I am thinking of using Simpson wedge ties for a short poured concrete wall (maybe 3 feet). Has anyone used these? If so how do they work?
Thank you,
Allen
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Replies
Look pretty slick--- here's what I found
http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/WT.html
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I've used WT wedge ties for 3 or 4 wall form setups and will continue to use them. Great product.
They require a small space between courses of boards. My habit is to stack one side of the form first, tie in the rebar, and then stack the other side. So, I use 8d nails between boards to keep a gap open as I stack the first side. While stacking the second side, I insert the ties and the wedges. They go together easily. Tap the wedges down a bit with a hammer. I remove the spacer nails as I insert the ties, and the boards sit down on the ties.
While stacking the first side, I use an occasional 1x2 wood stake screwed to the outside of the form to keep the boards lined up and together, with bracing to the dirt a few feet away. I also use a short wood stake horizontally anywhere a butt joint occurs in the forms. Don't use too many of these because they interfere with the wedges.
If your form lumber is not straight, the ties will do an OK job of pulling it into line, but only if the curve is minor. If you have a lot of personality in your lumber, good luck. I would not use a bunch of Home Depot banana-special 2x4s as forms. The last set I did was using really nice 2x10 joists and the forms were virtually perfect.
I make sure to put ties right in the corners, as close as I can get them. Nail the outside corners together with 16d duplex nails, or strap them with plumbers tape.
In all cases I've used 2x framing lumber for the job as form material, and scraped it clean after stripping.
After stripping, use the claw of your hammer to twist the protruding ends of the ties off. Just grab the end with the claw right at the face of the concrete and twist about 180 degrees and they pop off.
Edited 3/18/2006 5:21 pm by davidmeiland