I'm considering making my own weight plates because the prices for commercial ones are really high. I found some aluminum scrap at a junkyard (like old car radiators) and I'm wondering if that would be a good option. I know aluminum costs more than steel and has a higher melting point, but since I'm getting it from a scrap yard, it should still be cheaper than buying new plates. I'm looking to create about 200kg of plates. Would this be a reasonable approach or are there better alternatives?
3 Answers
If you really want to go the DIY route, you can usually find real weight plates for about a dollar a pound if you search in the right places. Just keep an eye out for local sales or classified ads; sometimes you can score a great deal!
Using aluminum might not work out as well as you'd hope since it’s less dense. You might end up with plates that are larger but not heavy enough. Have you thought about making weights with concrete or sand instead? They’re a lot easier to work with and could be a better solution for your needs. You would just need to mold them into the shape you want!
Honestly, I checked the secondhand market and it seems pretty tough to find reasonable deals for metal plates. If you can’t find them used, maybe consider buying metal discs with a diameter of about 450mm and just drill holes in the center? That way, you'd have weights that work without the hassle of melting aluminum.