Rebar Tying Tools FAQ

A battery powered rebar tier is a cordless handheld tool that ties rebar electronically. Re-Bar-Tiers are typically used in concrete construction to prevent rebar from shifting when concrete is poured. Compared to the conventional method of tying rebar, with hand tie wire and pliers, rebar tying tools make tying rebar faster, more efficient and more cost effective. MAX invented the original battery powered rebar tying tool in 1993 and currently has developed various rebar tying tools for various applications.

To use a battery powered rebar tying tool, insert the tool mouth into a rebar cross section and pull the trigger. This action dispatches MAX proprietary wire, which should be loaded into the magazine of the tool before use. Once the wire loops around the rebar, the tool’s twisting unit grabs and twists the wire to form a tie, before finally cutting the wire to release it from the tool.

New or less experienced rebar tying workers are able to quickly learn how to use the rebar tying tool. Extensive training is not required. It takes approximately 5 minutes to learn how to load a wire and form a tie. MAX recommends reading the tool manual before use to understand how to safely operate it.

For many years MAX rebar tying tools have been used worldwide by large contractors. Rebar tying for most projects requires the rebar not move when the concrete is poured, which is exactly what MAX rebar tying tools are designed to do. If you’re asked to submit wire specifications to the project engineer, contact MAX at 1-800-223-4293 for details.

The TWINTIER is a revolutionary rebar tying tool that has innovative mechanisms which allow it to tie faster, tighter and produce a shorter profile tie than previous Re-Bar-Tier tool models. The TWINTIER is also more cost efficient due to the lower consumption of wire per tie.

MAX has manufacturer service centers in NY and TX. MAX also has authorized tool distributors across the country that service rebar tying tools. You can find your nearest distributor service center by searching your ZIP code on the “Where to buy” page.

Return the tool to the original place of purchase to determine if the tool is under warranty. All MAX Rebar tying tools have a 1-year warranty from the date of purchase. Make sure to provide a copy of your invoice.

Yes, we have local MAX sales reps and trained distributors who can demo the tools at your jobsite. Contact your distributor to schedule a complimentary joint jobsite demo.

MAX has tool distributors across North America. Find your local dealer by visiting the “Where to buy” page on our website.

Contractors choose to use our tools to get the rebar tying work done faster, more efficiently and to save money.

• Reduce labor cost by needing fewer skilled workers.
• Get more rebar tied in less time = more productivity.
• Helps address skilled labor shortage.
• Less risk of worker injury from repetitive motion.

MAX RE-BAR-TIER helps reinforcing ironworkers power through rebar tying work by freeing up a hand to hold rebar or support their back while bending. It reduces repetitive motion and musculoskeletal injuries.

Your local MAX dealer can order parts for you. Go to MAX’s “Where to buy” page and enter your ZIP code to find a dealer near you.

Parts lists and schematics for all MAX tools can be found on the “Documents” page on our website.

A battery powered rebar tier is a cordless handheld tool that ties rebar electronically. Re-Bar-Tiers are typically used in concrete construction to prevent rebar from shifting when concrete is poured. Compared to the conventional method of tying rebar, with hand tie wire and pliers, rebar tying tools make tying rebar faster, more efficient and more cost effective. MAX invented the original battery powered rebar tying tool in 1993 and currently sells seven models.

The TWINTIER is a revolutionary rebar tying tool that has innovative mechanisms which allow it to tie faster, tighter and produce a shorter profile tie than previous Re-Bar-Tier tool models. The TWINTIER is also more cost efficient due to the lower consumption of wire per tie. The RB441T, a 6th generation MAX Re-Bar-Tier, was the first "TWINTIER". The 2nd TWINTIER, the RB611T, can tie the largest rebar combinations of any battery powered rebar tying tool on market. The RB611T is able to tie up to #9 x #10 rebar, depending on the rebar manufacturer.

Each rebar tying tool model varies in the range of rebar combinations that it can tie. Check with your rebar tying team to confirm the rebar combinations that are most common on a jobsite to select the right tool for the job. MAX’s line of rebar tying tools cover tying mesh up to #9 x #10 rebar.

The TWINTIER RB611T can tie up to #9 x #10 rebar, depending on the rebar manufacturer. The RB611T is the only tool on the market that has the capacity to tie this size combination.

MAX Re-Bar-Tiers include a single battery and charger. TWINTIER models yield approximately 4,000 ties from a full battery charge.

Each tie with a MAX rebar tying tool is equivalent to a 16 ga. hand snap tie. There is a torque adjustment dial on each rebar tier that lets the operator choose the tightness of the tie. The low-profile tie produced by a TWINTIER allows operators to tie a cross section twice by tying over another tie, making it stronger.

Very fast. The MAX TWINTIER series tools form a tie in approximately ½ second. The original MAX Re-Bar-Tier series tools tie at approximately 1 tie per second.

When fully charged the MAX 14.4v lithium-ion battery can form up to 4,000 ties when used with any TWINTIER tool. Original Re-Bar-Tier series tools can yield between 2,200–3,500 ties. The RB655 can tie between 3 to 4 coils of TW1525 wire with its Ni-MH 9.6V battery.

The durability of MAX rebar tying tools has been proven by our customers on jobsites for over 20 years. The enclosed magazine design of the TWINTIER series tools offers additional protection from jobsite debris.

All MAX Rebar tying tools have a 1 year warranty on manufacturing defects. Please check our website for full warranty terms. If the product is defective, please contact your local dealer.

MAX manufactures annealed black steel, poly-coated annealed, electro-galvanized, Buy America steel and stainless-steel tie wire. Stainless steel wire is a special order item. If you require stainless, please contact MAX at 1-800-223-4293.

MAX rebar tying tools use proprietary MAX tie wire reels. Traditional MAX Re-Bar-Tier series tools use the 21ga. TW898 tie wire and the TWINTIER tools use the 19ga. TW1061T wire. Generic wire cannot be used with MAX rebar tying tools.

No. All MAX rebar-tiers require proprietary MAX tie wire reels in order to work. 16 ga. or 16.5 ga. bulk hand tie wire is not compatible with any MAX rebar tying tool.

No. MAX RB218/398/518 use the 21 ga. TW898 series tie wire. MAX TWINTIERs use the 19 ga. TW1061T wire. You cannot use TW898 in TWINTIER tools, and vice versa. However, the batteries are compatible.

Yes, USA made steel black annealed wire is available. Mill certification is also available for download from our website. You’ll need to log in and enter the wire serial number to download.

The number of ties per spool depends on the tool and wire type:

• TW898 (21 ga.): 75–210 ties
• TW1061T (19 ga.): 115–265 ties
• TW1525 (16 ga.): 120–230 ties

After loading the appropriate MAX tie wire spool into the tool's magazine, simply turn the tool on and insert the tool mouth into the rebar cross section at a 45° angle. Once in position, pull the trigger and the tool will automatically tie the rebar.

After a day of work, wipe down the tool to remove any moisture and clean away debris. Avoid using the tool in rain. Rust can accelerate gear wear. Do not use degreasing sprays like WD-40.

MAX rebar tying tools use proprietary MAX tie wire reels only. Re-Bar-Tier series tools use TW898 (21ga), TWINTIER tools use TW1061T (19ga). Generic wire is not compatible.

No. MAX tools require MAX proprietary tie wire reels. Bulk 16 or 16.5 gauge hand wire is not compatible with any MAX rebar tying tool.

Both 19ga and 21ga MAX tying tools operate on a 14.4V MAX battery. The RB655 uses a MAX Ni-MH 9.6V battery. Only MAX batteries are recommended for best performance.

When turned on, MAX tools initialize to adjust wire and twister position. If jammed, point the tool down, power it off and back on to trigger the self-cleaning process.