Concrete weights vs. iron weights: Which is the best?
The article aims to answer the question “Concrete weights vs. iron weights: Which is the best?”. It will also discuss how you can make concrete weights at home.
Concrete weights vs. iron weights: Which is the best?
Iron weights are better than concrete weights.
Compared to iron weights, concrete ones don’t hold up well over time. Dropping anything from a great height onto concrete causes microscopic tears and massive fissures, while iron remains relatively unharmed. However, making or buying concrete weights is less expensive.
Tell me, have you ever attempted to debate the merits of concrete over iron weights with your pals? I can tell that iron weights (such as dumbbells and weight plates) are the preferred choice.
But what do you do if you haven’t been able to locate them in stock for the last several years? How does one go about weight training on a shoestring? When did having a million dollars make it such that you couldn’t purchase a few dumbbells and work out in your own home?
Apparently, the present epidemic has caused weights to become so expensive that many people now consider having a home gym an extravagant luxury. It was always somewhat of a treat, after all. Still, some folks aren’t keen on erecting massive fitness centers. They just want a place to go where they can do simple workouts with basic weights.
Why cast iron is used for weights?
Because of its greater density than other materials, cast iron is often used for counterweights, which are often three times as heavy as pure concrete. Iron can provide the desired weight with less area and volume than concrete, saving money on the extra material.
A wide range of heavy machinery uses counterweights to balance off the weight of the load they’re working with. They ensure the stable operation of heavy machinery like tractors, forklifts, cranes, and excavators by redistributing the weight evenly.
Cast iron, concrete, or a combination of the two are the materials of choice for producers. Forklift counterweights, for instance, are often built out of metal for the same reason. Metal and concrete may meet the counterbalance demands of various sectors, such as agricultural (tractors) and off-highway (excavators and cranes).
Iron is the better choice when the cost is a factor, but concrete has its uses. Cast iron counterweights may help solve numerous issues that arise in concrete applications.
What are the advantages of using cast iron weights over concrete weights?
The advantages of using cast iron weights over concrete weights are:
- Dense aggregates, such as limonite, hematite, magnetite, or metal fragments and scraps may be added to the concrete mix to increase the material’s density. While this does drive up the price of concrete, it still has a lower density than iron of the same weight.
- Due to cast iron’s superior strength and hardness compared to concrete, counterweights are naturally more resistant to impact and stresses. They have a longer fatigue life when subjected to cyclic stress.
- Commonly, screws are used to secure or install accessories to counterweights. The surface of the concrete is prone to cracking and cannot adequately sustain any new projects.
- For applications where the counterweights must conform to a particular design—for instance, tractor suitcase counterweights are not all the same shape because they must conform to the space available on the back axle of tractors—concrete proves to be the most costly material to work with. Cracking is reduced when a finer form is carved out of cast iron.
- Unlike concrete, cast iron doesn’t need the mining of new raw materials since it is a byproduct of recycling.
- When compared to concrete counterweights, trainers favor the use of cast iron. A sand casting of laminar iron is our foundries’ area of expertise. We can also do any necessary post-production processes on the product, such as priming and painting.
Can I make weights with concrete?
Yes, you can make weights with concrete; continue reading to learn how:
- In building your concrete dumbbells, remember that the tubing you’ll utilize for the handle has an extremely polished inside. You risk your dumbbell heads slipping off the bar because the concrete doesn’t properly adhere to the pipe after it hardens.
- However, you shouldn’t worry; we foresaw this problem and had a solution ready. To achieve this, just drill four holes in your pipe, two on each end, with a half-inch gap between them. The concrete will have a better surface to adhere to, and you’ll be able to screw in the 4″ screws with ease.
- The rubber on bumper plates can stick better because of the central ring. Our team is just adapting this strategy for use with dumbbells. You may get good and tight screw connections by using a drill bit just a little smaller than the screws.
- How much concrete you’ll need to make your dumbbells hefty is a function of that. More cement is required for heavier dumbbells. Take into account that concrete is much less dense than metal. This is why a concrete 50 lb. dumbbell will be much bigger than its cast iron counterpart. Lead shot or rebar may be added to the mold to enhance the weight of the dumbbell without increasing its size.
- Concrete may get overly watered down quickly, thus, it’s vital to add water carefully when mixing. Keep mixing your concrete until it reaches a thick but pourable consistency.
- The tie wire is one of the most vital components of your concrete dumbbells. When utilized in a concrete base for a home, tie wire serves a function comparable to that of rebar. This is done primarily to improve the concrete’s tensile strength, making it less prone to cracking and breaking.
- A higher tensile strength ensures that your dumbbells will last longer. If you want to make heavier sets, you’ll need at least three of them for each dumbbell head. Since you won’t carry as much, you’ll have to reduce your activities.
Conclusion
Concrete and iron have the same weight, but iron is far more long-lasting than concrete and is thus the better choice. Despite its seeming toughness, concrete is rather fragile and readily breaks. Nobody uses cement for anything but flashy masonry using cinder blocks, as far as I know.
The best weight plates, typically cast iron, are coated with a rubberized or another coating to prevent rusting and wear.
Frequently asked questions (FAQS): Concrete weights vs. iron weights: Which is the best?
Concrete weights vs. iron weights: Which is the best?
Iron weights are better than concrete weights.
Compared to iron weights, concrete ones don’t hold up well over time. Dropping anything from a great height onto concrete causes microscopic tears and massive fissures, while iron remains relatively unharmed. However, making or buying concrete weights is less expensive.
Why cast iron is used for weights?
Because of its greater density than other materials, cast iron is often used for counterweights, which are often three times as heavy as pure concrete. Iron can provide the desired weight with less area and volume than concrete, saving money on the extra material.
A wide range of heavy machinery uses counterweights to balance off the weight of the load they’re working with. They ensure the stable operation of heavy machinery like tractors, forklifts, cranes, and excavators by redistributing the weight evenly.
Bibliography
DIY Concrete dumbbells guide. Retrieved from: https://www.garagegymreviews.com/diy-concrete-dumbbells
