How to Make Cheap Concrete Weights and Molds!

How to make your own super cheap cardboard molds and concrete weight plates for your weight lifting needs! 440lbs (200kg) of weight plates for $136 USD
Molds and weights for 45, 25, 10, & 5lbs (20.4, 11.3, 4.5, 2.3kgs)
Mold Dimension Diagram: imgur.com/gallery/2dmCR6k
You can use the bottom of 5gal buckets, instead of making a 10lb mold :)
Easiest/cheapest ways to draw large custom circles = a ruler with holes in it or a pre-measured string around a nail with a pencil at the end (both ways function the same)
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No fancy tools are required; however, I would HIGHLY recommend an angle grinder for finishing work. You can use sanding discs, flap discs, or concrete/masonry grinding wheels, but I found diamond cup wheels to be the fastest and most durable when grinding concrete. However, they are expensive, I used the Ridgid 4.5” Turbo Cup Wheel at $60 USD.
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Cardboard Mold Pros:
Very cheap and customizable, can make as many as you want for super cheap, as accurate as you make them
Cons:
As accurate as you make them, might produce ugly plates, can leak moisture if not made well, not super reusable, takes time to make
Plastic Mold Pros:
Nicer looking weights, more consistent sized plates, more reusable, can retain moisture better, built in weight numbers
Cons:
Expensive, not very customizable, might be out of stock/production, takes time to ship
Plastic Mold Sellers:
bit.ly/2WmPCG0
bit.ly/34eug2g
(not sponsored, just molds that’ll give you nice looking concrete plates)
amzn.to/34iC033 (should be ok too I would imagine)
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Weight Materials USD:
Concrete (I used Quikrete 5000) - $5.25 per 50lb bag
Rebar 3/8”x48” US #3 SI #10 - $3.10 per 45lb plate
Chicken Net 24”x10ftx12” - $17.99 1 package used in 8x45lbs, 2x25lbs, 2x10lbs, 2x5lbs
Latex-ite Trowel Patch 1gal - $11.97 (I’d recommend a concrete/driveway filler sealer $30-40 5gal)
ABS/PVC Pipe 2”x2ft - $3.58
Mold Materials USD:
Cardboard - Free "29 Places to Get Free Boxes" bit.ly/3mtXCQw
Plastic drop cloth/paint tarp/trash bags - $3-$8 (I used one 9ftx12ft plastic drop cloth for $7)
Duck Tape - $10 per 3 pack (I used 3 rolls for 6x45lb, 2x25lb, and 1x5lb molds)
Tools I used USD:
Bathroom Weight Scale - $20
Metal Ruler with homemade radius holes- $8
Cheap Tape Measure - $6
5gal bucket - $4 (I used 3 buckets $12)
Concrete trowel small 5”x2” - $10
Hand saw - $10 (for cutting the pipes I used a miter saw $220 you definitely don’t need this)
Wire/metal Snippers - $10 (I used Wiss 9-3/4” compound action aviation snips 18 Ga. $18)
Scissors - $7
Box Cutter - $5
Shovel - $8 (used for mixing concrete by hand)
4.5”x6” Corded Angle Grinder - $150
Ridgid 4.5” Turbo Cup wheel - $60
Total Raw Weight Material Cost 440lbs in plates (without tools) ≈ $117 USD
8 - 3/8”x48” Rebar $25
10 - 50lb bags of concrete used $55
2 - 2”x2ft ABS/PVC pipe for the 34” needed $7
1 - Latex-ite Trowel Patch 1gal - $12
1 - Chicken Net 24”x10ftx12” - $18
My Total Mold Cost ≈ $19 USD (6x45lb molds, 2x25lb molds, 1x5lb mold)
3 - duck tape rolls $12
1 - 9ftx12ft Plastic drop cloth $7
Finished 440lbs of weight plates without tools ≈ $136
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My video on how to make the weight-lifting rack:
• How to Make a Cheap We...
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Thank you for your support and time! I hope this helps! :)
Hopefully this can give you a laugh especially during these tough times
• rolling around