I’m a welder/fabricator doing my research on the most fundamental concepts I can find before building my home setup, and you have sparked a creator’s explosion of concepts in my head. Thanks a million. BYW, can’t you talk your dog, or someone, into holding the camera for ten minutes?
Can't thank you enough for this really great DIY, you have saved me soooo much money. This is great, just ordered all the pieces earlier today, if anyone has questions on my build go ahead and comment, at least 2 weeks after from when I wrote this! (So I can receive and build it!)
I purchased everything from the Home Depot. The cable, pullies, carabinas. All in the same aisle. Got the pull down bar ($20) and loading pin ($14) from Amazon. I did a two pulley set up for $76 all in.
Jim's Home Gym Reviews yeah that’s what I used...lol, it says on the package not to use for fitness equipment, but I don’t think they’re moving anywhere. Each set I got came with 3 “u bolts”.....but you could use ferrules too if you have a crimper
To make loading pin, get a 15cm 3/4inch (DN-20) pipe and 3/4 inch floor flange. Now drill the hole in the pipe and attach a bolt and run carabener through it. Will cost you $5-6. Flange will prevent the weights from falling through the pipe.
Excellent! You could even shave down the pipe a bit on the sides near the bolt to give you some more clearance! You're clearly a person who is mechanically inclined.
Can use a Crosby or fist grip to make a loop at the end of a cable, if you cant find a premade choker. Thanks for making this video. I work construction and kinda laughed at the price spud is selling them for.
Do you think it would screw up the wiring or the pulley if you didn't use the golf ball stoppers? They sell custom lengths of pre-looped wire rope on Amazon but they don't have any stoppers. But I really don't want to go through the whole process of making the cables, mainly because the swaging tool is so expensive.
I don't think it matters all that much, honestly. I wouldn't let this worry me. You just need to make sure you don't, for instance, let go of a cable and let it slam into the pully in a way that it could damage the wheel in the pulley. Other than that, no, I don't think it matters much.
Oh jeez...you're that neighbor guy we nod in agreement, give a thumbs up from the driveway before driving off. $70 worth of pulleys but, not $100 for a complete ready to use pulley set. 🤯 did I miss something?
What do you think of using climbing rope in the pulley? If it's strong, seems like an easy alternative to all the intricacies of cables. I promise to not put the weight overhead.
@@jimmystreblermusic8670 You can get "static" rope that is supposed to not stretch much. I think I'll do a set up with rope just to learn the length I like and other specs.
Most of the stuff at home Depot isn't rated for real weight. But off-road supply companies carry cheap but strong off-road blocks (pulleys) that are rated well over anything home Depot.
garage door cables ... dog tie out cables ... made my own with high and low pulley using garage door pulleys and cables if you just let the weight hang it starts to swing uncontrollably
Thanks for the great vid Jim! Did you test this set up with some heavy weight? It's really tricky finding the right pulley, many just aren't designed to lift 100 or 200 lbs and sometimes start squeaking and causing trouble
Yep, sure did! Have had no trouble with any of the weights I've put on. (I think I've put on 200). I've also used it with motion (on a simulated ski erg.) The rating on those cheap pulleys is a lot. 600? 800? Something like that. They're meant for lifting heavy stuff on a farm. Haha! The cheap pulleys from National worked great. I have some more expensive pulleys (rated higher, for climbing), but haven't had to use them, yet.
No problem. Don't forget to check out the archon pulley system if you're looking for an inexpensive one. I didn't know about it when I did this video and project.
Bro you want to be cheap? Go get a duffel bag from thrift store. A few bags of sand (5 bucks a pop 50 lbs. A piece) from home Depot and load the bag with the sand bags. Connect the cable to the bag. No need for weights.
bought the same pulley's at home depot, but the 2 1/2 inch ones, and pulling on 30lbs it is already squeaking, how about your setup, are the pulleys making noise. Would a snatch block pulley be better?
Yes. You add a shackle or strap down low. This video goes into it. I discuss how to re-direct starting at 5:45 or so by using either shackles or straps. th-cam.com/video/2dMsbYwAwac/w-d-xo.html
Amazon sells kit with everything you made there, plus rope handle, plus bar handle, plus loading pin and 3 clips for $60. Sorry this DIY doesn't pay. It's got to be lots cheaper for my time
HAHAHAHAA! You consider this a DIY? The only thing "made" here, and that's if you chose to make it, is the cable. But that can be bought as well. Everything else is bought from amazon and the links are in the description. You're basically saying "don't buy those things from amazon for $25. Who has that kind of time? Instead, buy them from Amazon for $60." I encourage you to buy the kit from Amazon if that's what you want. I'm sure it will work fine. I also put a link to the archon system in the description. The problem you will see immediately is that the cables they ship are almost always too long and it compromises what you can do with the system. That's why finding a way to get custom-length cables more important than it would seem at first blush.
The length that works best for me for a single-pulley system is a little over 6'. For a double pulley system (for a low to high cable pull), add about 6 more feet.
No problem man. i wish I could find it, but somebody made a cheap cable system. Elite FTS or Rep Fitness or somebody, but I can't find it, now. But there was one other manufacturer. also, Titan has a cheaper cable system they sell.
The closing tiles have a link to how they work. th-cam.com/video/l770Zq59c2k/w-d-xo.html The site has links to various videos showing ways to use the pulleys like this one. th-cam.com/video/55nTUG0Y5OY/w-d-xo.html
So, you already have a power rack, but choose to go cheap and make your own cable pulley system, that's inherently crap to begin with?! Do yourself a favor and buy the cable lat pulldown that goes with your power rack, you'll thank me later.
I’m a welder/fabricator doing my research on the most fundamental concepts I can find before building my home setup, and you have sparked a creator’s explosion of concepts in my head. Thanks a million.
BYW, can’t you talk your dog, or someone, into holding the camera for ten minutes?
Sorry about the shaky cam. Man, creating fitness gear would be a welder's playground. good luck!
Can't thank you enough for this really great DIY, you have saved me soooo much money. This is great, just ordered all the pieces earlier today, if anyone has questions on my build go ahead and comment, at least 2 weeks after from when I wrote this! (So I can receive and build it!)
Mark, that's great! I hope you make a video showing how it goes!
If not, I hope you come back and let us know how it went!!!
Thanks for stopping by!
I purchased everything from the Home Depot. The cable, pullies, carabinas. All in the same aisle. Got the pull down bar ($20) and loading pin ($14) from Amazon. I did a two pulley set up for $76 all in.
For the cable, you can get it cut to size at Home Depot for $.50 a foot. I just did that with loop end kits which where $2-3 bucks each
Good call. On the loop end kits, are those the ones with the little nuts and bolts on them?
Jim's Home Gym Reviews yeah that’s what I used...lol, it says on the package not to use for fitness equipment, but I don’t think they’re moving anywhere. Each set I got came with 3 “u bolts”.....but you could use ferrules too if you have a crimper
Right. I made a video showing folks how to do that.
th-cam.com/video/CpuILTNBo5A/w-d-xo.html
To make loading pin, get a 15cm 3/4inch (DN-20) pipe and 3/4 inch floor flange. Now drill the hole in the pipe and attach a bolt and run carabener through it. Will cost you $5-6. Flange will prevent the weights from falling through the pipe.
Excellent! You could even shave down the pipe a bit on the sides near the bolt to give you some more clearance! You're clearly a person who is mechanically inclined.
Dude you can get cable at any hardware store by the foot for next to nothing.
I bought 50 ft of 3/16 cable ,coated, for 18$ on Amazon. The clamps are really cheap at Lowe’s. A bolt cutter is as cheap as 8$ on Amazon
Can use a Crosby or fist grip to make a loop at the end of a cable, if you cant find a premade choker. Thanks for making this video. I work construction and kinda laughed at the price spud is selling them for.
Oh man, great suggestion!!!!!
Do you think it would screw up the wiring or the pulley if you didn't use the golf ball stoppers? They sell custom lengths of pre-looped wire rope on Amazon but they don't have any stoppers. But I really don't want to go through the whole process of making the cables, mainly because the swaging tool is so expensive.
I don't think it matters all that much, honestly. I wouldn't let this worry me. You just need to make sure you don't, for instance, let go of a cable and let it slam into the pully in a way that it could damage the wheel in the pulley. Other than that, no, I don't think it matters much.
You don't need swagging tool, all you need is a wrench. Get the U cutter bolts, they are better at holding cables.
Oh jeez...you're that neighbor guy we nod in agreement, give a thumbs up from the driveway before driving off.
$70 worth of pulleys but, not $100 for a complete ready to use pulley set.
🤯 did I miss something?
Haha! that's probably about right. But I'm not a big fan of spud inc. I think it is very limiting. I'd rather have this.
@@JimintheGym 👍🏻subscribed.
@@okAngelface thanks man! Have great 2021!!!
Well done dude ! Could use a Dumbell handle at bottom through the strap then load plates on top through the hole
Archon- great tip.
that's it. Yes, archon makes a good, affordable alternative.
You can find everything at Home Depot
What do you think of using climbing rope in the pulley? If it's strong, seems like an easy alternative to all the intricacies of cables. I promise to not put the weight overhead.
I think the reason folks don't do that is because it stretches. But weight is weight
@@jimmystreblermusic8670 You can get "static" rope that is supposed to not stretch much. I think I'll do a set up with rope just to learn the length I like and other specs.
Why not. Rope is rope. (This is Jim BTW.)
Because it uses steel which stretches less than fibers of nylon or Kevlar. But yes, a rope might be easier to work with. So try it.
Most of the stuff at home Depot isn't rated for real weight. But off-road supply companies carry cheap but strong off-road blocks (pulleys) that are rated well over anything home Depot.
What's the cable length?
Depends, but I have found a little under 6' has worked for me.
@@JS-lr8nj
Do you use a single cable or have you gone more elaborate, with dual cables, so you can do curls and low rows and shit like that?
i used uncoated steel cable which always gets chewed up by the pulley and broke, Would coated cable last longer?? or is the pulley the wrong type
I use coated cable.
garage door cables ... dog tie out cables ... made my own with high and low pulley using garage door pulleys and cables if you just let the weight hang it starts to swing uncontrollably
You made high pully and low pully?
Thanks for the great vid Jim!
Did you test this set up with some heavy weight? It's really tricky finding the right pulley, many just aren't designed to lift 100 or 200 lbs and sometimes start squeaking and causing trouble
Yep, sure did! Have had no trouble with any of the weights I've put on. (I think I've put on 200). I've also used it with motion (on a simulated ski erg.) The rating on those cheap pulleys is a lot. 600? 800? Something like that. They're meant for lifting heavy stuff on a farm. Haha!
The cheap pulleys from National worked great. I have some more expensive pulleys (rated higher, for climbing), but haven't had to use them, yet.
Great video! Thanks for sharing!
No problem. Don't forget to check out the archon pulley system if you're looking for an inexpensive one. I didn't know about it when I did this video and project.
Bro you want to be cheap? Go get a duffel bag from thrift store. A few bags of sand (5 bucks a pop 50 lbs. A piece) from home Depot and load the bag with the sand bags. Connect the cable to the bag. No need for weights.
Works for me! sounds awesome!
@@JimintheGym yeah I'm poor man I ain't got the money for 25's and 45's I've gotta be creative or I get nothing. Lmao
bought the same pulley's at home depot, but the 2 1/2 inch ones, and pulling on 30lbs it is already squeaking, how about your setup, are the pulleys making noise. Would a snatch block pulley be better?
I have no real problems with noise, but I haven't noticed it. Maybe they're squeaking and I'm not hearing it?
Oil that pulley.
And i mean oil. Not WD-40.
whats the diameter of your cable? and what are the golf balls for?
3/16" plastic coated
This video goes through everything in making a cable:
th-cam.com/video/CpuILTNBo5A/w-d-xo.html
golf ball just stops the cable
I found nylon rope- para cord to work even better than the wire cables...only 10$ for like 50 feet and it’s rated for 750lbs
Did you have problem with it stretching?
A great vid, thanks Jim:)
Thanks! I really appreciate it!
@@JimintheGym have you come up with an idea for a pulley system so that you can pull upwards?
Yes. You add a shackle or strap down low.
This video goes into it.
I discuss how to re-direct starting at 5:45 or so by using either shackles or straps.
th-cam.com/video/2dMsbYwAwac/w-d-xo.html
Damn, I love cheap guys. . I'm a cheap bastard too. Hahaha
Hi five 🖐😂
Get this man a tripod.
Hahaha! Yeah, sorry about that.
I like your system. What do you call those orange straps?
I got them off of Amazon. These:
amzn.to/2MVobNd
I just ordered some of the blue ones. They're MUCH beefier.
Strapworks is a great resource. You can get them with varying webbing materials, varying lengths and widths, varying end hardware...and decent price.
I will definitely have to check them out!
Just find an old bowflex or weider crossbow they have everything you need to make this and you might even get some attachments with it
You can make a loading pin for like 10 bucks
So these loading straps are like 6 for 6 dollars.... lol love you said that like 20 times
Amazon sells kit with everything you made there, plus rope handle, plus bar handle, plus loading pin and 3 clips for $60. Sorry this DIY doesn't pay. It's got to be lots cheaper for my time
HAHAHAHAA! You consider this a DIY?
The only thing "made" here, and that's if you chose to make it, is the cable. But that can be bought as well.
Everything else is bought from amazon and the links are in the description.
You're basically saying "don't buy those things from amazon for $25. Who has that kind of time? Instead, buy them from Amazon for $60."
I encourage you to buy the kit from Amazon if that's what you want. I'm sure it will work fine. I also put a link to the archon system in the description.
The problem you will see immediately is that the cables they ship are almost always too long and it compromises what you can do with the system. That's why finding a way to get custom-length cables more important than it would seem at first blush.
How many feet of cable did you use?
The length that works best for me for a single-pulley system is a little over 6'.
For a double pulley system (for a low to high cable pull), add about 6 more feet.
@@JimintheGym thank you sir, from one penny pincher to another
No problem man. i wish I could find it, but somebody made a cheap cable system. Elite FTS or Rep Fitness or somebody, but I can't find it, now. But there was one other manufacturer. also, Titan has a cheaper cable system they sell.
Here it is! Archon. I just had to read down my feed a bit. Only $40. Worth it, IMHO.
fitarchon.com/product/single-pulley-cable-station/
I used a dog runner. It’s only $6 at the dollar store
Perfect!
It would've been nice to see how it actually works.
The closing tiles have a link to how they work.
th-cam.com/video/l770Zq59c2k/w-d-xo.html
The site has links to various videos showing ways to use the pulleys like this one.
th-cam.com/video/55nTUG0Y5OY/w-d-xo.html
the cable is
sold at home
depot
i just bought a tds lat pulldown for 189.. from amazon
Time is money. I'd just order it and be done with it.
Choke the strap to a piece of steel..
So, you already have a power rack, but choose to go cheap and make your own cable pulley system, that's inherently crap to begin with?!
Do yourself a favor and buy the cable lat pulldown that goes with your power rack, you'll thank me later.
No one would ever do this.... setup is a nightmare....