Reply With QuoteI created a set of jerk stands based on the ones made by KAG. Thanks for the idea KAG. I considered the stacking boxes type also, and looked at the plans put out by Greg Everett and Les Simonton. The non-adjustable stands were much cheaper to make. I put mine together in October and also made a pair of knee-high pulling blocks. The total for both came in at $270 before sales tax. I will post a materials list later.
I made several modifications. I used 2x10's for the top frame and cross-pieces, and used particle board (OSB) and rubber for the top surface instead of the 2x12's originally used by KAG. I also used lag bolts to attach the top frame to the 4x4's and the cross-pieces to the top frame. I used 3" (exterior) deck screws to supplement the lag bolts, to attach the bottom frame (which was made with 2x4's), and to connect the OSB and rubber to the top frame. I also put a thin layer of caulk in between the frame and the particle board.
I constructed my stands to be 40.5" tall. I cut my 4x4's to be 39". I had one layer of OSB and one layer of rubber on top of the frame. In hindsight, I wish I would have cut my 4x4's a little shorter so I could have two layers of OSB. I did put two layers on my pulling blocks, and they are about 11.5" tall. The blocks and the stands have the same width and depth dimensions: 23.25" x 35.5".
Overall, these stands did not work that well. I have a 8'x8' platform in my garage that has rubber mats for a top layer. The only place I can use the stands is on the platform. They move around quite a bit. So much so that they must be re-positioned after every set, and occasionally in the middle of a set. Moving the stands with a loaded barbell sitting on them is not easy. Also, they did not hold up that well to use. Last weekend, one of the boards in the top frame of one stand cracked, and a piece broke off one of the cross-pieces. They just did not hold up to the weights I was using. I was doing push jerks with 265 lb when it broke. I used the stands for 16 workouts before they broke. At first I thought that moving around may have contributed to the stand breaking, but the break pattern looks like it just couldn't handle the weight.
I am considering framing in the side of the stands completely, so the frame is wood-on-wood all the way down. I am also going to attach the stands to my platform so they don't move.
Has anyone else had any trouble with stands that have been built like this? Also, has anyone ever attached this type of stand to the ground or to a platform? I would like some thoughts on the best way to attach my stands to my platform.
Originally Posted by King of the Jews
