Replacement pad covers, DIY

[EricAtl]

Wow..nicely done!

thank you, on spread.

[EricAtl]

Working on the calf raise I picked up recently.
Before:


One thigh pad and seat

Seat cover stapled and bolted on

[Skidmarx]

Wow you've done all of these with a regular sewing machine? When I was looking into making custom covers I found that I needed a commercial machine so I could use the heavy duty needles. Too much of an expense at the time.

[EricAtl]

Wow you've done all of these with a regular sewing machine? When I was looking into making custom covers I found that I needed a commercial machine so I could use the heavy duty needles. Too much of an expense at the time.

Yes. It’s a singer heavy duty which comes with a “walking foot” attachment. Corners are tough but it works.

[EricAtl]

Pads are done, maybe could have gone a little tighter for the thigh pad wear covers. I might replace the stickers and thigh pad bolts and washers. Can’t find the proper bolts and washers so I might try spraying the existing ones.

[EricAtl]

At work on the new Cybex kneeling leg curl. I ran out of the nylon thread I use for the pads and Hobby Lobby is out. I’ve ordered some online. I have the ankle roller pad done and one of the thigh pads.
The weights horns are a bit of a mess, deep rust on the top side. I cleaned up one pretty well, struggling with the pitting where the rust was.

[EricAtl]

Making some headway on the pads. Curves are tough and basically the majority of the thigh and shin pads are curved.

Before:

[EricAtl]

Finished. As I wrote previously the small knee and thigh pads were a lot of work. I also sewed backs on the arm pads at the ends beyond the wear covers. The existing pads were just pulled and stapled. The way I did it looks better, but more work. Now I need to find a leg extension for my leg section.

[EricAtl]

Continued from my new bench thread:
Started with this


Did some wire wheeling yesterday. Hit it with citrus stripper overnight

Paint or powder coating is coming off easily


I did get a quote of about 200 to powder coat it (75 to blast it and 125 for powder coating). It’s not worth it to do that. So I might really clean it up just go bare metal with clear coat or will spray paint it. Bench frame is 18” so will end up 19.5 with board and foam. Plan for 12” wide, either 48 or 45” long.

[Skidmarx]

What brand do you think that is?

[EricAtl]

What brand do you think that is?

I’m not sure. I don’t think it is a home made bench. It’s old. Someone probably has a better guess than I do.

[Skidmarx]

Hey Eric what's sewing machine are you using?

[EricAtl]

Hey Eric what's sewing machine are you using?

It’s a singer heavy duty, not so great for vinyl. Has a walking foot attachment. Struggles when doing curves for top stitch and if going thru 4 layers like joining top piece to banding where the banding seam is.
I would like to get a really good walking foot machine like a Juki but don’t sew much vinyl since all of my covers are done.

[EricAtl]

Need to decide if I should go bare metal like the squat seat behind the bench or just clean it up a bit more and spray paint it. I used the mouse sander with a bunch of sanding pads on the squat seat. Will take a while for the bench but look cool. Not sure if I am going to keep it or not. Pic with old pad from my legend flat bench. Plan to go wider with the new pad, black vinyl.

[C123C]

Some amazing work here. Wasn't aware of any of it. Love that your new bench came in with matching, albeit damaged well beyond salvage, coloring.

[EricAtl]

Some amazing work here. Wasn't aware of any of it. Love that your new bench came in with matching, albeit damaged well beyond salvage, coloring.

Thank you. Have the frame stripped down pretty well, but will try to get is polished up and keep bare metal. Going to get started on the new pad (cover, foam, board).

[EricAtl]

Getting ready to sew the pad cover tomorrow. Tee nuts are in and I picked up some fleece like material today to wrap the board to soften the edges more. I have spent way too much time cleaning the frame. Trying to get it to look like the squat seat that I refurbed, but struggling. I want nice shiny metal. I am using emery paper, sand paper, sand paper on a mouse sander, steel wool, flitz, never dull, bar keepers, wire wheel. Not aircraft cleaner yet. Citristrip did a great job getting the powder coating off.
What else should I try or should I just spray it black?
Thank you.

[EricAtl]

Pad is almost finished, just have to pull and staple the vinyl on. I’ll also make a head wear cover. I wrapped some thin fleece like material around the board to soften the edges a bit. I am going to spray the frame black.

[Skidmarx]

Nice work. Flap disc on angle grinder will make anything shiny. Then follow with wire wheel to smooth or maybe green/brown scouring pad.

[EricAtl]

Nice work. Flap disc on angle grinder will make anything shiny. Then follow with wire wheel to smooth or maybe green/brown scouring pad.

Do you think a flap disc on a corded hammer drill will work. Looks like dewalt angle grinder is 12000rpm.
Usually willing to buy more tools but not this week.

[EricAtl]

I bought an angle grinder today. I tested it on a small area and it seemed to work well, note the very shiny spot on the bottom section. I just did a little since shorts and no shoes seemed like a bad idea with the sparks. I did have on eye protection. Finished the pad although I might pull it a bit tighter. It is 12” wide. Head cover included.

[EricAtl]

About finished, not going to keep it. Think I can get 3.50 for it.


Sorry we are doing sideways pics again

[Greybird2]

ttt

[EricAtl]

Another forum member asked me to make a custom pad, so far it is coming along great. I used my black and decker jigsaw ro cut the base board and backer. New rebond from Full Circle which is way better quality than the last rebond I bought elsewhere. Vinyl is Naugahyde marine grade which I think is the best and what FullCircle uses.
Ready to cut

Boards cut, backer board had 1.5” holes.

Vinyl done

Vinyl on but not stapled yet

Backside

Finished backer board with vinyl partially stapled.

[Skidmarx]

That looks great. The padding is called rebond?

[EricAtl]

Yes. I will try to get a pic up showing fullcircle vs the other rebond I have.
https://www.fullcirclepadding.com/st...e-square-foot/

[Greybird2]

That looks nice! How did you decide to want to do replacement pads and re-upholstering? I like to do a lot of DIY stuff, but that doesn't look like anything I would attempt.. Is this something totally opposite of your day job? You now have me looking at Hammer Strength and other machines I like for the future. The space I will have for my gym will be much larger with taller ceilings than I have now. That is if the lumber prices don't put us on hold....

[EricAtl]

That looks nice! How did you decide to want to do replacement pads and re-upholstering? I like to do a lot of DIY stuff, but that doesn't look like anything I would attempt.. Is this something totally opposite of your day job? You now have me looking at Hammer Strength and other machines I like for the future. The space I will have for my gym will be much larger with taller ceilings than I have now. That is if the lumber prices don't put us on hold....

Sewing vinyl isn’t easy, but with practice I have improved. There aren’t very many gym pad cover sewing videos on YouTube. I watched a lot of videos of guys sewing motor cycle seats; these guys are like artists. I use a singer heavy duty home machine with walking foot attachment. Ideally I’ll get a real walking foot machine. But since I’m getting really tight on space and my equipment wishlist is nearly complete I’m not sure I’ll be adding much more to my gym. Hammer pieces are great, looking forward to seeing your new space.

[Greybird2]

https://www.steelflexfitness.com/plate-load.htm

Have you ever looked at these? I might have to figure out where to try some of these in the future. The only problem with HS is they are big and very heavy.

[EricAtl]

https://www.steelflexfitness.com/plate-load.htm

Have you ever looked at these? I might have to figure out where to try some of these in the future. The only problem with HS is they are big and very heavy.

I think people have posted those before, hammer knock offs. Hammer pieces are big and heavy, but generally very good. I was really worried when I got my first piece, iso shoulder. Did enough digging in this forum and asked questions. Went with tools and was able to take apart with sellers help. Got it together by myself.
Pulldown/low row was delivered and installed by Legend.
Crossover was delivered and set in place as well.