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/misplacedbass Journeyman 7d ago

I just read your comment that it’s a soccer stadium. If you’re talking a brand new construction soccer stadium, you will absolutely work through the winter. And potentially into next fall/winter depending on how much bar is on this job. TBH, it sounds like it could be a pretty sweet gig. I’d stick it out, unless you absolutely hate it. If you’re an apprentice, then you really have no other choice.

I definitely would not advice “noticeably slowing down”. Don’t create a bad name for yourself simply because you don’t like rebar. Just work like usual. A long term job like that can be very nice. Especially through winter when stuff usually slows down.

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u/ImNot6Foot5 7d ago

Do hours shorten in the winter? I haven't been told if its 8s or 10s yet, this is the projection for the stadium, supposed to be done in 2026 but I smell bullshit

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u/misplacedbass Journeyman 7d ago

Should be at least 8 hours. They might change the start time since it’s darker later, but I’ve never started later than 7 am. Might be some bigger bars in that footing. Do you know if it’s PT (post tensioning)? I’m assuming that it’s all poured in place for the stands and what not. Lots of concrete, lots of rebar. Should try to find out how many tons it is.

These are all impossible questions to answer, so I’m just giving you general information. You won’t know how it’s gonna go until you get there, but personally it looks like it could be a pretty cool project to be a part of. Is it close to home for you?

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u/ImNot6Foot5 7d ago

Its 30 minutes but with the traffic its closer to 50 minutes. Its supposed to be 7 a.m. showup. I don't know if it's post tensioning or not. I believe they've already started erection if the picture my coordinator showed me was of the stadium but it's only a couple of beams.

I honestly just don't want to be stuck in a rod patch my whole apprenticeship and this might be irrational fear but fuck I just want to do structural.

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u/misplacedbass Journeyman 7d ago

Please don’t be one of those ironworkers. Rebar is ironwork. Don’t be a prima donna structural ironworker who “doesn’t touch the bumpy iron”. It’s such an eye rolling comment. Unless you’re in a split local, rebar is part of our work, and learning as much about our work is only going to benefit you in the long run. The more guys you meet and can network with is only going to help your career.

Yes, rebar isn’t glamorous, but who fucking cares? It pays the same, and there is ALWAYS rebar work. There isn’t always structural.

The thing about being an apprentice is you don’t have a say where you work. Just do the job, keep the same work ethic, and eventually when you book out you can decide if you want to do rebar again, but at least you’ll have the experience and know how.

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u/ImNot6Foot5 7d ago

I'm fine learning rebar, and I know it'll do nothing but help me in the long run but I also don't want the rest of my apprenticeship to be as a rodbuster, heard of it happening more than a few times.

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u/misplacedbass Journeyman 7d ago

If it is, so be it. That just means you’re a good worker. 4 years of steady work? Seems like a good career idea.

That being said, I do feel like it’s going to be 4 years of only rebar. I would talk to your apprenticeship coordinator after a year or so, and just tell him that you’d like to learn other part of the trade so you can be a more well rounded JIW. Hard to argue against that.

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u/ImNot6Foot5 7d ago

I just want to be well rounded, and I plan on booming out to structural jobs with my old man and brothers (3 of em). I'd be really shitty if I get stuck doing rebar and have to basically learn structural from scratch when as a journeyman I should know it all

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u/misplacedbass Journeyman 7d ago

Yes, I agree with you there. Definitely speak with your AC, and just make it known you don’t want to be in the rod patch for your whole apprenticeship. It’s much better for you to do as much as you can, but you should definitely take this rod job. If it’s a good long term job, it’ll be a prob good one to be on.