Im looking at trying to get some vintage york roundhead dumbbells and hoping someone hear can give me some information to help me in determining differences within those dumbbells that York has produced over the years.
This is what I've been ale to piece together so far:
1) The oldest versions do not have a USA stamp on them
2) At some point York started stamping Usa on the dumbell, but i dont know where and what the stamp looked like.
3) More recently, York started re-making the roundheaded dumbbells and calling them "Legacy"
Can any of you gents shed some light on this topic?
Thanks.
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Thread: Vintage York Dumbbells
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04-19-2011, 08:43 PM #1
Vintage York Dumbbells
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04-20-2011, 04:34 AM #2
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York DBs and Roundheads
York Roundheads from the 70's to early 90's are beautiful dumbbells and add character to a home gym. My sense of the "USA" marked Yorks is that they were made in the early to mid-90's when York started making weights outside of the US. The "USA" markings were to indicate their higher quality, US-made stuff.
Roundheads are so named because the heads of the dumbbells are round and pill-shaped. Older Yorks are referred to as buns or globes, again, because of their shape.
I recently made the switch from foreign-made hex dumbbells to vintage roundheads and I'm glad that I did. They are awesome.
If I have time later, I'll take a pic of one of my roundheads with the "USA" marking.
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04-20-2011, 06:32 AM #3
Find them and buy them!
You won't find any vintage York roundheads and if you do, they'll be snapped up quickly by those who want them for reasons other than convential lifting; they are usually cut up for "blobs" and lifted individually for pinch grip movements. This probably explains why York is now making them again. You might not want to hear this, but I'll go ahead and tell you anyway: about 7 years ago, I bought roughly 900 pounds worth of old York DB's and cut them up for blobs because the demand of blobs was so great - I made a killing doing that.
WARNING: This post may contain material offensive to those who lack wit, humor, common sense and/or supporting factual or anecdotal evidence. All statements and assertions contained herein may be subject to literary devices not limited to: irony, metaphor, allusion and dripping sarcasm.
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04-20-2011, 10:23 AM #4
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Probably what the guy did with these too!!!
http://www.govliquidation.com/auction/view?id=4275669
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04-20-2011, 10:55 AM #5
I found these...
See attached pictures. I've already located a 20lbs-70lbs set that includes pairs every 5lbs. Just trying to get as much information on what these really are before I show up to purchase.
I think that they are the older ones, but I'm not sure. I've always liked the look of these dumbbells, but I've never handled any of them personally. Any concerns with them? Were there real problems with the heads of these coming off, or was that just in extreme abuse cases where they were dropped repeatedly? I'd hate to have one of those "blobs" hit me in the face. Thanks.
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04-20-2011, 11:39 AM #6
I had a decent sized set of York roundheads, which were the older version. Ended up selling the set a while ago, which I should have kept, but such is life. Only had one end that was not completely tight. And, that was with dropping them on a regular basis on rubber mats, as well as them being fairly old.
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04-20-2011, 02:30 PM #7
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04-20-2011, 02:33 PM #8
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Not necessarily true. A lot of guys use them for working out and many collect them. Blobs can be controversial for the reason mentioned. People cut perfectly good dumbbells to make grip weights. Cutting a db with a bent bar is one thing, destrying a perfectly good db is another. . .
The "Legacy" roundhead dumbbells that York makes are made in China, same as their Legacy milled Olympic plates. If you have the time and patience, go for American iron and pass on the new stuff. Nothing wrong with the new stuff. The US-made iron is cooler.
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04-20-2011, 03:32 PM #9
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04-20-2011, 04:10 PM #10
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wow look at these
http://cgi.ebay.com/UPDATED-Rare-50s...item1c19c86bb8Pullups Max reps: 40 reps
Max weighted pullup:
206.2 lbs x 1 rep
165 lbs x 6 reps
135 lbs x 8 reps
100 lbs x 14 reps
Bench: 365 lbs
Squat: 405 lbs
Deadlift: 505 lbs
Press:225 lbs
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04-20-2011, 04:14 PM #11
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04-20-2011, 04:19 PM #12
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Search Tempest and other engines are your friend. eBay is another source and I will have an extra pair of 5s I could sell you later this week. Interestingly, York made roundhead dbs in one-pound increments from 1- to 10-lbs., then 12-lbs., followed by five pound increments from 15 to 100-lbs. It's pretty stupid to cut up a good condition 100-lb. York roundhead given how rare they are.
When you get them make sure that the handles are tight (roundheads are not one-piece dbs. The heads were poured around the handle ends. If you decide to repaint, Rustoleum Painter's Choice semi-gloss black looks really good on them.
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04-20-2011, 05:15 PM #13
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04-20-2011, 06:22 PM #14
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04-20-2011, 06:38 PM #15
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04-21-2011, 11:43 AM #16
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04-24-2011, 03:03 PM #17
Got 'em!
I picked these up on Friday. The deal included a 3-Tier older BodySolid Rack, Old York Roundhead Dumbbells (20lbs-70lbs in 5 lb. increments), a pair of hex 85lb'ers, a pair of hex 95lb'ers, and some cheap plate weights with a plate tree, a curl bar and a cheap Oly. bar.
- Pics Attached...
(990lbs of Yorks)
(360lbs of Hex)
All for $450.
I'll try and sell the Plate weights, bars, and tree and re-coup maybe a $100. I'd like to eventually replace those Hex's with some heavier matching Yorks, but I'm pretty happy that they were included in the deal.
This puts the York dumbbells at $0.45/lb. with the rack and everything else just free. If I include the hex's, I paid less than $0.35/lb for the dumbbells; gotta love the C-List!
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04-24-2011, 06:10 PM #18
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04-25-2011, 05:53 AM #19
When I think of dumbbell, that is the shape and design that first pops in to my head. I bought new dumbbells about four years ago, prior to the re-release of the York roundhead "legacy" line. I still think about selling my 12 sided db's and getting the round heads, they're that cool to me.
Congratulations, my friend those are awesome.Last edited by Cpl.Girthington; 04-25-2011 at 05:53 AM. Reason: added words
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04-25-2011, 08:17 AM #20
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I agree with the look of the round heads, I have a set from 15-35 lbs that I bought back in the early 80's and since have collected the hex style dumbells because they are available. Even though I have had enough hex's to have a complete matched set, my 15-35's are still the old Yorks. Hopefully my set will be all round heads one day, if the prices are right, because I like the looks of them over the hexes and pro-style dumbells.
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do, than by the ones you did" Mark Twain
"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats" H. L. Mencken
[]---[] Equipment Crew #42 []---[] ()---() York Barbell Club #18 ()---()
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04-25-2011, 09:37 AM #21
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04-25-2011, 10:44 AM #22
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I've been following CL and it's a cr*pshoot, patience is the key.
I'm just getting back into the game after about 15 years and have already found some great deals on cheaper CAP type oly sets and hex DB's along with a couple of benches and a power rack. The best deals seem to be packages and then flipping what you don't need need.
I've got what I absolutely need for know, and will keep my eyes open for better stuff.
Thanks."Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do, than by the ones you did" Mark Twain
"Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin to slit throats" H. L. Mencken
[]---[] Equipment Crew #42 []---[] ()---() York Barbell Club #18 ()---()
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04-25-2011, 12:22 PM #23
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Yeah. I bought a mixed collection of dumbbells (10-50) and a rack yesterday just to get the 12-lb and 15-lb roundheads. Seriously. I'm flipping with the intent of getting back what I paid for the collection. To have the full set from 10 to 50 pounds is a wonderful feeling.
Now to add 55 to 70 pound roundheads. . . .
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04-25-2011, 12:59 PM #24
Impressions
Ok, ive had a couple of workouts with the roundheads now under my belt. I really like the feel of these dumbbells. It takes a little time getting used to the slick grip design (no knurlng). Chalk makes this a non-issue and im usually using my Tyler Grips anyway. I lucked out and none of my dumbbells have any bent or loose grips; they are tight and easily balanced overhead when pressing. Overall, im very happy. Id like to pick up some 10's and 15's at some point amd maybe eventually a set or 2 above 70.
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05-20-2011, 02:27 AM #25
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Love my Yorks
Hifihunter... know that the straight handles start at 15 lbs.. below that (12 and under) they are all cast as one piece.
I've got the vintage roundheads 15-40 lbs. in the straight handles, and the smaller single casting ones in pairs of 3, 5,7,8,19,12, and only one 2.
I repainted them all and love 'em!! Maybe someday I'll get a few more (45-60, for a 10 saddle rack) but I'm not sure. Got them mostly thru ebay & craigslist. I managed to pick up the 25s for $20 (.40/lb). I rushed over to get those.
Sure I wish they had knurling, but they just feel well balanced and great in my hands.I'm only ecto on the outside
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05-20-2011, 05:45 AM #26
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You need a good rack, a bench, and a 300-lb Olympic weight set. Now, what was your question?
My home gym: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=652376&p=1465291461&viewfull=1#post1465291461.
()---() York Barbell Club #1 (DD, RH, Kg) ()---() []---[] Equipment Crew #36 []---[] []---[] Ivanko Barbell Crew #51 []---[] [M]===[6] Mech6 Crew #29 [M]===[6] ~~ 4 Horsemen ~~
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05-20-2011, 03:24 PM #27
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05-20-2011, 06:40 PM #28
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You need a good rack, a bench, and a 300-lb Olympic weight set. Now, what was your question?
My home gym: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=652376&p=1465291461&viewfull=1#post1465291461.
()---() York Barbell Club #1 (DD, RH, Kg) ()---() []---[] Equipment Crew #36 []---[] []---[] Ivanko Barbell Crew #51 []---[] [M]===[6] Mech6 Crew #29 [M]===[6] ~~ 4 Horsemen ~~
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05-26-2011, 05:36 PM #29
So Im assuming $.45/lb would be a very good deal for a large set of old-school yorks? Whats the difference between the real roundheads and ones with the flat spot?
"Stimulate, don't Annihilate."
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God has smiled on me and he has set me free."
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05-26-2011, 06:32 PM #30
- Join Date: Dec 2010
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You need a good rack, a bench, and a 300-lb Olympic weight set. Now, what was your question?
My home gym: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=652376&p=1465291461&viewfull=1#post1465291461.
()---() York Barbell Club #1 (DD, RH, Kg) ()---() []---[] Equipment Crew #36 []---[] []---[] Ivanko Barbell Crew #51 []---[] [M]===[6] Mech6 Crew #29 [M]===[6] ~~ 4 Horsemen ~~
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