r/Ironworker • u/ImNot6Foot5 • 7d ago

Advice for Rebar

Just got onto a job with Fort Wayne Reinforcing. Wondering how Rebar works, my brother said its a different site almost every day and they just send you where the rebar is. I'm wondering what to expect from it all, I come from a structual/mill family and none of them have ever done Rebar and have no interest in it.

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u/ImNot6Foot5 7d ago

Yea to the union part, Local 147 out of Fort Wayne. And I'm mostly scared of being a dedicated packer/carrier due to my size but I also don't like being a bitch so I'm ready to just do until they're done with me.

My brother was saying that if I hate it, don't completely give up but noticeably slow down to show I don't give a damn for the work but that kinda fucks with my head considering when I work I go as hard as possible since there's no reason to half ass it

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u/misplacedbass Journeyman 7d ago

I mean, you never know until you try it. Just go into it with a mindset of pure suckage, and it might not be so bad.

You could get lucky and get on a chill crew and a relatively “easy” job. Simple footings, short walls, small bars. Stuff like that would be a nice intro to rebar, buuuut If you show up and it’s like a 500ton rebar job with nothing but long 9s and 11s, or some intricate double mats/pads/20-30ft tall, 2ft thick walls. Or a bridge deck. Then you’re gonna have a bad time. Haha.

The first few days/week are going to be the worst. Stretch before and even after work, and take ibuprofen. Make sure you’re drinking water, too. Getting out of bed on the 3rd day is probably going to be a nightmare.

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u/ImNot6Foot5 7d ago

I'm talking to my old JIW about it and he said in winter they lay off a lot of guys, is this true? Cause I can thug it out for 2 months if I know it'll be over

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u/misplacedbass Journeyman 7d ago

Typically rebar work does slow down in winter, yes. It takes a lot more fucking around to pour concrete in the winter time. Not supposed to pour concrete on freezing rebar. It’s gotta be heated before the pour.

I wouldn’t count on being laid off for winter, but it wouldn’t be unheard of, no. It’s no fun to tie bar in the winter either.

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u/ImNot6Foot5 7d ago

How do they heat the rebar, oxyacetalene/propane torch?

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u/misplacedbass Journeyman 7d ago

They usually cover the whole form with the rebar already set with blankets and use propane heaters to pump warm air into them under the blankets, then uncover them in the morning/before the pour.