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The Shop => Metal Stuff => Topic started by: loply on July 20, 2012, 07:06:13 AM

Title: What are training weights normally made from?
Post by: loply on July 20, 2012, 07:06:13 AM

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

Title: Re: What are training weights normally made from?
Post by: mzt on July 20, 2012, 07:19:29 AM

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:

(http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee403/mzetati/_steamEngines/WIP01-Bernay/12/19Fw_IMG_0290.jpg)

(http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee403/mzetati/_steamEngines/WIP01-Bernay/12/19Fw_IMG_0317.jpg)

the tools:

(http://i1226.photobucket.com/albums/ee403/mzetati/_steamEngines/WIP01-Bernay/12/19FW_IMG_0293a.jpg)

Marcello

Title: Re: What are training weights normally made from?
Post by: David Jupp on July 20, 2012, 10:28:16 AM

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.

Title: Re: What are training weights normally made from?
Post by: Deko on July 20, 2012, 11:18:33 AM

Hi Rich.
           The plastic coated ones are made of concrete :(

Cheers Derek

Title: Re: What are training weights normally made from?
Post by: John Hill on August 21, 2012, 03:01:07 AM

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.

Title: Re: What are training weights normally made from?
Post by: PekkaNF on August 21, 2012, 04:09:45 AM

Quote from: mzt on July 20, 2012, 07:19:29 AM

...the tools:
Marcello

Just love the looks of those boring bars. I tried carbide tipped and indian/chinese insert ones. They are all pretty bad. Then bought some Maier (German ones) and some americans, they are SOOO much better. I had a chance to buy some Sandwik, but they used tips I don't use regularry and I allready have good collection...

PekkaNF