Picked up a manual concrete mixer for some weekend DIY stuff, but wow, I'm realizing I have no clue if I'm using it in a smart way or just wasting energy. I figured it would be simple, but the mix keeps coming out lumpy or too soupy, and I'm starting to feel like the weak link here is... me. If anyone has tips on getting a smooth mix, pacing myself, or just not making a giant mess every time, I'd love to hear it. I really want to get better at this before I start my patio project.