Concrete holds a place of honor in both the professional construction and do-it-yourself worlds. When mixed correctly, this simple combination of aggregate, cement, and water becomes strong and durable enough to produce walkways, beautiful planters, walls, and even house foundations. While concrete trucks with perpetually rotating drums deliver mixed concrete for large jobs, DIY concrete projects typically operate on a smaller scale, relying on dry sack concrete mixed with water. The secret to a successful project lies in mixing the concrete correctly and knowing which tools to use. Sure, the old standbys—a wheelbarrow and hoe—are still adequate choices for mixing all-purpose concrete if you don’t have access to a portable power mixer. But when it comes to wet-cast concrete, which is rapidly growing in popularity as a material for countertops and other castings, an impressive new tool promises to speed up the job: the HYDE StirWhip. To ensure satisfying results, read on to find out what you should (and shouldn’t) do with this trusty tool when you’re mixing concrete.
