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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
I am going to have a 24' x 24' pad poured 4 " thick . Ground has been tamped and plastic put down with a gravel base over the plastic . Today I will finish the install of 1/2 " rebar in a 24 " spaced grid . What should I uses to " space " the rebar aprox. in the middle of the 4 " ? I know they make plastic spacers but it has also been suggested to use rocks/stones/bricks etc. for spacers . I think what I want is 1 1/2 " tall " , so either spacers that tall or bricks/stones that thick . What have you used ?
 

· retired framer
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I am going to have a 24' x 24' pad poured 4 " thick . Ground has been tamped and plastic put down with a gravel base over the plastic . Today I will finish the install of 1/2 " rebar in a 24 " spaced grid . What should I uses to " space " the rebar aprox. in the middle of the 4 " ? I know they make plastic spacers but it has also been suggested to use rocks/stones/bricks etc. for spacers . I think what I want is 1 1/2 " tall " , so either spacers that tall or bricks/stones that thick . What have you used ?
We put cleats across the top of the box to hold it together and just hang the grid from those with wire.
 

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or grab up some doobies out in the apron/vest store's garden section - break 'em in 1/2 & wriggle 'em down into the base mtl til you're @ 1 3/4" below horizontal elevation ( vertical midpoint )
24' cleat w/wires is lot of work w/no appreciable benefit given 2x4 deflection over 24'
 

· Naildriver
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The only problem I see with using rocks (and I have done it) is that the force of the concrete coming out the chute will dislodge them and cause them to fall to the ground. At least with the cradles/chairs, there is an indentation that will keep them relatively stable, and you can wire the rebar to the chairs if you choose.
 

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Discussion Starter · #7 ·
I have a stick of 2 " PVC pipe , if I were to cut that into 1.5 " sections that would work correct ? I could drill 2 holes in them and wire to the rebar . The concrete can pour IN and AROUND them . Thoughts ?
 

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Why not just stop and pick up a bag of rebar chairs?

If your time is worth anything that's the quickest and easiest. We've poured hundreds of bin floors and used them by the case full. The bar is always held at the right height, quick to install and they stay in place. Bricks or chunks of concrete, especially larger chunks might create a weak spot and small pieces can be displaced when flowing concrete hits them. If the bar ends up laying on the bottom you just wasted your time and money.
 

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Discussion Starter · #13 ·
I am in a small rural town and so far I have not found any rebar chairs in stock anywhere . The Home Depot has some wire stand offs that are almost a buck a piece no thanks . Today I am going to check the local lumber yard , if they don't have them I will either make my own out of the PVC or purchase online . Any suggestions for an online vendor ?
 

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Discussion Starter · #15 ·
I went to the local lumber yard this morning all they had was wire supports for a 6 " pour . As it turns out I had a stash of 1 1/2 " thick concrete pavers in varying degrees of damage . I was able to break them up with a hammer and had enough for about 98 % of the grid . The few I ran short I cut up some 2 " diameter PVC pipe to 1 1/2 " thick and it's done . I have support under every 2 ' cross section . I texted the concrete guy and said put me in the rotation :biggrin2:

This is the 1st time I have done 1/2 " rebar and if it's the last one I do I'm ok with that ............ my back is killing me from being hunched over and wire tying every joint . Here's a pic of the work .
 

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· retired framer
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I went to the local lumber yard this morning all they had was wire supports for a 6 " pour . As it turns out I had a stash of 1 1/2 " thick concrete pavers in varying degrees of damage . I was able to break them up with a hammer and had enough for about 98 % of the grid . The few I ran short I cut up some 2 " diameter PVC pipe to 1 1/2 " thick and it's done . I have support under every 2 ' cross section . I texted the concrete guy and said put me in the rotation :biggrin2:

This is the 1st time I have done 1/2 " rebar and if it's the last one I do I'm ok with that ............ my back is killing me from being hunched over and wire tying every joint . Here's a pic of the work .
Sorry about my earlier post, I read inches instead of feet and was thinking a footing instead of slab. :biggrin2:
 

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Discussion Starter · #17 ·
Thought I would post an update , yesterday finally got a break in the weather and the pour was completed . Ended up the concrete dudes removed about half of my spacers and pulled the grid work up as they poured . Didn't matter to me I just want the results . Anyway here are pics from yesterday , they swept most of the saw cut residue for the expansion joints off but today I will hose it down to get it cleaner .
 

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