Garden Trellis Rebar Project

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Ironically with all the recent talk about welding rebar, Judy and I started planning a garden trellis project this past weekend that includes rebar for her vine veggies and I got started on it tonight.It hurt but I actually had to go buy the materials for the project.  No freebees here.  So far they consist of (12) 10' pieces of 3/8" rebar and (2) pieces of 48" x 84" x 6" square wire mesh.16" diameter schedule 80 pipe for 'roll form'.  OK, one of the tools was a freebee.  Tack rebar to pipe, flip it over, lay a second piece of rebar down to roll on to keep things going straight, press down and roll it up.Twist the roll to determine proper cut point for desired diameter, bevel ends and weld together.First of uprights that will make a three section trellis that will be set in the (3) half kegs Judy uses for her 'garden'.  All uprights will be joined together at the top with (2) 10' full lenghts of rebar and will include like decorative pieces to tie everything together.  The (2) end uprights will look like this and the center one will have (2) diamonds and (1) circle in the center to mix things up a little.And don't think all rebar is created equal.  First piece rolled up real nice and easy and I finally quit fighting with the second one and went to welding.Will attempt to get more done tomorrow night.  Thanks for looking.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55It hurt but I actually had to go buy the materials for the project.  No freebees here.
Reply:Yup, rebar is not always consistent stuff.  That's not what it's made to be/do.And I say to keep the pattern the same.  Tell folks who ask that they are for the 'famous' circle-diamond-circle ranch.  Where are the gussets?    The best laid schemes ... Gang oft agley ...
Reply:Originally Posted by SandyBet that hurt bad, eh??
Reply:No pic of bevel, was it a true 60 degree bevel??Weld looks a little coldOne side looks a little high.Possible deviation between two round pieces, might be a little off on diameterNo welding parameters givenOther than that it looks pretty "Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Great project!!But where's the dime?-MondoMember, AWSLincoln ProMIG 140Lincoln AC TombstoneCraftsman Lathe 12 x 24 c1935Atlas MFC Horizontal MillCraftsman Commercial Lathe 12 x 36 c1970- - - I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Reply:Duane, if those are going to be out in direct sun, do you you plan to paint them white or silver so they don't get too hot and cook the veggies before they've even formed?
Reply:Pitty your not close to me.They throw tons of that stuff in the bin at work.Looks good.
Reply:Excellent idea. I've been trying to think of something to make up for the tomato plants in our garden. They are all along the same edge. Thanks Duane."SOUTHPAW" A wise person learns from another persons mistakes;A smart person learns from their own mistakes;But, a stupid person.............never learns.
Reply:That makes my Back hurtYa need to mount that Pipe upright and walk the Rebar around the Pipe Rootbeer for youEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Be very careful Duane...Trellisii (my term for my addiction) can be a slippery slope...I found a winding of 1/2" by 42" diameter rebar at my used steel pusher, er, vendor and it led to many interesting creations. Eventually I found that a local concrete supplier would sell me not only the 1/2" rebar in 20 foot lengths cheaper than the Big Box, but also had reinforcing wire sheets in 8'x20' sheets if I carried them off (trimmed to 12' for my F150). These things don't like to be seen in photos...and I haven't found any interest in selling them for anywhere near what they are worth. And electrical conduit benders work fine, BTW.Never had any problem with "hot rebar and plants" in five years.Might not want to show your Judy...my Judy won't let me change anything about mine. More photos if any interest...Tom Attached Images
Reply:Hi Guys,            Nice work chaps, good to see some artistic flair creeping into your projects, I'm an excellent copyist but really don't have any original talent, Keep up the good work with lots of pic's please,  Loved the chicks and the wise owl,  Cheers  Gordon.
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammNo pic of bevel, was it a true 60 degree bevel??
Reply:Originally Posted by LarryOPitty your not close to me.They throw tons of that stuff in the bin at work.
Reply:TRELLIS FREAKS!!!!!!!WORLD AIN'T SAFE ANYMORE!!!!"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:Originally Posted by Tom1313Might not want to show your Judy...
Reply:Tonight's progress.  Got a second upright built and the 6"x6" mesh on both.Another weld close-up.Same welding parameters Sam.Oh yeah - I figured out how to select the best piece of rebar to roll.  Spring loaded punch.  The deeper it punches the easier it rolls.Thanks for all the kind words and input guys.Last edited by duaneb55; 05-07-2009 at 10:14 PM.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Duane, the rebar has grades with six being the strongest and stiffest. Three is usually the lowest you will commonly find and is easy to bend. It's molded in a raised lettering on the bar.
Reply:Thanks for the info Bob.  This stuff came from Home Depot and was all in the same rack but I'll look it over in the daylight to see if I can find any grade markings.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Thanks for the ideas! My mom is going to love if I make a similar design.Midwest Metal ProductsMetal Wire Forming Fan Guards Delta-Larm
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55Road trip to Melbourne?
Reply:Duane - you always seem to be doing something. Was "trash pickin" and got two of the neatest trellis' already built for me. Will post pics next day or so..all I got a do is clean em up and do a little painting on them. Someone evidently replaced two glass front doors with the wrought iron decerations on them. Took a chiesl and knocked the rivets off and now I gots two ready made trellis. Just need to put me a couple of "L" brackets and mount em on the brick wall where the flower bed is. I blame all this on you guys on this forum..I didn't know there was such much good stuff to find until I started reading all these posts..bed frames, swing sets (for the uprights) and other treasures.
Reply:Originally Posted by BobDuane, the rebar has grades with six being the strongest and stiffest. Three is usually the lowest you will commonly find and is easy to bend. It's molded in a raised lettering on the bar.
Reply:Originally Posted by JayRayDuane - you always seem to be doing something. Was "trash pickin" and got two of the neatest trellis' already built for me. Will post pics next day or so..all I got a do is clean em up and do a little painting on them. Someone evidently replaced two glass front doors with the wrought iron decerations on them. Took a chiesl and knocked the rivets off and now I gots two ready made trellis. Just need to put me a couple of "L" brackets and mount em on the brick wall where the flower bed is. I blame all this on you guys on this forum..I didn't know there was such much good stuff to find until I started reading all these posts..bed frames, swing sets (for the uprights) and other treasures.
Reply:OK - here it is!  More a dual arbor than a triple trellis but who's counting.  Had to finish it up under the lights just in time for Mother's Day.  shhh - don't tell Judy.  It's supposed to be a surprise.Made up the third and final upright first after stopping to sell a lawn mower (the Craftsman I posted about a while back).  Had to run back down to HD for more rebar as I got carried away with the 'decorations' to finish the top.  Looks like a severe bow to it but it must have been the camera shot.All done and ready for placement in Judy's garden tubs.Guess I should have used that mower on the grass first.Thanks again for looking.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!Originally Posted by farmersammNo pic of bevel, was it a true 60 degree bevel??Weld looks a little coldOne side looks a little high.Possible deviation between two round pieces, might be a little off on diameterNo welding parameters givenOther than that it looks pretty
Reply:Originally Posted by SpyGuyJeez, Sam, about the only thing you missed was "Where's the dime?" .......
Reply:Oops, missed that .....Great work.  I'm sure the lovely lady will be pleased.
Reply:Duane my trellis project didn't involve the work that you and others have done but wanted to post what I found, did some touch up, and with some help from grandson, got 'em in flower bed and low and behold they seem to work OK. Sometimes a project only involves a little time --- jr Attached Images
Reply:Great find JR.  They look right at home there.Just what is your grandson studying so intently?MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Never knew a 5 yr old could ask so many questions and don't ever tell 'em we'll do something tomorrow for they never forget!!...little mound around the plants and told him not to "over run" and he wasn't gonna let a drop go over!!  He was the last one at the house today and was helping out...have 4 of them that get off the bus at the house everyday...2  5 yr olds..7 yr old and 9 yr old....like a tornado and sand storm hits at the sametime ... what one cant think of the other 3 will.. great to have around but sure nice and quiet when they leave!!  Love 'em all....
Reply:Great idea, I won't show my wife or I'll be bending re bar...Miller 140 w A/SHF Flux Core WelderDewalt Chop SawSmith O/A TorchHarley Electra Glide Classic
Reply:Those look really nice!  I did these for my wife a few weeks ago:Now she has her friends wanting me to build some for them, too!  This was a fun project, but not that fun!
Reply:Those are REALLY nice!  As with FormerTankSarge I'll have to keep my wife from seeing these.  Truth be known - I'll show her for sure.I know what you mean about it not being that fun.  If I had to make them on a regular basis I would sure be looking at a coming up with a few 'aids' to help keep the fun in it.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Cool trick I learned from this guy was to put the rebar into a garage door spring and then bend or roll it over your pipe.  Works and is pretty easy, especially easy on the back!  Just some thought.
Reply:Well those cucumber plants are taking their time growing but the trellis/arbor seems to be doing its job as planned.  Lower plants are squash.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:If you find you need to do more, you can get prebent spirals at most concrete supply yards. They are used for siesmic loads on columns. You frequently find them in use on bridges and light and sign posts. They can bend them in almost any diameter you want. Just snap a line down the length and cut. If the concrete place has one of the automated bender you would be surprised at what that thing can bend. Squares, rings, 45 deg diagonals (like an I bar truss), steps, coils, chairs and many more.
Reply:Really neat stuff guys.  I'd copy some of that, but cant grow tomatoes for crap in my clay pit.A butterfly without wings, is just an ugly bug
Reply:Thats pretty neat.
Reply:All those look great. duaneb55, that large one looks like it was made for my mother in laws flower and vegetable garden. I like it when I see these projects because my imagination is not that good. I was going to build one out of tubing, but these ideas are going to save me a lot of money.My only problem is when I copy something like this, I find out I have too many relatives and friends.Nice work.
Reply:Awesome job! They look great.