The Rebar Experiment

Not being one to waste anything, I decided not to dispose of the five or so twelve-foot lengths of rebar. Nor could I part with several assorted pieces of lumber, also left in place after construction was completed on our new house. The wood scraps served me well and became instrumental in building a kayak rack, a sitting bench, a garage table, workbench and some decorative shelving. The upright drying rack for beach towels, made from a 4x4, well, we all have our folly or two. And the leftover metal slats from the porch railings, albeit great additions to the drying rack, made the term “unsightly” an understatement.

The day finally arrived to put the rebar to use. Several badly rotted-out sections of landscaping timber on the thirty-plus years old retaining wall, needed support, and lots of it. Hey, what a great use for the rebar! However, I needed to cut them into four and five foot lengths and drive them into the ground, thus holding back the impending collapse of the wall. In the past, my trusty electric DeWalt reciprocating saw had never let me down, but it was about to. Using u-clamps, I secured the rebar to the newly-refurbished picnic table, also made with the left-behind scrap wood. What a masterful plan… until, it wasn't.

No one could be prepared for the onslaught of earth tremors caused by a reciprocating rebar trying to escape the clutches of captivity. After four metal-cutting blades became casualties of the angry rebar, I became reacquainted with my hand held hack saw. Whatever fillings now jarred loose during the vibro-fest, I suppose will have to remain loose.

So, yes, I proceeded to whittle those twelve-footers down to the agreed-upon lengths. Of course, my forearms looked like Popeye’s afterwards, and the mosquitos became fatter, but the job was done. Ninety three degree Georgia heat lends itself to some interesting decision-making. Had only an acetylene torch been nearby! In retrospect, I'd rather fend off a small herd of panicking alpacas in a holding pen than to try that again.