Which Rebar Cutter or Bender Do You Need?
Four questions pick the right rebar cutter or bender: the biggest bar you work with every day, whether you work on site or in a workshop, whether you need to cut, bend or both, and what power you have. This guide answers each one with the models that suit.
Capital Machinery Sales supplies, services and supports workshop rebar machinery across Australia, for over 20 years.
1. What bar size do you work with every day?
Buy a machine rated above the biggest bar you cut or bend every day. Running at the top of the range every day leaves no headroom for bigger bar or harder steel.
Check the grade as well. ICARO capacities are rated for Grade 500 (N bar). Some machines are rated on mild steel, which is softer, so a machine rated on mild steel may not reach the same size in N bar. Compare like with like.
| Everyday bar | On site (portable) | In the workshop (ICARO, Grade 500) |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 16mm | Benders: Reflex Bramley manual (16mm mild steel), Diamond HB16W (16mm). Cut and bend: Diamond DBC16H (16mm). Cutters: Diamond DCC-1636HR and Arm Sangyo BC16-Li230 cordless (16mm), Rapidcut pneumatic (8, 10 or 16mm) | Bender: P26 (24mm). Stirrups and ligs: ST16 (16mm) |
| 20 to 25mm | Benders: PortaForce PF22B (22mm), PF25B (25mm), Reflex CBX-22 and CBX-25. Cut and bend: Diamond DBC25X (25mm). Cutters: PortaForce PF25C (25mm), Diamond DC20W and DC25W | Benders: P26 (24mm), P32 (26mm). Combined: CP26/32 (bends 28mm), CP30/35 (bends 30mm). Cutter: C32 (26mm) |
| 32mm | Benders: PortaForce PF32B, PF32SB and PF32WB, Diamond DBR32-HD, Reflex CBX-32 (all 32mm). Cutters: PortaForce PF32C, Diamond DC32WH (32mm) | Bender: P42 (36mm). Combined: CP38/45 (bends 38mm). Cutter: C42 (34mm). The P36 bends 32mm at its maximum |
| 40mm | Bender: PortaForce PF40WB (40mm) | Benders: P52 (44mm), P55 (46mm). Combined: CP50/54 (bends 48mm). Cutters: C52 (44mm), C55 (46mm) |
| Over 40mm | Workshop machines only | Benders: P56 and P62 (54mm). Cutters: C62 (54mm), C70 (62mm) |
2. On site or in the workshop?
Portable machines are carried to the job for repairs, starter bars and short runs, and plug into 240V. The split benders (PortaForce PF32WB and PF40WB) separate the pump from the head, so the head goes to the bar.
Workshop machines are floor machines for daily production, and bend two or three bars at once. The ICARO P42, for example, bends two 28mm or three 22mm bars. If you process bar every day, or more than one bar at a time, choose a workshop machine.
3. Cut, bend or both?
- Bender only: when your bar arrives cut to length.
- Cutter only: the ICARO C42 cuts a single 34mm Grade 500 bar, or three 20mm bars at once.
- Both, as separate machines: two operators can work at once, and a dedicated cutter handles more bars per cut.
- Both, in one machine: an ICARO CP combined cutter and bender takes nearly half the floor space of two machines, but does one job at a time. On site, the Diamond DBC16H and DBC25X cut and bend in one tool.
- Bend and straighten: PortaForce PF32SB, PF32WB, PF40WB and Diamond DBR32-HD.
4. What power do you have?
- 10 amp plug: PortaForce PF22B, PF25B and PF25C.
- 15 amp plug: PortaForce PF32B, PF32SB and PF32C.
- Battery: Diamond DCC-1636HR (36V) and Arm Sangyo BC16-Li230 (25.2V) cutters.
- Compressed air: Rapidcut cutters, on 90 to 120 PSI.
- 240V single phase in the workshop: ICARO P26, P32 and P36 with the optional inverter. The CP26/32 comes in a 240V version, and the ST16 in 240V or 415V.
- 415V three phase: most larger workshop machines.
5. Do you make stirrups, ligs or spirals?
Every ICARO P series bender and CP machine takes an optional stirrup bending attachment with length stop. For volume, the ICARO ST16 stirrup bender bends 16mm single bar or three 10mm bars. For spirals, the ICARO CAL 34 bends 6 to 34mm bar. More in our Rebar Processing Equipment guide.
Supply and support
Capital Machinery Sales is Australia’s largest ICARO supplier and distributor, with over 120 Italian-made ICARO rebar benders, rebar cutters and combined machines imported for reo workshops across Australia. Established over 20 years and backed by more than 30 years of experience in industrial machinery, manufacturing and service, we offer support well beyond a typical tool shop or reseller. We’ve supplied and serviced ICARO in Australia for 10 years.
From a 24mm bar bender to a 70mm heavy duty reo bender, plus rebar cutters, stirrup benders and spiral machines, we hold spare parts, bushes and pins in Melbourne, with on-site service, remote support and in-house repairs Australia-wide. When you call or need help, we’re there, and you’ll get instant, responsive support. Because of our extensive experience in machinery, we offer an exclusive extended 2-year warranty, so you’re covered well beyond the manufacturer’s standard 12-month warranty.
We’ve supplied and serviced ICARO in Australia for 10 years. We hold spare parts, bushes and pins here, and offer remote support, on-site service and in-house repairs. ICARO, PortaForce and Reflex CBX machines come with a 2-year warranty, and the Reflex RTM45 with 1 year. We deliver Australia-wide with tracking.
More guides: Industrial Rebar Machinery Buyer’s Guide, Handheld Rebar Machinery Buyer’s Guide and Rebar Processing Equipment for Australian Workshops.
FAQ
What size rebar bender do I need for 32mm reo?
On site, a 32mm portable bender such as the PortaForce PF32B or Diamond DBR32-HD. In the workshop, the ICARO P42, which bends a single 36mm Grade 500 bar, so 32mm sits inside its range.
What rebar cutter do I need for 40mm reo?
The ICARO C52 (44mm) or C55 (46mm). Our portable cutters go up to 32mm (PortaForce PF32C and Diamond DC32WH).
Which bender will bend 40mm reo?
On site, the PortaForce PF40WB (4 to 40mm). In the workshop, the ICARO P52 (44mm), P55 (46mm) or the CP50/54 combined machine (bends 48mm).
Do I need a separate cutter and bender?
A combined machine saves space and cost. Separate machines let two operators work at once, and a dedicated cutter handles more bars per cut.
Can I run a rebar bender on a 10 amp plug?
Yes. The PortaForce PF22B and PF25B benders and the PF25C cutter run on a 10 amp plug. The PF32B and PF32SB need 15 amp. In the workshop, the ICARO P26, P32 and P36 run on 240V single phase with the optional inverter.
Are cordless rebar cutters strong enough?
Up to 16mm, yes. The Diamond DCC-1636HR does about 250 cuts of 16mm bar per charge and the Arm Sangyo BC16-Li230 about 210. Above 16mm, use a 240V cutter.
Is Grade 500 capacity different from mild steel capacity?
Yes. Grade 500 (N bar) is stronger than mild steel, so a machine rated on mild steel may not reach the same size in N bar. ICARO capacities are rated at Grade 500.
Where can I get rebar machines serviced in Australia?
Capital Machinery Sales services the machines we sell Australia-wide, with remote support, on-site service and in-house repairs, and holds spare parts here.
