Revolving Thick Bar

[Arthur Antonopoulos]

Hey there all,

Thought I'd share a method of making revolving thick bars for both barbells and dumbells. It is quite simple.

Step One

Find some piping which matches your desired width which could be 2" or anything up to 4". You should have some luck finding good size piping, 2 1/2" or 2 3/8" at the local hardware store. If not call around and see if you can locate some at a plumbing supplies place or metal fabricators. Make sure it is long enough to cover the bar from collar to collar.

Step Two

With an angle grinder or hacksaw (if you have the time, effort and patience!) cut the pipe to the length desired which is the length of the bar from collar to collar.

Step Three

Now find a couple of washers with a one inch centre hole or a hole the size which easily fits your bar and has at an outside diameter wider than the pipe width chosen. These are fairly thick and very strong for their size. They might be hard to find so you can probably make your own from some thick sheet metal. I used some flanges which had a one inch threaded hole in the centre and 3 1/4" outside diameter. They're quite thick and very strong.

Step Four

Now slide your bar through the thick pipe. It should cover the bar from collar to collar. Now slide the washers on each end to the collar. The bar should be touching the washers. Now the tricky bit. You could do this bit yourself if you know how to weld or get someone you know who does. If not just find a place that does welding and get them to complete the next step. Weld the pipe onto the washers. Make sure that the pipe is centred with the washers so the bar passes through the centre of the pipe the whole way. You don't have to weld it all the way around on to the washer. Just weld it at four or five spots along the diameter and it will provide enough strength.

And that's it. You should know have a revolving thick barbell or dumbell to your personal specifications which will last forever, is cheap and easy to make, strong and accomodates standard plates!!!

Arthur