stall bar material

i'm thinking of adding some home made stall bars to my home gym the problem is the thickest dowel i can find here in the uk is 28mm light hardwood which i don't think is thick enough.

if i can't find any i think my only option is to use steel bar, has anyone used this to make stall bars before

Well the standard size is 1.25 inch dowels, which is 31.75mm.  Depending on the type of wood 28mm might cut it - it would probably have to be a nice strong hardwood.  Though.  Where are you located?  Maybe someone else on the forum has built stall bars there and can offer some advice.

They might flex some but it will be more than enough strength even at that lower diameter. Presuming good straight grained wood - if the wood is crap then all bets are off. If you are paranoid you could always make them slightly narrower to compensate.

 

- Chris

i might have found some if i can persuade them to deliver as it a long way from me ,i've found some 32mm and some 35 mm light hardwood dowel but the website says they only do local delivery but if i can persuade them to cut it up it shouldn't cost to much to post.

i would rather use wood if i can.

I would rather get some from someplace where I could view the grain myself. You really have no idea what you would be getting otherwise. The few extra mm in diameter means nothing if the grain runs out early instead of being good and straight. That is what will get you - the strength of most woods will *easily* support a few hundred pounds. Look up modulus of rupture if you want to see a table of relative strengths.

 

- Chris