Have any of you made a set of chains? I am too cheap to buy a set for $75. If so, what size chains did you use and what length. I figure I could save some money this way. Thanks
Yes, I just did this. Go to Home Depot get 2-5 1/2’ lengths of small chain (each of mine weighs 2lbs); then get 5’ lengths of 3/8 chain (this works out to be 44 links per chain). Each chain will weight 6lbs. and it is about $2.50 per foot. If you got 6 (3 per side of barbell) this will give you exactly 40 lbs. of chain. I don’t know how much you need, look at elitefts.com for recommendations on how heavy of chain you need. Use screw lock links for the small chain (as this is the chain that adjusts the height of the big chain to allow for the deload) and drape the big chains over the small chain as per WSB recommendations. This will probably cost close to the EFS package, but you will save on shipping.
5’ long 5/8" thick. Also get some smaller chain with clip-on hooks to hold the big chain.
scot613 - Thanks bro.
We all seem to be doing the same thing here. I like the fact that the length allows for a little chain to be left on the ground for bench (or not if you really want) but hangs freely in air for squatting.
BTW-I use a 5 foot 3/16 support chain =1.8lbs.
S hooks work wonders.
No prob habitual. Xtian is right 5/8 is the way to go, but it is not available at your run of the mill hardware store like ACE or Home Depot. You could probably find it at an industrial supply store or a boating specialty store. 3/8 is the biggest you will find in your average home improvement store. Good luck man!
I use 3/8" grade 70 chain - $1.69 (CAD) per foot, 1.5 lbs per foot. I buy them in 10’ lengths, then fold over twice and attach to the leader chain with a snap ring.
For BP, when the bar is in the rack, 4-5 links should be touching the ground, same idea for SQ. You don’t want the chain leaving the ground at the top as it will start to sway and the bar could be hard to control.
An added bonus - my gym lets us bring in chain/bands/boards, but no room to store it there. So carrying in the bag of 90 lbs of chain is a nice warmup.
I bought a 12 foot 5/8" chain at a farm auction for 10 dollars. I cut the chain in half with an acetylene torch. I know there aren’t many of you with these torches but it only took me 30 seconds, I bet a welder would do it for a dollar. The chain is rusty, but as we all know, rust builds strength. Actually I wirebrushed and painted them black.
Thanks everyone, I just got a pm and I got selected to review the Tripower handles. I will let you all know how they are working out and post some pics. I went to Elitefts.com and they had a good chart on the poundages that you would need according to your max bench.