An apparatus for making a reinforcing cage as disclosed. The apparatus has a former for receiving a plurality of longitudinally extending reinforcing rods and the former is rotatably received on a bed carried by a frame. An unloading module is located adjacent the former and has a shuttle for moving towards the former for feeding rods into the former and away from the former for withdrawing the rods as a cage is made. A feed is present adjacent the former for directing a reinforcing rod against the rod as they are withdrawn from the former to allow the spiral rod to be welded to the longitudinal rods as to produce a reinforcing cage.