Tying rebar is an extremely repetitive and strenuous job, but it’s an essential part of most concrete roads, bridges, and buildings. Typically, rodbusters use hand tools for this work on the jobsite, but my recent visit to the World of Concrete in Las Vegas made me realize how much innovation there has been in the space in the past few years.

Tools currently available range from handheld battery powered tools up to pretty massive robots designed to do the work autonomously. Highlighted below are 7 different ways to tie rebar without using hand tools.

Wacker Neuson DF 16 Rebar Binder

The Wacker Neuson DF 16 Rebar Binder has been available throughout the world for at least 10 years now. It’s unique to this list, because it’s the only non-powered mechanical tool. It uses a simple system to allow users to tie up to 1,000 knots per hour, only requiring the user to push down on the tool at the intersection of two bars. It folds up for easy transportation and extends to allow for upright operation, eliminating the need for continuous bending.