axle question

[Arnell Castillo]

was wonder what i would need to make an axle ? and also how to make it .

[Scott Markowitz]

Depends on how much money you want to spend. I use a piece of 2" pipe that runs about $35 at Home Depot. I doubt it would hold up to anything super heavy, but I've DL'd 500 with it w/o problem.

[Mike Landrich]

It's actually 1 1/2" pipe you want (they sell it by its inside diameter -ID). It comes out to about 1.9" OD, so spring collars will not work on it. For collars (both inner and outer) you need to use screw type. Some guys use spring clamps for outer collars, but real collars obviously work better.

If you can't find something that works, I've got some collars I would sell. They're homemade, but they work really well.

[Eric Johnson]

Actually the 1.5" refers to the nominal ID not the actuall ID, a 1.5" schedule 40 has an ID of 1.61" (0.145" walls and 1.90" OD). If you want something stronger you can jump to 1.5" Schedule 80 (0.200" walls) or 1.5" Schedule 160 (0.281" walls). All of which have the same OD of 1.90".

[Mike Landrich]

Actually the 1.5" is not the ID, a 1.5" schedule 40 has an ID of 1.61" (0.145" walls and 1.90" OD). If you want something stronger you can jump to 1.5" Schedule 80 (0.200" walls) or 1.5" Schedule 160 (0.281" walls). All of which have the same OD of 1.90".


But, it is sold at Home Depot as 1 1/2" pipe. I didn't want him to buy a 7' section of 2" pipe and get home and not fit the plates.

[Eric Johnson]

But, it is sold at Home Depot as 1 1/2" pipe. I didn't want him to buy a 7' section of 2" pipe and get home and not fit the plates.

I understand, sometimes the Engineer in me comes out without permission :).

[Mike Landrich]

It must be something about the P.E. after the name. All engineers do that.

Seriously though, schedule 80 or 160 would be better choices, if they're readily available. Just have to look a little harder.

Arnell
Look under steel retailers in your yellow pages. A few phone calls could get you alot better bar.

[D.J. Satterfield]

Arnell,
I went to a local pipe shop and bought the schedule 40, 2", which as already stated, is 1.90" outside diameter. It was around $25. Works great for pressing and deadlifting and much less expensive than some others out there.

[Arnell Castillo]

thanks guys ! i'm gonna attempt to make one this weekend !

[DaneGarreau]

I bought a solid piece of 2" steel a few years ago(cost $40 then, probably more now). Then I got a guy to weld some collars on the inside.

It weighs 70 pounds and is a beast.

[Jay O'Neill]

Next question is how to you get the axle to support car rims and tires? anyone know this answer?

[GregMonfredo]

Next question is how to you get the axle to support car rims and tires? anyone know this answer?


I've heard of people screwing 2.5lbs plates onto the tire so that it will slide over the bar like a normal plate does.

[Jay O'Neill]

Pardon my ignorance, how do they screw the plate to the rim?

[Mac Smith]

Pardon my ignorance, how do they screw the plate to the rim?


Have holes drilled into the 2.5lb plates that match the hole pattern on the rim of the tire and you'll be fine. I had 3 holes drilled into the 2.5lbs plates. Works like a charm.

As for the axel, we took a the collars off a regular olympic bar, put a 2" pipe (1.5") and welded the collars back on and it worked perfectly.

[Wes Richardson]

Drill holes in the plate, but I think most tires are welded to plates or permanently on the axle.

[dronga]

you can weld 2 pieces of 6" x 6" steel on the ends of the pipe, find the rims you want to use, then drill out the plates according to the lug bolt pattern. i welded an additional 1 foot piece on each side(through the center hole in the rim) for additional weight.bolt up the rims, and lift away!

[Jay O'Neill]

Thanks Mac! You are the man. Hope you are feeling better. Saw you were bit by the old flu bug .

[dronga]

i did not read your post, but thats the same thing i did. i beat the snot out of my axle, and its still in 1 piece.

[AaRoNSnider]

I bought a 2'' piece of cold rolled steel.Same length and loading area length as an olympic bar.I had a couple small pieces of pipe that was just big enough to slide over the bar,welded for the inside collars.Regular collars just barely fit on it.It works great and I know it will never bend

[chrisklavette]

This would be something good for pitbull to add to their store, imo.

[Mac Smith]

Thanks Mac! You are the man. Hope you are feeling better. Saw you were bit by the old flu bug .


Thanks brotha, I feeling about 95% now.

[Scott Markowitz]

A cheap (redneck tech) way to get regular spring collars to work on 1.5" pipe (sorry for the earlier nonspecificity) is to put a layer or two of duct tape around the pipe - it adds just enough diameter (and friction) so the spring collars hold just fine.

[Kevin Cronin]

This would be something good for pitbull to add to their store, imo.

actually i emailed alan a week or two ago and he has two types of fat bars