What's this hole for

[bigtiller]

I bought some 18" and 24" flat steel concrete form stakes from my local Menards. They all have a giant hole in the top. The hole is .5" wide and 1" long. I looked on line and that is all they offer. Same deal with Lowe's.

What am I missing? What is the hole for? I would rather have nail holes that close to the top, especially when forming with 2x4 lumber.

 

[dodge man]

I’ve seen steel forms that have a wedge type setup to hook up to those pins.

 

[Peter 315]

Maybe the giant hole is the bottom....

 

[DJ54]

I'd have to guess the slot is for slipping a small slip hook, or something suitable through to pull the stakes back out of the ground.

 

[bigtiller]

I'd have to guess the slot is for slipping a small slip hook, or something suitable through to pull the stakes back out of the ground.

I have watched a few videos about using steel stakes and seen one guy sticking the claw of a hammer in the hole to pull the stake out of the ground.

The first nail hole closest to the top is 3" down. That makes it almost worthless when using 2x4 forms.

It looks like some venders call them "Flat I-Beam Stake with Holes".

I haven't found any forms that were designed to use this kind of stake.

 

[DJ54]

I have watched a few videos about using steel stakes and seen one guy sticking the claw of a hammer in the hole to pull the stake out of the ground.

The first nail hole closest to the top is 3" down. That makes it almost worthless when using 2x4 forms.

It looks like some venders call them "Flat I-Beam Stake with Holes".

I haven't found any forms that were designed to use this kind of stake.

And they made not be for basic the DIY guy either and depends on what you're pouring. Not a basic 2 x 4 form on flat ground for a sidewalk on stable ground. If on a slope to the outside, and not so stable dirt, you may need to drive the stake in a good foot to hold the form, like on a retaining wall requiring a taller form. While the bottom of the stake may be enough to hold the bottom of the form, or if in not so stable dirt, upper holes could be used to fasten a 2 x 4 upright with nails or screws, and a kicker placed against that, using a longer 2 x 4 with a wooden stake driven in, for an example 4'-6' away, then wedged and nailed in place to hold it. Or a place to hold whalers/walers/wailers in place on a long wall to keep it from bowing.

For most DIY'rs a short 2 x 4 stake with 60º points cut on the end driven in will hold a 4" form with no problem.