How to make concrete weights?
The article aims to answer the question “How to make concrete weights?”. It will also discuss how you can buy concrete weight molds from amazon online. Read on to know more:
How to make concrete weights?
Continue reading on to know how to make concrete weights.
- We’ll need a mold to make the concrete plates round so we can pour them. You may manufacture it yourself at a low cost and utilize it again and over again. The foundation is made of plywood and the walls are made of aluminum flashing.
- The aluminum flashing should be cut into a rectangular strip. Make a cylinder out of it. Wrap the ends many times with aluminum tape. Plywood should be cut into a square big enough to accommodate the metal cylinder.
- The constructor’s glue should be used all the way around, inside and out. A 3/8-inch hole should be drilled into the plywood’s bottom. This will make it much simpler to remove the plates.
- An inexpensive oil can be sprayed into the base and interior walls before each usage.
- The plate is now ready to be sieved. It is possible to use 2-inch ABS or PVC to make the insert for the plate’s middle sleeve. This allows you to utilize the plates on a regular barbell, making them compliant with the Olympic standard.
- Use a circular saw with a blade made of wood or plastics. Use a plastic blade or a circular saw with a 140-tooth blade fitted reverse.
- Plates may be taken out of the body using this method. To begin, place two 2x6s side by side, with the faces facing up. Place a soft substance between the boards to catch the plate if it falls. Mold should be placed on the boards’ edges.
- Make a 180° turn of the mold. With a mallet, gently pound the model’s backside until the plate comes out.
What do I need to make concrete weights?
To make concrete weights, you may need:
| Circular saw | Plywood |
| Concrete plate mold | Oil |
| Concrete | Drill |
Can I buy concrete weight molds from amazon?
Yes, you can buy concrete weight molds from amazon. Check out the following products:
Is concrete weight better than cast iron weight?
There are a number of large devices that use counterweights to help distribute the enormous weight. Tractors, forklifts, cranes, excavators, and other heavy machinery may operate safely because the weight is evenly distributed.
For the most part, manufacturers will use a combination of concrete and metal bits, or a full cast iron construction. Metals are widely used for forklift counterweights, for example, to make the most of available storage space.
However, certain sectors, such as agricultural (tractors) and off-road (excavators and cranes), have counterbalanced demands that may be handled by both metal and concrete. Cast iron counterweights can overcome many of the issues that concrete applications are prone to, despite the fact that it is cheaper to use concrete.
For counterweights, cast iron is three times as dense as pure concrete because it is denser than most other materials. There is no need for extra material because of this, which saves money.
The density of concrete may be increased by including dense aggregates like limonite, hematite, magnetite, or metal parts and scraps in the mix. This significantly raises the cost of concrete, yet its density remains lower than that of iron.
For this reason, counterweights made of cast iron will be more resistant to impact and strain, and will have a longer fatigue life when subjected to repeated cycling. Counterweights often need screws for attaching or installing extra equipment. Adding further structures would be difficult since the surface of the concrete would break so quickly.
What objects can I use to make round concrete forms?
Concrete shapes may be made from a variety of basic household materials, which can be repurposed in interesting ways. A 5-gallon bucket with a circular bottom works well as a stepping stone, as does a round cake pan from the charity shop.
For building concrete bowls, stepping stones, or even a concrete light, plastic bowls are a great option. The form you pick must be robust enough to withstand the weight of the wet concrete that will be poured into it.
Constructing concrete circles and cylinders using sturdy cardboard canisters or tubes, such as those used to store carpeting or rubber sheet roofing, is simple when the bottoms of the containers are cut to a height somewhat more than the height required for your circular concrete project.
For example, if you’re producing a series of steps, apply a mold-release agent to make it simpler to remove the form once the concrete has cured as instructed on the container. Mix equal amounts of vegetable and mineral oil and apply it within the mold to make your own mold release.
Can I use plywood to make round concrete forms?
Yes, you can use plywood to make round concrete forms. Plywood and 2-by-4 supports are often used to create concrete forms. The form’s stability and strength are aided by the plywood’s relative rigidity. The drawback of wood forms is their inability to change their shape.
Without the use of pricey, specialized equipment, it is almost impossible to bend wood shapes. A new generation of engineers has developed plastic and synthetic wood alternatives that are both flexible and strong.
For an 8-foot circular form, you need a plastic form and ground anchors. You can get these items at most construction supply stores.
Is plastic concrete form better than wooden concrete form?
Plastic concrete forms are better than wooden concrete forms. Read on to know why:
The flexible plastic garden edging-like plastic shapes used to make shaped concrete are similar in appearance and function. As with garden edging, the form may be trimmed to any size or used with a special connection that doesn’t need any cuts depending on the brand’s specifications.
Flexible plastic forms may be used to make concrete slabs that are bigger than any round household items you could have. In addition to being reusable, they can be used to create a wide range of different-sized curves.
When flexible plastic forms are unavailable, strips of flexible hardboard or thin plywood might be used in their place. For the plastic form to work, you must first draw a precise circle around the target area.
Remove any debris and fasten the twine to the metal stake in the middle of the future circle with a loose loop. The distance from the center post to the chalk should be half the circumference of the circle, so tie some yard-marking chalk to the other end of the rope.
Using the rope tight, go around the post while drawing a perfect circle with the chalk. Use as many metal stakes as specified in the directions for your individual type of plastic concrete form when placing them throughout the circumference of the circle.
It is possible to shape and connect the form to each stake as you add them, depending on the situation. As soon as the circular form is in position and pressed to ground level inside the stakes, you are ready to begin mixing and pouring concrete.
Conclusion
Weights and dumbbells made of concrete are a good option for home gyms, especially when reinforced with rebar or steel shot. They may seem nice, but concrete weights don’t really save money in the long run.
Weights may be found for as little as 50 cents per pound on Craigslist and similar local sales sites. If you can’t get your hands on free concrete, you’re doomed to fail.
Frequently asked questions (FAQS): How to make concrete weights?
How to make concrete weights?
We’ll need a mold to make the concrete plates round so we can pour them. You may manufacture it yourself at a low cost and utilize it again and over again. The foundation is made of plywood and the walls are made of aluminum flashing.
The aluminum flashing should be cut into a rectangular strip. Make a cylinder out of it. Wrap the ends many times with aluminum tape. Plywood should be cut into a square big enough to accommodate the metal cylinder.
The constructor’s glue should be used all the way around, inside and out. A 3/8-inch hole should be drilled into the plywood’s bottom. This will make it much simpler to remove the plates. An inexpensive oil can be sprayed into the base and interior walls before each usage.
Is concrete weight better than cast iron weight?
There are a number of large devices that use counterweights to help distribute the enormous weight. Tractors, forklifts, cranes, excavators, and other heavy machinery may operate safely because the weight is evenly distributed.
For the most part, manufacturers will use a combination of concrete and metal bits, or a full cast iron construction. Metals are widely used for forklift counterweights, for example, to make the most of available storage space.
However, certain sectors, such as agricultural (tractors) and off-road (excavators and cranes), have counterbalanced demands that may be handled by both metal and concrete. Cast iron counterweights can overcome many of the issues that concrete applications are prone to, despite the fact that it is cheaper to use concrete.
Is plastic concrete form better than wooden concrete form?
Plastic concrete forms are better than wooden concrete forms. Read on to know why:
The flexible plastic garden edging-like plastic shapes used to make shaped concrete are similar in appearance and function. As with garden edging, the form may be trimmed to any size or used with a special connection that doesn’t need any cuts depending on the brand’s specifications.
Bibliography
Coop. DIY concrete dumbbells guide. Garage gym reviews. Retrieved from: https://www.garagegymreviews.com/diy-concrete-dumbbells
