So ya wanna fab with rebar.......think again.

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It get's asked here, quite often, about welding or fabbing with rebar. Well, here is an example of why guys here, especially the very brilliant DSW, recommend against it. Now, of course I am not a poster child, I have been known to use it because I had so much of it around. Well, just be careful what you use it for. I needed a hook to move around trailers with lunette eyes. And it has worked fine, for many years. But, like everything, trouble happens when you exceed the original intent. I was in a hurry, I didn't want to jockey around all my stuff, so I decided to lift my little utility trailer from the back. Well, again, it's not enough that I have my little trailer hanging in the air, by the hook that was "only going to be used for rolling the trailers around", but now I decide to shake all of the snow out of it. Well yes, the rebar hook broke, and the trailer came crashing down! But, I built the trailer so well, it laughed like it was on a ride at an amusement park. Another reason to NEVER, have anyone around when vertical lifting. When $hit happens, $hit happens REALLY fast!!! I hope someone here learns a lesson from my mistake. I know I won't!!!Go ahead, FLAME ON!!!"Where's Stick man????????" - 7A749"SHHHHHH!! I sent him over to snag that MIC-4 while tbone wasn't looking!" - duaneb55"I have bought a few of Tbone's things unlike Stick-Man who helps himself" - TozziWelding"Stick-man"
Reply:You forgot to form and pour it.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:I have seen a few things like this .Lots of rebar " lifting eyes" , never seen one fail YET but it can and will happen . Best one I saw was an old race from a truck hub welded on to a loader bucket for a lifting eye . I asked the operator WTF is this? He says they use it to lift culverts and such . I told the guy that its a REALLY BAD thing to do , then I get the deer in the headlights look . I said here check this out, 1 hit with a 14 pound sledge and it shattered .Miller xmt304,  Miller S22 p12, Miier Maxstar SD, Miller 252 w 30A, Miller super32p12, Lincoln Ranger 9, Thermal Arc 181I with spoolgun, Hypertherm 10000 ,Smith torches. Esab 161lts miniarc.
Reply:no flaming from me stick; many years ago against my better judgement and on the foreman's insistence i welded a piece of re-bar to hold 2 beams in close proximity. about 5 minutes later an apprentice stepped on the re-bar and it snapped causing him to fall 1 floor into the hole. i learned an important life lesson that day that i'll never forget.i.u.o.e. # 15queens, ny and sunny fla
Reply:Originally Posted by docwelderno flaming from me stick; many years ago against my better judgement and on the foreman's insistence i welded a piece of re-bar to hold 2 beams in close proximity. about 5 minutes later an apprentice stepped on the re-bar and it snapped causing him to fall 1 floor into the hole. i learned an important life lesson that day that i'll never forget.
Reply:I've seen a lot of ladders built with rebar for the steps.  It always scared me.
Reply:Hello Stick-man, seen a lot of exactly what all of you guys are talking about. Difference today is that there are different grades of rebar now, you have weldable and non-weldable and most of the time the weldable is identified by stampings that are a part of it's manufacture. That doesn't make it a great candidate for building anything, yet at least it does give some validity to welding on it or to it and not being so unsure of it's integrity. Best regards, Allanaevald
Reply:Damn...some days I hate threads like this...now I'm trying to remember what all I've used rebar for over the years.... Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveDamn...some days I hate threads like this...now I'm trying to remember what all I've used rebar for over the years....
Reply:I've seen a lot I of ladder rungs made with it, I guess that might be ok considering the load. Basically it's just not predictable. It's my understanding it's made of a recycled mix of steels, but that may be a rumor.  I wouldn't use it on a load bearing component.
Reply:If you had built the whole trailer out of rebar only part of it would have broken off. GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPugI'm sure you only used it for "safe" things. Ladders/Lifting hooks/monkey bars/motorcycle frames/truck hitch supports..   I'm glad there's no rebar around our shop..everything would be made from it
Reply:seen lifting eyes made from rebar and a 1502 union. then used to pick up iron overhead.Dave
Reply:Stick-Man, I know the weld itself didn't break, but the rebar broke.  Curious what you welded that rebar with originally? Mig, flux-core,  6011, 7018 or...?  I've heard people say that rebar at the weld joint usually fails unless 7018 or even 8018 is used due to the higher carbon content.  I don't know, that's why I'm asking. "Hey I didn't come to look and learn, I came to turn and burn.... If I can't light up, I'm gonna light out!"-JodyIdealarc 250 "Fatman"MM 252MM 211 "Little boy" Victor Torches
Reply:Originally Posted by ANVILStick-Man, I know the weld itself didn't break, but the rebar broke.  Curious what you welded that rebar with originally? Mig, flux-core,  6011, 7018 or...?  I've heard people say that rebar at the weld joint usually fails unless 7018 or even 8018 is used due to the higher carbon content.  I don't know, that's why I'm asking.
Reply:Originally Posted by SquirmyPugI'm sure you only used it for "safe" things. Ladders/Lifting hooks/monkey bars/motorcycle frames/truck hitch supports..   I'm glad there's no rebar around our shop..everything would be made from it
Reply:BoiiiiipBubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeOr wheelie bars for his wifes drag bike.
Reply:Geez Dave. Maybe we can get together and compare cancelled checks over a bottle and toss a few darts at the old pre-livestock photo collection.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)
Reply:Originally Posted by BurpeeGeez Dave. Maybe we can get together and compare cancelled checks over a bottle and toss a few darts at the old pre-livestock photo collection.
Reply:I wish I had all the money I've made welding re-bar. In 1982 another guy and my self welded all the pre-cast concrete deck panels for the city of Dillingham's Alaska dock. Slap a piece of 4” x 4” x 1/2” angle iron under the #14 bar, make 4-welds, move to the next one. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Now I see why new members post pics so far away from their welds - they think it's the norm  .....damn that made me laugh....Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:In those days who took pictures of their work? Anyway that was before the Internet, even before you, wasn't it?Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPIn those days who took pictures of their work? Anyway that was before the Internet, even before you, wasn't it?
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveNow if people who have trouble with welding would follow your other pics and take clear recent ones, that would helpOriginally Posted by CEPPersonally I find it a lot easier to weld, than to take a clear picture.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveMan that's the truth - I'll make a good weld, take a pic and the way the light hits it the weld looks like crap...
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPOh I know, one camera hit the wall over it!
Reply:Maybe we shouldn't weld with it, but it can be helpful if you use it in piers.Because if you don't.... Attached Images
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPIn those days who took pictures of their work? Anyway that was before the Internet, even before you, wasn't it?
Reply:Originally Posted by M J DWas that when the photographer had that black cover over himself and then had to work the flash with his other hand ?
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveMan that's the truth - I'll make a good weld, take a pic and the way the light hits it the weld looks like crap...
Reply:Originally Posted by weldermikeEver meet a girl that looks good in the dark till you get her home and put the lights on. Your a math teaher. Do the math.
Reply:Very little rebar is weldable all too high carbon,  it is affected by heat and trapped carbon no matter what rod you use.
Reply:The lower grades of rebar are weldable. I would think up to grade 4 OK, but 5 and 6 not good.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPYeah, but don't they all look the same upside down?
Reply:We'll just make this a multi-subject thread, and let my buds there carry on with their photography conversation!!! Originally Posted by ANVILStick-Man, I know the weld itself didn't break, but the rebar broke.  Curious what you welded that rebar with originally? Mig, flux-core,  6011, 7018 or...?  I've heard people say that rebar at the weld joint usually fails unless 7018 or even 8018 is used due to the higher carbon content.  I don't know, that's why I'm asking.
Reply:I made tens of thousands of dollars welding up rebar.   Although with proper procedures and specs.  Preheat when needed and overmatching of electrode strength.     A laborer with a concrete cutting saw can make you alot of money when he cuts down 8" instaid of 2" and cuts all the #12 bars holding a 10 story office building to its foundation supports.I would blame stick-mans failure on the fact that the radius of his bend was much to tight and it looks like he heated it to bend more than welding.I have welded many pieces of rebar.   NONE of which was done with whatever rebar i had and a 110V mig thoughVantage 500's LN-25's, VI-400's, cobramatics, Miller migs, synch 350 LX, Powcon inverters, XMT's, 250 Ton Acurrpress 12' brake, 1/4" 10' Atlantic shear,Koikie plasma table W/ esab plasmas. marvel & hyd-mech saws, pirrana & metal muncher punches.
Reply:Originally Posted by Stick-manWe'll just make this a multi-subject thread, and let my buds there carry on with their photography conversation!!!Anvil, I welded this with 7018. In all fairness, it broke where I heated and bended it, which deformed it at the bend, therefore a weak spot. Again, and this is why the title is "fab" with rebar, if I used it for it's original intended purpose, it would not have broke. But it comes up so often, "I welded this trailer, and it will ONLY be used to carry feathers", yeah right. I have welded tons of rebar, and I have found 7018 and hard wire to be the best way to go. Search my chicken ladder threads/posts.Glad he fessed up, or we might not be having this conversation!You ALWAYS seem to show up with stuff like this!!!PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, tell me this incredibly attractive creature had nothing to do with you!!!
Reply:Daaaaaaamn. I got old.Bubble gumTooth pixDuct tapeBlack glueGBMF hammerScrew gun --bad battery (see above)