DIY Weight Plates

This is a simple tutorial on how to make weight plates for a homemade dumbbell. This is similar to the built together dumbbell, but it allows you to vary the weight per barbell. This uses some of the same base products as the built together dumbbell with a few differences. Most notably will be the 1/2" coupling, these are slightly larger than a 3/4" pipe which will allow the weight to slide just right onto the 3/4" pipe. You will also need to pick up a pack of O-rings and a tube of acrylic latex with silicone caulk. If you don’t have a caulk gun there are tubes that are sold that don’t require a gun, they’re typically less expensive than a whole tube.

Take a 1/2" PVC coupling.

Using a latex/silicone caulk go around the coupling.

Caulk on coupling.

Place the coupling in the center of a mixing tub. Wait until caulk dries.

Fill tub with desired amount of concrete.

Once cured remove the plate from the mixing tub. This plate only weighs 2 lbs.

Rubber O-rings for plumbing. Size 10 are ideal.

Slide two O=rings onto a piece of PVC.

Slide on weight and put another O-ring to secure the weight.

Cost of new items.

1/2" pipe coupling — $0.25 each

10 pack size 10 O-rings — $3

Fast dry acrylic latex with silicone caulk — $6

If you want to make more than one plate at a time you will need a second mixing tub and coupling.

Caulk curing time vary based on temperature, humidity, and altitude; so follow the instructions. Caulk will need to be completely cured before concrete can be poured into the mixing tub. You can tell when it’s cured by gently picking up the mixing tub by holding the coupling only. Be careful not to shake or wiggle the coupling because you may remove it from the bottom, in which case you will need to re-apply the caulking and wait for it to cure again. (yes, this did happen to me)