Building a double half rack

[220Eric]

I have wanted a double half rack for a while. I was thinking about getting a Titan T-6, but now I’m considering drilling and cutting this myself and getting my buddy to weld it.
Either way I’m about to get a new rack. If you don’t mind take a look at my plans. If that make any sense, tell me what you think. I’ve already got the Titan spotter arms and will buy some j-hooks too.
Some of my concerns- are 11 gauge pull up bars and plate holders sturdy enough? Any concern with the upright tubes welded on the “edge” of the cross members or should the cross members be welded between the uprights? Should I add some tabs for mounting beneath my bottom cross member or will drill through the crossmember into the platform and concrete suffice?
I’d appreciate any of your thoughts about the design, double half racks in general, how much I suck at drafting, the futility of building my own rack when there is so much out there (i.e. quit being a dumbass and buy a rack from a manufacturer.) Thanks

[gtl]

Pics don't load

[mgil]

Pics don't load

+1

Use imgur.

[220Eric]

Downloading imgur now. I’ll fix it. My apologies, I saw it when I previewed before posting and can see it on my feed now.

[220Eric]

Does this work?

[gtl]

That's kind of similar to what I want to do.

I want something like the Titan X3 flat foot in 30in depth (they don't make that right now) with spotter arms on both sides.

I do like your plate storage in the middle.

Am I overlooking the width?

[damufunman]

I think you'd want the 5/8" holes to go through both sides of the tubing; twice the loading surface, and probably better stability of hooks. I highly doubt you can get this all done for less than a T-6, but if you can, that's awesome.

[mgil]

No worries @220Eric!

So something like the Legend 3155?

http://legendfitness.com/product/double ... half-cage/

I’m guessing this rack would be under $1500 before shipping.

Regardless, 11ga for regular use should be fine.

[Wilhelm]

Someone in the antique york rack thread linked pre drilled signpost square tubing.
If you're not set up to accurately drill holes in both faces of regular tubing, this could be an option.

[220Eric]

@gtl you are not overlooking it. It’s my posting abilities, I cut have the picture off, I think you can see one of the uprights on the front/rear view on the right edge of the photo. I’ll work on it some more but it’s 49” outside to outside or 45” inside to inside.
@damufunman my thoughts on the one-side only holes was the pin in j-hooks and the top pin in the spotter arms are not long enough to extend through both sides of the uprights. Considering this would there still be a benefit although no one will ever lift inside the rack?
Thanks for your feedback

[Allentown]

@gtl you are not overlooking it. It’s my posting abilities, I cut have the picture off, I think you can see one of the uprights on the front/rear view on the right edge of the photo. I’ll work on it some more but it’s 49” outside to outside or 45” inside to inside.
@damufunman my thoughts on the one-side only holes was the pin in j-hooks and the top pin in the spotter arms are not long enough to extend through both sides of the uprights. Considering this would there still be a benefit although no one will ever lift inside the rack?
Thanks for your feedback

The Titan J-hooks and spotter arms' pin don't extend through the uprights?

Also, I should point out that my rack was fabricated by a guy and I'm 95% sure I have 5/8" holes, and the Rogue Matador at least fits on my cage, but @root brought over his Titan j-cups and they didn't fit.

[220Eric]

@damufunman @Allentown the pins do extend through the front and back holes. Thanks for pointing that out

[damufunman]

@gtl you are not overlooking it. It’s my posting abilities, I cut have the picture off, I think you can see one of the uprights on the front/rear view on the right edge of the photo. I’ll work on it some more but it’s 49” outside to outside or 45” inside to inside.
@damufunman my thoughts on the one-side only holes was the pin in j-hooks and the top pin in the spotter arms are not long enough to extend through both sides of the uprights. Considering this would there still be a benefit although no one will ever lift inside the rack?
Thanks for your feedback

The pins should be long enough to go through the upright (so >3") to give another surface to react the torque from the bar sitting on the hooks.

The Titan J-hooks and spotter arms' pin don't extend through the uprights?

Also, I should point out that my rack was fabricated by a guy and I'm 95% sure I have 5/8" holes, and the Rogue Matador at least fits on my cage, but @root brought over his Titan j-cups and they didn't fit.

They do. I suspect the Titan holes might be metric (possibly 15mm, which is just under 5/8", but haven't verified this). They use metric bolts so I wouldn't be surprised.

[murphyreedus]

I suspect the Titan holes might be metric (possibly 15mm, which is just under 5/8", but haven't verified this). They use metric bolts so I wouldn't be surprised.

Wouldn't surprise me, either. I'm pretty sure they use 25mm/50mm hole spacing instead of 1"/2".

[gtl]

I was thinking about @mgil's suggestion for the Legend Double Half Rack being $1,500 and also the OP's initial mention of the T-6...

If you were to take the T-6 at $645,

I'd move the plate holders to the center uprights

Then, I probably would add the stabilizer bar and top crossmember and put that in the middle for another $103

Add 2 sets of spotter arms for $164 as you'll be working "outside" the rack and extra set of jhooks for $49

Then, maybe a few extra accessories (multi grip chin bar, landmine attachment, step up attachment)

You're up to $1,200

I think Titan is great for an entry level power rack, but once you're spending that much $$, how much more to have something from a company like Legend, Sorinex, or one of the other top tier companies?

[220Eric]

@gtl I think you’re right, buying a new rack would be the prudent thing to do. But, I’m hard headed I’m going to build my own. I’ll keep this thread updated. Please let me know if you see any improvements I can make or mistakes I should avoid.

[220Eric]

I finally finished building my rack. I learned a lot about metal fabrication, mainly that I don’t know much about metal fabrication. I hope to put a finish on it this Saturday and build a new platform the weekend after.

[omaniphil]

I finally finished building my rack. I learned a lot about metal fabrication, mainly that I don’t know much about metal fabrication. I hope to put a finish on it this Saturday and build a new platform the weekend after.

That looks great!

[ChrisMcCarthy1979]

Cool looking rack.

[mgil]

I finally finished building my rack. I learned a lot about metal fabrication, mainly that I don’t know much about metal fabrication. I hope to put a finish on it this Saturday and build a new platform the weekend after.

Looks awesome!

You should just clear coat the rack. Looks very cool when some brands do it.