Loading pin recommendations?

[marko]

If I am failing to find an epic thread on loading pins feel free to cite here and I will go read it.

I am looking for some favorite loading pin recommendations as I need to retool my home gym to reduce weight load times.

I currently have a few rogue pins (top welds damage plates), a short and tall aluminum pin made by barrel strength (love em but appear to be out of production), and a skinny iron mind travel pin.

Thoughts?

 

 

 

Edited August 28 by Broc2

[devinhoo]

You could try a short Arm Assassin Strength Shop pin for some variety. Additionally, I have a solid steel Barrel Strength Systems pin that I like quite a lot (once they're back in stock). I've also used a metal file to take sharp/protruding welds before if you're worried about your plates or the floor.

Edited August 28 by devinhoo

[DoctorOfCrush]

One of the single best purchases I have made for my home gym is the Horizontal Loading Pin from Arm Assassin Strength Shop. I use it for my DIY cable pulley system because I can quickly change out weights and not remove the pin from the carabiner since you load the weights from the side and not the top. Game changer. I'd like to get another one to use with implements because I just get annoyed with loading weight from the top. The only limitation is that you have to load the sides symmetrically, but this usually isn't a bit deal, especially if you have fractional/micro-load plates. 

[marko]

12 hours ago, devinhoo said:

You could try a short Arm Assassin Strength Shop pin for some variety. Additionally, I have a solid steel Barrel Strength Systems pin that I like quite a lot (once they're back in stock). I've also used a metal file to take sharp/protruding welds before if you're worried about your plates or the floor.

I didn't realize they sold pins I typically get lost in the other gear.  I will check this out now.

[marko]

12 hours ago, DoctorOfCrush said:

One of the single best purchases I have made for my home gym is the Horizontal Loading Pin from Arm Assassin Strength Shop. I use it for my DIY cable pulley system because I can quickly change out weights and not remove the pin from the carabiner since you load the weights from the side and not the top. Game changer. I'd like to get another one to use with implements because I just get annoyed with loading weight from the top. The only limitation is that you have to load the sides symmetrically, but this usually isn't a bit deal, especially if you have fractional/micro-load plates. 

Great advice and likely a game changer.  I will grab one for my pulley and test it in implements as well.  I tend to run short pins for implements so that I can get more range of motion, but I prefer to spend time lifting and not loading.

[DoctorOfCrush]

30 minutes ago, Broc2 said:

Great advice and likely a game changer.  I will grab one for my pulley and test it in implements as well.  I tend to run short pins for implements so that I can get more range of motion, but I prefer to spend time lifting and not loading.

Yeah, I think you’ll really like it for the pulley for sure. 

[marko]

3 hours ago, DoctorOfCrush said:

Yeah, I think you’ll really like it for the pulley for sure. 

It looks really nice.  I have a pet peeve against top welds for loading pins because I can make those relatively easily.  I love the Barrel Strength stuff, and am hoping to find someone who keeps inventory that I can buy from which also serves for our event hosting needs in Colorado.

My original gripsport entry was for climbing and circus focus, so I mostly used pulleys and rogue pins which were good enough.  Now I want to focus on grip and armsports.

Thanks for responding hope to get more recommendations from folks with more experience.

[gerryg]

I’m big fan of Arm Assassin’s equipment and another option would be Nemesis Grip out of Canada.

[C8Myotome]

AASS is the most affordable option (probably) and custom height, if you don't mind the awkwardness of it being square shaped

[marko]

3 hours ago, gerryg said:

I’m big fan of Arm Assassin’s equipment and another option would be Nemesis Grip out of Canada.

I just learned about nemesis today and they have some equipment I want to get.  I like their pins but the welds are on top.  Not sure it matters that much to most but the welds on pins often chip up the calibrated power lifting plates.

Thanks for the recommendation.

[marko]

3 hours ago, C8Myotome said:

AASS is the most affordable option (probably) and custom height, if you don't mind the awkwardness of it being square shaped

I may ping AASS and see if the welds on the squares are positioned in a way that it does create wobble or plate finish damage for calibrated plates.  Thanks for the recommendation.

[marko]

FYI I pinged Nemesis and Andrew responded with a willingness to make anything I wanted in terms of size or moving welds.  Given my son wants his own gear and they have a solid kids section, I will place an order for pins.  I also like the short pins for max range of motion so his inventory is ideal.  Thanks for the advice.

[Cannon]

1 hour ago, Broc2 said:

I have a pet peeve against top welds for loading pins because I can make those relatively easily.  I love the Barrel Strength stuff, and am hoping to find someone who keeps inventory that I can buy from which also serves for our event hosting needs in Colorado.

I thought Gil also went to top welds because the bottom welds were failing. But in rereading, possibly you were not connecting those two thoughts.

https://www.barrelstrengthsystems.com/products/loading-pin

 

[marko]

1 hour ago, Cannon said:

I thought Gil also went to top welds because the bottom welds were failing. But in rereading, possibly you were not connecting those two thoughts.

https://www.barrelstrengthsystems.com/products/loading-pin

 

I think you are correct as I have a pin with top and a pin with bottom welds. 

[WorksinaPinch]

My solution to protect my calibrated plates from taking damage from top welds on the pin is a 3/4 lb. micro washer. This washer is much more malleable than the weld steel.

[marko]

5 hours ago, WorksinaPinch said:

My solution to protect my calibrated plates from taking damage from top welds on the pin is a 3/4 lb. micro washer. This washer is much more malleable than the weld steel.

is there a good source for these?  I have been using cheap olympic 2.5 and 5lb plates from play it again sports and it seems to work well.

[WorksinaPinch]

18 minutes ago, marcb said:

is there a good source for these?  I have been using cheap olympic 2.5 and 5lb plates from play it again sports and it seems to work well.

Rep Fitness sells them https://repfitness.com/collections/change-plates/products/fractional-plate-set-lb

They are available on Amazon as well. I didn't see any for less than Rep's price.

[marko]

1 hour ago, WorksinaPinch said:

Rep Fitness sells them https://repfitness.com/collections/change-plates/products/fractional-plate-set-lb

They are available on Amazon as well. I didn't see any for less than Rep's price.

Thanks