Home made free standing metal stall bars

A few months ago I wanted to make some stall bars so I could buy and train F1. He suggested we make it from metal. When I was in the army I had seen a free standing pull up bar with legs on one side, and the other side standing against the wall so I suggested we make it like that. Since I just moved to away to a small apartment he said we should make it in a way that it can be taken apart. I suggest to weld metal plates on one side in the middle, and then on the other side we can drill holes and it can be attached and detached with bolts. I thought I would be able to use the top bar as a pull up bar as well but you can't. So I took measurements for how far I wanted it to be able to stick out( I can do front/back lever both ways). He came by a few weeks later and welded the high bar on. All I need now are some parallel bars one day. 

THAT is perfect. It was a fantastic idea to make the head come out further so you can attach the rings, or do front lever progressions and such, my stall bars barely come out at all at the top.

A very ingenious design. As I look at it, am I interpreting correctly that it is free standing and not attached to the wall?

Yes, it has the legs on to the one side, and the other side against the wall so it won't move to either side( in theory), mine does move a bit but that isn't a problem, I have climbed my rope on it once and it does bounce a bit with that.

That looks fantastic! How far forward do the legs on the bottom come?

The legs on the bottom from the frame to end 123 cm. The high bar 108 cm.

That looks great.

I'd consider welding some additional plates to the back and bolting it to the wall to give it more resistance against rotational forces if I were you. And check regularly to make sure that the bolts are tight (maybe get some locking nuts or put some thread lock on them).

Over years of consistent use, those welds will probably weaken, especially if you allow the bolts to loosen over time. It looks like it's made of galvanized steel tubing which doesn't allow for a perfect weld. Though stick welding is the most resistance against 'dirty' material.

I really like the idea. Would something like this made from wood be stable enough for a larger guy? (210lbs)

meras said:

I really like the idea. Would something like this made from wood be stable enough for a larger guy? (210lbs)

The critical point, which relates to what I commented on earlier is that that there should be absolutely no movement within the structure. If it moves or twists under load even slightly, over a long enough period of time it will eventually wear out.

If it's made out of wood and fixed to a sturdy wall it should probably be ok. But I'm a metal worker, not a woodworker, so I can't comment on the specifics.

thecolin said:

The critical point, which relates to what I commented on earlier is that that there should be absolutely no movement within the structure. If it moves or twists under load even slightly, over a long enough period of time it will eventually wear out.

 

If it's made out of wood and fixed to a sturdy wall it should probably be ok. But I'm a metal worker, not a woodworker, so I can't comment on the specifics.

Absolutely right, I build a free standing pullup bar last year with square tubing, (not galvanized) but I did not weld the bar on top, because this can be dangerous, the best thing IMO is to cut holes in the tubing slip the rails in, and then tack weld them so they won't spin.

MattProulx said:

the best thing IMO is to cut holes in the tubing slip the rails in, and then tack weld them so they won't spin.

Good tip. I built a small dip station and I did exactly that. I drilled a hole, passed the tube straight through and welded it front and back.

 

 

I'd consider welding some additional plates to the back and bolting it to the wall to give it more resistance against rotational forces if I were you. And check regularly to make sure that the bolts are tight (maybe get some locking nuts or put some thread lock on them).

I'm renting the place I live in and rather not start drilling, that's why I wanted to build it freestanding. I'll take into consideration what you said about the bolts. 

 

 

Absolutely right, I build a free standing pullup bar last year with square tubing, (not galvanized) but I did not weld the bar on top, because this can be dangerous, the best thing IMO is to cut holes in the tubing slip the rails in, and then tack weld them so they won't spin.

 

 

Good tip. I built a small dip station and I did exactly that. I drilled a hole, passed the tube straight through and welded it front and back.

Could one of you post a picture of this? For now I don't have P bars/dip station but when I advance with foundation I would consider making something as well, and if need be I can change the high bar.

Here's the one I threw together, steel with a black powder coat.

I haven't used this one in a while, and I'll be building something more appropriate for my Foundation work.

I hope the pictures are clear. The round tube passes clear through the square structure and is welded in the back with a brace welded in the front. For this to break the entire tube would pretty much have to snap in half.

It's not very tall so I just put some small reinforcements at the base.

And I added a right angle to the end for various grips when I was using it for rows (though I use my rings for rows now).

That's some nice craftsmanship Colin, did you design and build that yourself?

Now, that's a great way to sort out a problem of rented accommodation. I need something like this! .

You could probably try to hide those "legs" under the bed as well .

I guess there may be slight problems with stability to the sides, so one has to be bit more careful with things like side levers.

Cole Dano said:

That's some nice craftsmanship Colin, did you design and build that yourself?

Thanks, yes I did everything but the powder coating.