Building a power rack and monolift

[hawkrock60]

I'm starting a project to build a power rack with a monolift. At my work there is a bunch of 2x2 1/4" steel tubing. I've cut the lengths I need, and sanded the steel down (it had been left outside to rust).

When finished, my rack will also have a cable pulley system for tricep/lat work, and maybe even cable hip belt squats.

I'm starting this thread to document my progress. I will update with photos as I work on it.

Today I started by going to a dairy farm and cutting up cattle mats into 2'x2' squares so I can stack them on the floor for box squats and also rack pulls.

I'm working out in the room you see in my youtube channel.

Here is the inspiration for the homemade monolift:

[omfgapolarbear]

Thats cool as all get out man. The mono-fitting seems really low in his video, but that could be adjusted. I look forward to seeing this progress.

[Muscle Mania Matt]

I've made plans for one of these too. One of the guys I trained with completed his monolift attachment, and tested it (with a tractor or something) at several thousand pounds, and it held up. I have a rack and everything already, but was wanting to rebuild myself into an upgrade. What's your price on tubing?

[hawkrock60]

I've made plans for one of these too. One of the guys I trained with completed his monolift attachment, and tested it (with a tractor or something) at several thousand pounds, and it held up. I have a rack and everything already, but was wanting to rebuild myself into an upgrade. What's your price on tubing?

Free. My work bought the tubing for some project, and had tons left over.

However, I did inquire at the Kuna Machine Shop and they said they would build the basic rack (no monolift, no pulleys) for $300. I can't remember if that's the price for 2x2 1/4" tubing, because if I was going to pay for it, that's not the kind I would use. I would probably use 2x3 1/8" tubing.

I need to find out what kind of bar catches I'm going to be using so I can drill the holes for it. But I've still got a lot of sanding to do.

[Muscle Mania Matt]

If you don't weld, basically everyone I know does, and we can get you some free service (minus cost of materials). 2x2 is a little small, but that is still twice as thick as most racks, with six supports and a cable stack in the back of the rack, it would be pretty heavy. What i was thinking about doing myself was building the rack unit, and ordering the safety pins and jhooks from NYbarbell. I was actually lucky, and got a free 350# cable stack and uprights from gym outfitters, too; I'm just working on getting materials. Let me know if you need a welder

[offroadxj9]

thats ****ing awesome. keep us updated, i might be interested in following suit

[hawkrock60]

If you don't weld, basically everyone I know does, and we can get you some free service (minus cost of materials). 2x2 is a little small, but that is still twice as thick as most racks, with six supports and a cable stack in the back of the rack, it would be pretty heavy. What i was thinking about doing myself was building the rack unit, and ordering the safety pins and jhooks from NYbarbell. I was actually lucky, and got a free 350# cable stack and uprights from gym outfitters, too; I'm just working on getting materials. Let me know if you need a welder

I've got a buddy who's going to tig weld it for me when I get the tubing sanded, drilled and ready

[skinnycalves]

http://www.1500lb.com/sumopowerracks.html

you should try to mimic this. It automatically swings away, you can ask isaku900 or koyongi how it works.

[Muscle Mania Matt]

http://www.1500lb.com/sumopowerracks.html

you should try to mimic this. It automatically swings away, you can ask isaku900 or koyongi how it works.

All he needs to do is add a counterweight lever to his planned design, and it will move out of the way. My design is similar, but is loaded on top of the rack.

[hawkrock60]

All he needs to do is add a counterweight lever to his planned design, and it will move out of the way. My design is similar, but is loaded on top of the rack.

This could easily be made. I'm not sure if I want it to automatically move away though.




If you can't see it too well, he welded a bar at the top of the hooks so when the weight is lifted, the weight of the bar pushes the hooks away

[hawkrock60]

We cut up some cattle mats into 2'x2' squares for box squats. It took five 10" metal cutting blades to cut them, because each mat has about twenty-four 3/8" cables running through it. Cost: $35