Vijay Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 Got to make up quite a few cages for lintels for my windows and doors on my ICF build. I've never made cages in my life, so I wondered which tool is easier to twist the wire, the one with the hook end or the one with the pliers end? Also, is there a standard wire size for tying rebar? Cheers Vijay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ToughButterCup Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 2 hours ago, Vijay said: [...] I've never made cages in my life [...] I admire your attack. I wonder whether this might be a job for a wire rigger? Either that or ask @Onoff , @Construction Channel and @JSHarris to pop in and sort it out for you. I watched our guy closely. And helped a bit. It's heavy going: sometimes three-four person work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteamyTea Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 (edited) One of these, £112 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Machine-Automatic-Cordless-Rechargeable-Electric/dp/B07TN6QL26?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-brave-uk-21&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B07TN6QL26 Edited August 21, 2019 by SteamyTea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 I have hired an automatic tying machine in the past. Quick to use but it eats through expensive wire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 3 hours ago, Vijay said: Got to make up quite a few cages for lintels for my windows and doors on my ICF build. I've never made cages in my life, so I wondered which tool is easier to twist the wire, the one with the hook end or the one with the pliers end? Also, is there a standard wire size for tying rebar? Cheers Vijay Don’t bother - just buy them. Chances are they are a standard size, so they will be made from bent squares and rebar that’s just locked together. You can’t bend your own squares unless you’ve got a machine so you’ll buy those. You then need to buy the bar, and the pliers and make the jigs and by the time you’ve finished you may find they are cheaper than the materials ... This is one DIY job I would not bother trying ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vijay Posted August 21, 2019 Author Share Posted August 21, 2019 Getting large pre-made cages would be a complete headache trying to get them in place. The plan is to buy the straight bar and bent link bars, then build them in situ, hence I asked about the tool and wire to tie the cage bits together Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Construction Channel Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 4 hours ago, Vijay said: Got to make up quite a few cages for lintels for my windows and doors on my ICF build. I've never made cages in my life, so I wondered which tool is easier to twist the wire, the one with the hook end or the one with the pliers end? Also, is there a standard wire size for tying rebar? Cheers Vijay Afraid I'm with Peter and can't imagine why you would want to make your own lintols. That said the tool depends on the wire. The one with a hook is for use on premade lengths of wire with loops on either end. Generally called a potato sack tier round here. The ones with the pliers on the end are for use on just plain wire you buy on a roll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Construction Channel Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 2 hours ago, SteamyTea said: One of these, £112 https://www.amazon.co.uk/Machine-Automatic-Cordless-Rechargeable-Electric/dp/B07TN6QL26?psc=1&SubscriptionId=AKIAILSHYYTFIVPWUY6Q&tag=duckduckgo-brave-uk-21&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B07TN6QL26 I'm sceptical of this. Every tool I found when looking about a year ago was a lot more than that. Sounds too good to be true.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vijay Posted August 21, 2019 Author Share Posted August 21, 2019 It really is as simple as working on my own, getting large cages into place is a job I just don't fancy. I've had a chat with the ICF supplier and he agreed that it would be easier for me to make them in the ICF. Apart from plenty of sharp metal edges, why is it such a ballache to make them in place? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vijay Posted August 21, 2019 Author Share Posted August 21, 2019 Came across a simple idea https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tie-wire-twisting-tool-for-Rebar-tying-fencing-landscape-gardening/283428628623?hash=item41fda9a88f:g:x6sAAOSw1RVafoqf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell griffiths Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 dont buy a tool you will never manoeuvre it in the wall it is a major pain in the arse, what you use are cable ties, you thread your links onto the bottom two bars and lift up as high as you can, insert a couple of chunks of 4x2 to keep it lifted high, then tie all your bottom links with the cable ties, when done remove the 4x2 and lower the cage into the wall, then slide in the top 2 bars and tie them. My longest lintel we made on site was just over 9m long with 16mm bars top and bottom, you would never lift it without mechanical assistance. Give me a call if you need a better explanation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell griffiths Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 Poor picture Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 I thought a lot of the ICF has plastic or metal webs so you only need horizontal rebar..?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Construction Channel Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 1 hour ago, Vijay said: It really is as simple as working on my own, getting large cages into place is a job I just don't fancy. I've had a chat with the ICF supplier and he agreed that it would be easier for me to make them in the ICF. Apart from plenty of sharp metal edges, why is it such a ballache to make them in place? In fairness I have never worked on icf and Russell's picture does make it look a lot easier than I was thinking. I assumed there would be a lot more shuttering to mess about with and may have forgot you will be pouring the whole thing anyway ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell griffiths Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 7 minutes ago, PeterW said: I thought a lot of the ICF has plastic or metal webs so you only need horizontal rebar..?? Your rebar in icf is dependant on span, openings upto 900mm require just a couple of bits of 16mm bar straight across opening, larger spans get a bit more detailed. My 4m openings had 4x12mm straight bar, with links every150mm but my cantilevered sections had 16mm bar top and bottom the links are the smallest my rebar supplier could bend on their machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vijay Posted August 21, 2019 Author Share Posted August 21, 2019 1 hour ago, Russell griffiths said: dont buy a tool you will never manoeuvre it in the wall it is a major pain in the arse, what you use are cable ties, you thread your links onto the bottom two bars and lift up as high as you can, insert a couple of chunks of 4x2 to keep it lifted high, then tie all your bottom links with the cable ties, when done remove the 4x2 and lower the cage into the wall, then slide in the top 2 bars and tie them. My longest lintel we made on site was just over 9m long with 16mm bars top and bottom, you would never lift it without mechanical assistance. Give me a call if you need a better explanation. Never though of cable ties, but access isn't really a problem with Polarwall as I can fit the ICF panels as I go Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pocster Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 I did about 4000 ties by hand Once complete my SE said I could of used zip ties !!!!!! So check !!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vijay Posted August 21, 2019 Author Share Posted August 21, 2019 25 minutes ago, pocster said: I did about 4000 ties by hand Once complete my SE said I could of used zip ties !!!!!! So check !!!!! I'll ask my S.E but I don't hold out much hope even getting an answer from him..................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell griffiths Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 If access isn’t a problem, you just need a pair of nippers and a roll of tie wire. Simple job to tie it all up and then add your panels mine had to be threaded through the internal webs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Onoff Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 Time rich cash poor like me? I've actually done it like this using strands from SWA. Use a "hook" from a hook Rawlbolt or bend something up. I'll maybe do a video clip tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell griffiths Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 2 hours ago, Vijay said: Came across a simple idea https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tie-wire-twisting-tool-for-Rebar-tying-fencing-landscape-gardening/283428628623?hash=item41fda9a88f:g:x6sAAOSw1RVafoqf I could tie up a joint with a pair of nippers quicker than that. Sack ties and a twist tool are very quick if your inexperienced. I have a couple you could borrow, but you can probably buy one cheaper on e bay than the postage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Punter Posted August 21, 2019 Share Posted August 21, 2019 1 hour ago, Vijay said: access isn't really a problem with Polarwall We used this a while ago for a basement and we set up the mesh and rebar then built the Polarwall around it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vijay Posted August 23, 2019 Author Share Posted August 23, 2019 Thanks everyone. Ordered some rolls or wire and a manual twist tool and I'll see how I get on. Onoff, will knock up one of those drill twist hooks too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Russell griffiths Posted August 23, 2019 Share Posted August 23, 2019 roll of wire and a pair of nippers also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now