Having some trouble putting the PowerTec Leverage gym together

[Einhander12]

Well I just had a couple questions about tools. It says you need an 8 inch adjustable wrench, a 6 mm Allen wrench, and 13, 19 and 21 mm wrenches. I only had the 6 mm Allen wrench and a 13 mm wrench. I have a 10 inch adjustable wrench, but it says you need an 8 inch. Went to the hardware store and they didn't have these sizes. So I ordered them online and they're supposed to come in a couple of days. But in the video, Rob Riches only had a couple of tools. Can I get started in building it without all 5 tools?

Part of me wished I had paid someone to come and set this up. It took me 2 hours to bring all the parts upstairs into the room and get everything unwrapped. If you have any tips, let me know. The instructions are a bit complex for me, I'm watching the video from Powertec though.

[Heisman2]

I don't own that so cannot comment directly, but in general getting 2 socket wrench sets can make things a lot easier to put together than using adjustable wrenches in my experience, especially if it's awkward to get to things at certain angles.

You can always start putting things together and take a break to get more tools. Just make sure to open/unwrap organize everything very carefully and ensure you have all the needed pieces before starting. That way if anything is missing you may be able to go to a hardware store to pick it up (ie, bolts or screws) when you go to get whatever tools you need.

[Mech6]

...I have a 10 inch adjustable wrench, but it says you need an 8 inch...

I honestly don't know if you're trolling... 8-10 inch refers to the length of the tool. A 10inch will work fine.

[Einhander12]

I honestly don't know if you're trolling... 8-10 inch refers to the length of the tool. A 10inch will work fine.

Oh okay. I’m not an expert at tools and dimensions.

[ampire]

Oh okay. I’m not an expert at tools and dimensions.

You can buy sockets and ratchets and wrenches at an auto parts store such as Advanced, NAPA, or Autozone.

[IronJim835]

I am not familiar with the equipment you are assembling. But the recommendation for the 8" adjustable wrench may be because of close quarter work. Where you wouldn't have the room to use the longer 10" adjustable wrench. Or they don't want you to break the bolts with the extra leverage of the longer wrench. A word of caution adjustable wrenches don't fit bolt heads very well they are sloppy fits and can slip off. If that happens it is called a knuckle buster and can damage the paint on your new equipment. You will probably need two adjustable wrenches minimum to assemble one for the bolt head one for the nut. My recommendation get the correct wrench sizes and only use the adjustable wrenches as a last resort. Good luck.

[Einhander12]

This is the hardest thing I’ve ever tried to put together. It’s like a puzzle even with instructions and very heavy.

[IronJim835]

Sometimes the written instructions are confusing and the illustrations useless. May check for a video to watch.

[urbanlifter]

This is the hardest thing I’ve ever tried to put together. It’s like a puzzle even with instructions and very heavy.

Which unit are you talking about? The large 3-station Powertec, or the smaller compact version? I've had both and didn't find them incredibly difficult to put together, but then again I've broken down and reassembled more equipment than most will in a lifetime LOL

[wilkinkc]

Not sure what tools you have access to, but I usually get an end wrench and a socket on an impact driver. Goes really quick that way. Sometimes there will be clearance issues you won't be able to do the impact on, just use a normal wrench for those.

[Cpl.Girthington]

The hardest part of assembling my WB-MS was when I was in the floor looking at the instructions and my then two year old daughter picked up my claw hammer and hit me in the back of the head. Lots of steps in that assembly though. The smaller corner unit wasn't so bad, I did that one with a friend.

[murphyreedus]

[thedickus]

PowerTec stuff is really easy to put together. I've had numerous pieces and generally only needed one sized sock wrench for the bolt and one size wrench for the nut. This piece should be easy, it's just using pivot points are the only "moving" pieces. Their instructions are generally pretty thorough. I've disassembled and reassembled my PT Leverage Gym at least three times by myself. Tolerances were all nice, but my stuff was all older, can't speak for the quality of their new stuff.

[Einhander12]

PowerTec stuff is really easy to put together. I've had numerous pieces and generally only needed one sized sock wrench for the bolt and one size wrench for the nut. This piece should be easy, it's just using pivot points are the only "moving" pieces. Their instructions are generally pretty thorough. I've disassembled and reassembled my PT Leverage Gym at least three times by myself. Tolerances were all nice, but my stuff was all older, can't speak for the quality of their new stuff.

Well, you might be more capable than me, my friend. It's taken me 3 hours just to do step 1.

[triplechris]

For those following along at home:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/11...page=10#manual

Although srsly looking at the text instructions, I'd be a little confused too. Pretty hardcore. As a graphic designer, there's lots of ways to make that easier. (Each step has its own bag of hardware; labels on the equipment etc.)

[thedickus]

For those following along at home:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/11...page=10#manual

Although srsly looking at the text instructions, I'd be a little confused too. Pretty hardcore. As a graphic designer, there's lots of ways to make that easier. (Each step has its own bag of hardware; labels on the equipment etc.)

There's only 9 bolts in this step. It looks very straight forward to me. PowerTec does a good job of labeling and separating the nuts and bolts in their packaging and labeling the individual parts.

[urbanlifter]

There's only 9 bolts in this step. It looks very straight forward to me. PowerTec does a good job of labeling and separating the nuts and bolts in their packaging and labeling the individual parts.

Agree, but I'd recommend laying all the parts out and using a combination of the assembly guide and actual online pictures to resolve any confusion. Most of the time I only use the assembly guide to show me what type/length of bolts to use where, the parts themselves should be extremely obvious even for a beginner. Look on the bright side though, not only are you advancing your physical fitness but you are also developing skills that every man should have (and tools). You don't want to rely on paying a real man to come into your house and put stuff together in front of your wife LOL

[grumpytude]

Agree, but I'd recommend laying all the parts out and using a combination of the assembly guide and actual online pictures to resolve any confusion. Most of the time I only use the assembly guide to show me what type/length of bolts to use where, the parts themselves should be extremely obvious even for a beginner. Look on the bright side though, not only are you advancing your physical fitness but you are also developing skills that every man should have (and tools). You don't want to rely on paying a real man to come into your house and put stuff together in front of your wife LOL

agree. have to separate, organize and lay out all pieces before assembly. Become familiar with them- especially when multiple size bolts and washers are involved.
I've put together several Body solid pieces and its the easiest solution. I did put together a Powertec Multipress together years ago. I don't recall it being too bad though.

Some companies make it a bit easier though. few weeks ago I put together a belt squat from Edgefitness and a 45 degree Hyper from body solid.
The Bodysolid Hyper- while a much simpler piece of equipment took longer to put together with its multiple size bolts and washers and various parts. Belt squat uses one size bolt throughout and you just match each number to the same number.

Like others have said. you have to have at least a decent socket and wrench set- or at least a multi wrench on hand. Pictures and/or videos of completed piece also helps.

[Einhander12]

Alright so it's now set up. Had to hire a guy to do it. He was an expert and even he said that the Powertec is a tough assembly.

Anyways, I got a couple of questions. So far the machine feels pretty smooth. For the Lat Pulldown, you put your knees under the pads. But the pad is loose. It doesn't stay still. What am I supposed to do?

And for the Spud straps I got, it seems like the positioning is hard to find. Am I supposed to be using at an incline? Otherwise the rope feels too long. But the path of resistance feels a little bit off.

[Heisman2]

Could you take a video of the pads moving? There is probably something you can tighten to fix that. Same thing with the straps, a video would be helpful.

[Skidmarx]

The straps are probably making your reach too long, so you aren't getting a full stretch. May need to ditch and get a standard lat bar.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Alright so it's now set up. Had to hire a guy to do it. He was an expert and even he said that the Powertec is a tough assembly.

Anyways, I got a couple of questions. So far the machine feels pretty smooth. For the Lat Pulldown, you put your knees under the pads. But the pad is loose. It doesn't stay still. What am I supposed to do?

And for the Spud straps I got, it seems like the positioning is hard to find. Am I supposed to be using at an incline? Otherwise the rope feels too long. But the path of resistance feels a little bit off.

It would be helpful if you name which specific Spud strap you're using on the machine.

[thedickus]

My older style leverage gym has a knee support for the pulldown. It just has a pop-pin that secure it into place. Does yours not have that?