Does anyone know the best way to simulate rebar in concrete?

I use brass. It's softer so you can clamp down hard on it with pliers and crimp the ridges into it. It's also much easier to bend than say - paper clips, which I have seen others use.

how would I crimp the ridges?do you have a photo to show?

Fuse wire would be perfect. 5 or 10amp - two pieces twisted together. Nice and simple

Paper clips would work with some weathering. They have the little crimps or ridges already on them and they are cheap and easy to come by.
Good Luck !
Tom

Soldering wire,

Cheap, easy to form, available everywhere

I wonder if some fine gauge lead seal wire would do the job...




H.P.

That looks very close to rebar Frenchy, any idea where it can be purchased.

Maybe eBay ?

H.P.

It really depends on which type of rebar you want. There are basicly 2 types, solid which is used mainly for buildings and structures and the move able type, which is used I belive for roadways. Anyone knows I might nave this backwards. The solid has a non-moving band wraped from end to end which spirals, and the spirals on the other type allow movement so the pads of concrete have a flexability and wont crack easily. I use the paper clips for the non-moving type and any type of round bar which you can wrap a thin piece of wire around for the other. As far as criping the ends, they are usually cut with a cutting torch so just cut them and run a rough file over the ends to leave it rough, or a few more draws to make the ends smooth for uncut ends. I don't remember what the proper names for them are but if anyone knows better than I feel free to say. The only reason I know that the two are different is from hauling them to construction sites, buildings and roadways.

Hello Ron,

This might help also..........http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebar

From what I know, rebar that was used in the 1800's wasn't like the rebar you see today. It was just a solid piece of iron without the chevrons or raised surfaces to make the concrete adhere better.
The earliest known use dates back to the 1500's when 2500m of rebar was used in the Chateau de Vincennes. This is up for debate between historians.

The above link also gives you a size chart for U.S., Canada, Europe and Australian sizes used in building.


HTH.


See ya in the funnies................

Thanks Frenchy, That is what was thinking also.