Replacement pad covers, DIY

[Skidmarx]

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.

Man I was a hair away from pulling the trigger on the row machine a few months ago. Decided to continue waiting for a real HS to show up around here for a decent price. Not holding my breath.

[Skidmarx]

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/

Thanks bro. Is this padding pretty firm? I need to replace padding on the back pad on a HS machine. If you feel like doing a side job, hit me up I need 2 HS covers made and I can send you the originals for templates.

[Greybird2]

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.

For some reason, it did not occur to me they are Hammer Strength knock-offs. New gym is more than a year off. House plans should be done early next week, then go to builder. Maybe have a hole dug in 3 weeks? Who knows...

[EricAtl]

For some reason, it did not occur to me they are Hammer Strength knock-offs. New gym is more than a year off. House plans should be done early next week, then go to builder. Maybe have a hole dug in 3 weeks? Who knows...

I’m seeing a lot more equipment for sale around here. Every market is different but I think if you have a year you will find some of the things you want.

[EricAtl]

Thanks bro. Is this padding pretty firm? I need to replace padding on the back pad on a HS machine. If you feel like doing a side job, hit me up I need 2 HS covers made and I can send you the originals for templates.

If you are not in a hurry I can do it. I have a few other sewing projects lined up right now. Just foam and vinyl, you can pick color since I’d have to order more. Which machines, might not need templates. I might have a pic in this thread of old foam from a HS incline chest side by side with rebond. Yes the rebond is firm and the new sheet I got from full circle is better quality.

[EricAtl]

Finally pulled the trigger on a pneumatic staple gun. What a difference vs electric. About finished with the custom seat and finished the back pad for the leg extension I am working on. Leg roller next, then the seat.

[Asjogren]

Finally pulled the trigger on a pneumatic staple gun. What a difference vs electric. About finished with the custom seat and finished the back pad for the leg extension I am working on. Leg roller next, then the seat.

Wow..you did a great job on those pads. You have talent. Looks amazing!

[EricAtl]

Wow..you did a great job on those pads. You have talent. Looks amazing!

Thank you

[Skidmarx]

If you are not in a hurry I can do it. I have a few other sewing projects lined up right now. Just foam and vinyl, you can pick color since I’d have to order more. Which machines, might not need templates. I might have a pic in this thread of old foam from a HS incline chest side by side with rebond. Yes the rebond is firm and the new sheet I got from full circle is better quality.

LMAO it is the incline chest. Black color. Back and seat. Might as well do the seat foam too. PM me a price.

[Greybird2]

Eric. I have been watching FB marketplace. HS seated dip and HS curl have come up both at decent prices. They really don't even look they need much work.. I think I see what's in my future.... LOL..

[EricAtl]

Eric. I have been watching FB marketplace. HS seated dip and HS curl have come up both at decent prices. They really don't even look they need much work.. I think I see what's in my future.... LOL..

You have to chase what you want and I’m seeing more and more pieces for sale. I’ve seen some of the curl machines in the 5-600 range but they never interested me. I prefer standing curls or incline bench curls. I just messaged someone about a body masters seated preacher bench thought; it was sold. I have a black widow dip station so I would pass on the hammer dip machine. I think I saw the combo dip chest press for sale once. I might consider one of those but it takes up a lot of floor space.
With all of that said there is something going on with my back around the left scapula, have not been able to flat bench for a month. But no problem with using my hammer incline. Having options is a good thing.

[EricAtl]

I’ve been working on the nautilus leg extension. Excuse the sideways pics.
Starting point, needed a good cleaning.

Got it stripped down

Bought some new hardware, some of it I just wire wheeled. I replaced all of the machine screws for the plastic housing, about 25 of them.

Got the inside cleaned up, went with 3 in 1 for the chain

The hold handles were pretty rough so I ordered some grips to cover them. I didn’t buy a seat belt replacement, it only came with one side of a belt.

The replacement pads I made look good. Really like the pneumatic staple gun from sailrite. Waiting for some 4” washers to go between the roller pad and the pipe collars. Don’t ask about the seams on the seat front, they were supposed to be in the back where you couldn’t see them. Total brain fart. Will leave as is for now.


I think I have the roll pin for the top plate loosened a bit. Soaking with some wd40 rust release, may need to try some pb blaster. If I can get it loose I think i will paint the plates. Roll pin has probably been rusting in there for 30+ years.
Thanks for looking.

[Greybird2]

That sure looks good. That blue vinyl is just a nice look. Where are you finding 4 inch washers?

[EricAtl]

That sure looks good. That blue vinyl is just a nice look. Where are you finding 4 inch washers?

4” outer, 1 3/4” ID from boltdepot.com.
https://www.boltdepot.com/Product-De...?product=11095
This is the pad for my cybex leg curl and the thigh pads for the legend pull down have something similar. Not sure how this will work for the nautilus pad given the way it was designed. The original pad was folded in and stapled to the block of wood at the end of the pad. I used legends method which cinches the pad. I might remake it like the cybex pad but sewing circles is a pain.

[EricAtl]

4” washers in and they worked out well. The pipe collars are nice and shiny now, didn’t start out that way.


Still not able to get the roll pin out of the top plate but have some ideas. I even bought some new punches. Also have some materials coming in to make my own covered buttons to secure back pieces in place for my leg extension and the custom seat I made.

[Skidmarx]

Did you soak the shaft collars in acid? I just buy new ones from McMaster Carr or Grainger they are cheap.

[EricAtl]

Did you soak the shaft collars in acid? I just buy new ones from McMaster Carr or Grainger they are cheap.

Soaked in vinegar, wire wheeled. Then I think some flitz or bar keepers. I have a small wire tipped bit for the screw head. Takes a minute or two for each one.

[EricAtl]

Had to repaint the stack, in progress. I tried to get the roll pin out for days, wouldn’t budge. The PB blaster didn’t work. I used my saw horses to make a table and set the plate on it to hammer the punch straight down and no luck. Even bought a new set of punches.
Decided I would need to paint it in place. Was hard to see and I did two coats back to back so we’ll see how it looks. I did spray some clear gloss automotive enamel on the side of one plate to see how that looks and protects.

[EricAtl]

Update. After spraying the top plate and not liking how it came out I redid it. Looked good but then scratched it up with the chain while loading up plates.
The guy who makes the vinyl covered durasnap buttons stopped answering my messages, needed 4 black ones for the custom seat I made and 2 blue ones for the back pad of the leg extension. So of course I decided to make my own. I used a vice instead of buying a press. This is not easy with vinyl but they look good.

[Skidmarx]

Nice. Where do the buttons go? On the end of roller pads?

[EricAtl]

Nice. Where do the buttons go? On the end of roller pads?

Finally pulled the trigger on a pneumatic staple gun. What a difference vs electric. About finished with the custom seat and finished the back pad for the leg extension I am working on. Leg roller next, then the seat.

Going to use screws to attach the back cover to the back of the pad base. The screws go thru small metal snaps, not pictured. The vinyl buttons will snap on top of those.

[EricAtl]

The vinyl covered backer was sandwiched between the pad and frame but not attached to the pad. So at the top it was a bit loose, with a gap.


I attached the small snaps with #6 wood screws


Then I snapped on the vinyl covered buttons. Previously it was held in place with furniture nails with metal heads.

[Greybird2]

What is the thickness of that pad?

[EricAtl]

What is the thickness of that pad?

Standard 1” back pad. Most hammer pieces I’ve seen use 1” for back pads and seats although maybe they are now using thicker for new equipment. I’d have to measure the body masters seated calf which is at least 2”, maybe more.

[EricAtl]

The custom pad I made is finished. Will work on some mech like packaging.

[Greybird2]

Nice!

[EricAtl]

Pretty much finished with leg extension, flat black paint for the stack. Need to find stack stickers that I’m happy with. Chain is a little clunky but not going to switch to cable just yet.

[Asjogren]

Pretty much finished with leg extension, flat black paint for the stack. Need to find stack stickers that I’m happy with. Chain is a little clunky but not going to switch to cable just yet.

[img] https://forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?
attachmentid=9347383&stc=1&d=1625353701[/img]

Wow..great job! Looks incredible.

[EricAtl]

Wow..great job! Looks incredible.

Thank you. On spread.

[EricAtl]

I bought an old legend reverse hyper recently, don’t have a good pic of it assembled. It’s been in pieces and I’ve been slowly prepping to paint. Tried to get a reasonable powder coating quote but they seemed flaky and never gave me a solid number. Tough time cleaning in tight spaces where there is rust. This is on the support piece for the pad, so not really visible anyway. Have ordered all new hardware and caps, have color match paint coming to match Pad is completely toast so I’ll remake that. I took all of the powder coating off the top of the bottom pieces and anywhere else with rust. Otherwise just using mouse sander.
Listing photo:

Top pad and pieces:

Bottom parts:

Pad support 1:

Pad support 2:

Bottom pieces, powder coating off the top, ready to prime.