Adjustable Throwing-Weight

**CAnderson** · 26th August 09, 09:06 AM

Well I've managed to make an adjustable throwing weight. My name is Chris and I work at a sheet-metal shop in Independence MO. I've been doing Strongman stuff for about 6 months and recently got interested in Highland Games athletics. (have done one NAHA meet, and going to another in Sept.) So, I decided that I was going to need an implement to practice with.

Like I mentioned I work at a sheet-metal shop so I've got access to scrap plate steel and Laser cutting machines. One day we had a group of 5/8" HR PLATE parts come through the shop, that all had a 8" circular cutout. So, after talking to my boss and agreeing to pay him 10 bucks, he let me have the scrap circles. (11 plates in all) Thats when I made this beauty...

I took a 7/8" bolt that I found laying around the shop, feed it through the holes I had programmed into the scrap plates, and topped it off with a crude fabricated "eye". Then I needed a handle so I had one of the night shift guys cut me out a 6" outside dia. ring out of 1/2" plate - I ground the edges so it was more comfortable in my hand. Connected the ring with 2 threaded connectors and there you have it - A "28#" throwing weight. (actual weight was closer to 32#) Total cost = $20

Soon I started thinking, "I can make one even better..." Using a 3-D cadd system that we use at work I came up with a design that I think is pretty nice.

This time I had to pay for the material and laser cut time, since I wasn't using scrap. But still got it for about $55. I decided to go with an actual eye-nut this time to make it stronger, and held it together with a 6" grade 8 bolt. I still used threaded connectors for chain, and a ground handle, but as you can tell I spent a little more time on this one... lol.

AND this is an adjustable design. Take away a couple small plates, replace them with a few larger ones and suddenly you've got a 56# Heavy!! And you can use two threaded connectors to bring the total length to 17.75" or replace the links with a shackle and suddenly you've got a 14"ish set-up for WOB!!

So, with hardware, material, labor, it came to about $75. Compared to the $320+ I could have spent buying a light and a heavy from somewhere else, ...priceless...

**Kid Cossack** · 26th August 09, 10:55 AM

Chris:

I beg to differ, sir!

The "priceless" part is that you did it yourself. The money you saved? That's incidental. (Or a new USAK kilt, perhaps . . . . )

Congratulations, it looks wonderful. And here I've been proud of "Genghis," my homemade medicine ball. In a former life, Genghis was just a lowly soccer ball, but stuffed with sand and duct-taped into submission, he's a strength training secret from the ancients.

(Yes, since the first reference I've found to medicine balls is 3000 years ago in Persia, I should probably call him "Rustam" and not "Genghis," but I dig more on the Mongols anyway.)

**CAnderson** · 26th August 09, 11:06 AM

Thanks Kid Cossack!

**Arizona Scot** · 26th August 09, 11:19 AM

Looks really good sir, you will have to let us know how it holds up after a couple of practices.

**Alan H** · 26th August 09, 11:54 AM

I've been watching this on the NASGA site and I have to say the whole thing is SWEET.

**CAnderson** · 26th August 09, 12:52 PM

Thanks guys! I'm glad you like it!

**Wolfgore** · 27th August 09, 04:04 PM

That is a great looking piece of equipment you have there.

I used to work in a machine shop where I had access to all kinds of cool stuff like that too.
Shop that manufactures sprockets and gears.

Oh, and as a bonus, it is so pretty and shiny!
I get easily distracted by shiny things.