power rack uprights getting scratched

[Wildcat33]

They are getting scratched up pretty good during barbell calf raises. Seems like 2 strips of leather or hard plastic affixed with double sided tape might keep it from happening. Any better ideas?

Thanks

[ctgblue]

they're supposed to get scratched, that way you know you're using the damn things :D

you could use something as long as it doesn't interfere with the hooks

[MiloMan]

Originally posted by Wildcat33
Seems like 2 strips of hard plastic

Go here:

http://www.mcmaster.com/

And look for rectangular bars (probably 0.125x2.000 inch in the length of your choice) in the following material:

HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene), the "poor man's Teflon", no known solvents at room temp, service temp range is -22F to +160F. You won't find an adhesive that will bond to it. Very affordable.

[ctgblue]

the problem with using that is that it will cover up the peg holes and even 1/8" will be too thick to allow the catch hooks to be pinned in place

if it is high enough and you won't be using those holes, you will bee a good drill and should (sparingly) bolt them in place using machine bolts so that they are flush with the plastic

the stuff is quite cheap, I just wouldn't want to drill holes in my weight bearing equipt

to find them got to the section at the bottom and follow these crumbs:
Raw Materials and Springs
Plastics
Plastics
Polyethelene
HDPE
Rectangular bars
then choose thickness and width
$.18/ft 4' sections

[MiloMan]

I suppose you could also screw/bolt them to a metal strip for rigidity, the attach projections to the metal strip so that the whole thing could easily mount/dismount in just a few seconds. Countersink the bolt/screw heads slightly so they won't chew up your oly bars.

[Wildcat33]

I use the No. 4 holes on calf raises, shouldn't ever need to use any of the higher up holes. I don't want to drill any holes in the uprights but wouldn't mind protecting the scratched area if it doesn't interfere with the strength of the uprights or any of my exercises.

Here's a pic of the left upright after only 3 sets of calf raises:

[MiloMan]

No, I didn't mean drill your rack, but rather countersink-drill your HDPE strip and screw it to a thin metal backing (not your rack).

Then, figure our some sort of a rack-hole-sized peg to mount on the backing, and this would enable you to rapidly install and remove the "protector strips" by slipping the pegs in the holes.

[ctgblue]

OR
the inexpensive way
Take the 4' section, cut it in half and tape each to the upright using the top 1' of the plasitc, the lower 1' portion of each will stay in line.
You can find some nice black or white electricians tape that will hold it, worse case, you can use a couple of industrial staples to keep the tape from slipping on the plastic

[Wildcat33]

I used a couple strips of leather, (2) 4" lengths of 1" dowel, and a few screws to make the upright protectors. They worked pretty good tonight while doing calf raises but moved around a little. Very easy to remove them and use in other holes. I'll watch them and if the movement is going to be a problem I'll figure out something else. Maybe boil the leather strips for a moment, makes them stiff. Made a calf block tonight too that turned out quite nice.

Thanks for all the advice.

[Wildcat33]

Here's a pic: