How to Build a Free Weight Rack
Free weights are a great way to increase your muscle mass, get toned and improve your self-image. As your strength increases and your free weight collection grows, you’ll need a place to store the weights. The best solution is to build a weight rack. This is a freestanding device that’s built specifically to hold your entire weight collection. While it’s possible to buy a free weight stand at most sporting goods stores, you can save money by building your own.
Things You'll Need
- Metal cut-off saw
- Tape measure
- Metal bed frame rails
- Welding goggles
- Welding machine
Instructions
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1
Use a metal cut-off saw to cut a metal bed-frame rail into four pieces that are each 30 inches long. These pieces will be the legs of the free weight stand. You can make them longer if you want a higher weight rack.
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2
Cut two more metal bed-frame rails down until each is four feet long. Use the metal cut-off saw again to accomplish this. Think of the weight rack as a table frame. These are the top rails of the rack that the weights will rest on.
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3
Cut another metal bed-frame rail into two pieces that are each one foot long, using the cut-off saw. These pieces will complete the top frame of the weight rack.
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4
Put on the welding goggles. Weld two legs that you made in Step 1 to one of the long rails from Step 2. Be sure to weld both legs on the same plane of the rail. Each leg should be welded ¼ inch from the far edges of the rail. This will be the front of the free weight stand.
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5
Repeat the welding procedure from Step 4, using the other two legs you created in Step 1 and the other long rail from Step 2. You should now have the two sides of the stand created. This will be the backside of the free weight stand.
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6
Complete the construction of the free weight stand by welding the bars you made in Step 3 between the front and back of the stand to hold it all together. Weld each bar at opposite ends on the top of the stand.
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7
Line up your free weights on the rack, starting with the lowest weight to the heaviest weight.
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Tips & Warnings
You can find cheap metal bed-frame rails at any furniture store. Check thrift stores as well.
Always wear goggles when welding.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
