Kettlebells

This kettlebell weighs approximately 36 pounds, which is about one pood (16Kg or 35.2 pounds).
This design can be used as an adjustable kettlebell, allowing weights less than 35 lbs. 

Parts:

1. 1-1"x 6" steel nipple (handle, external diameter is 1 and 1/4")
2. 2-1" 90 degree elbows (connect handle to vertical pieces)
3. 2-1"x 4 1/2" steel nipple (vertical pieces), longer vertical pieces will allow the use of 
       larger, heavier plates
   2-1" 'T's
4. 1-1"x12' steel nipple (through plates)
5. 2-1' end caps
6. 6-5 pound standard barbell plates (make sure the 3/4" pipe goes through all of these, the hole in some of my 5 pound plates are too small to use)

This is a modified version, (idea by John Rizzo) of my design. The bottom is narrower on this one, by about 2 1/2", making the required stance not as wide, and decreasing the chance of hitting the shins. The widest point is 10 and 1/2" at the unions. (The unions are the octagonal pieces that join the top and bottom together.) This design isn't practical as an adjustable kettlebell.

• 1-1"x6" steel nipple (handle, external diameter is 1 and 1/4")
• 1-3/4"x6" steel nipple (through plates, external diameter is 1")
• 2-1" 90 degree elbows
• 2-1" to 3/4" reducing elbows
• 2-1" unions
• 4-1"xshort nipple (don't remember exactly what they call the length on these, it's not a numbered length, but it is the shortest nipple I could find)
• 6-5 pound standard barbell plates (make sure the 3/4" pipe goes through all of these, the hole in some of my 5 pound plates are too small to use)

This configuration gives a 2 and 1/2" space between the handle and the top of the plates. Make sure everything is tight. I used a wrench to get things tight. And I check everything for tightness before every workout with it. You might want to get all of the joints welded, or put some kind of lock tight on the joints. The plates are loose on mine and rattle, so I stuff a piece of foam rubber between them. Dragon Door kettlebells have a curved handle which keeps your hand in the same place. This handle is straight and my hand tends to slide to the side, and I have to re-adjust my grip. I plan on buying a DD kettlebell eventually (eventually I'd like to have a complete set or 2). This will do until I can afford it.

I'm not going to give detailed instructions on putting it together. You should be able to figure that out from the picture (the bottom picture), but put the top half together, including half of the 2 unions, put the bottom half together, including the other half of the unions, then attach the halves of the unions together.

I can't guarantee that this won't fly apart when you use it, all I know is that mine is solid. Don't use it around anyone or anything that you don't want to hit with it.

You are free to copy anything on this site for your own use.  Please do not post plans, parts lists, or pictures anywhere.  Instead please direct people to the home page of  this  site so they can see for themselves.  If you do use my kettlebell plans and decide to buy books or videos please order them through my site.   

For proper instruction in using kettlebells see THE definitive source, Pavel Tsatsouline's 
The Russian Kettlebell Challenge book and companion video. 

For authentic Russian kettlebells in
9, 18, 26, 36, 53, 72 and 88 pound
(shown here are the 36, 53 and 72 Lb)

Copyright ©2003 Brian Long