DIY counter weights

[Patrice Lanteigne]

We were discussing counter weights on another forum. To mitigate the high purchase price and shipping costs of these heavy items I have been making my own as needed. I use regular inexpensive and locally available barbell weights. I fill the centre hole with a wood dowel epoxied in place and then drilled to the proper diameter for the counter weight bar. I install them between two regular weights when possible or otherwise hold them in place by way of a DIY wooden washer with a little bolt threaded through a drilled hole in the washer itself.

[leelee970]

looks good, exactly what I use.

[teleskopjo]

what do you use to cut the large dia wooden circles?

[Patrice Lanteigne]

what do you use to cut the large dia wooden circles?

I happen to have a lathe to turn them. A small wooden rectangle would serve just as well as a retaining washer.

[AndyH]

Nice simple, but effective mod, Patrice.

Thanks for sharing !!

[pete_l]

what do you use to cut the large dia wooden circles?

If you have no woodworking facilities (or skills ) you could buy some Polymorph¹ heat it until it's malleable (about 60°, hot water does the trick) and stuff it into the centre of the weights. Then when it's cooled / hardened, you can drill out the centre to the right diameter.

If you save the swarf Polymorph, you can melt it down and recycle it for the next weight.

[1] A thermo-plastic sold in granules. About £10 for 250gm. Cools to a hard "nylon" sort of feel.

[opticalpath]

Polymorph is handy stuff - that's a neat use for it.

Adrian

[Guest]

taking the next link into account your counterweights are a bargain!!!!

http://www.tesco.com/direct/one-body-1kg-cast-iron-weight/213-8119.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=213-8119

[AndyH]

Nicccce.

[Astrokev]

Really neat solution. Must add that to my list of tips for future use. Thanks.