Roark Posted April 11, 2002 Share Posted April 11, 2002 Last year when I was given an antique barbell I decided to make it into a dumbell. Globes 10" in diameter weigh 49 pounds each. I spent a couple of hours today trying to get the nuts off the ends of the bar. Impact wrench, pipe wrenches. Nothing. So I got out the Sawzall and spent a long time sawing. The ends of the bar inside the globes were threaded! I assume so small globes could be placed onto the shaft and then nutted down? Anyway I got the end nuts off, and now must decide what to do with the globes. One idea is to have an Inch size handle milled, and then add shot as needed. Each globe is marked is raised lettering '150'. But the whole barbell weighed just 116, so someone must have removed the shot. Another idea is to make two kettlebells. Also thought of simply filling one globe full and using it as a lifting 'stone'. Anyone have any other ideas for me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nathan Say Posted April 11, 2002 Share Posted April 11, 2002 If it only weighs 116, put a 3 3/4 inch handle on it & call it the Roark challenge dumbell! Have lighter ones around that you could lift & pretend it's the heavy one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Browne Posted April 11, 2002 Share Posted April 11, 2002 Roark, What kind of metal are they made of? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted April 11, 2002 Author Share Posted April 11, 2002 The globes appear to be cast iron, and the globe wall thickness is about 5/8" . I had a Roark Challenge dumbell. Had a 2" handle, was machined, welded, beautifully put together by a friend who made it. The challenge was to curl it one handed from a dead hang and then put it overhead. Weighed 108 lbs. I gave it to Kim Wood and he was explaining to someone what the challenge was- in the meantime the man curled it and put it overhead! One of the former U of Illinois football players could not clean it with one hand. I had the bell at work and people would say "Have Glen try it- he could do it". Then I would say, "Well, no, he tried, but he couldn't". Glen came to see me one day and asked 'Are you telling people that I can't lift that dumbell?" I replied, 'Only if they ask." Then I pointed to the bell and said 'There it is, lift it, and I'll change my story!". He walked away. I like the idea of a challenge bell. Maybe the Inch 130 lb replica? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobsterone Posted April 11, 2002 Share Posted April 11, 2002 You could always have a piercing and have these hang from bits of your body :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Browne Posted April 11, 2002 Share Posted April 11, 2002 Roark, a challenge dumbell is a good idea. If they were mine I would put a 21/2 inch handle on them. machine a 1 inch hole into each end of the handle an inch deep. Take a 1 inch all-thread rod and insert the rods into the handle and have a good flat weld put on the rod and handle. Nut the globes back on and there you go! (That is if the holes in the globes are 1 inch) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sybersnott Posted April 11, 2002 Share Posted April 11, 2002 I like that idea! The "Roark Challenge Dumbbell". Excellent!! :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
underdawg Posted April 12, 2002 Share Posted April 12, 2002 strongmen from all around the world will be beating down your door to try and hoist and object you've put overhead hundreds of times Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted April 12, 2002 Author Share Posted April 12, 2002 Give me just a few minutes to switch bells... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul valpreda Posted April 12, 2002 Share Posted April 12, 2002 I think you should have the globes made into kettlebells and take one of Pavel's courses! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted April 12, 2002 Author Share Posted April 12, 2002 Pavel who? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul valpreda Posted April 12, 2002 Share Posted April 12, 2002 Pavel Tsatsouline (The Evil Russian). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted April 12, 2002 Author Share Posted April 12, 2002 No thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobsterone Posted April 12, 2002 Share Posted April 12, 2002 So the piercing idea still has a chance? :p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roark Posted April 12, 2002 Author Share Posted April 12, 2002 How is Prince Albert doing these days, Steve? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
underdawg Posted April 12, 2002 Share Posted April 12, 2002 youch!! that's one challange lift i'd have to pass on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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