If you have ever tried to lift mesh in concrete you know why I made this very simple tool from leftover mesh. As I dont do heaps of concreteing I use it also as a hanger for my light concreteing square nose shovel. Good dual use & hook is ready with shovel anytime I need it. The handle end is bent over a bit allowing two uses, and if more leverage is required then a piece of gal water pipe (kept in tool box) can be placed in the neck.
I have seen guys lift mesh using the rear(top) corner of a square nose but this places heaps of stress on ones wrist and tricky to learn/master the maneuvre while others try to plunge their hand in as the slump is/was going off really fast.
Of course if there are always enough bar chairs it should not be needed, however, even when there are enough chairs, in the rush of the moment big wellies can dislodge one or several chairs and this little tool hanging from the belt shines on.
With my first one, the cross bars were ground off but it then would bend under severe load so this next model has a short section of the welded cross bar still attached & have had no further problems.
Always try to have enough chairs, as I believe using broken bricks or stones weakens the strength of the finished concrete and may allow white ants an advantage.
Cheers
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