The 'No Excuses Homemade Equipment Crew'

[Skidmarx]

Very nice !

I was thinking of building another swiss bar but using 1/2" flat bar this time instead of tubing, so the profile is much smaller and less risk of smacking my chin on overhead presses. It's just a bitch drilling big holes in flat bar.

[owasM]

Very nice !

I was thinking of building another swiss bar but using 1/2" flat bar this time instead of tubing, so the profile is much smaller and less risk of smacking my chin on overhead presses. It's just a bitch drilling big holes in flat bar.

damn thats gonna take a while to drill lol ive brought a set of reduced shank blacksmith bits from 16-25mm if i ever have to drill into that thick steel, not actualy tried them in my little drill press yet.

used gas properly today, the difference makes welding so much more enjoyable, its just lugging around a welder,cut off saw and drill press in and out my house that a pita.

[Covenantcoins]

With the upholstery help of my wife, I made this wussy pad for doing barbell seated calf raises.





Also made this loading pin for weighted standing calf raises.

[KBKB]

With the upholstery help of my wife, I made this wussy pad for doing barbell seated calf raises.
...
Also made this loading pin for weighted standing calf raises.

Good job on both projects.

Repped!

[cmarti063]

This is an easy build of a chalk stand, tutorial here: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...post1105443913 Figured the equipment crew would like it.

[Nihilil]

Basic wheeled bench made mostly from scrap and hit with a baltic pine stain and tung oil finish.
I don't know what I was thinking when I made this either but it works well and I like how the top came out. Could almost use it for a bedroom coffee table when I'm not smashing the iron.

[Vermonter]

Question:
I have a trap bar. I want the posts to be longer. Not because I am super mighty and am capable of lifting more than the bar can hold, but for a different reason.
In a previous post I think I showed how I put some tires on a barbell for Oly lifts. I used it mostly for dead lifts and I really liked not having to jack up my bar to add or remove plates, and it also helps to protect my plates and floor.
So, my trap bar posts are prohibitively short to allow me to toss the tires on the posts, secure them, and then add sufficient plates to make it worth while.
How can I increase the lengths of the posts?
One thought I had was to get some 2" outer diameter pipe, use it for the actual posts, and try to find some sort of 2" inner diameter pipe that I could slide over it and the trap a sleeves. Possible? How much weight do you suppose it could handle? I suspect I could find some sort of couplers, but I don't think there are any made for those types of forces.
Thinking about the whole thing makes me want to get into welding.

[KBKB]

Question:
I have a trap bar. I want the posts to be longer. Not because I am super mighty and am capable of lifting more than the bar can hold, but for a different reason.
In a previous post I think I showed how I put some tires on a barbell for Oly lifts. I used it mostly for dead lifts and I really liked not having to jack up my bar to add or remove plates, and it also helps to protect my plates and floor.
So, my trap bar posts are prohibitively short to allow me to toss the tires on the posts, secure them, and then add sufficient plates to make it worth while.
How can I increase the lengths of the posts?
One thought I had was to get some 2" outer diameter pipe, use it for the actual posts, and try to find some sort of 2" inner diameter pipe that I could slide over it and the trap a sleeves. Possible? How much weight do you suppose it could handle? I suspect I could find some sort of couplers, but I don't think there are any made for those types of forces.
Thinking about the whole thing makes me want to get into welding.

Can you post a photo or two of your trap bar?

[Vermonter]

Can you post a photo or two of your trap bar?

Here are some before and after pics of the trap bar, it had some really nasty grip tap on the handles that had rusted in place with 100 year old glue and sweat.

[KBKB]

Here are some before and after pics of the trap bar, it had some really nasty grip tap on the handles that had rusted in place with 100 year old glue and sweat.

The posts/sleeves would happen to be hollow on the ends, would they?

(Doesn't look like it, but I though I'd ask since I can't see that part of the bar in the photos.)

[Vermonter]

No, I don't think they are.

[irongrandpa]

Question:
I have a trap bar. I want the posts to be longer. Not because I am super mighty and am capable of lifting more than the bar can hold, but for a different reason.
In a previous post I think I showed how I put some tires on a barbell for Oly lifts. I used it mostly for dead lifts and I really liked not having to jack up my bar to add or remove plates, and it also helps to protect my plates and floor.
So, my trap bar posts are prohibitively short to allow me to toss the tires on the posts, secure them, and then add sufficient plates to make it worth while.
How can I increase the lengths of the posts?
One thought I had was to get some 2" outer diameter pipe, use it for the actual posts, and try to find some sort of 2" inner diameter pipe that I could slide over it and the trap a sleeves. Possible? How much weight do you suppose it could handle? I suspect I could find some sort of couplers, but I don't think there are any made for those types of forces.
Thinking about the whole thing makes me want to get into welding.

I extended mine to make it work in my power rack. I cut my sleeves back to 3 1/2 in. ,then welded a 16in. piece of 1 1/2 in ID pipe to the sleeves, and then put a 7in piece of 2in. ID pipe over the 3in of existing sleeve and 4in of the new extended sleeve and welded that in place. I've had over 400lbs on it and it's holding up without any problems.

[Vermonter]

Ahh, well done!
That's what I am talking about.
What type of welder did you use? I have zero experience with that sort of thing, but my brother does. I may have to see what he can do.
It's times like this when I just start to envision all the fun toys I'd fabricate if I were a welder and had access to drills, saws, etc.
I found this DIY trap bar and thought it would be great to use, and the design is pretty simple:

[irongrandpa]

I have an old stick welder and a 14in Dewalt chop saw.

[KeithTheSnake]

Here are some before and after pics of the trap bar, it had some really nasty grip tap on the handles that had rusted in place with 100 year old glue and sweat.

Nice cleanup on that trap bar. I just picked one up, shiny and new-looking, that looks like yours. Mine has a "made in China" sticker on it, but I noticed it's surprisingly heavy and well made with ground welds, solid stock and sharp knurling. Real attention to detail was employed, and I'm quite satisfied with it. Cost me $55 off a guy on craigslist, but I've passed on worse-looking ones for twice the price.

Anyhow, yours looks sharp now. Good work.

[DirtyTrickster]

Squat Safety
...I have traditional safety bars, but I can't use a wide grip without smashing my arms on them. These help me. Haven't had to actually use them yet though...



Seated/Standing Calf Raise


Deadlift Jack


Yes my basement is a mess... O well

[Nihilil]

I am discovering that even with a fireplace 14C weather is no time to making things with concrete. The macebell i'm making is taking what feels like forever to cure. I have some chain lying around does anyone know if it's good for kettlebell handles?

[owasM]

made a duck walk handle,
had a look around at other designs and saw most had the handle welded at really small point, which i hated so i have mine put through the pipe.

[aclockworkoi]

With the upholstery help of my wife, I made this wussy pad for doing barbell seated calf raises.





Also made this loading pin for weighted standing calf raises.

Great work!

[owasM]

loaded with 9 plates, suppose heres when the smaller diameter of bodymax's comes in handy

[ProtienandIron]

There are so many people I need to rep in this thread.

[owasM]

managed to find 6 1" bolts w/ 2 washers each for only around $30 deliverd on ebay, easiest way to make lift offs
the short bolt head makes it so easy to bench on compared to deep jhooks.

[tazman7]

Here is my homemade rack.

[Vermonter]

[cmarti063]

Here is my homemade rack.

OMFG... That is freaking SICK! Much respect.

[owasM]

Here is my homemade rack.

damn thats beautiful

how thick are those sabers though? could be the pic but they look on the thin side, maybe just throw a pipe around them (pin and pipe safetyd) ?

[tazman7]

damn thats beautiful

how thick are those sabers though? could be the pic but they look on the thin side, maybe just throw a pipe around them (pin and pipe safetyd) ?

Thanks!

The safety bars? They are 3/4" solid pipe. If can can bend those you are moving a lot more weight than I ever will.

[cmarti063]

damn thats beautiful

how thick are those sabers though? could be the pic but they look on the thin side, maybe just throw a pipe around them (pin and pipe safetyd) ?

Could fabricate some swing-in styles, same gauge as the half rack safeties you already made. I like them better anyway - no screeching and quicker to change.

[Skidmarx]

Here is my homemade rack.

Dude. Seriously? That is badass.

did you use 3x3 11ga tubing?

I made something similar, except a bit smaller.

How is the dip bar attached? Kinda looks like there's a pin in the side.

[tazman7]

Dude. Seriously? That is badass.

did you use 3x3 11ga tubing?

I made something similar, except a bit smaller.

How is the dip bar attached? Kinda looks like there's a pin in the side.

Yup, 3x3 11 gauge. For the dip bar I had to take three pieces of 3" wide flat stock and make a C out of it to fit around the tubing. Then I just drilled two 1/2" holes so it can be held on by two pins.