Is rebar weldable

Rebar is not supposed to be welded. Why not buy some good steel?

Price. 20ft length 5/8" rebar is 10.00

Best Regards Tom.

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As I understand it the problem is because of the carbon content . It's high enough that the quench from surrounding mass makes it brittle . I've also read here and elsewhere that weldable rebar is available . Have you priced square tube ? I just got 1"X3"X16 ga for ~$17 per 24' stick - admittedly a bit more than the 10 bucks you said , but in smaller sizes it's cheaper . And guaranteed weldable . -- Snag Learning keeps you young !

Come on guys, do not go crazy.

Rebar can be welded. I have seen a lot of things and implements welded from rebar or with rebar. I have yet to see one that fell apart.

But it is true that the welds are not as strong. So, do not load this shelf as much as you would with a shelf made of weldable steel stock.

Do not be a chicken, weld it well, do not overload it, enjoy the shelf and the savings.

i

********************************************** In the mid '60's on the Minute Man II missile sites we welded #18 (2.25") and #14 (1.75") rebar with 1/8" 7018 (out of an oven). We used a 180 degree half section of pipe (6" tall) approx the diameter of the rebar as a backing plate on the bar to be welded. We attempted to get a 90 degree flat on the bottom bar and a 30 degree angle on the top bar with a 1/4" gap....Most of these #18 bars were vertical, and most the #14 where horizontal. Only stringers were allowed...No washes excepting the cover pass. We ended up with a 3 sided front that was good looking. These were xrayed to make sure there was no porosity. If porosity was found we used a cutting torch to wash out to the porosity and then reweld and re-xray. All welders were certified on site by the contractor American Bridge.

Chas, what do you mean by washes?

There are several grades of rebar. Weldable rebar is readily available at any general steel yard. Just ask.

Non-weldable rebar is stronger, but needs to be mechanically connected using swages or heavy tie wire before concrete is poured.

One of my jobs is inspecting it before they bury it in concrete, to make sure it is properly connected.

************************************************************************* Washes....instead of running 'stringers' (dragging the puddle?) washes were used. That is where the puddle is moved around and usually vertically it is in a figure '8' type motion. Horizontally I believe the 'C' type is most common. **************************************************************************