Using old Z-Bars for pins with wedges to secure formwork is an excellent idea for companies who over time end up with lots of short Z-Bars.
Obviously you would not cut these down to size from a brand new length, but because cutting Z-Bars to size is common, there will always be lots of Off-Cuts which can be used for this.
Z-Bar Pin And Wedge
To use the pin and wedge system, you must first have location pins on the inside of the formwork. This will prevent the formwork going over the line when the wedge is hammered in. These location pins are usually some thin steel around 10mm, but some projects do not allow steel so fiberglass pins are used.
Next, drill a hole larger than the Z-Bar to allow for a pretty loose fit. You’ll know the hole is too small if you have to use a hammer to drive them in.
Ensure there is a nice gap for the wedge to fit in. I often use a piece of plywood as a packer between the forwmwork and the drill bit. This leaves a gap of around 20mm which is heaps for a wedge.
After the hole is drilled, tap the wedge in until the formwork hits the location pin on the other side. Then secure the wedge with a nail wrapped around the pin to ensure the wedge stays in while the concrete is being vibrated.
Z-Bar Pin And Wedge
Using Z-Bar pins and wedges ensures that the formwork stays in the correct position while the concrete is being poured, plus, it’s fast and is easy to strip.
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