Fitness equipment project

**RcRacer** · 03-02-2006, 09:04 PM

At 51 years of age and two very active sons, 16 and 12, requires staying just fit enough so that I can keep the illusion ( in my mind ) that I can still whoop their asses when required. ( probably not true in reality

). My cluttered basement contains some ( not used enough ) pretty good fitness equipment, thanks to a brother-in-law who sells the stuff. The olympic weight plates needed to get off the floor to make room for getting back into working out. So, over the last two nights, I threw together a weight tree made from some scrap 12ga uni-strut and 1 1/4 sched 40 steel pipe. I used my Pro Mig 175 with C25 and .030 Lincoln ER70S-6 wire.
Supposedly, uni-strut is mild steel but I don't really know what the composition is. It seems to spatter a bit more than usual when MIGing it. Here are some pics. The two pics of beads don't really show the spatter but, trust me, my helmets protective lens and shop floor show it.
The tree
The tree with weights
A bead pic
Another bead pic

**243** · 03-02-2006, 10:06 PM

I think uni-strut is galvanized, maybe that is causing the splatter?

**RcRacer** · 03-03-2006, 08:21 AM

Originally Posted by 243

I think uni-strut is galvanized, maybe that is causing the splatter?

I don't think that the paint or powder coat was on top of galvanizing. I did clean the weld areas down to shiny bare metal.

**monstershed** · 03-04-2006, 06:59 AM

I make all kinds of equipment at home. I use nothing but arc on the metal, gives a deep burn. Just make sure that you have deep penetration so nothing breaks.

**trial&error** · 03-04-2006, 02:41 PM

for what it's worth. I find that bending over to reach for those 45# gets old quick especially if your workout has alot of weight changes in your routine. My lowest weight storage puts the top of the weight just below the waist. Not a big deal in the beginning but after several weeks of bending over to lift them it gets old fast. keep pumping and welding that iron and maybe you can still keep those youngsters inline.

**RcRacer** · 03-04-2006, 04:00 PM

I thought the bending and lifting would add value to my workouts

Actually, I didn't have a lot of material to work with and the uni-strut is only 12ga, so I kept the heavier stuff down low in the triangle.
I'm more worried about smacking my forehead on the weights at the top when I bend over

Thanks for the advice. When I get more scrap to work with, I can try a different design

**rufus** · 03-04-2006, 04:24 PM

That stuff looks HEAVY, is it?

As far as whoopin the boys, your supposed to do it enough while they're younger so they remember it when they're older.

Cool project.

**jarto017** · 03-05-2006, 12:41 AM

Nice work R/C. You gonna hit that with some paint? Thats allot nicer than some of the ones I've seen to purchase, and with those welds I'd say also allot stronger too!

I've got allot of fitness related projects I have to weld up too. I need to make a storage rack for all my bars and smith machine attachments, and also a free weight adapter plate for my uni stack home gym! Also I'd like to make a set of spotters, for free weight benching, so I can work out to absolute fatigue.

**JIM JONES** · 03-08-2006, 08:48 PM

FIRST TIMER HERE . I BUILD FITNESS EQUIPMENT FOR LIVING.YOU HAVE THE RIGHT LOOK. IF YOU USE SCD80 INSTEAD YOU CAN PUT THE BIG STUFF ON TOP.CHECK THIS WEB SITE WWW.NEBULA.COM I BUILD ALL OF FROM FREE WEIGHTS TO STACK MACHINES. HOWED IDO FOR THE FIRST?

**RcRacer** · 03-08-2006, 09:13 PM

Originally Posted by JIM JONES

FIRST TIMER HERE . I BUILD FITNESS EQUIPMENT FOR LIVING.YOU HAVE THE RIGHT LOOK. IF YOU USE SCD80 INSTEAD YOU CAN PUT THE BIG STUFF ON TOP.CHECK THIS WEB SITE WWW.NEBULA.COM I BUILD ALL OF FROM FREE WEIGHTS TO STACK MACHINES. HOWED IDO FOR THE FIRST?

I used sched 40 for the weight posts. I wasn't concerned with the posts being strong enough. I'm thinking it's the 12ga uni-strut that won't handle the heavy stuff on top. Are you saying that you use sched 80 for the frame?

PS. Welcome to the forum. Just one recomendation - find your caps lock key and turn off the caps

**monstershed** · 03-09-2006, 10:49 AM

Hey J.Jones---Do you have any drawings or plans you could share?

**JIM JONES** · 03-12-2006, 07:27 PM

i use2x2 2x3 2x4 ,11ga tubing.

**Grappletractor** · 03-13-2006, 07:17 PM

Originally Posted by JIM JONES

i use2x2 2x3 2x4 ,11ga tubing.

Drawings please .

**Grappletractor** · 03-13-2006, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by RcRacer

At 51 years of age and two very active sons, 16 and 12, requires staying just fit enough so that I can keep the illusion ( in my mind ) that I can still whoop their asses when required. ( probably not true in reality

). My cluttered basement contains some ( not used enough ) pretty good fitness equipment, thanks to a brother-in-law who sells the stuff. The olympic weight plates needed to get off the floor to make room for getting back into working out. So, over the last two nights, I threw together a weight tree made from some scrap 12ga uni-strut and 1 1/4 sched 40 steel pipe. I used my Pro Mig 175 with C25 and .030 Lincoln ER70S-6 wire.
Supposedly, uni-strut is mild steel but I don't really know what the composition is. It seems to spatter a bit more than usual when MIGing it. Here are some pics. The two pics of beads don't really show the spatter but, trust me, my helmets protective lens and shop floor show it.
The tree
The tree with weights
A bead pic
Another bead pic

Nice job ! Measurements please .