So you want to be an athlete?

[o1d_dude]

Schedule 40 PVC (gray electrical conduit) will work just fine. A ten foot length should cost no more than $2 a length so buy several. The do break from time to time.

Use the flared end to hold the weight places in place.

[PanhandleThrower]

I've felt the sch. 40, and am just concerned that it's 'too flimsy'. But, now that I think about it, when centrical force is applied, it won't matter how hard or soft a pipe is, at least it's worth an experiment or two.

[Lockhart]

Reading this just answered every single question and curiosity I ever had about the different events. Thank you to Yaish for starting this and everyone that contributed.

[Alan H]

Here in Nor Cal, essentially all our hammers have sched 40 handles in competition. There might still be one or two with rattan handles on the truck, but I kind of doubt it.

[PanhandleThrower]

I'll give the sch. 40 a try, thanks Allen.

[o1d_dude]

It's been years since I saw a rattan handle at a Games.

At the 2010 Worlds, we threw with PVC handles and taped grips.

[Alan H]

Since I deleted the old pictures of the practice weights I made for my nephew, here are some newer ones.

[Alan H]

In those weights pictured above, the actual weight plates were purchased for dirt cheap off of craigslist.

Every single other piece of metal in those pictures was purchased at Orchard Supply Hardware. Lowe's or Home Depot or Fred Meyer will have the equivalent stuff. I used a drill press to drill the holes in the pipe, that the u-bolt ends go through but a hand drill and persistance would have gotten the job done just as well.