The picture below shows the well-worn dumbbell rack with the plate-loaded dumbbells safely secured.
Essentially the Dumbbell Rack component is made up of two boards.
- Base Board - This is where the weight plates of the dumbbells rest. The entire base board is 30" long, 7 1/2" wide, and 3/4" thick. The base board rests on the side posts on both ends as shown below.
Additionally, an A-frame bracing supports the middle part of the base board. This is needed so even with the heavy dumbbells, the base board will not sag. The A-frame diagonal members support the bottom of the base board and rest on the side posts of the rack.
Here's the dumbbell rack as seen from the front. Notice the A-frame below that supports the dumbbell rack.
Assemble the A-frame using several pieces of 2" x 2" wood, sawn and mitered as shown above. The middle member of the A-frame can be used as a situp bar.
Set the base board to a height that is most convenient to you so you don't need to bend excessively when picking up or setting down dumbbells. The base board on my dumbbell rack rests on 2" x 2" posts which are 18" high. These posts rest on wood that is 1" thick.
For each side of the weight and dumbbell rack, the two posts are secured by a board that is 9" long, 4 1/2" wide and 1/2" thick.
- Top Board - The top board acts as monorail guide so the weight plates ("wheels") of the dumbbells stay "on track". It keeps the weight plates of the dumbbells from dropping off the front and back edges of the base board.
The unused portion of the top board can also be used for setting down barbell and dumbbell collars, clips and other small items.
The top board measures 26" long, 5" wide and 1/2" thick. Center this piece on top of the base board and join them together with 1" wood nails.
Here's the dumbbell rack as seen from the side.
The front and back edges of the top board and base board are vulnerable to scratches, dings and dents when putting down heavy dumbbells. You can make the dumbbell rack more durable by protecting these parts.
To protect the wood of the top board and base board, cut a couple of thin metal sheet to cover the front and back edges of the top board. The thin metal protective strips shown above are 24" long.
Cut these pieces using heavy duty metal cutters (scissors). Form them to follow the shape of the corners and edges using a pair of pliers. Secure these two metal strips on the wood with small screws that are spaced 4" apart as shown below.
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