What follows is an excellent post from ApesInSpace on Reddit about using lag screws instead of rebar. It's the best explanation I've seen of using lag screws and why they're better, easier, and safer for most purposes on the playa than rebar is.
You might have seen the occasional mention of lag screws as an alternative to rebar (several threads over the past year or two). It’s a technique developed by the venerable FIGJAM (eplaya legend / inventor of the ever-popular bucket swamp cooler design). I’m a complete convert – everyone I know who has used lag screws is a complete convert – so I threw together a guide to making the switch.
What’s wrong with rebar?
It’s messy. It bends. It’s hard to remove from the playa without tools. You need gloves to work with it. It sticks out of the ground and aims for your drunk shins. It doesn’t have an anchor point, so it often requires guy-lines. Guy lines are easy to trip over. When you trip, you’ll fall on the rebar. What’s better about lag screws? They sit flush with the playa – nothing to trip over. The exposed portion is a hex-head (not particularly sharp). They’re easily combined with chain links to create an anchor point. They’re not expensive (comparable to rebar). They're a one-time investment. Most importantly: with a drill, they screw into and out of the playa in ~5 seconds with zero effort. |
What do I need?
How does it work?
OFF PLAYA: First, cut the chain into 2-link pieces. You’re buying 3 links per lag screw because you’re cutting every 3rd link. Cut all of these off-playa, toss the cut links, and throw the 2-link chains into a bag. Never hurts to have a few extra. Charge your drill batteries, or make friends with somebody with a generator.
ON PLAYA: Drill the lag screw directly into the playa, through one chain link. No need to make a pilot hole or anything – you want tight packing around the screw. You can drill pretty much all the way to the ground, or relatively close. The lag screw head holds the first chain link in place, relatively flush to the playa. The second chain link is your magically-created anchor point on the ground of a crumbly alkaline desert. Easily combined with carabiners, guy lines, whatever you’re trying to secure. Marvel at FIGJAM and his wisdom. Try to find him and give him gifts.
LEAVING: Unscrew lag screw. Throw screw & chain in your car. Go help your friends who still use rebar.
TLDR: Seriously consider the switch. Especially for camps that have lots of infrastructure, it cuts down on build and strike time considerably, it's safer, and it's just a really fucking cool innovation that makes it easier to throw a silly party in the desert.
Pro Tips:
- Cordless drill (impact drivers are better, but regular drills are fine)
- 3/8” socket bit
- 3/8” hex head lag screws (as many as you would need rebar). They come in 10”, 12”, 14”. Verdict is out on what the minimum length is. I think we used 12” and had zero problems on a huge shade structure. If you’re worried about trading in your 24” rebar, remember: screws are better than nails (or giant jagged nails, i.e. rebar) and you’re using the whole length of the lag (screwing all the way into the ground) instead of leaving some exposed & unused. I’m not sure about what metal is best (stainless steel is crazy expensive) – that’ll depend on what you’re securing, and maybe someone can weigh in here.
- Length of chain. You’ll roughly need a chain length that is at least (3 links) x (number of lags). For example, if you normally drop 8 pieces of rebar, and you want to drop 8 lag screws, you’ll need a 3x8=24 link length of chain. Pick relatively thick chain that the screw fits into, but the hex head doesn’t. This way you can skip washers and keep it a simple 2-piece system (screw + chain).
- Way to cut chain links. Bolt cutter, cutting disc, or just do all the cutting at your local hardware store.
How does it work?
OFF PLAYA: First, cut the chain into 2-link pieces. You’re buying 3 links per lag screw because you’re cutting every 3rd link. Cut all of these off-playa, toss the cut links, and throw the 2-link chains into a bag. Never hurts to have a few extra. Charge your drill batteries, or make friends with somebody with a generator.
ON PLAYA: Drill the lag screw directly into the playa, through one chain link. No need to make a pilot hole or anything – you want tight packing around the screw. You can drill pretty much all the way to the ground, or relatively close. The lag screw head holds the first chain link in place, relatively flush to the playa. The second chain link is your magically-created anchor point on the ground of a crumbly alkaline desert. Easily combined with carabiners, guy lines, whatever you’re trying to secure. Marvel at FIGJAM and his wisdom. Try to find him and give him gifts.
LEAVING: Unscrew lag screw. Throw screw & chain in your car. Go help your friends who still use rebar.
TLDR: Seriously consider the switch. Especially for camps that have lots of infrastructure, it cuts down on build and strike time considerably, it's safer, and it's just a really fucking cool innovation that makes it easier to throw a silly party in the desert.
Pro Tips:
- Charge your drill batteries completely, have extras or a way to recharge.
- Re: monkey huts, I think rebar might still be best to secure each rib to the ground. The PVC ribs settle over ~8-10" of above-ground rebar, which is easy slack to provide from a 24" rebar... definitely doable with 24" lags, but that might get a bit expensive. Last year I used 24" rebar to hold the ribs, lags to secure the tarp and spine.