Weigth Lifting Equipment Project

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Any experienced welders here make their own weight lifting equipment? I've been searching for some loadable Olympic dumbbells and found out weight lifting equipment is extremely overpriced right now like a lot of other things. I don't feel like spending a couple hundred dollars just for a pretty simple handle made out of steel. I already have a couple of barbells, power rack, and other items so I just want to possibly make my own dumbbells. I may build a deadlift stand eventually but that will most likely be made out of wood and those horse stall mats. I have a hex bar on the way and would like to lengthen the sleeve on it to fit more plates. Right now the sleeve can fit five 45lb plates on each side but I would like to increase the length to accommodate six 45lb plates on each side.
Reply:I work out and make/design/ modify a lot of equipment but I am not a lifter. I see a lot of concerns with your questions and goals but there are a few members on this site that would be far better with their advice and knowledge. Members Reebz and Strength and Power are  a few that I recall. Good luck.Last edited by Lis2323; 03-28-2022 at 02:09 PM.:
Reply:You mentioned hex bar. Here is a jack I made to lift the 2”d  stem of a hex bar for plate changes.

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Reply:Just go to hobby shop and do work with steel. The weights I use to make backing plate for chucks and pulleys. The list goes on but equipment does get a new life. Dave

Originally Posted by Ambull01

Any experienced welders here make their own weight lifting equipment? I've been searching for some loadable Olympic dumbbells and found out weight lifting equipment is extremely overpriced right now like a lot of other things. I don't feel like spending a couple hundred dollars just for a pretty simple handle made out of steel. I already have a couple of barbells, power rack, and other items so I just want to possibly make my own dumbbells. I may build a deadlift stand eventually but that will most likely be made out of wood and those horse stall mats. I have a hex bar on the way and would like to lengthen the sleeve on it to fit more plates. Right now the sleeve can fit five 45lb plates on each side but I would like to increase the length to accommodate six 45lb plates on each side.
Reply:Joe Weider used to use railroad car wheels for weight lifting plates.Miller 211Hypertherm PM 451961 Lincoln Idealarc 250HTP 221  True Wisdom only comes from Pain.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Lis2323

You mentioned hex bar. Here is a jack I made to lift the 2”d  stem of a hex bar for plate changes. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:

Originally Posted by Ambull01

That's cool. Do you have problems with it flipping up? Looks a bit short but could just be the pic. Something to change weight plates would be a good addition
Reply:Nice build Lis 2323I have built a bunch of stuff over the years. But not dumbbells. I can not imagine what a set would cost new. Might be worth a try to call gyms some place may be selling some stuff. Look on Facebook market place. A high end school near here sold all the dumbbells because many were mismatched sets and he did not like the look. Note very high end school so the $$ was no big deal to them.
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Originally Posted by Lis2323

It would require determining your balance and pivot points. You load up your bar WAY more than I ever would so a longer handle) for leverage may be needed. Store bought jacks are usually for 1" standard barbells so that it can be used anywhere along the bar's length For your hex or trap bar you will need to pick up on the portion of the 2" stub closest to the handles    Too lazy to go back out to the gym.  Here is a Google photo I put a 2" locking shaft collar 3" from EACH handle end so that there is always a space for Jack to fit.  Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:

Originally Posted by Reebz

Nice build Lis 2323I have built a bunch of stuff over the years. But not dumbbells. I can not imagine what a set would cost new. Might be worth a try to call gyms some place may be selling some stuff. Look on Facebook market place. A high end school near here sold all the dumbbells because many were mismatched sets and he did not like the look. Note very high end school so the $$ was no big deal to them.
Reply:Here's a T bar row I designed and built..


And squat rack using pallet racking material


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Reply:

Originally Posted by Lis2323

Here's a T bar row I designed and built..And squat rack using pallet racking materialSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:This barbell rack I built also...


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Reply:Start with simple projects. That's what I did. Miscellaneous dumbbell  and plate storage..

kettlebell rack

Repurposed patio umbrella stand from Starbucks used for battle ropes...

It's nice as I can place it at the open garage door and keep the sweat on the pavement lol

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Reply:Great looking work. You use that set of photos for you web sit.Dave

Originally Posted by Lis2323

Start with simple projects. That's what I did. Miscellaneous dumbbell  and plate storage..

kettlebell rack

Repurposed patio umbrella stand from Starbucks used for battle ropes...

It's nice as I can place it at the open garage door and keep the sweat on the pavement lol

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Reply:

Originally Posted by smithdoor

Great looking work. You use that set of photos for you web sit.Dave
Reply:Ok use the old fashion way a photo album and line card.I used that till 1995.Dave

Originally Posted by Lis2323

Thanks Dave. But I don't need a web site and posting on this site pretty much maxes out my IT skills. LolSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Originally Posted by smithdoor

Ok use the old fashion way a photo album and line card.I used that till 1995.Dave
Reply:I have built lots of squat racks, sleds, matadors/dip stations, chin bars, Strong man stuff, reverse hyper, tons of storage racks. Here is a link to my Facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/search/top/...epa=SEARCH_BOXIt was fun. I still do some gym stuff but the $$ is not there. A buddy says "You cant compete with china or a robot". Message if you want any advice I have drawings of all the stuff I made.
Reply:Ok just a hobby like have.Still looks great 👍 Dave

Originally Posted by Lis2323

You have to remember I’m retired and just do stuff for myself as a hobby.  If I had to weld for a living like you guys do (or did) I would starve. I kid you not!Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Reply:

Originally Posted by Lis2323

Start with simple projects. That's what I did. Miscellaneous dumbbell  and plate storage..Repurposed patio umbrella stand from Starbucks used for battle ropes...It's nice as I can place it at the open garage door and keep the sweat on the pavement lolSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:The hex bar was purchased.  It was only $149 Cdn at the time. Not even worth thinking about building. The cable machine was purchased used and modified and a pull up bar was added with risers for my daughter when she was younger.

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Reply:You need to know when to buy and when to build.  I purchased this folding dip attachment and modified it to fit the side of a seated chest machine


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Reply:An example of when to build Adjustable angle medicine ball rebounder built from scratch using a free mini trampoline off  Craigslist.



Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkLast edited by Lis2323; 03-29-2022 at 03:32 PM.:
Reply:Some impressive builds Lis.Lincoln 330MPXLincoln Power Mig 256Lincoln LN-25X Wire FeederMagnum PRO 250LX GT Spool GunModified Lincoln 225¼ Ton of Torches OFC-A OFG-AAir Carbon Arc GougingEverlast 62i Plasma CutterIngersoll Rand Type 30 14hpInstagram: #Freebird WeldsThanks, Freebird!Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk:
Reply:

Originally Posted by Ambull01

DAMN. Impressive gym. Didn't realize you built your hex bar, looks complicated with all those angles. Yeah I think I'll start off with building a dumbbell rack. Right now I have the adjustable dumbbell sitting on the floor of my basement and it's a bit of a pain trying to select the appropriate weight. I thought my setup was pretty decent until looking at your pics lol. You have some serious money invested there, especially with all those machines. Those things aren't cheap from what I've seen. I'm going to show my wife these pics tonight so she what I could theoretically make, if I actually knew how to weld haha. P.S. Did you build that cable pull down machine? Oh awesome, I'll definitely take you up on that offer. Thanks! A weighted sled would be cool to have, the writer of the 5/3/1 program is a really big proponent of using it for conditioning. That's true about China but thought maybe there would be some feasibility of making barbells/dumbbells to sell. They seem to be going for a bit over $2 a lb right now but I guess that would depend on the price and availability of steel. I had a dream of making my own cable crossover attachment to add onto my power rack but that seems too complicated for me right now. Maybe in a year or two of messing around with smaller projects.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Lis2323

An example of when to build Adjustable angle medicine ball rebounder built from scratch using a free mini trampoline off  Craigslist.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Repurposed.  That is a ratcheting load lock bar used for cargo containment in trucks and semi van body trailers. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk: