Cement mixer or mix by hand?

You're going to need about nine 60lb. or seven 80lb. bags of concrete mix for your job, and the 60 lb bags you might be able to do 2 at a time, but the 80 lb. bag is one at a time. Unless it's going to be 100 degrees with no shade, you should be able to do this in the wheelbarrow, unless you don't mind the hassle of picking up and bringing back a rented mixer. Follow the directions for water volume and slake time and your slab will last a lifetime.

Get the mixer and mix it properly. Unless you have another person helping mix it all up, it is a tiring and heavy job. Don't use too much water and add it gradually. I'm still working on filling up one of the sidewalk molds that looks like stones. It's been quite a job and I haven't done any more to it in quite a while. It's a job but then I'm very old and female. Don't forget the rebar.

I should add that it is very hot here and the cement dries very quick so be sure you are ready when you start. I mixed mine on an old sheet of paneling that I took down long ago but saved for things like this. . .

I'd say it depends on how much cement. I did a project a few years ago where we mixed up a 100 lb sack in a big tub, and that wasn't too bad. But if it was 5 or 6 sacks, I'd want to rent a mixer.

You will need 7 of the 80 lb bags of concrete mix. Can you lift an 80 lb bag? If so then you should have no trouble mixing this yourself. You will be tired and the bags are heavy and the mixing with a shovel is not easy work, but most people in good health and fitness can do it with out any trouble. If you had a helper it will be much easier.

its a simple easy task with such a small amount ...but its actually harder to mix properly in a wheelbarrow ..a reasonable mix is 9-1 ..6 pebbles ..3 sharp sand ..1 cement ....a strong mix is 6-1 ...think its weak? think again ...the pebbles absorb nothing ...so its a 3-1 and a 2-1 mix ...the pebbles are only coated in this mix

If you mix it by hand, you will always remember doing it. If you're young and strong, try it.