Attempting to make concrete weights

[packer43064]

Well I am attempting to make some concrete weights. I tried to make one last week and I think I didn't use enough water.

Tried again today. Will see how they turn out after I pop them out Thursday.

They should weight about 10 pounds each.

[CJ000]

I think it is an interesting project, but why would you undertake it ? I know that some people make atlas stones, but is there an advantage to making concrete weights ? I only ask because you can often find used steel weights on CL for $.50 lb, so for two 10lb weights, it is only $10.

[Synthetickiller]

I think it is an interesting project, but why would you undertake it ? I know that some people make atlas stones, but is there an advantage to making concrete weights ? I only ask because you can often find used steel weights on CL for $.50 lb, so for two 10lb weights, it is only $10.

This...
If you make enough of these, you can sell them & make a profit.

[Hardgains88]

I think the consensus here, and We have seen these type of threads before, is that the only way this makes sense is if your making a unique shape weight for a specific purpose. Atlas stone or some other piece that maybe replicates a strength event or type of training not easly done with regular weights. First, the amount you need to make a usable set of weights is a lot of work and the smaller weights are going to be difficult. Consistancy is impossible, plus they will crumble and crack pretty quick.
If your doing it to just play around to get the technique down to eventually make something not really available that's cool though. But to work a week or two of free time to make a really marginal set of weights you could have picked up on Craig's list for $120. That will work infinitely better doesn't work out

[rlundregan]

I think it is an interesting project, but why would you undertake it ? I know that some people make atlas stones, but is there an advantage to making concrete weights ? I only ask because you can often find used steel weights on CL for $.50 lb, so for two 10lb weights, it is only $10.

Yep. This. ^^

[cwcmac]

Also, concrete cures inconsistently, there is no way that you'll get consistent weights

[packer43064]

I'm a DIY kind of guy. This stuff plays right into it. I am also making some planters for the patio.

Figured I would try these and see what happens. I was thinking of wrapping these in some kind of rubber so if they drop they won't break. We will see.

There is a local guy who sells Atlas stones them for extremely high prices (to me at least). Might have to try making one and see what happens.

[jimbuick]

I'm a DIY kind of guy. This stuff plays right into it. I am also making some planters for the patio.

Figured I would try these and see what happens. I was thinking of wrapping these in some kind of rubber so if they drop they won't break. We will see.

There is a local guy who sells Atlas stones them for extremely high prices (to me at least). Might have to try making one and see what happens.

Usually the reason they are expensive to buy is

1. Labor, making stones sucks. Especially if you make them "nice"

2. Molds are expensive

3. No competition, generally.


I made some with a buddy of mine because he had molds, it was an all day affair and I still wasn't able to get as many as I want.

[rlundregan]

I'm a DIY kind of guy. This stuff plays right into it. I am also making some planters for the patio.

Figured I would try these and see what happens. I was thinking of wrapping these in some kind of rubber so if they drop they won't break. We will see.

There is a local guy who sells Atlas stones them for extremely high prices (to me at least). Might have to try making one and see what happens.

I think most of us around here have a lot of respect for DIY projects, but there is definitely a reason why concrete plates never really caught on, even with rubber/plastic coating.

An Atlas stone or some other "strongman" type project would be a better way to channel your creative urge. Take a look on Youtube before you start....there is probably something you could add to the concrete to strengthen it.

[Niatrecnu]

Nice, good luck, stuff like this is pretty cool to me, though I don't know if I'd ever attempt it for myself.

like others I just "don't have the time"

[KBKB]

Well I am attempting to make some concrete weights. I tried to make one last week and I think I didn't use enough water.

Tried again today. Will see how they turn out after I pop them out Thursday.

They should weight about 10 pounds each.

Interesting DIY project. Repped!

I'm curious to see what the final result looks like. Post some more photos when you're done.

(That said, while I do like DIY projects, this is probably not one that I would have done either.)

[packer43064]

The Atlas Stones moulds are expensive, (just googled it) I can see why they cost a lot let alone the time making them.

Might have to try to make some and see what happens though. There is one seller in Ohio that I know of, but nowhere near Columbus. I am all for making a few bucks on the side.

Will get these hopefully 10 pounders out tomorrow midday. About 36 in the mold at that point.

[KBKB]

The Atlas Stones moulds are expensive, (just googled it) I can see why they cost a lot let alone the time making them.

Might have to try to make some and see what happens though. There is one seller in Ohio that I know of, but nowhere near Columbus. I am all for making a few bucks on the side.

If you search youtube, you'll find several DIY videos which show how to use a plastic inflatable ball to form the mold. The videos I've seen allow you to reuse the plastic ball, though the mold itself needs to be broken away from the stone. One of the videos used plaster of paris and the other used a form of paper mache.

If you want to make a bunch of stones of uniform size it's probably worth it to invest in some quality molds.

[jimbuick]

If you search youtube, you'll find several DIY videos which show how to use a plastic inflatable ball to form the mold. The videos I've seen allow you to reuse the plastic ball, though the mold itself needs to be broken away from the stone. One of the videos used plaster of paris and the other used a form of paper mache.

If you want to make a bunch of stones of uniform size it's probably worth it to invest in some quality molds.

I did that with plaster of Paris one time, would not repeat.


It's a lot of extra work, especially breaking the mold away from the finished stone.


And, it is very difficult to get the correct diameter because the air inside the ball expands when the plaster heats during the curing process.

I measured a ball to create a mold for a 360# stone and it ended up being 402# because of the larger diameter when the stability ball expanded due to the heat.



If you're serious about stones, just use Slater molds. You can usually get away with just one mold and still make a huge variety of weights with lighter concrete or just adding old plates inside of the stone.

[RDOG21]

A couple of empty Arizona Tea jugs would make great weights if you fill them with sand or water. Alot easier and FREE!!!. But if you wanna make your own concrete weights go ahead. I would recomend enclosing them with some type of container tho, concrete breaks too easily. Happy lifiting!!

[packer43064]

Well I got them out tonight. The PVC was a little stuck, but a rubber mallet and a screwdriver knocked it right out.

I think for never making these before I did an okay job. One does weigh 6/7 pounds while one is 9 pounds. I didn't use a proper scale (bathroom scales are junk) so they are a bit off. I know with humidity and how concrete is they might not weigh exactly the same, but I don't see how one lost 2-3 pounds unless I weighed wrong.

I will definitely wrap them in a some kind of rubber (something cheap) so they don't break too easily. They do fit on the bar and will be putting duct tape on the inside of them so they don't destroy the bar or vice versa.

All in all they did the job. I did some squats and dead lifts using these today. Will try to make some more next week and be a little more precise on the scales.

Now the pics!

[jimbuick]

Well I got them out tonight. The PVC was a little stuck, but a rubber mallet and a screwdriver knocked it right out.

I think for never making these before I did an okay job. One does weigh 6/7 pounds while one is 9 pounds. I didn't use a proper scale (bathroom scales are junk) so they are a bit off. I know with humidity and how concrete is they might not weigh exactly the same, but I don't see how one lost 2-3 pounds unless I weighed wrong.

I will definitely wrap them in a some kind of rubber (something cheap) so they don't break too easily. They do fit on the bar and will be putting duct tape on the inside of them so they don't destroy the bar or vice versa.

All in all they did the job. I did some squats and dead lifts using these today. Will try to make some more next week and be a little more precise on the scales.

Now the pics!

I don't know if it was the scale or the mix. It's very possible the lighter one was a "wetter" mix so the water would have added weight to it that would evaporate out during the curing process.


Also, air pockets are a big problem with concrete (at least with stones). You have to really vibrate the mold to get the air out and ideally get as much out as possible.

[cwcmac]

Quite an undertaking and I can't imagine getting to accurate but there is something that is cool looking about them to me. I wouldn't use them but they still look pretty cool

[Hardgains88]

Ok packer, I reped you. They look kind of cool and I'm always one for a gym project. Make some bigger diameter ones, possible some fixed weight barbells or some other unique specialty items eventually and the project has some merit. Interesting at any rate

[rlundregan]

BamBam approves!

[packer43064]

I don't know if it was the scale or the mix. It's very possible the lighter one was a "wetter" mix so the water would have added weight to it that would evaporate out during the curing process.


Also, air pockets are a big problem with concrete (at least with stones). You have to really vibrate the mold to get the air out and ideally get as much out as possible.

I remember reading about how there can be air pockets after a few minutes of putting the mix in he buckets. Dropped it a few times, but didn't spend too much time on it.

I am going to try weighing out 9 pounds of concrete and then the water and repeat for the next batch Monday. Just to see what happens.

If it is still off by 3 pounds then ehhh whatever. We will see.

Quite an undertaking and I can't imagine getting to accurate but there is something that is cool looking about them to me. I wouldn't use them but they still look pretty cool

Thank you.

Ok packer, I reped you. They look kind of cool and I'm always one for a gym project. Make some bigger diameter ones, possible some fixed weight barbells or some other unique specialty items eventually and the project has some merit. Interesting at any rate

Will do! http://rosstraining.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=64585 Two or three posts down and you will see what I envision in a concrete weight, lol Some weights would be nice too.

BamBam approves!

Nice one.

[jimbuick]

I remember reading about how there can be air pockets after a few minutes of putting the mix in he buckets. Dropped it a few times, but didn't spend too much time on it.

I am going to try weighing out 9 pounds of concrete and then the water and repeat for the next batch Monday. Just to see what happens.

If it is still off by 3 pounds then ehhh whatever. We will see.



Thank you.



Will do! http://rosstraining.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=64585 Two or three posts down and you will see what I envision in a concrete weight, lol Some weights would be nice too.



Nice one.

I've used a handheld buffer on a mold and a rubber mallet. Honestly, I think the mallet works better.

You can't wait until the end to do it either, you really have to shake it out every time you put a scoop of concrete in the mold to settle it out and get as much air out as you can.


I still don't know how accurate they could truly be, because it won't cure consistently and the amount of aggregate will likely be different between each plate.

[Arex99]

Interesting project...thanks for sharing the pics and results.

[packer43064]

Made more weights.



Weight out exactly 9lbs of Concrete and then 1lb of water. One was more slushier (concrete isn't a perfect mix), but both turned out perfect.


Used 2 scales to check the weights and they are 10lbs with maybe a 1/2 pound variance at the most. About as perfect as I can get.

[bajabill]

could you find a PVC with an ID that will fit nicely on the bar. Keep it in the cured weight and it may function better sliding on and off of the bar during use. Similar to what is used for rubber bumper plates.

[packer43064]

Well I am attempting to make some deep dish plates. I tried to make one Monday and just took it out of the bucket today. I don't know what I was thinking. I basically made the inverse of a deep dish plate. Ehhh, live and learn.



So I figured out the correct way of making this deep dish concrete plate. Put styrofoam to take up the deep dish part with the sides open.
A few pics.

It won't be perfect or have anything inside it to keep it stable , but I just need to see if the concept works. All I had was 3/4 inch foam so I just stacked two pieces together totaling 1.5 inches. Will be cool to see how this works.

[gmach2]

BamBam approves!

as do these guys..



actually, those concrete weights you made look kind of cool....kudos for the effort

[trimble006]

I think your original concrete plates are deep dish enough. Haha. They're like 5" wide already!

The good news is, once you're done with the concrete weights you might be able to use them as currency on the island of Yap! Haha.


http://www.npr.org/sections/money/20...of-stone-money

[packer43064]

I think your original concrete plates are deep dish enough. Haha. They're like 5" wide already!

The good news is, once you're done with the concrete weights you might be able to use them as currency on the island of Yap! Haha.


http://www.npr.org/sections/money/20...of-stone-money

So I can print (make) my own money? Sounds easy enough. I'll follow the feds way of doing it.

I am gonna make a 20 pounder. Will probably be 6 inches deep or something crazy. lol

as do these guys..



actually, those concrete weights you made look kind of cool....kudos for the effort

Thank you.

Honestly those guys look like rapists....who don't discriminate by gender.

[Beyondhomegym]

Keep us posted