Olympic Plate Adapter Sleeves
Introduction
I use ¾” Plumbing Nipples for many of my DIY projects. However, to have Olympic Plates (Plates with 2” holes) fit snugly – we need to make Olympic Plate Adapters. However, you may ask yourself, why go to the trouble? Why not use 1.5” Plumbing nipples (which have outer diameter of 1.9”) to begin with and then you would not need to make Olympic Plate Adapters….
Reasons:
¾” hardware is plenty strong already. Anything larger is overkill.
Even with having to pay extra for the materials to make the PVC Olympic Plate Adapters…its still cheaper than buying 1.5” plumping hardware
Size Matters
¾” Plumbing nipples fit in a 1 1/8” hole. These holes can be made with an inexpensive 1 1/8” spade bit, and the hole is small enough for the wood to still have significant strength. If you are drilling a hole through a 2x4 or 4x4 large enough for a 1.5” pipe to fit through…..you will have to buy an expensive bit to make that large hole, and the hole is so large that the wood will likely split when a heavy load is applied.
If you are affixing a floor flange to a 2x4 or 4x4, the floor flange for a 3/4” Plumbing nipples is 3.5” across – the same size as the width of the lumber! Perfect fit! Now if you use 1.5” plumbing nipples, then the 1.5” floor flange will be too large for 2x4s or 4x4s, since it is 4.5” across.
DIY Tutorial
Step 1: Cut 1.5” Schedule 40 PVC Pipe to your desired length. You can use a hand saw or a ratcheting PVC cutter. However, the easiest and fastest way to get a straight cut is to use a Mitre Saw/Chop Saw. When using a chop saw/mitre saw there will be lots of PVC “dust.” Make sure that you wear a mask. Also - be sure that you vacuum this up. You don’t want your pets/other animals eating PVC dust!
I also recommend that you buy a full 10 foot length of the pipe. Even if its more than you need, its nice to have extra in case you miscut the PVC, and 1.5” PVC is great to have for future DIY projects. The fact is, a 10 foot length is not all that much more expensive than a precut 2 foot lengths that you get from your hardware store.
Step 2: Cut the tips off of TWO 1” Schedule 40 PVC Pipe Caps. Just the tip. You want to leave enough of the rounded edge of that tip to allow the piece to slide inside the end of the 1.5” PVC pipe. Remember it is this rounded edge that will enable the piece to fit inside of the 1.5” PVC pipe.
Step 3: Add PVC cement to the interior of one of the ends of the 1.5” PVC Pipe.
Step 4: Pound in the 1” Schedule 40 PVC Cap (use a rubber mallet or just slam it on the ground).
Step 5: Repeat for the other end (Add PVC cement, and then pound in the 1” cap). These are the instructions to make one unit. You will typically need to make a second unit (so repeat all these steps to do so).
Shopping
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🏋️GYM GEAR:
Fox Claw Olympic Barbell Collars: https://amzn.to/3Q4FNY7
Fox Baby Olympic Barbell Collars: https://amzn.to/3msdBAE
Rogue OSO Collars: https://bit.ly/3JlRhCq
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Gorilla Strength Axle Collars Set: https://amzn.to/43co0Dx
Gorilla Strength Axle Bar Collars with Chain Hangers: : https://amzn.to/3OPyZfe
👽 Barbell Collar Hack Materials:
Soft Loop Tiedown Straps (8 Pack): https://amzn.to/2VW7mvl
Gorilla Tape: https://amzn.to/3cyMFhD
🪚TOOLS:
Dewalt Compound Miter Saw: https://amzn.to/3AOTLGj
Hand Saw: https://amzn.to/3rjZFhQ
PVC Pipe Cutter: https://amzn.to/3KHwOZ4
Rubber Mallet: https://amzn.to/3mjdw2q
🪠PLUMBING:
1” Schedule 40 PVC Caps : https://amzn.to/3mnOnDI
1.5" Schedule 40 PVC: https://amzn.to/3ww5pp1
PVC Cement: https://amzn.to/3Q4GoJn
