Custom Built Power Rack

[renegade_01]

Mark,

I found another thread where you said you had those racks in the DVD welded.
So was the welding job itself $500 or was it $500 for material and welding?
Where did you get your specs at?

This would be better I think than buying one. Can the thing fit thru a regular doorway?

I'm about to build my own gym out here in Bastrop and I just wanted to pick your brain.

I sure would like one of those racks. I'll buy plans from you if you would be so kind.


Later and Much RESPECT!
K Titus
kevin.titus@new-revolution.info

[Mark Rippetoe]

The materials and labor totaled $525, back in 2007 when steel was more expensive than it is now. I designed it, and you can find the specs on this board where I've described it before.

[renegade_01]

I sure do appreciate it. I think I'll just copy the specs and send em to a local fab. I like supporting my local economy whenever possible.

[Benny1981]

I have a room mate who is a welder and I'm an engineer. After drafting and pricing out a few designs I found that "heavy duty" power racks can definitely be built cheaper on your own. On any type of medium duty equipment, the price of chinese steel is too competitive. So, if you're gonna do it yourself, go heavy!

[MAD9692]

I couldnt come up with anything using the search button - can somebody provide the link for the specs?

[banthafodder]

This thread (http://www.strengthmill.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3686) has specs.

[Kent Berry]

I had a standard "home type" bolt together cage made of 2" X 2" square tubing which I had owned since the early 90's. It was only about 6'10" high (I'm about 6'7") and when I got "serious" I took it to a local fabricating shop. They welded it together, welded a brace of angle iron to the floor across the front, welded on some tabs for bolting it to the floor, and made it 2' taller. Cost me about $150 for the materials and labor. I bolted it to a platform I built in our garage.

You might be able to get an unsatisfactory cage for free or very cheap from a weak friend or off Cragslist and have it altered and save some money and aggravation. Just an idea. YMMV.

[renegade_01]

4" steel channel looks like it would be tough as hell. My only question is the bottom. Are the bottom legs connected via a steel plate? And then you install the wood board ontop of the steel plate?

This is definitely the best way to go. Why pay 900+ for something that just looks pretty? Its training gear so I could give a shit less what it looks like...although I'll probably lay a nice coat of evercoat primer and some good black paint just to keep the steel from rusting over time.

I can't wait to be doing heavy squats in my own house with the radio blasting some good tunes.

:D I am glad to have stumbled upon Starting Strength.

[Mark Rippetoe]

The base is made of the same channel as the uprights. I'd post the file drawing here but the server won't load an autoCAD file.

Tunes are important.

[bjvinson]

The base is made of the same channel as the uprights. I'd post the file drawing here but the server won't load an autoCAD file.

Tunes are important.

Rip,

if you send me the autoCAD file I can convert it to a pdf.

Barry

[Jon Nosferatu]

Are there any external hosting services you'd be willing to use? Having the CADs would be extremely useful.

[SkinnyWimp]

Rip, send me the plans and I'll save it as PDF if you like

[Mark Rippetoe]

Barry: Send me your e-mail and I'll send you the file.

[LegsLegsLegs]

Barry, please post a link here once you have it in pdf format. I think that this would be much appreciated by everyone here!

[Mark Rippetoe]

He's working on it now. And here it is: http://www.wfac-gym.com/files/rack_model.pdf

[fullpen]

that type of channel is commonly used in structural fab as well. those racks are likely indestructible insofar as weightlifting is concerned. also, the print doesn't indicate a fillet weld size. likely this is due to the fact that whatever weld you put on this is likely to be strong enough and any welder is probably gonna slap on 3/16" at least which is overkill.

[MAD9692]

Thanks Barry, Thanks Rip.

[OITW]

Barry, I am EXTREMELY GRATEFUL for the drawings, and where I live I'm expecting this may set me back about $350 (labor is dirt cheap here).

At the risk of sounding ungrateful and based on my ignorance of autocad, is it possible to make a change in one dimension and have all the other related dimensions adjust automatically to follow that change, or is this really just a drawing program and all dimensions must be adjusted manually? If so, I would be most grateful for a version that's a little deeper, 30". If autocad doesn't do that automatically, no worries, I'll just pen and ink the changes.

Likewise, can autocad automatically convert to metrics what is currently in inches/feet? If so, that would make these drawings even more useful to all Rip's Europe-based lifters, where this can be built at half the price of the most wobbly retail squat rack. If not, the welder will just have to figure it out himself (I'll buy him a US tape measure if he doesn't have one).

As it is, these are great and I'll send pictures! Thank you very much.

[cannibal.horse]

Hey Rip, when all is said and done what weight does your rack come in at?

[Mark Rippetoe]

The rack weighs about 300 lbs., if I remember correctly. And your welder can adjust that dimension without any more imposition on our friend Barry.

[kevintrangone]

Barry, I am EXTREMELY GRATEFUL for the drawings, and where I live I'm expecting this may set me back about $350 (labor is dirt cheap here).

At the risk of sounding ungrateful and based on my ignorance of autocad, is it possible to make a change in one dimension and have all the other related dimensions adjust automatically to follow that change, or is this really just a drawing program and all dimensions must be adjusted manually? If so, I would be most grateful for a version that's a little deeper, 30". If autocad doesn't do that automatically, no worries, I'll just pen and ink the changes.

Likewise, can autocad automatically convert to metrics what is currently in inches/feet? If so, that would make these drawings even more useful to all Rip's Europe-based lifters, where this can be built at half the price of the most wobbly retail squat rack. If not, the welder will just have to figure it out himself (I'll buy him a US tape measure if he doesn't have one).

As it is, these are great and I'll send pictures! Thank you very much.


AutoCAD has the ability to alter the dimensional values. For this particular case, multiplying everything by 2.54 would suffice as a conversion to centimeters without having to change the drawing itself.

As far as your first question, you can change the dimensions value in AutoCAD's version of "pen and ink." The legit way to do it, of course, is to alter the original drawing.

On a side note; as someone who is forced to stare at horrifying sketches from customers all day, it is refreshing to see a well-done drawing.

[denick]

Coach Rippetoe,

I've read Starting Strength, Practical Programing, Strong Enough and as many articles I can find that you have written on the internet. I bought the Starting Strength DVD and watch it over and over. For the last 5 months I've read all the threads on this site and enjoy the humor and human interaction (even if it is by key board) while consuming the knowledge offered for free.

My wife and I are in our 50's and from what we have learned from you we have benefited greatly. For 5 months we were only able to work out once a week. In October we were able to increase that to 2x's. We have increased our strength, balance and health. I work a physically difficult job and my foot, knee, hip and arm pain is almost gone when I work now.

This Thread which in my eyes has become another testament to your generosity forced me have to write this to say "thank you!" What you have given is much more than what we paid for when buying your materials. We owe you a debt. We were taught to pay our debts. If you would accept our thanks and our efforts to stay true to what you have taught as we pass it on to others as part payment we would be grateful. I apologize for the length of this post but some times you just have to say what has to be said.

Nick & Bonnie

[MAD9692]

I just got a quote from a local welder in Charlotte for $525.
Anyone think that this is a fair price?

[Mark Rippetoe]

That's probably reasonable.

[fullpen]

I just got a quote from a local welder in Charlotte for $525.
Anyone think that this is a fair price?

Do you have it detailed by material and labor? I'd be curious to see what they are charging for labor.

[twogun]

Contact your local vocational high school about the welding. I teach at one in Ohio and have had a chinup bar and dip bars done. You can save a lot of money if they are willing to do it.

[MAD9692]

I wasn't provided a breakdown. At first they quoted me at $1k ...which I laughed at .... 1 day later they came back with $528.00.
It seems fair...and it will cost the same as a 2 year contract at my globo..so fuck it i'm going for it.