Thick handle dumbbell

[amaury]

hi,

i want to begin a thick handle dumbbell training (for the moment i only do clean and press with a normal dumbbell).

The problem is i can't afford ironmind's pair of dumbbells (i live in france and you can imagine the shipping price...) so does anyone know another brand that sells affordable thick handle dumbbells ? I'd prefer to buy only one dumbbell if possible.

I also know that Kevin Fulton made his own fat handle barbell...how did he make it ??

Thanks for your help  

[Nathan Say]

Go to a shop in your town & have them make some handles out of 2" pipe & have them weld collars on the inside so the plates stay put.

[mobsterone]

Hi, remember the only advantage of buying the thick bell handles over making them yourself is the convienence.

One of my US penpals uses heavy guage oil pipe. Its thick walled, decide what length you want. tThen you get 2 discs - both slightly bigger than the pipe/tube  have them drilled to take one inch rods (ideally do them at the same time and dead centre) and weld them on - one on each end. Ta da a thick handle to be slid onto your one-inch dumbbell road with loads of plates. If you have access a lathe will have a device to put knurling on. Paint as required.    

[dyoder16]

The easiest way if you don't weld or have a bit to drill though pipe is to use 1 1/2" ID black pipe, 2" ID PVC, & some duct tape and superglue (optional).  

The place you buy the steel will cut it for you (I used 12" for working DB's and 18" for farmers walk impliments).  Cut the PVC to the size you want (I used 5" for the DB's).  Wrap the tape around the steel to take up the slack.  Keep trying the PVC on it.  Don't make it too tight, snug is good.  I used two rings of tape, one on each side of where the PVC will go.  Make sure you remember to center the PVC.  If you want put a dab of Superglue on the tape then slide the PVC sleeve on.  

This forms your inside collars.  For the outside collars I used 5/16" by 1 7/8" muffler clamps.  I also put one layer of Athletic tape on the handles for grip.

I used the same method to make a thick handled bar as well.  

Using this method I got Three sets of DB's and the bar all with 2 3/8" OD handles for a little less than $33.  

They look primitive but that's how I like them.

Hope this helps you out.

[Guest O1d Dude]

Pictures sometimes say more than words...

[dyoder16]

Old Dude,

What size is that pipe?  Is it 1 1/2" Inside Diameter?  1 1/2" ID has an OD of only 1 13/16" or so.  I haven't been able to find spring collars that would fit, they are always a little too big for the bar.  Where did you get them?

dyoder16

[amaury]

Many thanks for your replies  

Thanks old dude for the images : really explicit !

And congratulations: the result looks great !

I'll try to build the whole thing this weekend (even if i guess it will take some more time).