Ok, I have tried to make my own dumbbells using some of Ross's tips in his book. Please leave your feedback. All the instructions and images are as follows (click on any image for full size pictures):

First, I tried to make it as cheap as possible, so most of my supplies came from Walmart, the biggest expense came out to be galvanized steel bars AND the water hose clippers.



Because I don't have a very wide hand, I figured 5 inches for the handle is enough for me, so I went 6 1/2 " from each end for the edge of my handle. The length of a bar is 18''




My next step involved wrapping the steel with the heavy duty scotch tape, so that later, if I ever need to, i can replace my handle wrap without the need to touch the steel again.



In the next step I take the wrapping tape for tennis rackets I bought in Walmart, if you notice, I went with yellow to make it look a little more interesting



Well, I am almost done. I take the piece of scotch tape and tape the handle right at the middle of a tape to cover the lose ends of my tennis wrap. It didn't stick to the bar too well, so I decided to secure it with the top layer of scotch tape.



Ok, the dumbbell almost finished. I mark the edges of where my clips are gonna go, so I know where to put epoxy



To complete the mission, after putting epoxy according to the marks, I tried quickly move my clips on top of the handle, and screw it really tight. Then, I put more epoxy on top of the clips, so those suckers won't go anywhere

Ok, it's done



Okay, here it comes. You already saw how much I have paid for home-made dumbbells. About 12 bucks a piece (without labor ha ha) What advantages do you get: 18 inches of length instead of 14 inches of the standard ones. Also, from those 18 inches you get 6.5 inches for your weights for each side instead of the 4 inches on the Walmart ones. Also, here is my favorite part: YOU CAN PICK the color for your handle to be fancy and all, it is customizable AND it is more comfortable because you get a much better grip than just using the plastic or even metal handle. Also, if you paid attention to the first picture, I got my steel bars with the red caps at each end for the threaded part, I didn't throw mine away BECAUSE I can put a middle size screw driver inside my dumbbell and close the ends with the caps. SO whenever i need to add more weighs OR tighten something up, I just take one cap off, take my driver out and do my thing!

Okay that's it

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my website (under construction) www.novadymka.com
my blog www.romandesigns.blogspot.com

Great looking homemade dumbbells. I have a pair myself, and they have held up great, even with about 50-75 lbs on each one for the most part. Never had a clamp slip or anything.

To gain muscle weight, lift weights regularly...push yourself to increase incrementally over time. Also, you need to be sure to take in enough nutrients...particularly protein...to feed your growing muscles. No junk.

Oh, and drink lots of water.

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“The basic difference between an ordinary man and a warrior is that a warrior takes everything as a challenge while an ordinary man takes everything either as a blessing or a curse”

Carlos Castaneda 1925-1998

FYI-hose clamps can be bought individually. The cost is much less, 30 cents to maybe $1.50 for a really big clamp for a 3"-5" hose.

So the clamps hold with more weight added? I love the idea and if they do hold I might make a lot of dumbells this way with weights for free off of craigslist. Might just add a 2nd epoxied clamp to make sure.

BTY- im sure most know but if you get metal weights that are rusted, soak them in coke and wire brush them a couple times for a few days and then spray paint. good as new.

Just an FYI, I've edited the original thread to include smaller images. The smaller images link to the full size images seen before. Simply click on any individual image.

I received several message about this thread, so I hope the new format makes it more readable.

Ross

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Nice step by step with good pics.
They look great!

Great guide.



Yep. They also sell them in bags of 10 or so and it's probably even cheaper that way.

Nice pictures.. I made some homemade dumb bells too, but Home Depot doesn't have the correct size, so mine are too thin. This makes the weights wiggle around a lot, so I don't use them.

Does anyone here know if Lowes' carries the galvanized steel bars?

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If I were in your shoes I would just call the one in your area and ask them or just take a trip.

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Links to help others for I was wrong assuming others knew of these places:
Equipment, Grip, Grip FAQ, BeastSkills, CardioHaters,...

I just got back from Lowe's and couldn't find any there, they don't carry it (at least at my store). I stopped by a local plumbing store and got, a bit pricey though.

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