Help Making a Special Training Bar

Off Topic
1

Im seeking advice from some machinists on here, or a tool and die or mold maker. If your not feel free to add input.

Hey all, I am planning on making either a fat bar, or a 55 pound squat bar myself on a lathe. I have an engine lathe to use, and also an older Pratt & Whitney late to use (awesome lathe, I prefer it over the smaller Clausing engine lathe, you can take about 100 thousands of an inch off at a time, and the finish is much better and the performance is smoother)

Should I just make the longer part of the bar (you know, where you put your hands or back at/on…couldnt think of a better word.) and then turn down the side to hold the plates, and then faste them on like a power bar, or make it all one solid peice?

And should I use cold rolled steel or a diffrent metal?

I am doing this instead of buying it becuase I can probably get cold rolled steel for free (I go to a tech school and the school pays for metal) and its a fun project. I am required to make up my own print for it and make something I want after my current project is done.

Thanks.

2

fat bar: go to home depot or lowes or whatever get 7-8 foot cut of 2inch diameter steel pipe, whatever length you want for the bar, find some pipe ring tighterners and put two on either end where you want the plates to start, mark the rings off with some athletic tape for knurling and you set, all for about 30$

3

That is a sweet idea for sure. I used to work in a machine shop and absolutely loved it.

I personally would make it as one solid piece. It would be alot easier and for a home job like this alot sturdier. I could be wrong though.

4

can i also ask why a 55 pound squat bar? to make revolving sturdy collars would be hard i assume and knurling

5

[quote]bignate wrote:
can i also ask why a 55 pound squat bar? to make revolving sturdy collars would be hard i assume and knurling[/quote]

knurling would be a synch, but, I don’t know if he has the right tools for knurling

personally, I think this guy just needs to be careful with his work and he’ll be alright.
He doesnt need help, it’s all about being careful.

6

Turn down the sides so that you can mount olympic collars and put a thrust bearing in between them and the wall of the center stock.

7

Im making a solid fat bar and yes, i have all the tools needed, I have micrometer guages and EVERYTHING I need. Knurling will probably be the easiest step to do. I cant wait to do it, I only need dimensions now.

Hopefully cold rolled steel isnt flimsy though.