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| What are training weights normally made from? |
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| loply:
Hi folks, Anybody know what the metal used for weight-lifting weights is? I have easy access to loads of these, most are 5kg or 10kg and thus measure 180mm x 30mm upwards. I have a few projects in mind to use them for - As the disc on a disc sander, as the basis for a fixed steady on my Viceroy lathe, and potentially a series of them stacked together to make the large-bore pneumatic cylinder for my power drawbar. I'm hoping they're a form of cast iron and will be turnable on the lathe but I thought I'd check if anybody knows what their properties are for sure. Cheers, Rich |
| mzt:
The ones I had were made in cast iron, of the lowest quality. Chills, hard spots and holes. Tried turning one of them: it ate HSS and cheap carbide tools like butter, though I had put it into the stove and let slowly cool a couple of times. Branded inserts purposely made for C.I. had reason of it, but I was really taxing my 7x10. A couple of pictures: the tools: Marcello |
| David Jupp:
If you do make a pneumatic cylinder - go careful. For containing pressure you generally want a nice tough material, to avoid any chance of building a shrapnel launcher. |
| Deko:
Hi Rich. The plastic coated ones are made of concrete :( Cheers Derek |
| John Hill:
Some of those weights are not too bad but others are not too good! :coffee: I find my lathe tools have a much easier lifer if I take all the raised lettering off before starting with the lathe, a sharp cold chisel does this in just a few minutes. |
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