Welding a simple power rack

[KBKB]

Ok, never built one. But looking at these examples, they all seem the same. 3/8" plates on each side of a hook. Seems like 5/8" or 3/4" thick steel. From experience, aim for 6" swing of the hook part. This will clear the barbell enough and still allow you to rerack without moving your feet. They all probably use a bronze bushing pressed into the hook arm. Also the counterweight is just to swing the hook back to the rack when empty. Don't go nuts on the weight. Arm length is irrelevant, only that the longer it is, the higher it will have to be mounted, and the heavier the counterweight will be. But it will require less swing to clear 6". I wouldn't use anything hardened at the pivot point. Go with something bigger and lower grade instead of a shoudler bolt like one of the examples. 1/2" bolt better than 3/8" hardened shaft I think. Won't snap on you.

I build alot, but it's not my job. Mostly build for me.

Pics embedded.

[owasM]

heres some pics craig sent me a while back, still waiting on finding some free time to start building one ... pushed down my priority list atm though.

[conan1927]

Ok, never built one. But looking at these examples, they all seem the same. 3/8" plates on each side of a hook. Seems like 5/8" or 3/4" thick steel. From experience, aim for 6" swing of the hook part. This will clear the barbell enough and still allow you to rerack without moving your feet. They all probably use a bronze bushing pressed into the hook arm. Also the counterweight is just to swing the hook back to the rack when empty. Don't go nuts on the weight. Arm length is irrelevant, only that the longer it is, the higher it will have to be mounted, and the heavier the counterweight will be. But it will require less swing to clear 6". I wouldn't use anything hardened at the pivot point. Go with something bigger and lower grade instead of a shoudler bolt like one of the examples. 1/2" bolt better than 3/8" hardened shaft I think. Won't snap on you.

I build alot, but it's not my job. Mostly build for me.

What equipment have you built beside the rack and platform? Do you have any pictures?

[conan1927]

[QUOTE=owasM;1145993433]heres some pics craig sent me a while back, still waiting on finding some free time to start building one ... pushed down my priority list
Thanks for the pics with measurements

[Mech6]

What equipment have you built beside the rack and platform? Do you have any pictures?

Jesus, long list. This is what I can remember.

Power racks. tons
Bench rack
Benches
Landmine
Reverse Hyper (standard and tilt top)
Pulldowns
Tread sled (manual adjustable resistance treadmill)
GHR
14" cambered squat bar
Swiss bar
Chest supported row (for sale)
Deadlift jacks
Plate trees
Monolift for rack
Seated calf raise (don't ask)
Belt squat
Back attack
Leg raise
Inverse curl (for sale)
Cable column (still finishing this)

And I'm forgetting some.

Pictures... Ask what you'd like to see, I have too many to spam the forum with.

[mendyed]

Jesus, long list. This is what I can remember.

Power racks. tons
Bench rack
Benches
Landmine
Reverse Hyper (standard and tilt top)
Pulldowns
Tread sled (manual adjustable resistance treadmill)
GHR
14" cambered squat bar
Swiss bar
Chest supported row (for sale)
Deadlift jacks
Plate trees
Monolift for rack
Seated calf raise (don't ask)
Belt squat
Back attack
Leg raise
Inverse curl (for sale)
Cable column (still finishing this)

And I'm forgetting some.

Pictures... Ask what you'd like to see, I have too many to spam the forum with.

Mind spamming us with some more power rack photos?

[mordag]

Jesus, long list. This is what I can remember.

Power racks. tons
Bench rack
Benches
Landmine
Reverse Hyper (standard and tilt top)
Pulldowns
Tread sled (manual adjustable resistance treadmill)
GHR
14" cambered squat bar
Swiss bar
Chest supported row (for sale)
Deadlift jacks
Plate trees
Monolift for rack
Seated calf raise (don't ask)
Belt squat
Back attack
Leg raise
Inverse curl (for sale)
Cable column (still finishing this)

And I'm forgetting some.

Pictures... Ask what you'd like to see, I have too many to spam the forum with.

so many goodies, so little money lol

[Mech6]

Mind spamming us with some more power rack photos?

Here's a few:
1. Mine. 2x3 11g. 1.5" hole spacing. 3" hole spacing on sides. Monolift attachment. Holes everywhere. This WILL be my last rack. I finally got it right.
2. Other view of monolift.
3. 3x3 11g. Welded sides. 2" hole spacing. Bottom brace was removed after rack was anchored to floor.
4. 2x2 11g. 1"/2" hole spacing. Cut down for low ceiling. No chinup bar since girl has sizable implants and can't do chinups.


Still need to hook up the cable column to my rack. Have evrything made, just need to paint. Should be in a week or 2. Also redoing the hook arms of the monolift at the same time. The ones there are just a prototype that has lasted 10 years. Never got around to it.

I realize I just mentionned implants and rack in the same post...

[mordag]

Here's a few:
1. Mine. 2x3 11g. 1.5" hole spacing. 3" hole spacing on sides. Monolift attachment. Holes everywhere. This WILL be my last rack. I finally got it right.
2. Other view of monolift.
3. 3x3 11g. 2" hole spacing. Bottom brace was removed after rack was anchored to floor.
4. 2x2 11g. 1"/2" hole spacing. Cut down for low ceiling. No chinup bar since girl has sizable implants and can't do chinups.


Still need to hook up the cable column to my rack. Have evrything made, just need to paint. Should be in a week or 2. Also redoing the hook arms of the monolift at the same time. The ones there are just a prototype that has lasted 10 years. Never got around to it.

I realize I just mentionned implants and rack in the same post...

that first rack.. wow... work of art right there

[Mech6]

that first rack.. wow... work of art right there

And only 30" deep for the rack section. Which is why I told you 43" was massive. Think it over

[Paneetius]

strong location op. maybe u can hook me up in like 10 years when i decide to get a home gym haha

edit: 900th post woooooooooot

[michaelstone]

Those are all nice racks. Clearly yours is very nice, I like the 3rd one too, how much does something like that cost?

[Mech6]

Those are all nice racks. Clearly yours is very nice, I like the 3rd one too, how much does something like that cost?

Just the rack (no bench), with j-hooks and safeties. Powder coated $600, bare steel $450. That one doesn't have band peg holes however. Welded is a tad cheaper if I get a few of them to build at once.

[mendyed]

Those are all nice racks. Clearly yours is very nice, I like the 3rd one too, how much does something like that cost?

Me too. Want to go drive up there and pick me up one? :P

@ mech, you should come to Toronto and set up shop here for a week, you would probably get a few customers.

[michaelstone]

I actually meant the 3rd pic oops.

[mordag]

Me too. Want to go drive up there and pick me up one? :P

@ mech, you should come to Toronto and set up shop here for a week, you would probably get a few customers.

I will probably be picking mine up before you guys, just sayin'

[mendyed]

I will probably be picking mine up before you guys, just sayin'

Lucky... Where in Quebec do you live?

[Mech6]

I actually meant the 3rd pic oops.

3x3 add $200. Add $50 for band pegs eveywhere. Remove $50 because it's welded and the guy bought 2. Add $150 for flip down safeties and uhmw. So $950.

[onelochevy]

awesome fab work bro. mirin big time.

[mordag]

Lucky... Where in Quebec do you live?

I am on the south shore of Quebec City so about a 3h drive from Montreal, well worth the small trip

[conan1927]

Jesus, long list. This is what I can remember.

Power racks. tons
Bench rack
Benches
Landmine
Reverse Hyper (standard and tilt top)
Pulldowns
Tread sled (manual adjustable resistance treadmill)
GHR
14" cambered squat bar
Swiss bar
Chest supported row (for sale)
Deadlift jacks
Plate trees
Monolift for rack
Seated calf raise (don't ask)
Belt squat
Back attack
Leg raise
Inverse curl (for sale)
Cable column (still finishing this)

And I'm forgetting some.

Pictures... Ask what you'd like to see, I have too many to spam the forum with.

GHR and cambered squat bar do you have pics of these

[Mech6]

GHR and cambered squat bar do you have pics of these

Old photos




Thanks KBKB

[KBKB]

Old photos

Ok, how do I embed? Cause I don't see the icon talked about in the FAQ

They don't make it easy to embed images at this site. But, on the other hand, once you know how, it's not that hard either. Here is the recipe:

1. First upload your photos. (You've figured this part out.)
   
   
2. Type some text into the message and then click "Preview Post". You have to type something into the message (it can even be gibberish), in order to be able to click "Preview Post". Otherwise, it'll give you an error about your post not being long enough or some such. In any case, Once you have a preview, you should see some links to your attachments at the end of the preview.
   
   
3. Find the place in your message where you want to embed a photo and type [img].
   
   
4. Right click on the link you wish to embed and pick "Copy Link Address". (This is the way it works in Chrome; it should be similar in other web browsers.)
   
   
5. Paste this address after the [img] tag that you entered earlier.
   
   
6. Finally, type in [/img].
   
   
7. Repeat for any other photos you want to do.

This is what the tags plus (pasted) attachment text look like for one your Cambered BarA + Log Bar01.JPG upload:

[img]http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=6274183&d=1381582112[/img]

And this is what it looks like in your post when you preview it or post it:

[TheLBM]

You have crazy skills OP.
Much respect.

[-aesop-]

Old photos

Finally, someone with the sense to make a GHR with a wide foot plate and rollers.

[conan1927]

[QUOTE=Mech6;1147008833]Old photos

Nice work. I do some my own fabrication.

[Mech6]

Finally, someone with the sense to make a GHR with a wide foot plate and rollers.

I bought the pad. Either from EFS or Lengend, I can't remember, but it was a bit after they both released the wide version of the GHR. Foot plate and rollers span 36". Pad is 28".

[gijoe985]

So, I teach high school shop and was considering building myself a power rack. We have a plasma cam and I've only used it for cutting out designs for more artistic stuff. Do you think it would work well for cutting out the holes in the tubing?

Also, what size of pins are you using? We figured go with 5/8 since that is what elitefts uses. If we buy 5/8 rod, would we make the holes 41/64? Just curious for a few tips...

[Mech6]

So, I teach high school shop and was considering building myself a power rack. We have a plasma cam and I've only used it for cutting out designs for more artistic stuff. Do you think it would work well for cutting out the holes in the tubing?

Also, what size of pins are you using? We figured go with 5/8 since that is what elitefts uses. If we buy 5/8 rod, would we make the holes 41/64? Just curious for a few tips...

Plasma should work fine. 5/8" pins, 11/16" holes. You don't want them too tight. Some even go as high as 3/4" holes, but I've found 11/16" to be just fine if they're precisely located.

[Jeremy0203]

Yea, 1/16 oversized is fine. Especially since you have a cnc plasma table and can do much more accurate work than someone measuring and marking the holes then trying to cut em all with a hole saw