The 'No Excuses Homemade Equipment Crew'

[bwoodroff]

Has anyone made a calf raise block making it an inclined platform instead of a block? I did an inclined platform but did not make it steep enough. 3.5" raise over 15". The thing I love is that i don't have problems with my shoes slipping on the 2x4 as I move up and down. Been hoping to make a new block that is a 5.5" raise over 15". Nice thing is that you can weight it on top and have it double as a piece to stick your toes under while doing situps.

I have an old guitar pedalboard that I thought about modifying but it didn't have enough incline. Sounds like it would be more comfortable to use. Especially barefoot at home.

[bwoodroff]

Back at it in the shed. I'm not skilled with carpentry by any means and have just enough access to tools to fluke out and/or seriously injure myself.

Found a DIY plate rack via google and copied the design. Only a little wobbly!

i.imgur.com/d5MA5Vc.jpg

i.imgur.com/L7y757V.jpg

[Nosepull]

I'm moving in two months and I'll finally have space for a home gym. I've been devouring this thread and I can't wait to build some serious gear - I really want a power rack, but I'm going to start smaller/easier/won't kill me if I screw it up-er.

In the meantime, possibly the most ghetto thing in the thread: homemade microweights. 610 grams each so I can microload to 1.25kg!

[bwoodroff]

I'm moving in two months and I'll finally have space for a home gym. I've been devouring this thread and I can't wait to build some serious gear - I really want a power rack, but I'm going to start smaller/easier/won't kill me if I screw it up-er.

In the meantime, possibly the most ghetto thing in the thread: homemade microweights. 610 grams each so I can microload to 1.25kg!

Very cool and accurate too.

I'm not much of a handyman so I've started small also but plan on adding plate storage to my powertec rack in the next few months like another member did.

Good luck to you and always measure twice or thrice.

[ProtienandIron]

Embedded for you both. Good work lads.

This tree is a good solid design and build.

[donforeman]

Here are a few of my home made gym items. The calf block is a few years old now, but other than a few chips, its still doing fine. The weight stand spacing is designed for either standard or Oly weight. The bar holders in the back of the stand are obviously for standard bars only.

[irongrandpa]

Here are a few of my home made gym items. The calf block is a few years old now, but other than a few chips, its still doing fine. The weight stand spacing is designed for either standard or Oly weight. The bar holders in the back of the stand are obviously for standard bars only.

Great looking work.

[fabtechprerunne]

Anyone ever made a homemade lat pulldown? Im not able to embedd anything i have designed due to less than 50 posts' req.

[jamalfudge]

I built homemade jerk boxes today because I don't have $1,000 for Rogue boxes or $700 for Pendlay boxes.

Could someone please embed these for me?

And can I get a crew number yet?

Nice work. That gives me an idea for some squat stands (attach two shorter platforms to the front).

[cthulhupun]

Anyone ever made a homemade lat pulldown? Im not able to embedd anything i have designed due to less than 50 posts' req.

I did, but I gave it to my brother and don't have any pictures. I mounted two pulleys to the rafters in my basement. The plates went onto a stand I built by putting a pipe through a 2x4, drilling a hole, and putting a pin through the pipe and 2x4. The handle was just a length of pipe, with the cable duct taped to the center so it wouldn't slide. Everything was either scrounged or purchased at Home Depot.

[JohnPurple]

Where could I get some cheap steel for projects(2x2s,3x3s)? I've been looking around on craigslist and couldn't find anything. I live around Chicago so I'm assuming there would be a place nearby, but I cannot find one.

[Vermonter]

[donforeman]

Where could I get some cheap steel for projects(2x2s,3x3s)? I've been looking around on craigslist and couldn't find anything. I live around Chicago so I'm assuming there would be a place nearby, but I cannot find one.

Many metal yards have scrap areas that are discounted over regular prices. Steel is never "cheap" especially 2x2 or 3x3.

[kfh227]

Made a standing calf raise platform. Basically a steep incline so I don't have to worry about my feet slipping off a block. Works great. It's basically 2x6 cut to 15" lengths. Then cut on a diagonal. Put some plywood on top and walla .... done. I learned from doing a 2x4 based version where the angle was not steep enough. Also, that version had an issue where the width was not great enough. It was probably 2' wide. This one is closer to 3' wide.

Pics available upon request.

[owasM]

Where could I get some cheap steel for projects(2x2s,3x3s)? I've been looking around on craigslist and couldn't find anything. I live around Chicago so I'm assuming there would be a place nearby, but I cannot find one.

in reply to your rep comment, it was just a one off when a business was closing.

[Ttrain721]

Finished my rebar power rack. It took a lot more work than I thought it was going to. Sandblasted 15 hours this weekend then painted it yesterday afternoon.
Gonna use it as is for a month or two then take it out and add whatever else I need and paint it all again.

Ended up costing about $40 to make.

Nice work man, directions?

[rthawker]

Nice work man, directions?

I can answer this one.
1 get steel
2 cut steel
3 weld steel
4 weld stuff to steel to hold stuff
5 lift

[owasM]

bumpppppp ..


had the yoke made for a while.

[thebraj]

i stained the plywood piece on my deadlift platform a few weeks ago. turned out fairly nice. I used blue painters tape, and that paint-sealing frog tape along the edges of the design to make sure there was no seepage. Then I used a gel stain because it doesnt spread out much and doesnt penetrate as deep, making it ideal for stenciled designs. Then I used some gel urethane to protect the top. Its not a super thick shiney layer like some platforms/table tops/etc are, does anyone know what kind of sealer or urethane that is? It would protect a lot better from dings and scratches. This layer is not too thick and I think scratches will actually scratch the wood instead of the sealant.

[Rockstarz]

Allow me to share what I've done .As I do not have enough post I cannot embed the pics to the forum.


Fractional plates ( Got M52 Washers ) Each weigh around 230ish grams / 0.5lbs ,I DIY and joined em together with a touch of matte colour spray for easy identification.


No one in Singapore, or neighbouring country sells a prowler, so gotta self fabricate with my local welder.


Current in pipe is cutting my rack up and making a landmine attachment. Will post pic when I'm done

[vic84875]

I tried that cutting some 2x2 square tubing, the blade was toast after 2 cuts!

I used a Morse metal blade in a wood chop saw. I think the RPMs of my wood saw was to high for best blade life, but only 2 cuts!

The Makita machine it is fine. But the saw/blade (from the manufacturer, it is crap) it is common knowledge in the industry. You just need to get a decent saw/blade; and you are done. I cut solid bars (not tube) up to 32mm diameter with one of those cheap machines. The machine cost me like 90 USD, 5 years ago, and it is still running like new. It is a bang for the buck if you will.

In general, i will say that every time you buy a machine saw,drill,grinder,etc. The blades / bits / discs; given from the manufacturer are mostly for -display only-, you always need to buy aside.

As stated. RPM for wood it is not the same for metal. Also, the saw it is not the same; diferent teeth. And cheap machines do not allow regulation of the RPM. Bottom line, you need two machines, one for metal, one for wood.

[Skidmarx]

Where could I get some cheap steel for projects(2x2s,3x3s)? I've been looking around on craigslist and couldn't find anything. I live around Chicago so I'm assuming there would be a place nearby, but I cannot find one.

I'm not sure where you live but there should be metal distributors in the area that will sell to the public. I've found 4 in my city. Keep in mind they sell by the stick, so you'd have to buy 24' of 2x2, 20' of 3x3, etc. They will cut it down(for a fee) but what I do is bring my cordless sawzall with a metal cutting blade and chop down to 8 or 10' section that will fit in the back of my pickup.

Oh and it's cheaper than you think. last time I bought 2x2 it was $50 a stick for 11gauge.

[Skidmarx]

As stated. RPM for wood it is not the same for metal. Also, the saw it is not the same; diferent teeth. And cheap machines do not allow regulation of the RPM. Bottom line, you need two machines, one for metal, one for wood.

Yeah he needs a real metal saw. IMO the best bang for the buck is these Milwaukee saws. I got mine barely used on CL for $80 and it cuts like a charm. The key is not to put too much pressure on it and let it do the work or you will wear out your cutting blades quickly.

[owasM]

Yeah he needs a real metal saw. IMO the best bang for the buck is these Milwaukee saws. I got mine barely used on CL for $80 and it cuts like a charm. The key is not to put too much pressure on it and let it do the work or you will wear out your cutting blades quickly.

i think thats where ive been going wrong, putting too much pressure and causing it to vibrate too much and go off center.

projects left -
ball grip bar, football bar, ssb, cambered bar, another yoke, inch dumbell trainer, prowlers, 3 power racks, 3 more flat benches, oly platform, weight trees, ghd, reverse hyper, viking press, 10" log, farmers walk handles .. still more im forgetting right now lol.

going to build as much as i can for my gym, only way i can see it being viable

[Skidmarx]

i think thats where ive been going wrong, putting too much pressure and causing it to vibrate too much and go off center.

Yeah too much pressure can flex the blade and make the cut go off by a few degrees. Then the cut isn't square which causes other problems

[EctoCanuck]

I built this seated calf machine a few years ago...............





Here are the original plans(I took drafting in High School)...................





I haven't been through this whole thread so I don't know if someone else has built one.

[fabtechprerunne]

Anyone ever use one of those pool noodles cut to size, for use as a barbell pad?

[Vermonter]

Anyone ever use one of those pool noodles cut to size, for use as a barbell pad?

Nope, but I use some thick pipe insulation to cover the smith machine bar on my smith/rack with pulley. I do this so that I can pin my legs under the bar when doing heavy pull-downs.
I think a pool noodle might be too large, or rigid, for use as a squat pad. *shrug*

[fabtechprerunne]

Nope, but I use some thick pipe insulation to cover the smith machine bar on my smith/rack with pulley. I do this so that I can pin my legs under the bar when doing heavy pull-downs.
I think a pool noodle might be too large, or rigid, for use as a squat pad. *shrug*

I think it would work if you cutt into it horizontaly, then it would just slide over the bar?

[owasM]

when its dry im going to load it with however many plates fit; so far i dropped it 2ft with 3 plates on repeditly and it held up
stupidly picked up the wrong length pipe for one side so had to seam weld and extend it, grinding it down was a b****.