Filing Pound Plates into Kilos

Patrick Donnelly · 11-21-2008, 10:51 AM

Is it just me, or are small-change kilo plates outrageously expensive? The best price I've seen is $200 for a 22kg set, from this website. Would it be a viable alternative to take 2.5lb, 5lb, and 10lb plates then shave them down to 1kg, 2kg, and 4kg with an angle grinder? It seems that an angle grinder only costs $50-70, depending on the type and size. Iron plates in pounds are dirt cheap (no idea why kilos cost so much), and I don't think it'd be too difficult to weigh.

Any thoughts?

Garrett Smith · 11-21-2008, 10:56 AM

Sounds fine to me, just don't leave any sharp edges/angles...

josh everett · 11-21-2008, 11:34 AM

or you could just do the math in your head.

Kris Reeves · 11-21-2008, 12:29 PM

It would work, but I'd think that hand-milling them down with a grinder would take a fair amount of time. Plus there would be a lot of imperfections (lopsided, some areas thinner, etc.)

For it to have a 'finished' look it would really need to be done on a lathe. But by all means...have at it and let us know how it goes!

Patrick Donnelly · 11-21-2008, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by josh everett

or you could just do the math in your head.

Kilos to pounds I'm fine with. Pounds to kilos is just annoying. I know it isn't necessary, but that doesn't mean it wouldn't be nice.

Re: Kris
How long could it take? Taking a 5lb plate down to a 2kg plate would be a matter of just 0.6lbs. Anyway, I'm not planning on doing it just this minute. The thought merely came to mind, and I figured I ought to put it down somewhere before forgetting about it. If/when I do it, I'll let you know how it goes.

Brian Lawyer · 11-24-2008, 02:57 PM

I bought my bumper plates in pounds because I knew that would be a problem. It was a lot cheaper to supplement my bumper plates with some iron pound plates than vice versa. Since I bought them all in pounds I can do the math easier.

I just hope I get the conversion to kilos right when I go to my first competition after practicing in pounds. Luckily I have a crossfit affiliate nearby that I work out at from time to time that has kilos. I will have to practice doing the conversion math over there.

Kris Reeves · 11-24-2008, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Donnelly

Re: Kris
How long could it take? Taking a 5lb plate down to a 2kg plate would be a matter of just 0.6lbs.

I don't know...but every time I've had the rotors on a car turned it sure takes a hell of a long time sitting at the dealership...and when they turn the rotors, they are just removing about 1/16" inch of material.

In any case, go for it...I'm curious to see how it would turn out!

Kris Reeves · 12-16-2008, 12:09 PM

A reasonable price on kg training change:

22 kg set from muscle driver on sale for $70 - http://www.muscledriverusa.com/mdmablki1ruw.html

Patrick Donnelly · 12-17-2008, 06:10 PM

Re: Kris
That looks like good solution. Is there any reason they aren't charge a couple hundred bucks for he set?

Kris Reeves · 12-18-2008, 04:12 AM

You know, I'm not really sure. The only thing I can speculate is that they're not IWF certified.

They list that they are within 1%...which as far as I'm concerned is really darn close for home/training gear!

FWIW, I've only read good comments about muscledriver.com. As well, (as I'm sure you've probably read by now), they've acquired Pendlay barbells and have brought Glenn on as part owner and VP. I would not hesitate to order from them.