jej
Total Posts: 4679
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06-29-05 11:27 AM - Post#116736
Being a tightwad, and interested in trying microloading, I was not happy with the prices I saw for tiny plates, do not care about 10 gram accuracy, do not want to pay for stainless steel, could not find anybody around here who carries even 1 1/4 pound oly plates. I did find 1 1/4 plates online at weightlifters warehouse, and at new york barbell, pretty cheap.
Trips to Home Depot and so forth left me empty handed. An internet search found McMaster-Carr in Santa Fe Springs, CA. Mcmaster.com
Their part number 91081 A046 produced five pounds worth of 5/8 pound, 2 1/8" inner diameter flat washers, plain steel, for $13.11. Tax, license, dealer prep, delivered to me in SoCal for $18.44. They need a coat of paint before they get rusty. They have lots of other sizes and finishes - I searched by "screw size" - and rapid delivery.
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Berry
Total Posts: 1979
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jej...thanks for the information. I've also been looking for microloading material. Those large washers are difficult to locate. Royalbengaltiger suggested magnets but they are even harder to find and more expensive than steel washers.
/\./\./\./\./\./\./\./\
Lift Long and Prosper
"Until the possible becomes actual, it is only a distraction" Jedi Master Qui-Gon
"That which you give thought to is that which you begin to invite into you experience." Abraham-Hicks, The Law of Attraction.
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jej
Total Posts: 4679
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The magnets idea is a good one - I did find those at home depot - about two bucks for a package of six small ones. I cannot find big donut shaped magnets anywhere. I have one, salvaged from an antenna mount - it woud work well for a plate of up to 2 1/2 pounds
The small magnets, three per plate, stuck to plates with a little JB Weld, will work OK on hex dumbells with plates up to 1 1/4. Not sure about 2 1/2 pounders. The big washers are way easier on oly or standard bars. The oly size washer is OK on the standard bar stuck between a couple plates, though I migh splurge and get some 1" washers if I feel rich one of these days.
I did not need to microload hex DBs, just bars. All this started when I was stuck on some DB movements and I was using hex DBs - 35 was too light and 40 too heavy for 5x5. I went to ten sets of two at 40, then three, then a set of 5, then I was over the hump. Then I got interested in microloading.
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Quatermass
Total Posts: 78
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I've had some standard 1 & 1/4 lb iron plates since back in late '60s a neighbor gave me his Healthways plates to go with my bars for my first weight set, a Billard 110 set with vinyl gold plates filled with whatever the white stuff they filled them with to give them the weight back in the '60s. I picked up three old Healthways 1 & 1/4 standard iron plates at Play It Again Sports a couple of years back. A rare find. I bought six crappy made in China Ivanko 1 1/4 Olympic plates from Iron Warehouse back in the '90s. The S & H ($14) cost more than the plates (I was so glad to find 1 & 1/4 plates I don't think I asked for the shipping cost, otherwises I would have ordered as may plates as the $14 would have covered - something to keep in mind when ordering hefty weighted stuff like weights. Back when Iron Grip first came out with their plates I wanted to get some via mail, I was told the S&H would be $100 whether I ordered two 45 lb. plates or a thousand lbs.) A few years back I found some really nice looking Troy 1 & 1/4 Olympic plates at a place I stopped at while in Charlottesville, Va. Nice price. No costly S&H.
| A Native American elder once described his own inner struggles in this manner: "Inside of me there are two dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil. The other dog is good. The mean dog fights the good dog all the time." When asked which dog wins, he reflected for a moment and replied, "The one I feed the most." ~ source unknown
Give a man a fire and he's warm for the day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life. ~ Terry Pratchett (Jingo)
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LarryKreeger
Total Posts: 1847
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I'm really cheap. My gym has some microloads but not all the sizes I want so I bought these big washers from a hardware store. I found out that 5 are equal to a lb. So I used computer ties and a women's hair ties to hold them together. I use a computer tie to strap the rubber hair tie to the washers. I've also heard of people using jogger's leg weights to strap to their arms.
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brucedl
Total Posts: 2406
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Mike M.
Total Posts: 8
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Got mine from Piedmont design associates. They are a little pricey but no hassle.
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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You guys are starting to sound like me. Duct taped some Healthways 1 1/4 lb. plates from Play It Again Sports to a pair of 22 lbs. homemade dumbbells I had to make them 25 lbs. It's been at least 3 months and counting, the tape is still holding. (Of course, I'm pretty diligent about checking them before I do dumbbell swings, etc.) I went to the local farm supply Ace hardware and bought a fanny load of washers to use for microloads, 4 of them make 1/2 lb. Fit nicely on my dumbbell bars and my 1 inch exercise bar. I'm always looking for a way to utilize some "junkyard gems" (per the late Anthony Ditillo) in feathering my home gym nest. Wicked
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
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jej
Total Posts: 4679
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Willie:
I knew you'd chime in. It was one of your other posts that got me thinking along these lines.
jej
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Steven
Total Posts: 2063
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I bought 2 inch muffler clamps from NAPA that weigh .5 lbs. They cost less than a buck a piece.
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Quatermass
Total Posts: 78
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Quote:
LarryKreeger said:
I'm really cheap. My gym has some microloads but not all the sizes I want so I bought these big washers from a hardware store. I found out that 5 are equal to a lb. So I used computer ties and a women's hair ties to hold them together. I use a computer tie to strap the rubber hair tie to the washers. I've also heard of people using jogger's leg weights to strap to their arms.
Speaking of frugal:
http://www.geocities.com/fightraining/livingroom.htm
Have to admire that he's smart enough to stay single! :-)
| A Native American elder once described his own inner struggles in this manner: "Inside of me there are two dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil. The other dog is good. The mean dog fights the good dog all the time." When asked which dog wins, he reflected for a moment and replied, "The one I feed the most." ~ source unknown
Give a man a fire and he's warm for the day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life. ~ Terry Pratchett (Jingo)
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Laree
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Heh. Vicki's got an upscale version of this, only married.
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jej
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Nice, but the hula-hoops kinda blow it for me.
jej
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wayne
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is he an iol guy.? love that reverse hyper guy!
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stagner9
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jej
Total Posts: 4679
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Stagner9
Cool magnet source. They even show the weights. Thanks.
jej
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Kyle Estle
Total Posts: 6254
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Lots of equipment, but no room to train!!??
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Ben Crawford
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Looks like my 50 year old brother's room at my parents house. (Read into that what you will.)
"Don't accumulate possessions, accumulate experiences!" Mark Batterson
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ccrow
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Why not buy a pair of 2.5's and drill holes in them until they weigh 1.25 or whatever you want them to weigh?
The most important test a lifter has to pass
is the test of time.
-Jon Cole
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Andy Mitchell
Total Posts: 5269
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Magnets from old speakers.
Nice legs-shame about the face
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2 5 gallon buckets from Home Depot and rocks from a near by stream....cheap bathroom scales.......great kettle bells.
2 gallon milk pails.....with rocks or fill with concrete...makes up to a 30 bumbbell.
Art V
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Quatermass
Total Posts: 78
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Quote:
jej said:
Nice, but the hula-hoops kinda blow it for me.
jej
Not sure what he uses them for, but the site is devoted to making home-made strength training and martial arts equipment as an alternative to spending a fortune on it.
| A Native American elder once described his own inner struggles in this manner: "Inside of me there are two dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil. The other dog is good. The mean dog fights the good dog all the time." When asked which dog wins, he reflected for a moment and replied, "The one I feed the most." ~ source unknown
Give a man a fire and he's warm for the day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life. ~ Terry Pratchett (Jingo)
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Trance
Total Posts: 723
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Many times we've all reached sticking points in our weight lifting where the weight is more than our current strength. Or at least the available plates are just too much for that next increase. My smallest regular sized Olympic plates are 2.5 lbs, and to balance out the bar that's a 5 lb increase in a possible new weight increase. While it may be impossible to make that 5 lb increase, it may be possible to push through the new threshold an additional pound or two at a time. Unfortunately, I don't have any 1 lb plates.
Of course, this problem has already been solved by using what are termed 'micro-weights'. Through the technique of 'microloading', weight increases can be accomplished with micro-weights as small as an ounce up to any weight increase up to the aforementioned 2.5 lb plates most all of us already have.
Microloading works by increasing resistance by very small amounts -- half a pound, one pound, two pounds, etc. While it's not much weight in the grand scheme of things, it may be just enough to stimulate your system into lifting more than it did the workout before. Microloading works by adding steady increases, however small, to your workouts.
There are a few companies already selling micro-weights. One of the more popular sources is PDA (Piedmont Design Associates). They sell a fractional plate in a variety of different weight sizes. While PDA's products are always of the highest quality, the one drawback is they can also be rather expensive. Their complete fractional plate collection is no different. Great quality, high price.
Another solution that is commonly suggested is using magnets or large industrial bolt washers. In addition to trying to find the desired weight or sizes, the problem with these is that it can be a bit cumbersome to achieve the weights needed using these in any quantity. Magnets near the weights we are wanting can also become rather expensive as well.
One of the better ways, and at ridiculously low costs, is using a simple chain and spring link combination, like this:
Of course, this isn't exactly an original idea on my part, but you can accomplish the principle of providing yourself with micro-weights at an affordable cost, and I can provide the actual part numbers and weights involved from my construction.
All you need is the desired length(s) of 5/8 " chain, and the spring links as shown in the photo above.
From 'Home Depot', the part numbers are:
#163630, 5/8 inch Chain, $2.03 per foot
#150178, Spring Link, $0.97 each, multitude of colors for the fashion conscious
Important: Each individual link of the 5/8' chain weighs exactly 1.5 ounces.
The smallest loop you can make to fit an Olympic bar is 6 links. This will weigh 9 ounces, plus 1 ounce for the spring link, brings a total weight of 10 ounces.
Now, of course, you can add additional links to have a multitude of microweight loads based on the length of the chain you choose to use. Just remember that each link is 1.5 ounces, and calculate the desired weight you want from there. You might want to make a number of sets of varying microweight sizes.
One tip, if you don't have the equipment at home to cut the chains to your desired weight sizes (lengths), the personnel at Home Depot will more than happily cut your chain to the desired sizes at the time of purchase. I'm sure any Lowe's or other hardware stores will do the same for you.
Another tip, if you're using more than 7-8 links in your chain, you can twist the chain links before you attach the second end of the chain to the spring link to take up the slack before you slide it over the Olympic bar to help keep it snuggly on the bar, and lessen the rattling ' or not.
Sorry, I should have washed the chalk off the plates before I took this picture.
There you have it, a set of adjustable microweights, for less than $5-7 at most any hardware store.
Trance
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cajinjohn
Total Posts: 12495
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The thinking mans lifter.
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Wicked Willie
Total Posts: 16864
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Good idea, Trance. I've done the washer, large nut and wrist weight things before. My washers are for the 1" diameter exercise bar...4 of them weigh eight ounces and of course, four to a side equals a pound. (Had to weigh a lot of them at the hardware store to find the right size.) I found some awful big nuts (keep it clean, guys!) at a junkyard/flea market one time. Weighing them, I found them to be exactly 1 and 1/4 pound each. Cost about 5 bucks, total, tax and out the door. Kind of a sloppy fit...but cheap is good.... The use of the wrist weights is similar to your idea...plus, you can get them in nifty colors! There are even pink ones for Garyed and Dan Martin. Magnets are becoming expensive. Check with an audio repair facility...it might be possible to get the magnets off blown speakers...they are usually 20 oz. or so and quite powerful. Wicked
"I'm in good shape for the shape I'm in."
"Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life:
no man comes to the Father, but by me." John 14:6 |
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jej
Total Posts: 4679
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Trance
Nice chain work.
If anyone is shopping - a while ago I posted the part number and price to buy washers to fit an oly bar, 10 ounces each, from McMaster and Carr via the internet. You could find this with a search. I think it was $15 or $20 for a five pound bag delivered. They work OK on standard bars, too, if you are not standing on your head with them, or if you put the washer inside a regular plate.
jej
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Laree
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jej
Total Posts: 4679
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Laree
How do you do that so fast? Could you come around here at tax time and find my missing receipts, too?
jej
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Garykissell
Total Posts: 442
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i had my plates custom made at a local mill. 1/4 lb., 1/2 lb.,3/4 lb.,1lb. etc. they are comic on my York Olympic Bar, look like "washers!" it's amazing trying a 1/2lb. increase on your max!
| "Today is only one day in all the days that will ever be."........."But what will happen in all the other days that ever come."........."can depend on what you do".........."today." Ernest Hemingway, For Whom The Bell Tolls |
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Laree
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heh heh. Probably. Wait, you did mean could I, not would I, right?
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Chris McClinch
Total Posts: 8538
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I've been a fan of washers for microloading for a long time. Like Willie says, though, you've got to weigh them and mark them.
The more I eat and the heavier I train, the better my genetics get.
If you're not paraplegic and not squatting, please kick your own ass for me."
"Do you really think that the reason most guys don't have big arms is purely because of a lack of doing curls?" --Alwyn Cosgrove
"There is only one gram of carbs in STFD and no carbs at all in STFU." --Byron Chandler
"Use meaningful loads to achieve results." --Big Vic
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george
Total Posts: 497
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Trance..
Your looped pieces of chain as micro weights is one idea my training has needed as long as I can remember! Thank you for your creatve sharing.....
One question though............in your last picture on the post...What are those BIG weights for,.....and who'd you get to put 'em on the bar?!?!?!
Bowing,
George
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george
Total Posts: 497
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Trance...
Uh Oh...
Just reread my last post, and realized that my self-depricating humor doesn't come across too well on the internet. I didn't mean to imply YOU needed help putting those giants on...just taking a poke at myself...
No dishonor intended,
Bowing,
George
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Isolate-X
Total Posts: 3
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Hi, I recently came upon this thread searching for this exactly, but I have a question. Are you sure it's 5/8" chain? $2/ft is a little cheap for 5/8". I went to several Home Depots/Lowe's and the largest chain they carry is 3/8" (they also have 3/16" and 5/16"), which fits your price description. The largest chain I could find locally was 1/2" at Ace Hardware.
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Trance
Total Posts: 723
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I'll have to double check, of course now -- I'll stop by a Home Depot when I get a chance -- as I've probably thrown my receipt away.
The part number I gave though, was the exact part number (bar code digits) for the chain at Home Depot. If you'll look at the bar code on the end of the storage bin that the chain is in, you'll see those last digits as part of the bar code on the price label.
Trance
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Isolate-X
Total Posts: 3
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I wrote down the part numbers when I went to Home Depot. I think the #'s may be store specific, because no number on the box/tag matched, nor were they in any sort of same number range.
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Isolate-X
Total Posts: 3
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Ok, I called Home Depot and gave them the 6-digit item #, and they told me it is 5/16" chain, zinc plated, and at the exact price you gave, $2.03/ft. That's weird since they didn't have the # on any of the chain items there. Anyways, it isn't 5/8", so no need to go to Home Depot and check. Thanks for this by the way, they're going to be very useful. Going to go get (6) 6-link chains with the spring links (they were at Home Depot when I went there). So I'll have (2) 1.25lbs., (4) 2.5lbs., and (6) 3.75lbs. to work with.
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Trance
Total Posts: 723
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Yeap, I stopped by Home Depot today for other stuff as well, and you're correct, it is 5/16th inch chain, and not the 5/8th inch that I indicated in my original message.
The part number, prices, weights, and everything else, are correct though for anyone else pursuing this option for microweights.
Thanks for taking the time to bring that inconsistency to my (our) attention!
Trance
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toastmaster649
Total Posts: 44
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Hi folks! Just a tip: For any chain, washer or metal needs, especially in the Midwest, skip the upscale yuppie Home Depots, Lowes, etc, and hit the farm supply stores...TSC, Farm King, and Farm and Fleet. Industrial places always have more heavy duty stuff than a place geared to the weekend repair wannabees. Yes, these are just midwest joints, but similar to many I'm sure you could find on either coast. Also anyplace that sells anything related to cranes and rigging is great. My oiler uses large shackles from our crane jobs to do triceps presses, and curls, during our jobs if we have to work late, and he can't get to the "Y" for his normal workout. Thanks for great tips, and the opportunity to contribute!
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Laree
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alex p
Total Posts: 51
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I find it hard sometimes to progress with big leaps of weight. I have heard of micro loading and was wondering if any of you have tried this and had success with it. I dont have magnets but i do have quite a lot of weight locks and was just thinking of adding them to the weight each week. A few hundrede grams is that enough?
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Plate Loader
Total Posts: 1368
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You can use just about anything to microload. I use 5/8 lb. washers (2" hole). You can use nuts and bolts, chain, speaker magnets, a sock with pennies in it etc. you just need a scale to weigh whatever you use. You can also google Plate Mates and look at those.
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pwrhngry
Total Posts: 2434
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any addition of weight is something. Its all progression. Think of it, even if you only added 8oz every week to a given lift, thats 26 pounds in a year! A pretty respectable increase, no?
God is interested in our character, not our comfort!...Me
"When your going through Hell, keep going."... W. Churchill
"May you be in heaven an hour before the devil knows your dead."...Irish proverb
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lucktree
Total Posts: 890
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I have had very positive results with micro loading. With an oly bar I usually use a 1.25kg disc increment each end. One gym I train at even has even smaller discs, but I tend to just use those as spacers on the seated calf and rowing machine to gets the plates off a bit easier! Anyway, a big thumbs up for micro loading :-)
| Power is nothing without control! |
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Plate Loader
Total Posts: 1368
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Matt Cannon
Total Posts: 548
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These are also great to help microload your hub, pinch, and blob training. Thanks PL! Those look like they will microstuff nicely right into my stocking!
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Mike Ramirez
Total Posts: 244
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THANKS, PL.
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