'Look What I Bought Today!' - Part Deux

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Was a quick decision for me, needed more of an "all-around" use thickness so I went with the 30MM. Figured I could always make them bigger with a pair of Fat Gripz, but wouldn't be able to make them smaller if I didn't like the 35MM for stuff like lateral raises and curls.

This right here is a really solid point about just adding Fat Gripz to modify them if someone wanted to manipulate different handle diameters, I actually forgot that upon getting the 30mm handles that they're now regular diameters unlike the contours.

I also agree that 30mm is the most well rounded and incidently mentioned above about them feeling real comfortable on lateral raises, benching with them are much nicer as well and will hit arms with them soon.

[urbanlifter]

This right here is a really solid point about just adding Fat Gripz to modify them if someone wanted to manipulate different handle diameters, I actually forgot that upon getting the 30mm handles that they're now regular diameters unlike the contours.

I also agree that 30mm is the most well rounded and incidently mentioned above about them feeling real comfortable on lateral raises, benching with them are much nicer as well and will hit arms with them soon.

Well I'm excited about it, so thanks for posting something! Got contacted the next day saying they'd probably ship out sometime this next week since he had them already in stock. The handles I had now are in good shape but I figure they won't stay that way forever, make the switch while I can!

[urbanlifter]

You convinced me. Ordered the 30mm

Yeah man, if it were more in the middle (like 32MM) it may have made the decision more difficult, but the most comfortable curl bar I've ever owned was the 30MM Ivanko so it made sense. Also, I remember trying to bench with the Texas Squat Bar and I really didn't like the extra thickness. Think it was somewhere between 32-34MM, even though the current ones are 32MM.

[twodog]

Just picked these up today. It hasn't been easy for me to find them in NC. I'm adding them to the other 2,000 lbs. of York vintage plates that I have in my gym.

[EricAtl]

Just picked these up today. It hasn't been easy for me to find them in NC. I'm adding them to the other 2,000 lbs. of York vintage plates that I have in my gym.

Nice!

[urbanlifter]

Saweet, looks like they have a nice patina to them!

[twodog]

Nice!

Thanks, it's been a long slow process for me, down here.

Saweet, looks like they have a nice patina to them!

The have a beautiful patina, with no rust. Almost all of the rest had alot of rust on them, and I ended up cleaning them, and refinishing them. These, I think, are staying this way because they have such a nice patina.

I have no sons to inherit my stuff, but I am lucky enough to have a daughter that is into powerlifting, and strength.

[Greybird2]

Thanks, it's been a long slow process for me, down here.




The have a beautiful patina, with no rust. Almost all of the rest had alot of rust on them, and I ended up cleaning them, and refinishing them. These, I think, are staying this way because they have such a nice patina.


I have no sons to inherit my stuff, but I am lucky enough to have a daughter that is into powerlifting, and strength.

10 right there, "all the rest" is how many more? Just curious. Nice plates..

[twodog]

10 right there, "all the rest" is how many more? Just curious. Nice plates..

With these, I have about 2,700 lbs. total, this makes 32-45's. With a healthy mix of 35's, 25's, 10's, 5's, and 2-1/2' s, plus a pair of 100's, all vintage 70's. Other than than the 100's, which I have had for over 40 years, they have been accumulated since about 2011. I was lucky enough to win a local ebay bid, around 2012, for about 1500 lbs.@ 42 cents/lb.. These last 10 were $1.50/ lb., which is my first purchase in the last 6 years. I actually found 3 pairs, years ago, holding down soccer nets, andswapped them out for CAPS, lol. Covid seems to have raised the prices enormously.

[Greybird2]

With these, I have about 2,700 lbs. total, this makes 32-45's. With a healthy mix of 35's, 25's, 10's, 5's, and 2-1/2' s, plus a pair of 100's, all vintage 70's. Other than than the 100's, which I have had for over 40 years, they have been accumulated since about 2011. I was lucky enough to win a local ebay bid, around 2012, for about 1500 lbs.@ 42 cents/lb.. These last 10 were $1.50/ lb., which is my first purchase in the last 6 years. I actually found 3 pairs, years ago, holding down soccer nets, andswapped them out for CAPS, lol. Covid seems to have raised the prices enormously.

Thats a lot. I asked because it seems York collectors never stop. They want them all. Nothing wrong with that. Just an observation. I remember someone here had pretty large stacks of York 45's just stored in a non gym part of his basement. Not sure how many, but it was impressive.

[twodog]

Thats a lot. I asked because it seems York collectors never stop. They want them all. Nothing wrong with that. Just an observation. I remember someone here had pretty large stacks of York 45's just stored in a non gym part of his basement. Not sure how many, but it was impressive.

I have more than I need at the moment, but would like to expand. Not hoarding ... yet. ;o)

[Michiganian]

Minor addition to the gym today...



Thing looks essentially brand new, was less than half retail, and the guy actually stopped by and dropped it off on his way elsewhere.

Can't beat it for the price, but, I think I need to go still lighter, yet, for what I want to do--at least at first.

[Greybird2]

I got the AJI 30mm handles for my U90's. Took a few tries to get them so the adder weight lever could move.

Ended up with a washer to make the length of the handles a little longer. It goes between the handle and the plastic powerblock side on the same side as the lever. If you leave off the plastic washer that came with the U90's, the lever thing rattles. Have not used them yet, maybe tomorrow. They are the same diameter as my Ivanko curl bar.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

I got the AJI 30mm handles for my U90's. Took a few tries to get them so the adder weight lever could move.

Ended up with a washer to make the length of the handles a little longer. It goes between the handle and the plastic powerblock side on the same side as the lever. If you leave off the plastic washer that came with the U90's, the lever thing rattles. Have not used them yet, maybe tomorrow. They are the same diameter as my Ivanko curl bar.

Yeah the PBs vary length wise on the inside where the plate is, I also used the plastic washers that came with mine when installing the handles (I think mine could've gotten away without them, but they give it a more snug fit), also I found not going too aggressive on tightening the handles to the PB frame made the lever move more freely like they normally do.

I definitely want to hear how you like them once you get to taking them for a spin...just recently I used them on incline chest flys and once again they felt extremely comfortable. I haven't used them for curls, or skullcrushers yet...but those are next on the list of moves to try with them.

On a side note, Urban PM sent and also mods please take out the recent flood of spam.

[Greybird2]

Yeah the PBs vary length wise on the inside where the plate is, I also used the plastic washers that came with mine when installing the handles (I think mine could've gotten away without them, but they give it a more snug fit), also I found not going too aggressive on tightening the handles to the PB frame made the lever move more freely like they normally do.

I definitely want to hear how you like them once you get to taking them for a spin...just recently I used them on incline chest flys and once again they felt extremely comfortable. I haven't used them for curls, or skullcrushers yet...but those are next on the list of moves to try with them.

On a side note, Urban PM sent and also mods please take out the recent flood of spam.

With the little washer added, you can tighten all the way. I thought about leaving everything a bit loose, but I just can't.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

With the little washer added, you can tighten all the way. I thought about leaving everything a bit loose, but I just can't.

It's more aesthetics anyway, the handle looks a bit more flush against the plate without the washer (although barely noticeable with the washer on as well so I decided to keep it like that), but then depending on how your PBs are made it might either scrape the plate steel on steel a bit upon tightening, or it won't fit as snug. I tightened mine all the way, just doesn't have to be cranked down on much otherwise the adder weight switch plate doesn't move as easily and gets a bit jammed up.

I talked to Joe about this and he said that he doesn't use the washer on his personally, but that some people's PBs vary and some need the washer and some don't on theirs.

[Greybird2]

It's more aesthetics anyway, the handle looks a bit more flush against the plate without the washer (although barely noticeable with the washer on as well so I decided to keep it like that), but then depending on how your PBs are made it might either scrape the plate steel on steel a bit upon tightening, or it won't fit as snug. I tightened mine all the way, just doesn't have to be cranked down on much otherwise the adder weight switch plate doesn't move as easily and gets a bit jammed up.

I talked to Joe about this and he said that he doesn't use the washer on his personally, but that some people's PBs vary and some need the washer and some don't on theirs.

On mine, without that plastic washer, the adder weight plate just flops around.

[Duplicitous]

I got the AJI 30mm handles for my U90's. Took a few tries to get them so the adder weight lever could move.

Ended up with a washer to make the length of the handles a little longer. It goes between the handle and the plastic powerblock side on the same side as the lever. If you leave off the plastic washer that came with the U90's, the lever thing rattles. Have not used them yet, maybe tomorrow. They are the same diameter as my Ivanko curl bar.

I had to cut out some makeshift washers for mine as none were included. I used some thin plastic packaging and used two of those per DB.

[urbanlifter]

Got my "Type C" today for the old Rexan Pro's, overall I think the 30MM was a good choice. Feels right in the hand, the knurling is a nice medium, and I didn't have too many issues figuring out the washer situation. But it did take me a good second to re-assemble those stupid handles, little tweaking and they finally fit well inside the plates.

But then as soon as I was cleaning up the packaging I saw the HUGE excitement killer on the box. "Made in China" sticker pretty much ruined my day. Somehow I completely missed that they weren't made locally, just assumed he was a mom & pop shop.

RIP "Made in USA" Powerblocks

[Deep-Voiced-One]

I had to cut out some makeshift washers for mine as none were included. I used some thin plastic packaging and used two of those per DB.

Thanks again for recommending the AJI handles, I think it was you that mentioned them to me when I was looking at Bare Steel Equipment's handles which were more.

[urbanlifter]

First real session with the new AJI handles, have to admit they are just about perfect in terms of the grip thickness and knurling. Damn you China! Didn't put thread lock on them like the video suggested so we'll see what happens over time, hopefully they don't work themselves loose too quickly. But it's two thumbs up from me, for $110 it's a fantastic upgrade to the old handles.

[BiGx5MurF]

Got my "Type C" today for the old Rexan Pro's, overall I think the 30MM was a good choice. Feels right in the hand, the knurling is a nice medium, and I didn't have too many issues figuring out the washer situation. But it did take me a good second to re-assemble those stupid handles, little tweaking and they finally fit well inside the plates.

But then as soon as I was cleaning up the packaging I saw the HUGE excitement killer on the box. "Made in China" sticker pretty much ruined my day. Somehow I completely missed that they weren't made locally, just assumed he was a mom & pop shop.

RIP "Made in USA" Powerblocks

Now they're "Assembled in USA"

[BiGx5MurF]

https://freakathleteessentials.com/products/nordic-mini

I received mine a week ago, after multiple delays (~2 months). Actual unit has very different vinyl, more textured and grippy. Assembly was straight fwd, and build quality reminds me of the newer titan stuff. It's Chinese made, the bolts were labeled in chinese, but the instructions were in english, and decipherable.

This thing's significantly harder than my full size GHD. The weight horn is basically mandatory, at my 200 lbs BW, thing lifted up with ease when at extension. Was solid after throwing on 50 lbs on it though.

[Michiganian]

Another small addition to the gym:



The EZ Curl bar on the bottom for the FT.

Played with it a bit. Feels really good in the hands for curls, tricep pushdowns, and standing tricep extensions. Later on I'll try it for decline bench pullovers (the impetus for the purchase) and incline bench tricep extensions.

[urbanlifter]

Not sure if anyone is still in the market, but Rogue has had the Arnold plates back in stock for a couple days now. Tempting, 3-4 more pairs and my entire gym could be Arnold's LOL. But I will say I find it odd that I managed to snag multiple pairs of the Arnold's, but I have still never seen their regular 5lb plates for my deep dish set. What gives Rogue?

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Not sure if anyone is still in the market, but Rogue has had the Arnold plates back in stock for a couple days now. Tempting, 3-4 more pairs and my entire gym could be Arnold's LOL. But I will say I find it odd that I managed to snag multiple pairs of the Arnold's, but I have still never seen their regular 5lb plates for my deep dish set. What gives Rogue?

Even scarcer is their 2.5 lb plates to complete everyones Rogue DD set...possibly more rare and sought after than the Arnies perhaps lol.

[urbanlifter]

Even scarcer is their 2.5 lb plates to complete everyones Rogue DD set...possibly more rare and sought after than the Arnies perhaps lol.

Had to go with Strength Co just to have 2.5lb & 5lb, they don't even make a 2.5lb for the DD set.

[Duplicitous]

Thanks again for recommending the AJI handles, I think it was you that mentioned them to me when I was looking at Bare Steel Equipment's handles which were more.

That it was/ Glad they're working out for you.