Homemade squat rack

Patrick McIntosh · 12-05-2007, 02:47 PM

I was thinking you could stick a 4x4 into an 8 gallon bucket, fill the bucket with cement, and viola. The top of the 4x4's would have a V notch cut into them as to cradle the bar.

I've looked around and haven't seen anyone do this - despite how simple/cheap it would be. Is that because it wouldn't work and I'm the only one who doesn't realize it?

Greg Everett · 12-05-2007, 02:51 PM

I've seen this done. I think it was Carla Mac in a barn in North Dakota. Just make the bases are as wide as possible.

William Hunter · 12-05-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greg Everett

I've seen this done. I think it was Carla Mac in a barn in North Dakota. Just make the bases are as wide as possible.

I remember the picture, thinking how cool and easy an idea it was. Of course, I'd find a way to mess it up if I were building it...but I already have a rack

Patrick, post a pic if you build one.

Patrick Donnelly · 12-06-2007, 08:00 PM

4x4's work great.

The notch isn't too clear in this picture, but it's there.

Frank Needham · 12-07-2007, 07:21 AM

A suggestion, find a piece of 2 inch "C" angle iron and whack off 2-3 inches X2. Bolt those to the tops of your uprights and the resting points for the bar would be much more secure. Love the idea overall. Another thought would be to add an "X" underneath each bucket for stability. Those could easily be made from angle iron as well as lagged through the bucket bottoms into the concrete.

Patrick Donnelly · 12-07-2007, 08:01 PM

Re: Frank
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much effort.

Garrett Smith · 12-08-2007, 06:54 AM

I'd second and third what Greg and Frank said--without adding too much work, it would be a lot safer to widen the base somehow. Either way, enjoy the work (be it squatting or whatever)!

Patrick McIntosh · 12-18-2007, 03:21 PM

Well I finally got my act together and purchased the materials. Pat, do you have any tips on leveling the posts? I figure I'll just make the cement mix as thick as possible so they are less likely to lean.

Pics when I'm done.

Patrick McIntosh · 12-19-2007, 02:45 PM

For anyone that's wondering, these things feel really solid. I used 50 lbs of cement per bucket. The weakest link is probably the protruding lip on the bottom of the buckets but it would probably take +500 lbs to make them fail.

Patrick Donnelly · 12-19-2007, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick McIntosh

Pat, do you have any tips on leveling the posts?

Sorry for the late reply.

I used a level to get it straight, then held it for a few minutes.
The concrete in the middle of the blob will take a long time to try, so you'll want to wait 48 hours or so for the whole thing to cure (the wait is intolerable, I know!). Keep the top of the cement moist to prevent cracking as it solidifies.