Benefits of different rack hole sizes

[cwcmac]

Although this is no longer (Legend rack is being made) a consideration for me, I thought it may be a relevant topic:

What are the pros and cons of different size holes on racks. Seems like 5/8" and 1" are the primary sizes. Here's what I pick up on them:

5/8" Pros:
- Allows for smaller spacing (1" or 1.5")
- Less metal cut out of the uprights (No idea if this makes any difference)

1" Pros:
- Seems more companies are going to this size so there is less concern about accessories fitting (I may be wrong)
- Pins are larger which I'm guessing (guessing is the key word) makes accessories stronger at the pin.

From a strength perspective, I'm guessing they will both hold any weight that 99.99999& of the people in the world could throw at them

Anything else. Unless there's something missing, seems to me like 5/8" is the way to go if you want closer spacing otherwise there's no big benefit difference between the two.

Sizing for company:
5/8": Rogue ML, Mech (I think), BWTG,
1": Legend, Rogue Monster, RC (I think)

[dieselmike]

I have 5/8" with 1-3/4" spacing. Happy with it. No idea if your theories hold water. But I would make the same assumptions you did.

There's one expert here who will give the definitive answer.

[cwcmac]

There's one expert here who will give the definitive answer.

Sherm?

[dieselmike]

Sherm?

LMFAO. I wonder what user name his latest alias is or if he finally gave up trolling here.

[Cleveland33]

I see no reason to have 1" holes or 1" hardware for that matter.

The strength improvement really is moot.

[cwcmac]

I see no reason to have 1" holes or 1" hardware for that matter.

The strength improvement really is moot.

That's how I was seeing it especially since it reduces the possibility of having closer spacing but it seems like Rogue and others are going that route. Is it really just a marketing ploy: 'Look how heavy and badass our hardware is' type thing

I think the weights I put up would be fine with 1/16" HW

[weisgarb]

I'm guessing that historically, 1" holes were commonplace because safeties were 1" sabers. Westside spacing was probably a contributing factor to moving to 5/8" holes. If using straps or tubing for safeties, 5/8" makes the most sense. If sticking with sabers, 1" is probably better because it enables you to use single, solid steel rods (assuming the rack depth isn't too large). Pin/pipe safeties are a clumsy but necessary workaround with 5/8" holes.

Of course, if you're looking at Rogue, laser-cut numbers and UHMW on the backs of the attachments are only available on the Monster line, which are 1". But it's not the hole size that's the advantage, but rather the other features that are only offered on those racks.

Hole size becomes more a compatibility issue than anything structural.

[cwcmac]

Pin/pipe safeties are a clumsy but necessary workaround with 5/8" holes.

Why is that? Just for added strength?

[rpark]

1" bolt CONS:
Don't bother buying a 1" bolt rack unless you already have 1 1/2" wrenches or sockets..... wrenches in that range get pricey for those that need to go buy one. I only went the monster route because I already have wrenches up to 2" so I knew I'd be covered.

[weisgarb]

Why is that? Just for added strength?

You'll wind up with something like this (particularly in a 43" depth rack):



The one rack my college gym had when I was a freshman looked like it was as old as I was, and the safeties were all bent to hell. I'm pretty sure they were 1" rod, so you can imagine what would have happened if they'd been a smaller diameter.

[dieselmike]

Does the "Pipe" part of a Pin/Pipe safety in a 5/8" environment really make that much of a strength difference than if you only installed the "Pin"?

[Mech6]

Does the "Pipe" part of a Pin/Pipe safety in a 5/8" environment really make that much of a strength difference than if you only installed the "Pin"?

Absolutely. A 5/8" pin alone will bend rather easily.

[Mech6]

Although this is no longer (Legend rack is being made) a consideration for me, I thought it may be a relevant topic:

What are the pros and cons of different size holes on racks. Seems like 5/8" and 1" are the primary sizes. Here's what I pick up on them:

5/8" Pros:
- Allows for smaller spacing (1" or 1.5")
- Less metal cut out of the uprights (No idea if this makes any difference)

1" Pros:
- Seems more companies are going to this size so there is less concern about accessories fitting (I may be wrong)
- Pins are larger which I'm guessing (guessing is the key word) makes accessories stronger at the pin.

From a strength perspective, I'm guessing they will both hold any weight that 99.99999& of the people in the world could throw at them

Anything else. Unless there's something missing, seems to me like 5/8" is the way to go if you want closer spacing otherwise there's no big benefit difference between the two.

Sizing for company:
5/8": Rogue ML, Mech (I think), BWTG,
1": Legend, Rogue Monster, RC (I think)

5/8" advantage is spacing. 1" advantage is possibility of using saber style safeties (not pin/pipe). Also you can have weight storage pins that only use 1 hole (although some of us have figured it out for 5/8" holes).
5/8" band pegs are kind of flimsy, but that's more of an aesthetic concern.
5/8" locking pins are offered in ball detent. 1" pins are also, but not in the colored plastic handle version.
I will say that 1" hardware (bolts, nuts) is completely and utterly ridiculous on a power rack. Thankfully some manufacturers (Legend, RC) realize this and use smaller hardware even when having 1" holes for the rest of the rack.

[mrcheeze36]

1" bolt CONS:
Don't bother buying a 1" bolt rack unless you already have 1 1/2" wrenches or sockets..... wrenches in that range get pricey for those that need to go buy one. I only went the monster route because I already have wrenches up to 2" so I knew I'd be covered.

Autozone has the sockets for a decent price (~$10 or less each from what I recall - I bought mine awhile back). If you need a wrench in that size, Amazon has one for $15 too (maybe less now).

[cwcmac]

Autozone has the sockets for a decent price (~$10 or less each from what I recall - I bought mine awhile back). If you need a wrench in that size, Amazon has one for $15 too (maybe less now).

I'd think a couple adjustable wrenches (doesn't everyone have a couple of those) would work.

[Mech6]

I'd think a couple adjustable wrenches (doesn't everyone have a couple of those) would work.

As someone who uses an impact for anything over 1/4" (lol), all I have to say to this is: no, just no.

[Synthetickiller]

On the topic of what's going on...

I don't seen 1" is a pro. Rogue makes more accessories for the 5/8" than the 1" (just check their site).
The added strength of 1" isn't something that'll ever be realized. The quality of the fabrication/welding is far more important. Anything made well will hold up. Your bar will be damaged more quickly than J-cups/safeties in the event of a bailout.

The only reason to go to 1" is for future compatibility. That's the only "pro" I see in the real world.


Oh, for any set up, pin pipes suck. Swing in safeties in every situation please.



I want to expand on this topic & ask about the slotted design.
In general, are slotted designs (either cut into the rack or a strip added on the to uprights) weaker, the same strength, or stronger than pins?
I think that having 2 pins per j-cup/safety, along with larger front/rear plates does help spread out the downward force, but maybe I'm wrong.

As someone who uses an impact for anything over 1/4" (lol), all I have to say to this is: no, just no.

You too? Lol.

[Mech6]

On the topic of what's going on...

I don't seen 1" is a pro. Rogue makes more accessories for the 5/8" than the 1" (just check their site).
The added strength of 1" isn't something that'll ever be realized. The quality of the fabrication/welding is far more important. Anything made well will hold up. Your bar will be damaged more quickly than J-cups/safeties in the event of a bailout.

The only reason to go to 1" is for future compatibility. That's the only "pro" I see in the real world.


Oh, for any set up, pin pipes suck. Swing in safeties in every situation please.



I want to expand on this topic & ask about the slotted design.
In general, are slotted designs (either cut into the rack or a strip added on the to uprights) weaker, the same strength, or stronger than pins?
I think that having 2 pins per j-cup/safety, along with larger front/rear plates does help spread out the downward force, but maybe I'm wrong.






You too? Lol.

I agree with your opinions, in perfect world. But, as an example, rogue doesn't offer uhmw to protect uprights on their 5/8" lines. That, to me, is a problem. Some might not care, but if I'm paying for a decent rack, I don't want powder coat to powder coat contact.
Also, flipdowns. Not offered on 5/8" lines either.

As for slotted rack, there are so many designs, it's hard to tell. Depends on thickness of steel doing the "retaining". On holed racks, most of the work is being done by the bracket that wraps around the upright. The pin itself only works in shear (in something properly designed). As for slotted racks, it really depends how they're built. Some hold the same way (wrap around bracket, pin in shear). In those cases, not much difference.

[mrcheeze36]

I'd think a couple adjustable wrenches (doesn't everyone have a couple of those) would work.

Agreed. I used 2 socket wrenches to put my RM-6 and the other attachments together, so the autozone sockets worked well...I originally bought some from Sears but quickly returned them as soon as I found them at Autozone as they were 2-3x the price.

I later needed a wrench to install the front front porches I got from Mech.

[mrcheeze36]

As someone who uses an impact for anything over 1/4" (lol), all I have to say to this is: no, just no.

Lol manual power baby! Why do something quickly with an impact gun when you can do it in 5x the amount of time

[Synthetickiller]

I agree with your opinions, in perfect world. But, as an example, rogue doesn't offer uhmw to protect uprights on their 5/8" lines. That, to me, is a problem. Some might not care, but if I'm paying for a decent rack, I don't want powder coat to powder coat contact.
Also, flipdowns. Not offered on 5/8" lines either.

As for slotted rack, there are so many designs, it's hard to tell. Depends on thickness of steel doing the "retaining". On holed racks, most of the work is being done by the bracket that wraps around the upright. The pin itself only works in shear (in something properly designed). As for slotted racks, it really depends how they're built. Some hold the same way (wrap around bracket, pin in shear). In those cases, not much difference.

Not that it matters, since very few order from elitefts, but they sell flipdowns that have the 5/8" pin & uhmw.

Thanks for the info on the slots. Much appreciated.

[Mech6]

Agreed. I used 2 socket wrenches to put my RM-6 and the other attachments together, so the autozone sockets worked well...I originally bought some from Sears but quickly returned them as soon as I found them at Autozone as they were 2-3x the price.

I later needed a wrench to install the front front porches I got from Mech.

Photos would help illustrate your point

[Mech6]

Not that it matters, since very few order from elitefts, but they sell flipdowns that have the 5/8" pin & uhmw.

Yes, true. I was talking about rogue racks. BWTG will also make flipdowns for this racks.

[Nebamartinez]

1" bolt CONS:
Don't bother buying a 1" bolt rack unless you already have 1 1/2" wrenches or sockets..... wrenches in that range get pricey for those that need to go buy one. I only went the monster route because I already have wrenches up to 2" so I knew I'd be covered.

Depending on where you buy them... I bought my 1-1/2" tools from Amazon: Tekton 1954 jumbo combo wrench for $15 and a Sunex 248D six point deep socket for $21. Rogue sells a pair of 1-1/2" wrenches for $25

[Nebamartinez]

Sizing for company:
5/8": Rogue ML, Mech (I think), BWTG,
1": Legend, Rogue Monster, RC (I think)

Rae Crowther uses 1" for their pins but, much smaller hardware on the keyholes/slots... I'll go and measure the bolt size as soon as I have a free minute.

[Nebamartinez]

The RC slot bolt head/nut sizes are 9/16" so essentially each RC bar catch, spotter arm and dip attachment are supported by twin 3/8" diameter bolts that are then passed through a spacer/lug looking thing.