Brad Rozema

Quality is a concept that can be difficult to describe but instantly clear when you see it, feel it or use it. Concrete construction professionals know exactly what that means when it comes to their tools.

The recognition of quality has led to success for EZE Bend Inc.
(ezebendinc.com), an Oregon company that makes rebar benders and cutters differently than anyone else in the market. They machine tool most of their components rather than utilizing mass-production methods.

"We make the tools one-at-a-time and test every one upon completion," EZE Bend President Brad Rozema said. "That guarantees consistency and allows us to easily implement design improvements."

A quick examination reveals their simple and durable design. Basically, the tools are just hydraulic cylinders with power buttons. They are also simple to use and 100 percent American-made.

The EZE Bend tools meet today's requirements with either No. 6 (three-quarter-inch) or No. 8 (one-inch) rebar capacity. They are the smallest and lightest portable rebar bending and cutting tools available with these capacities. For example, the EZE Bend 6 Pull-Bender weighs just 17 pounds and is only 16 inches in length. That's nearly one-half the weight and more than 6 inches shorter than the closest competitor.

The tools are also perfectly balanced. When demonstrating the weight and balance of his tools, Rozema holds the 6 Pull-Bender or 6 Cutter out in front of him, on one finger. That's a powerful visual for any contractor who has struggled with tools that are heavy enough to require two hands to hold, position and use.

"A fundamental difference that allows us to be so small yet accomplish big results is that all of the power is provided by a separate hydraulic pump, which is sitting on the ground. Most of our competitors incorporate the power supply within the tool," he said. "Their design adds size and weight to their tools."

Every EZE Bend Cutter or Bender can rotate 360-degrees. This feature dramatically simplifies rebar fabrication inside of formwork, in hard-to-reach positions, or rebar that is cast-in-place. "Contractors love that feature," Rozema added.

The EZE Bend system entered the market in 1994. The original tool was called the Push Bender. It pushed the rebar against stationary rollers, so the bar bent toward the operator. Though not as safe, the nice thing was that the design allowed it to weigh only 12 pounds.

As soon as the Pull Bender became available, people favored the design. By pulling the rebar against stationary rollers, it allows the rebar to bend safely away from the operator. More importantly, by combining the pulling action with a rotating head, all of a sudden you have the perfect tool for bending cast-in-place rebar. By 2005, the Pull Bender was outselling the Push Bender 10 to 1, so Rozema discontinued the older design.

Rozema claims to have walked in the concrete contractor's shoes. "I know, from my own experience, exactly what it takes to operate manual rebar benders, cutters and hickey bars. Every one wants a tool that eliminates that back straining experience."

A single hand controls all EZE Bend tools. Single-hand control means that you have the other hand free to manipulate the rebar or steady your balance.

Other important features of the EZE Bend tools include speed, durability and safety. All models share similar engineering to obtain these features.
Tool speed is important. Depending on the combination of the system components, you can cut or produce a 90-degree bend in as little as 1.5 seconds.

Durability is evident within the entire system. There are very few maintenance items. Fewer components means greater dependability. Most exterior components are either plated or anodized for long-term protection.
Safety is offered through design as well as function. The momentary buttons allow the tools action to stop and then immediately retract.

"This is a huge advantage for last second corrections or to avoid accidents," Rozema explained. "The hydraulic hose and electrical wire are encased in a protective sleeve, limiting wear and maintaining a safer working environment. With either Bender, you can bend up to 135-degrees in a single stroke. You can also bend cast-in-place rebar within 4 or 6 inches of the existing concrete. The diameter produced by each bend will meet or exceed the American Concrete Institute (ACI) specifications.

The EZE Bend 8 Cutter, with one-inch rebar capacity, weighs only 37 pounds. That compares to other portable cutters weighing 49, 55 or more pounds. The 6 Cutter, with three-quarter inch rebar capacity, weighs only 22 pounds. That compares to competitors weighting 25, 31, or more pounds.

Every contractor who has used a portable rebar cutter knows that when you cut off a small piece of rebar, you may have just launched a missile. Many abrasions and even loss of eyesight can be attributed to this problem.

EZE Bend uses a "shock absorber" to control the safe exit of those short pieces of rebar. Each small piece just drops to the floor or to the ground.

Most rebar cutting tools have a mechanism to adjust for different diameters of rebar, and the mechanism usually requires a separate tool. In reality, contractors simply don't take the time to find the required wrench or screwdriver to make the adjustments. Rather, they set the tool at the wide-open setting and just leave it. As it cuts, it rocks the rebar at an angle, producing sharp rebar edges. It also shortens the life expectancy of the cutting blocks and the cylinder.

From the very beginning, EZE Bend designed its adjustment mechanism to be hand-operated. They call it a "gauge block," and it is spring loaded and mounted to the side of the Cutter. "We make it as easy as possible to have safer cutting surfaces as well as extended life expectancies for your cutting blocks and cutter cylinders," Rozema said.

"The bottom line is the EZE Bend Cutters will do things that you can't or won't do with any other tool. For example, if your vertical rebar had been cast-in-place two inches too long, then the EZE Bend Cutter is your best solution. It weighs less and it rotates to any angle. By requiring only one hand, it is easier to control, safer to use, and minimize fatigue. Short cut pieces of rebar will safely drop to the ground."

The EZE Bend System incorporates hydraulic pumps manufactured by Enerpac, a leader in high-pressure hydraulics. They have authorized service centers in virtually every state, as well as around the world. "That provides a measure of security and confidence for our customers," Rozema said.

Operating from a separate power supply allows the tools to be simply designed and noticeably lighter. Further, the pumps work perfectly with momentary style power buttons. This creates a forgiving action that allows the tools to stop and immediately retract, whenever the button is released.
It is this action that allows the EZE Bend Benders to incrementally bend or straighten rebar.

The separate pump provides an opportunity to add a nice safety feature. EZE Bend steps the 110-voltage power supply down at the pump, leaving only 20 volts in the hand of the operator.

Hydraulic pumps were selected for their speed, dependability and weight.
The pumps are connected to the tools by 10- or 25-foot hose/electrical assemblies. They operate from a standard 110-volt power supply or from a generator, and weigh as little as 27 pounds.

"If a contractor works his way to the full extent of the hose/electrical assembly, he just moves the pump and he's good to go," Rozema said.

Rozema also owns Concrete Special Ties Inc. (CST), a concrete contractor supply company with locations in Oregon and Washington. CST provides contractors with everything from rebar to chemicals, hardware and finishing tools. He bought EZE Bend Inc. from one of his customers in 1998.

Today, the two companies benefit each other. EZE Bend tools sell in the local market through CST. Every CST location also rents the tools.
"Renting the EZE Bend system has really helped us promote the ultra-lightweight rebar fabrication concept," Rozema explained.

From bridges to tunnels or parking garages to custom homes, the EZE Bend tools have solved rebar fabrication and installation problems. Contractors have found that they can greatly benefit by bending or cutting rebar as it is installed or after it is cast-in-place. They have also eliminated unnecessary rebar used for corner lap-splices. Instead, they simply produce multiple bends on long lengths of continuous rebar - as it is placed.

Every day, contractors discover new ways to utilize the EZE Bend Cutters and Benders for cost effective rebar installation and placement. Thousands of dollars in material and labor can be saved with these tools.

At the World of Concrete 2006, the EZE Bend team sold more than $50,000 worth of tools out of their booth and took home more than 600 solid leads.
When recounting success at the WOC, Rozema said, "When a serious contractor looks at our tools, picks them up and holds them in his hand, the tools sell themselves."