 22, 2016 11:41:03 GMT -5
Wow this is fancy and brilliant! I usually just mix with hands...
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