18" Dumbbell Bars

[BrianEE93]

I have 14" standard dumbbell bars and you can only fit 4 10s on each side. One of the things I use this for is side bends and 80lbs. is not enough anymore. I tried using my EZ curl bar but it is hard to balance with one hand and concentrate on the lift.

I really only need one bar just to use for side bends. I have found two places so far. Pacillo's only sells sets and after shipping they are around $38. New York Barbell sells singles but their shipping is high and it would cost $27 for just one. Anyone know of other sites?

http://www.pacillo.com/detail.asp?product=266

http://www.newyorkbarbells.tv/im-0033.html

[buffbrown21]

I have 14" standard dumbbell bars and you can only fit 4 10s on each side. One of the things I use this for is side bends and 80lbs. is not enough anymore. I tried using my EZ curl bar but it is hard to balance with one hand and concentrate on the lift.

I really only need one bar just to use for side bends. I have found two places so far. Pacillo's only sells sets and after shipping they are around $38. New York Barbell sells singles but their shipping is high and it would cost $27 for just one. Anyone know of other sites?

http://www.pacillo.com/detail.asp?product=266

http://www.newyorkbarbells.tv/im-0033.html

If you only need one, I recommend that you make your own out of pipe (much cheaper).
There is some information on this forum about how to do this and I MAY be able to find a tutorial as well.

Edit:
I couldnt find the one I was looking for, but here are my humble instructions:

Basically you get some pipe (take a standard weight to the hardware store to test the fit before buying). You can get as long a piece as you need. You could make a 24" dumbbell if you wanted.
Get 4 hose clamps.
Get some crazyglue.

Measure where you want the hoseclamps to go to make your handle (the part you will hold) the right size. Place the hose clamps on those spots as your interior safety. Use crazy glue to secure them in place.

Load up the dumbbell to the desired weight. Attach hose clamps to each end to keep the weight secure. This design isnt to be trusted for all dumbbell moves, but for side bends, you will be fine.

You may want to add some sportsgrip tape to the handle (optional).

Here are links of somethings very similar:

http://www.rosstraining.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=33251

http://www.biancolo.com/articles/dum...-muscle-clamps

http://www.americanparkour.com/smf/i...p?topic=3547.0

[Pollux82]

$33 for a set shipped.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Regular-Threaded...d=p3286.c0.m14

If you like the non threaded kind they do sell it time to time. And its even cheaper than the threaded ones.

[1-swole-brah]

used these, much better

[buffbrown21]

used these, much better

Better than what?

[jshpark]

I just made these this weekend. SUPER simple to make.


* One or Two 3/4" black or galvanized steel bars (any size you want) ~$4-5 each for 18" handles like mine
* One or Two Tennis grip handles/baseball grip/tennis grip tape ~$1-3 (Mine were called "What-a-grip" in this picture http://dsp.imageg.net/graphics/produ...67992p275w.jpg Found @ Wal-mart.
* 4 or 8 Hose clamps (Jubilee Clips) ~$2/pair
* (optional if you want more safety) Epoxy or loctite to get the hose clamps really stuck on that baby

For less than $10 each, you can get nice, long dumbbell handles to start lifting.

*Note: Some cheaper quality plates don't fit these pipes, so make sure you test either the pipe or the plates before purchasing

You need to use a flathead screw driver when adjusting but they stay on pretty damn strong. I've been snatching and swinging my bar overhead with 80lbs with no movement at all.

If you want some stronger collars, you can get these albeit more expensive:

http://www.mcmaster.com/#shaft-collars/=3ns5di (One Piece Clamp On/1 inch bore size)

OR

http://www6.mailordercentral.com/iro...?number=1226-S

[BrianEE93]

Thanks guys! Awesome stuff.

blaze_itt--Is the pipe you use hallow? I guess it looks like black iron pipe used for commercial heat/cooling systems.

[BrianEE93]

blaze_itt--Another question. How many 10s can you get on one size of the 18" bar? If I am doing it, I might as well make it plenty big to always handle the weight even when I get all swole!

[buffbrown21]

blaze_itt--Another question. How many 10s can you get on one size of the 18" bar? If I am doing it, I might as well make it plenty big to always handle the weight even when I get all swole!

Yeah man, like I said, go ahead and make a 24" one (or pair).

[jshpark]

Thanks guys! Awesome stuff.

blaze_itt--Is the pipe you use hallow? I guess it looks like black iron pipe used for commercial heat/cooling systems.

Yea, it is hollow. I can fit 6 10lb plates on each side for a total of 120 lbs w/ clamps attached and a little space to spare. Handle is approx. 5 3/4 inches long.

I'm planning on making some 24's in the future but these will definitely be sufficient enough for a long time for most workouts. You could always get 25 lb plates as well.

[BrianEE93]

Yea, it is hollow. I can fit 6 10lb plates on each side for a total of 120 lbs w/ a little space to spare. Handle is approx. 5 3/4 inches long.

I'm planning on making some 24's in the future but these will definitely be sufficient enough for a long time for most workouts. You could always get 25 lb plates as well.

Nice. I have spring collars that are good enough as long as you aren't going vertical with the weights.

I might have just lucked out. I put a wanted ad on Craigslist and a lady said she just had a garage sale and couldn't sell some weights she had. She was ready to just give them away to get rid of them. She said she had 18" bars, weights, and a bench. I am going to meet her tomorrow and take a look at the bars and weights. I will throw her a few dollars and be good to go.

[jshpark]

Nice. I have spring collars that are good enough as long as you aren't going vertical with the weights.

I might have just lucked out. I put a wanted ad on Craigslist and a lady said she just had a garage sale and couldn't sell some weights she had. She was ready to just give them away to get rid of them. She said she had 18" bars, weights, and a bench. I am going to meet her tomorrow and take a look at the bars and weights. I will throw her a few dollars and be good to go.

nice! good luck with that

[4MEandThem]

Yea, it is hollow. I can fit 6 10lb plates on each side for a total of 120 lbs w/ clamps attached and a little space to spare. Handle is approx. 5 3/4 inches long.

I'm planning on making some 24's in the future but these will definitely be sufficient enough for a long time for most workouts. You could always get 25 lb plates as well.

I think I would spend a few extra bucks for some threaded flanges on the ends of those things. I think they would be a lot safer.

[BrianEE93]

I think I would spend a few extra bucks for some threaded flanges on the ends of those things. I think they would be a lot safer.

I was just thinking about that. If you have it threaded, maybe you could screw on some kind of bushing or something.

My companies' service department has pipefitters that I am sure could set me up.

[jshpark]

yea, that would be a good idea if you are max loading the bar. I definitely wouldn't feel safe putting 100+ lbs over my head with the hose clamps out on the edge like that but you can do side bends or dead lifts or something.

or ya, you can get the pipe threaded longer and use those flanges

[4MEandThem]

yea, that would be a good idea if you are max loading the bar. I definitely wouldn't feel safe putting 100+ lbs over my head with the hose clamps out on the edge like that but you can do side bends or dead lifts or something.

or ya, you can get the pipe threaded longer and use those flanges

What about shortening the handle just a bit. Looks like your right there.

[BrianEE93]

I guess the pipe came threaded on the end like shown. How about just screwing on a coupling/bushing just as a safety even with less plates.

[4MEandThem]

Check out this dumbell.

https://store.sorinex.com/Articles.asp?ID=164

[BrianEE93]

Check out this dumbell.

https://store.sorinex.com/Articles.asp?ID=164

Damn! I probably couldn't put that up with two hands.

[buffbrown21]

Check out this dumbell.

https://store.sorinex.com/Articles.asp?ID=164

Ah yes, from my friends at Sorinex.

[BrianEE93]

Went to Home Depot today and got my 24" dumbbells. They had pre-made 24" 3/4" black iron pipe but they were out. The guy took a 48" and cut it in half. It was cheaper that way. Each pipe was $5.30 and the hose clamps were $1.05 each. So each bell was about $10 each. If you buy the 24" pipes, they are $6 and change.

Thanks guys. I will be trying them out in the next couple of days.

[boxertim]

here is a thread about the ones i made

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=1003751

[BrianEE93]

here is a thread about the ones i made

http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=1003751

Those definitely look much better. Good job!