Well I've managed to make an adjustable throwing weight. My name is Chris and I work at a sheet-metal shop in Independence MO. I've been doing Strongman stuff for about 6 months and recently got interested in Highland Games athletics. (have done one NAHA meet, and going to another in Sept.) So, I decided that I was going to need an implement to practice with.

Like I mentioned I work at a sheet-metal shop so I've got access to scrap plate steel and Laser cutting machines. One day we had a group of 5/8" HR PLATE parts come through the shop, that all had a 8" circular cutout. So, after talking to my boss and agreeing to pay him 10 bucks, he let me have the scrap circles. (11 plates in all) Thats when I made this beauty...



I took a 7/8" bolt that I found laying around the shop, feed it through the holes I had programmed into the scrap plates, and topped it off with a crude fabricated "eye". Then I needed a handle so I had one of the night shift guys cut me out a 6" outside dia. ring out of 1/2" plate - I ground the edges so it was more comfortable in my hand. Connected the ring with 2 threaded connectors and there you have it - A "28#" throwing weight. (actual weight was closer to 32#) Total cost = $20

Soon I started thinking, "I can make one even better..." Using a 3-D cadd system that we use at work I came up with a design that I think is pretty nice.



This time I had to pay for the material and laser cut time, since I wasn't using scrap. But still got it for about $55. I decided to go with an actual eye-nut this time to make it stronger, and held it together with a 6" grade 8 bolt. I still used threaded connectors for chain, and a ground handle, but as you can tell I spent a little more time on this one... lol.

AND this is an adjustable design. Take away a couple small plates, replace them with a few larger ones and suddenly you've got a 56# Heavy!! And you can use two threaded connectors to bring the total length to 17.75" or replace the links with a shackle and suddenly you've got a 14"ish set-up for WOB!!

So, with hardware, material, labor, it came to about $75. Compared to the $320+ I could have spent buying a light and a heavy from somewhere else, ...priceless...