Right: a close up of my "all thread and pipe" handle, plus a hook grip.
Like my old design, they are still made of pipe, which I buy for 10 cents a pound at a scrap metal yard. Each implement weighs 25 to 30 lbs, depending on length. A pair of implements has never cost me over $10.00 to make, and we've used over 300 lbs on each with no problems.
To review, my contest size is 60 inches long of 1 1/2" pipe sleeved in the center by 40 inches of 2" pipe. Then a handle is made from 1 inch pipe cut 8 inches long, with two 3/8 inch holes drilled 6 inches apart for "all thread" stock. The handle is centered and nut and bolted 2 inches above the plate holder.
I made my collars out of 2 inch thick wall tubing. Each collar is 1 1/2 inches long. (Note: I use a metal cutting disk in a circular saw to cut all pipe and thick wall tubing). I then drilled and tapped holes on each collar for a 3/8-16 bolt used for a set screw lock.
NOTE: For my full article get the Dec 2001 issue of MILO. JVA