stevejones
Member
My gym was raided and a bunch of stuff was stolen. My deadlift bar jack was one of the things taken. I don't want to fork out the money to buy another one. Any of you guys ever made your own deadlift bar jack? Quad? Dark Master?
Deadlift Bar Jack
- Thread starter stevejones
- Start date
bluejacket
New Member
cant help you with the jack but i did have a similar prob. a few yrs ago. i moved from a gym with a jack to one without and found hiking the bar to add/drop wgts a reall pain in the ***.
solved it by making my 1st plate a bumper plate which happens to be about an inch thicker then standard 45s. just enough room to slide what i need on and off as well as making the touch-down in between reps a little softer, espec. when i misjudge. im not sure if the serious wgt you use would cause any compression. ive gone up to 400 with no problem.
just a thought
solved it by making my 1st plate a bumper plate which happens to be about an inch thicker then standard 45s. just enough room to slide what i need on and off as well as making the touch-down in between reps a little softer, espec. when i misjudge. im not sure if the serious wgt you use would cause any compression. ive gone up to 400 with no problem.
just a thought
stevejones
Member
that's not gonna work....appreciate the suggestion though, thanks
I use a spare pair of spring collars with the handles that stick out sideways. Once you have a plate or two on each end of the bar, stand one of the collars on its handles (so the spring sticks up in the air) next to the plates. Then roll the bar so that the plates are lifted off the floor and cradled by the two handles. You can then slide on as many plates as you like very easily and then roll the bar off the handles. I hope that makes sense. It's actually very quick to do once you get the knack. I tend to stop the collar from moving with one foot as I pull on the bar.
The only time I can see this not working easily is if you were lifting on a shiny surface; the collars might be inclined to slip away rather than stay where you put them when trying to roll the weights on to the handles. I'd still give it a try though.
stevejones
Member
Yeah, I do something similiar to that already, just by sticking a 25lb plate on the floor and rolling the plates onto it. What I liked about my jack was that it lifted the bar up about 18" into the air which made putting the plates on very easy, especially when you're dealing with 100lb plates and 8 sets of different weights. So, am looking to build something. Thanks for the suggestions guys.
<div>
(stevejones @ Nov. 08 2008,8:59)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">Yeah, I do something similiar to that already, just by sticking a 25lb plate on the floor and rolling the plates onto it. What I liked about my jack was that it lifted the bar up about 18" into the air which made putting the plates on very easy, especially when you're dealing with 100lb plates and 8 sets of different weights. So, am looking to build something. Thanks for the suggestions guys.</div>
I'm amazed that there are any spare plates to use when you are deadlifting!
I thought about making some kind of jack out of timber. This guy made one out of bits of steel pipe with a wooden stand:
Deadlift Jack
I expect you've seen this but I think this commercial one is pretty cool. You wouldn't have to leave it at the gym as it's small enough to carry about:
Iron Gladiator
Was the gym not covered by some kind of contents insurance? They ought to get you another one.
(stevejones @ Nov. 08 2008,8:59)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">Yeah, I do something similiar to that already, just by sticking a 25lb plate on the floor and rolling the plates onto it. What I liked about my jack was that it lifted the bar up about 18" into the air which made putting the plates on very easy, especially when you're dealing with 100lb plates and 8 sets of different weights. So, am looking to build something. Thanks for the suggestions guys.</div>
I'm amazed that there are any spare plates to use when you are deadlifting!
I thought about making some kind of jack out of timber. This guy made one out of bits of steel pipe with a wooden stand:
Deadlift Jack
I expect you've seen this but I think this commercial one is pretty cool. You wouldn't have to leave it at the gym as it's small enough to carry about:
Iron Gladiator
Was the gym not covered by some kind of contents insurance? They ought to get you another one.
stevejones
Member
<div>
(Lol @ Nov. 08 2008,6:05)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE"><div>
(stevejones @ Nov. 08 2008,8:59)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">Yeah, I do something similiar to that already, just by sticking a 25lb plate on the floor and rolling the plates onto it. What I liked about my jack was that it lifted the bar up about 18" into the air which made putting the plates on very easy, especially when you're dealing with 100lb plates and 8 sets of different weights. So, am looking to build something. Thanks for the suggestions guys.</div>
I'm amazed that there are any spare plates to use when you are deadlifting!
I thought about making some kind of jack out of timber. This guy made one out of bits of steel pipe with a wooden stand:
Deadlift Jack
I expect you've seen this but I think this commercial one is pretty cool. You wouldn't have to leave it at the gym as it's small enough to carry about:
Iron Gladiator
Was the gym not covered by some kind of contents insurance? They ought to get you another one.</div>
Awesome
Yep that's what I"m gonna do. I'm going to build that first one.
Thanks a lot
(Lol @ Nov. 08 2008,6:05)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE"><div>
(stevejones @ Nov. 08 2008,8:59)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">Yeah, I do something similiar to that already, just by sticking a 25lb plate on the floor and rolling the plates onto it. What I liked about my jack was that it lifted the bar up about 18" into the air which made putting the plates on very easy, especially when you're dealing with 100lb plates and 8 sets of different weights. So, am looking to build something. Thanks for the suggestions guys.</div>
I'm amazed that there are any spare plates to use when you are deadlifting!
I thought about making some kind of jack out of timber. This guy made one out of bits of steel pipe with a wooden stand:
Deadlift Jack
I expect you've seen this but I think this commercial one is pretty cool. You wouldn't have to leave it at the gym as it's small enough to carry about:
Iron Gladiator
Was the gym not covered by some kind of contents insurance? They ought to get you another one.</div>
Awesome
Yep that's what I"m gonna do. I'm going to build that first one.
Thanks a lot
stevejones
Member
<div>
(Lol @ Nov. 16 2008,4:44)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">How are you getting on with the home-made jack Steve? I'm thinking of knocking one up. What did the bits cost you?</div>
The whole thing was about 27 bucks, or about....19 pounds ? The only welding I had to do was with the flange at the bottom(didn't have threads to screw the stem in), and then the catcher at the top of the stem. I'm not too happy with it, because I still have to lean over and put the plates on the bar. I thought about making the stem taller, but it wouldn't take long for the stem to break away from the flange if that happened.
Since I still have to bend over while using this contraption, using a plate in the gym as a ramp just about accomplishes the same task. I only deadlift once a week (coan/philippi routine)so I guess I can manage with it. Since I gave up squatting, I've been making small gains again in the deadlift.
(Lol @ Nov. 16 2008,4:44)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">How are you getting on with the home-made jack Steve? I'm thinking of knocking one up. What did the bits cost you?</div>
The whole thing was about 27 bucks, or about....19 pounds ? The only welding I had to do was with the flange at the bottom(didn't have threads to screw the stem in), and then the catcher at the top of the stem. I'm not too happy with it, because I still have to lean over and put the plates on the bar. I thought about making the stem taller, but it wouldn't take long for the stem to break away from the flange if that happened.
Since I still have to bend over while using this contraption, using a plate in the gym as a ramp just about accomplishes the same task. I only deadlift once a week (coan/philippi routine)so I guess I can manage with it. Since I gave up squatting, I've been making small gains again in the deadlift.
TunnelRat
Active Member
<div>
(stevejones @ Nov. 18 2008,7:24)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">Since I still have to bend over while using this contraption, using a plate in the gym as a ramp just about accomplishes the same task. </div>
Yup, that's what I do. I use a 25 lb plate as a ramp.
<div>
(stevejones @ Nov. 18 2008,7:24)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">I only deadlift once a week (coan/philippi routine)so I guess I can manage with it. Since I gave up squatting, I've been making small gains again in the deadlift.</div>
I tried the coan/philippi routine that I found on the internet, but I was deadlifting three times a week! Whoops!
Only later did I figure out that I was running the program incorrectly (I'm a dummy...). Then I went to twice a week deads and once a week squats. I guess I'm a slow learner.
(stevejones @ Nov. 18 2008,7:24)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">Since I still have to bend over while using this contraption, using a plate in the gym as a ramp just about accomplishes the same task. </div>
Yup, that's what I do. I use a 25 lb plate as a ramp.
<div>
(stevejones @ Nov. 18 2008,7:24)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">I only deadlift once a week (coan/philippi routine)so I guess I can manage with it. Since I gave up squatting, I've been making small gains again in the deadlift.</div>
I tried the coan/philippi routine that I found on the internet, but I was deadlifting three times a week! Whoops!
Only later did I figure out that I was running the program incorrectly (I'm a dummy...). Then I went to twice a week deads and once a week squats. I guess I'm a slow learner.
<div>
(stevejones @ Nov. 18 2008,12:24)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">I'm not too happy with it, because I still have to lean over and put the plates on the bar. I thought about making the stem taller, but it wouldn't take long for the stem to break away from the flange if that happened.</div>
The trouble is that the higher you want to raise the bar the more leverage you need and hence the longer the handle and/or better purchase you are going to need. That's ok for a big jack but probably not for a light, portable one - even if the handle was detachable.
I would have thought that about 4 inches off the ground would be a good enough improvement over the plate-on-the-floor alternative. No?
(stevejones @ Nov. 18 2008,12:24)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">I'm not too happy with it, because I still have to lean over and put the plates on the bar. I thought about making the stem taller, but it wouldn't take long for the stem to break away from the flange if that happened.</div>
The trouble is that the higher you want to raise the bar the more leverage you need and hence the longer the handle and/or better purchase you are going to need. That's ok for a big jack but probably not for a light, portable one - even if the handle was detachable.
I would have thought that about 4 inches off the ground would be a good enough improvement over the plate-on-the-floor alternative. No?
stevejones
Member
Yeah...don't like to bend over with plates anymore. I blame my form on the leg press. I've been going too low and rounding my back some, messing up my lower back.
You guys are doing things the hard way. I retired my bar jack as being too dang slow.
I put down either a spring collar, like Lol, or put down not a 25 lb. plate, but a little 2.5 lb. plate to roll the inside plate up on. Even a 1/4" thick piece of rubber, plywood or shoe sole...then you merely have to roll the plate up to the bar and only have to lift it 1/4" to slip on and slide it in.
Kinda like having the girl get on top. Much easier, no strain.
I put down either a spring collar, like Lol, or put down not a 25 lb. plate, but a little 2.5 lb. plate to roll the inside plate up on. Even a 1/4" thick piece of rubber, plywood or shoe sole...then you merely have to roll the plate up to the bar and only have to lift it 1/4" to slip on and slide it in.
Kinda like having the girl get on top. Much easier, no strain.
stevejones
Member
<div>
(quadancer @ Nov. 27 2008,12:02)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">Kinda like having the girl get on top. Much easier, no strain.</div>
pathetic
(quadancer @ Nov. 27 2008,12:02)</div><div id="QUOTEHEAD">QUOTE</div><div id="QUOTE">Kinda like having the girl get on top. Much easier, no strain.</div>
pathetic
the_dark_master
New Member
1/4"
They say size don't matter - but I can't see any bird climbing aboard for that; besides which anything under 1" surely becomes a health & safety issue!
I've joined Bally's gym lately for reasons of my own, and they have two different type of plates, one being a bit larger than the other. I find that if I put the large one on the inside, I can merely roll the others to the end of the bar, tilt them on, and push them in with my foot. No lifting or back strain whatsoever. They slide off as easily.
So now, I've even eliminated the 2lb plate lift!
So now, I've even eliminated the 2lb plate lift!
TunnelRat
Active Member
While I certainly agree that anything above 500 lb is a decent deadlift, some allowances must be made with regard to weight class. My short term goal is a 350 lb deadlift in the 132 lb weight class.
Long term? 405 might be nice -- four 45 lb plates on both ends of the bar, but given my size and age, I'm not sure yet if that's gonna be doable.
I used a deadlift bar jack for the first time this week. My new gym has all sorts of toys the the YMCA doesn't even dream about.