How To Mix Fast-Setting Concrete | DIY

There's more to making concrete than pouring in some water, mixing, and hoping it doesn't set in the bucket. In this video, our specialist details the steps needed, the precautions to take, and gives a few quick tips to help you mix your own bag of concrete mix.
Our specialist uses a fast-setting concrete mix for this demonstration, but the practices used apply to any variation of concrete mix.
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[@sterain61]

I have a small concrete job to do this weekend. I'm 60 years old and have never poured or mixed my own cement. I helped my former boss back in 92 do some concrete work, but that's it. Thank you for the tutorial

[@ineedausernamenow999]

Thank you. Never mixed a bag and I have a small project ahead of me. So nice to see the texture

[@couchsurfer2856]

Thank you, I will be making my mother-in law some cement shoes for Christmas..cheers!!!

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

Haha! Thank you for your feedback.

[@alfonsocruz6156]

Couch Surfer LoL 😂

[@alfonsocruz6156]

That’s happen when you smocked it in green eats something before LoL 😂

[@billfbrasky373]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@mediocre923]

Dude u made me spit my coffee all over my shirt. Lol

[@badlucklazyguy]

I think I'm just impressed by the fact that you were able to handle an open bag of mix and actually do the mixing without even a spec of dust showing up on your black shirt - Pro-level ;)

[@angelika77st]

Right. I would end up looking like a pancake

[@sfranken2228]

Good video. Tip: If you'll add water to the bucket bottom enough to cover it - not deep, & then pour in the concrete mix, you won't have as much work in getting the dry concrete mix to combine with water deep into the bottom. You still have to stir of course, but having the concrete hit wet instead of a dry bottom makes the deep stirring easier. Does that make sense? It works when I'm baking when I mix flour with wet ingredients; I always wet the bottom of the bowl with wet ingredients, not deep, but enough to cover, so then when I pour in flour bit by bit & add the wet ingredients between the flour additions (like you alternated adding the concrete mix & the water), I've found that the initial water on the bowl bottom makes being sure the flour at the bottom gets mixed with the wet ingredients less of an effort to mixing water to the bottom of the dry ingredients. Try it to see if it helps. It gives more assurance that the bottom layer of concrete dry mix is indeed included in the the water mix. No dry unmixed bottom areas this way. P.S. Put your bucket on a table to save your back & stand on something if you have to, to have a good visual of your work. Don't work hunched over.

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

Thank you for your feedback!

[@DlcEnergy]

I also do that when making chocolate milk or hot chocolate. Add a bit of milk first, add the mix on top, stir it up, then fill up with milk/hot water. Or when making a cake, you mix the eggs, oil, water in the bowl first, then sift over the cake mix and stir it up.

[@biggdogg1975]

😮😮

[@jonahardayfio7746]

Thanks

[@st8kout961]

Quikcrete's own video says you DON'T need to mix it for post holes. Pour the dry mix in, add water, wait 4 hours. Done. Of course, they also say you can mix it first if you want. I watched my landlord install a wood fence using the fast-setting stuff. He did all the mixing in the hole with his gloved hand instead of using a bucket. He spent only about a minute stirring it up, then put the post in. The next day every post was rock-solid.

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

Thank you for your feedback.

[@rkgsd]

I've seen the company's video too. I just wonder how the water makes its way to the bottom of a 12" hole without mixing. I've seen some videos of people poking the mix with a stick or trying to stir it even though the company doesn't say to do it.

[@The_Crusty_Old_Hag_Next_Door]

RKGSD it doesn’t make it’s way to bottom of hole. My neighbour used that method when installing my electricity pole I dug into it months later as pole was swaying in wind. I would mix in bucket if you don’t want to re do the job.

[@kevingoatit8402]

that's gangsta

[@thomaspayne6866]

@@rkgsd I’ve seen public works stack bags of concrete mix in the shape of a wall. The rain will turn all the bags into concrete. No need to remove the paper bag either.

[@eudaenomic]

"Papa? Do you know what you're doing?". I thought I did. I watched 5 videos before I got to the information in YOUR video I needed before I started yesterday. Going to restart my project.

[@sharonrue3612]

Thanks for the tips. But if you had said, “Make the consistency of mud pies” I would have known exactly the right mix. Got my project done! Feeling empowered.

[@nullhill6486]

I literally had a bag of cement, a trowel, and some water... that's it. This was perfect! You're the man.

[@kevincronin3184]

Thanks very much! Setting posts in the yard and needed some real and understandable info. This helped a lot!

[@tonyawinbury6656]

Ive not mixed concrete before and this video is very helpful. Hopefully I can do it. Fingers crossed.

[@hilaryb.1955]

Some of the comments are mean. Thank you for the video I’m going to start my project in a few minutes

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

Thank you for your feedback!

[@jojojo381]

Thank you darling 💗

[@SteversIO]

First timer. Got clumpy concrete and didn't know any better. Your video was the only one that mentioned to avoid it and how it's caused. Thank you so much!

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

You're welcome! Thank you for your feedback.

[@ekquinn7059]

Bought some Quick-Crete to fix an uneven sidewalk......your suggestion to get the stuff that takes longer was a good idea...am going to get some tomorrow. Not experienced in this AT ALL....really appreciate the suggestions and help. 👍

[@chriserickson4417]

Thank you. I think I can get this done. Putting in a Flagpole and I believe this is doable for me. Your video really helped me to get going in the right direction. Thanks again!

[@gloriajones4269]

Thank you. This is my first time patching holes on porch and approach. I'm a lady.

[@BRamjoue]

Exactly the help I needed! Thank you!

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

You're welcome! Thank you for your feedback.

[@TheRealMrGordons]

This is a quick way to smoke your back. I recommend using a square trough to mix concrete with a small square spade. I made a mixing trough out of plywood and it's been the best companion for mixing many batches. Vastly superior than a bucket every time

[@Sugarboo2010]

Thank you.. perfect for first time users! I need to fill an 8” deep and 12” wide by 15” long hole thst opened up on my mosaic concrete slab patio.Sand and dirt underneath whole area. Water from a broken rain gutter on roof deteriorated the area and caused the hole. Just need to fill the hole to smooth over and so no one falls in it. Gutter is repaired so everything will turn out fine after seeing your video!

[@josemota8667]

Great video I have never done cement project but with this instructions I am ready to get it started and get it done. Thanks Sir good job.

[@AMFitz]

I like the how to store unused concrete. I have always had a problem with that. This is a nice straight forward video. Thanks

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

You're welcome! Thank you for your feedback.

[@mreverybody1150]

Excellent, clear professional and concise!

[@jessisingh197]

It's well advice and wise tips. And thank you for putting the hard work mixing just for the video and the audience.

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

Thank you for your feedback!

[@ocheigncarlos87]

Lol

[@ashleypoindexter7113]

BEST VIDEO FOR MIXING! I don't have pro mixer so this helped me so much. Thank you so much!

[@johnlefucker9323]

You look sweet and sassy ma. Have a good weekend.

[@AKANDWANAHOSTELLA]

thank you so much

[@hectorguerrero750]

He also forgot to mention before you start mixing make sure you wear your nice church clothes and shoes and your $400 iPhone watch ;)

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

Thank you for your feedback.

[@pepeteriyaki3779]

😂

[@bumstudios8817]

Key steps

[@bumstudios8817]

@@AlbanyCountyFasteners they are nice shoes

[@MrFiddleedee]

@@pepeteriyaki3779 this channel lit

[@bearg-ma9168]

Great video. My project is small and I appreciate the straightforward tips working with the mixture to get the right consistency. I'm going to try a 3.5 to 2 ratio recommended by another video and priming the pot with water at the bottom as suggested by comments below.. I'm making artificial Christmas tree stands using old plastic planter pots and PVC pipe to hold the trees securely. The concrete should give me the weight to keep the trees up right as the stands that come with the trees are flimsy and prone to tipping. If this works as well as I'm hoping, I'll make these for my portable canopy for camping. Thanks so much!

[@EddiePedalo]

Thanks Bob, from the UK. I've been out of the game for a while, but I've got a little job to do at home, and I needed a reminder. I can now concrete with confidence. :)

[@youknowvin]

Back in the 60s when I mixed mortar, thinset, grout, etc in 5 gallon buckets we used a 1/2 drill with a beater on it. But even so if I did not put water in first there would be dry spots around the edge at the bottom of the bucket. And I would hear about it from the tile mechanics. That thing you call a ladle we call a margin trowel.

[@seanryan6306]

At 2:19 when he said he was going to get some water, i legit thought that it was break time and he was just going to get a glass of water. Then i was like, oh yea, we're mixing some concrete, gotcha.

[@whasumara73]

Thank you. It will help me in my coming project. Much appreciated.

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

No problem! Thank you for your feedback.

[@lakermark2006]

this was a very helpful. is there a ballpark ratio that one can start with to reduce/minimize the amount of water and concrete to mix?

[@Hanno1974]

Very good advice the end-to-end process work perfectly.

[@AlanG.169]

Very thorough...

[@joesorrenti6598]

All I needed to know and more. Thank you.

[@DonaldAJr]

This is pretty cool video and I knew everything in it. What I was looking for is how to make it smooth like when you get concrete from a concrete truck. I for the life of me can't seem to get that done.

[@Sayres434]

Very thorough hand mixing

[@frankwilliams7280]

Excellent! Thank You so much! This is my first time, but now I feel a little better that: I CAN DO THIS!

[@zekeabercrombie3583]

Thanks for all the helpful tips. I wish I would have watched this one a few years ago-before I dumped the unused material down my laundry sink drain.

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

You're welcome! While this may be a bit late for you, we hope this video helps others so they won't make that same mistake.

[@ascend3654]

wha!!!!!!!!

[@kaufmanat1]

Just throw in some drano! You're good!

[@qb8628]

🤯

[@gabrielc888]

Thank You! First time doing concrete work and the bag instructions didn't work for me as it's a small project. Your video saved it!

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

You're welcome! Thank you for your feedback.

[@myiellemeyer305]

Super helpful when considering my Little Free Library Project! Thank you so very much!

[@SuzanneNuttall]

Thank you for sharing your expertise! That was very helpful.

[@MrYmch1]

great video!

[@agentx250]

Set up concrete can be easily removed from drains with undiluted vinegar. The acid breaks down the cement and the lime allowing it to be rinsed clear. This also works for removing concrete from clothing.

[@williamlevi510]

Had clogged my drain pipe a lil bit not running water thru it fast enough after a slab pour in my atrium. It's been bothering me, thinking i had another big project to do. So I'ma try that out 🙏🏽it works.. Thanks 👍

[@agentx250]

@@williamlevi510 Any time! Keep in mind the more concrete you have there the longer it will take. Soaking works best then flush and repeat until clear.

[@cattanmai]

The instruction fast and easy for me who is first time to work with it

[@twofortyz1719]

Good video! I’ve never made cement shoes before, definitely gonna try this!

[@willacather986]

Thanks, I'll be doing this to make my own garden stepping stones with a mold..

[@mcnally211]

Good thing he told us where to get a bucket!

[@123demaio]

got right to mixing instead of a history lesson

[@ExploreAnywhere]

Its so easy!! Wow a few bags tonight and McDonalds will be closed tomorrow morning 😂

[@virgil7100]

Thank you teacher ~ I've taken your advice 'on board'.

[@moniquegarcia8695]

Great video. Can you do a video on making a River rock wall and how to assemble

[@faliray4889]

Thus video was very helpful. Thank you.

[@JARISHA100]

Thank you needed This as a woman to understand I understand this perfectly thanks

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

You're welcome! Thank you for your feedback.

[@kamalmiah3752]

Thank you for all the useful tips

[@rayhanes1347]

Lol I used some of this today. Been using it for years and I use piping hot water to set in in 15 mins or less. I love it.

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

Thank you for your feedback!

[@debwastle]

Thanks, Bob, I just used your video and all is good!

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

Thank you for your feedback

[@dant3113]

I bought the green bag of concrete but theres too much rock in it it's hard to smooth it while patching pavers. Is this bag finer?

[@tweetyuno]

Thank You very much!! for the info.

[@theone2698]

I thought he was never going to stop mixing it

[@adamsdiyuniverse-savemoney4563]

Nice video. I just liked and subscribed. I just made a video about making a slab by mixing concrete in a plastic bag. I wanted to see other ideas as I split the job into two halves. Thanks for this and good luck with the channel!

[@geronimopascuale9208]

First thing you do is wear a Respirator, Great video and thanks for the time you put on it. Cheers

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

Thank you for your feedback.

[@qb8628]

I want to make weights for my heavy bag stand… pretty much just fill buckets with quikrete…I have chunks of rocks/concrete and pebbles I want to get rid of and use as filler in the bucket…can I do this with maybe a little more watery consistency?

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

Yes

[@indskab]

It’s unbelievable that your black shirt is still clean even though your hands were full of cement dust.

[@anonymousbob1]

After watching this video, I just set a single fence post in Quikrete using this method. Notice how little dry mix he puts in at first, and the well he digs for the water at first, those are important details. As @sfranken2228 mentions below, it is much harder to get the bottom mix thoroughly mixed, and if you don't it starts to set up very quickly. Use a stout trowel and start with a soupy mix and add dry mix to get the consistency you want. I barely got my fencepost set in time. I don't think I would use the red bag quick set formula if I was doing this again. I have used fast set Quikrete before to set posts but we did the dry pour method described on the bag and had no problems.

[@I_SuperHiro_I]

If you get skin irritation, rub vinegar on it to neutralize the lime.

[@nandinidey5849]

Thank you your video was a great help, God bless you.

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

You're welcome!

[@Nelson0874]

Im a rookie at this and thank you for the tips learned alot from this video

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

We're glad we could help! Thank you for your feedback!

[@lespaul36]

I agree. I am looking at doing some quick filling of some uneven sidewalk. Just a temp fix for now using the same product. The bag only tells how to mix the entire bag, it is going to be used for a few things at different times. Feeling way more confident watching this and some basic laying videos. Thanks.

[@laamkingent1]

Hi I'm adding cobblestone edging can I just do a dry pour set the cobblestone in then wet it?

[@mypointofblue5260]

Thanks! Very informative!

[@cassandragarcia5133]

Very educational and good self help tips. Thank you.

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

You're welcome! Thank you for your feedback.

[@phoenixmore8504]

GREAT JOB!!!!!

[@DR-by2md]

Can you mold this by hand with much less water and get it to hold together…for instance molding it into a bowl to make a bowl planter?

[@Gaming.And.Yelling]

Thanks for the info and tips.

[@anyat686]

Thank you. Just what I needed to know !

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

Glad we could help! Thank you for your feedback.

[@cliffordallen411]

Great info, thank you for providing helpful info!

[@benitezwildlife4338]

This may sound dumb but could I make reptile hides out of concrete that's mainly why I looked this up but I'm still not completely sure

[@Itsmevictoire]

AWESOME VIDEO!🌻

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

Thanks!

[@ezwa9979]

Never done it, watched how you do it after years of experience, you measured it 'by ear'(not literally), rather then measuring so many quarts of water to such & such sized quikrete.., then you mixed it & adapted for consistency.. perhaps that's best way.. there is something very much like that in most ways(accept eadible).. it's wisking hot water into potato powder.. same catching dry parts, timing, etc.. thNx, gud viDO, I'll problE scrU it up, bt at lEst now I have a clU👋😒

[@jusdriftinggg]

I would highly recommend a respiratory mask. 😂

[@iyannasmith4238]

Yes lmao I almost died

[@jimmylabb5868]

LOL first time no! many times yes!

[@jusdriftinggg]

@@jimmylabb5868 I use it every time I mix anything. A big no thanks to chemical dust. ✌🏾

[@ERprepper]

Hey thank you so much for the video!!!

[@scottfranco1962]

I stopped using quickset a while ago. You are going to leave it to set up anyways. Have to catch a train?

[@geneewoodson8384]

The quicker it sets, the less time cats and kids have to screw it up

[@palco22]

This is a first ! Mixing concrete in a bucket !

[@crafterlula1328]

Great to see you stressing PPE. Always wear gloves, and probably wear an N95 mask when mixing concrete. When it's dry the dust will damage your lungs, and it's the kind of damage that accumulates and never goes away. Once you add water, concrete is incredibly alkaline. It's pH is very close to oven cleaner, so you want to wear gloves and keep it off your skin. Dry concrete will dry out your skin like nothing else, but it won't cause chemical burns until it gets wet. I wished you mentioned what happens when you add more water, that'd be my only criticism. It does develop a smoother consistency, but it will also effect the final product. The more water you add, the higher the likelihood the patch with crack at the edges due to shrinkage. It varies by mix though, so I'm not too shocked you didn't cover it.

[@tomsmith2013]

VERY helpful. Thank you!

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

You're welcome!

[@rl4889]

Great video. Ty

[@theadventuresofcoolscoutbo1507]

Thank you. I tried this for the 1st time and I now know my batch was way too soupy. Round 2 in the morning 🌄

[@louismanaiza319]

Very useful like the advice on how to use concrete

[@xophotoable]

thanks alot, I'll let you know how the project went

[@jewelsbaby2449]

Very informative 👏

[@mochel23]

Needed this. Thanks very much…

[@Midnight.mycology]

Ive never even seen wet concrete but i have a bunch of cracks in my sidewalk i want to try to fix shouldnt be to hard i dont think

[@marymlodzinska4383]

You might want to find something in a caulking tube form?? If they really are cracks. Or maybe you can make your own by forming a sort of pastry tube and squeezing it exactly where you need it rather than have a 4-inch strip which will really draw attention to what you were trying to repair.

[@Midnight.mycology]

@marymlodzinska4383 I guess it's not so much a crack but like part of the sidewalk is taller then the other part and I was gunna make like a tiny ramp but idk anything about doing any of that kind of stuff I'm in the printing industry not the working on houses industry lil

[@Midnight.mycology]

@marymlodzinska4383 but I do have cracks I want to repair as well I will definitely look onto some stuff that comes in a tube or something like that thank you

[@ameyc2]

Very helpful however I was wondering if I could mix it in the wheelbarrow and use the shovel to put it into the hole I have large 2' x 20" holes I will need probably three bags so I was thinking of just mixing as I need it any comments thank you for the video

[@raffaelespeziali1931]

Always start with the water, then add concrete. If it's too dry and you want it soupy, you can pour a little bit more of water while mixing. In Italy we have also special professional machinery with water flow meters, such as pan mixers, silent, reliable, very easy to use but they are expensive and recommended for large quantities of material . In this case a paddle mixer or a drill with a concrete mixing drill would have been the best choice.

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

Thank you for your feedback!

[@bobwinberry]

Thanks - great video - I'm ready to mix!

[@Damian-Church-NZ]

When using quickset concrete for posts or any other reason you need to pour the dry cement into the water not the water into the dry concrete. The concrete will mix when it falls through the water. If you don't than the concrete at the bottom won't even get wet enough to set. You're welcome.

[@msfelicia9995]

Great video thank you!

[@tubenachos]

Very helpful need this for string light posts

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

You're welcome! Thank you for your feedback.

[@bitterlemonboy]

what if you encase your feet in concrete? How do you get it out?

[@AlbanyCountyFasteners]

HaHa

[@ashkrikorian5753]

Would you recommend this for a 12” foundation? It would be used to build an outdoor bar on top of...

[@Pallidus_Rider]

I just use my Dad's old garden rake and a mortar tub. 5 gallon bucket is too narrow to mix