dee Concrete | Contractor FAQs

Why should I use steel forms and not wood?

First, to save money! Second, to get a more consistent concrete forming job done every time. Third, it is easier and requires less training than a crew using wood forms. Fourth, they are safer to work with so you will reduce lost workdays due to injuries. Fifth, there are a lot more — go talk to your local dee distributor.

Can I try a loaner set of metal forms?

Yes, in certain areas you can. Depending on your location, we do make loaner sets available for up to two weeks so you can evaluate dee's products including our flatwork forms, curb & gutter forms, paving forms, high curb forms, custom forms and our concrete forming accessories.

Why are cold rolled pins and stakes better than hot rolled pins?

dee manufactures and sells the best form pins and nail stakes in the U.S.! Our pins and stakes are made from cold rolled U.S. tool steel. No one makes a stronger, more long lasting, and safer to use nail stake and form pin. Hot rolled form pins or nail stakes are inherently weaker.

If I am using other steel forms, will dee forms match my current ones?

dee forms have always been, and remain, the industry standard. Unlike many of our competitors, our forms will match up with any of the major competitors' forms. Most competitive metal form designs are based on dee designs and for those that are not we have made sure our forms are compatible with. There are some localized machine shop forms on the market with which we cannot absolutely say dee forms will match.

How long will dee forms last?

dee metal forms typically last 5 years under normal construction use with little form maintenance. However, when properly maintained, we know of contractors using dee forms for 10, and even 20, years. Please click to read our metal form maintenance tips.

How do I clean my forms to make them last longer?

There are a number of steps required to help your metal forms last longer. Here are some quick steps that will help:

- Apply a release agent to the face of the form before form use.
- Make sure your forms are securely staked into the ground to prevent blowouts or form buckling.
- Check to see that forms fit together snugly to prevent movement and potential form damage during the concrete placement.
- Remove nail stakes or form pins with a stake puller after the placement is hardened to prevent damage to the forms.
- Inspect forms and remove concrete residue after use.
- Re-coat the face of the forms with a release agent.
- Protect the forms from the elements, especially moisture, between job usages.

Please read our metal form maintenance tips for more information.

What is a stake puller?

Our stake puller was designed to be the most efficient device on the market to remove nail stakes and form pins quickly and safely, plus it minimizes damage to the metal form and the nail stake, form pin, or flat stake maximizing your investment.

The dee stake puller has an engineered and machined jaw that firmly grabs the nail stake, form pin, or flat stake.

Are there any special safety considerations when using metal forms for concrete placement?

There are no extra safety considerations to be concerned with when switching from wood or masonite to metal forms. The normal safety concerns any contractor should address when working with concrete should be reviewed.

Do I need to go to a distributor if I only want to buy pins or stakes?

All dee metal forms and form pins, nail stakes ,and flat stakes are sold through our national network of industrial supply distributors.

How do I determine how many forms and accessories I really need to purchase?

dee personnel and distributors can help you determine the optimum number, and of what kind, are needed for a specific concrete placement job.

How long does it take to teach my crew how to use metal forms?

Learning how to setup, use, and break down a metal forms concrete placement, whether for flatwork, curb & gutter, paving form, high curb form, or custom form work is very easy. We provide written setup directions in both English and Spanish as well as other materials to help teach your crew how to use metal forms for your concrete placement projects.

If I switch from wood to using steel forms, will I really start saving money? How soon?

There is no question your contracting business will begin to save money quickly. How soon and how much are tougher to answer since it depends on how many feet your crews are forming. Most crews can set up and strip down steel forms 3X faster than wood forms for the same concrete placement.

When you add your productivity savings to the fact that steel forms average 75% cheaper to use than wood based on wood replacement costs only, we believe you'll start saving money pretty quickly when you switch to metal forms for your horizontally placed concrete forming needs.

Do you offer metal forms that will allow my crews to form curved or radius pavement?

dee makes a complete line of flexible forms made of spring steel. We are the only concrete placement metal forms manufacturer that makes flexible forms from spring steel and that means dee's flexible forms will last longer and will not deform making them a much higher quality product. See our flexible forms page in our flatwork forms section.

Why should I buy dee metal forms from my distributor versus your competitors?

Quite simply, dee metal forms and concrete forming accessories are the best engineered and manufactured products in the industry. dee Concrete is the only metal forms manufacturer that offers a complete line of concrete forming accessories for flatwork and curb and gutter applications.

Are there more worker's comp injuries using "heavy" metal forms?

No, quite the opposite. Our distributors and their contractors tell us metal forms are easier and safer to use that wood forms since there is no wood cutting, nailing of wood, and wood splintering reducing potential accident situations.

Is it true dee offers paving forms too?

Yes, we offer an extensive line of paving forms, most of which are custom built for your project's requirements. dee offers both light duty and heavy duty paving forms for road paving projects. We also offer reversible paving forms in both weights plus paving forms punched for dowels for road projects requiring reinforced concrete.

dee paving forms are normally used in concrete placement applications for intersections, highway entrance and exit ramps, streets, bridge approaches, airport runways, roadways, commercial driveways and truck pads, heavy equipment pads, and taper pours for ramps.

Where can I buy dee forms and accessories?

Give us a call at 1-800-245-1333 and we will be glad to give you the contact information for a distributor serving your area!

Do you offer any technical assistance to help contractors out with problems?

We certainly do. dee is staffed with both engineering personnel and individuals with decades of concrete contracting experience. If you have a problem, give us a call at 1-800-245-1333 and we'll be glad to help you with your problem.

Do you make custom forms?

dee has been making custom forms to meet the unique needs of our customers for over forty years. Most of our competitors sell their standard line, and if what you need is not in their catalog, you are out of luck.

dee engineers and design staff will gladly assist you to solve your unique concrete forming applications and then make the forms you require.

Can I buy direct from dee?

dee only sells through our network of distributors. If you are a contractor, you will be directed to buy from the distributor most convenient to you.