Question about buying rebar

Hello All,

Not sure if this really fits in with what this forum is all about, but I figured it was a good place to ask. I am trying to buy some rebar scraps for a masters thesis experiment. Where are the best places to look? I dont need anything in bulk, just a couple different sizes of bars and I really only need a foot or two in length. I already have some #3's and #4's that I just picked up from home depot so ideally I would be able to find some scraps of an assortment of sizes from #5 bar and up. I am in the Philadelphia area if that helps, but really I am just trying to figure out the best way to find out who/where might have scraps that they would be willing to sell.

Thanks for your help!



Best,

Rick

I'm curious...what are you doing with the rebar in your experimenting? What is the Masters in?

Try checking the yellow pages for companies that specialize in rebar bending...they cut and bend the rebar for construction sites and will have tons of short ends that should be just what you are looking for.

Jon.

You will need to find a fabrication shop near you as your best bet. Most builders (residential) will only have #4. A commercial construction site might be of help, but good luck getting them to take the time to help you. I would also try some local scrap yards and see if they can be helpful. Good luck!

Wow wasn't expecting so many responses so fast! Thanks for the input everyone.

sawmilleng My thesis is on using geophysics equipment to attempt to monitor the condition and / or size of reinforcing steel in reinforced concrete without having to actually excavate. My experiments are going to involve looking at how different size rebars show up on Radar and Magnetic surveys to find useful correlations to condition and or size.

I guess my next step is to try and find some scrap yards. My main reason for coming on here was to make sure that this was not a wierd thing to call a building company or scrap yard asking about so I don't get laughed off the phone haha.

Thanks again everyone!

So not a new rebar locating tool, but NDT testing equipment?

Originally Posted by bigburtchino

So not a new rebar locating tool, but NDT testing equipment?

Basically yeah. It is using the same tech as radar based rebar locating tools, but I am trying to use it in some different ways.

Oooh, I just found a rebar fabricator not far from where I live. This seems promising, I'm going to shoot them an email.

There you go, outstanding!

I wanted to post a quick update to this thread. The fabricator eventually got back to me saying to come on by the shop and he'd take care of me. I go expecting to be sifting through scraps, but they end up asking me what I wanted and they just cut me off 2' lengths of fresh bars of all the sizes I wanted and sending me on my way!

Worked out way better than I expected, and I'm now all set to continue my research. Thanks to everyone here for their input!

Best,

Rick

Good people help good people and I'm sure he has some basic idea of what you are researching. He's thinking might possibly help him and his profession. Important to thank him and update him when your done with your research (update us too) and thanks for the good news.