Single barbell holder made with Glowforge
A single barbell holder is something almost any home gym can utilize. There are many different methods you can use, but in this article I’ll show you how to make one using a Glowforge (or any other capable laser or CNC machine).
This DIY starts with the design. I used Autodesk Fusion 360 to create the SVG. It is made specifically for wood with a .43” thickness. I usually use Aspen or Poplar, they are solid, high quality hardwoods that can be cut with the Glowforge.
Out of the entire build process, the design took the most time. Fortunately for you, I have a free download available here. You’ll need to modify the design slightly if you are using wood of a different thickness.
Once you have the SVG file downloaded, you’ll need to import it into your Glowforge design library.
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Here are the settings I use for cutting .43” Aspen and Poplar.
For this project I do not add any masking tape to the cut lines because I will be finishing with a dark stain. It takes just a few minutes to cut.
You will want to be mindful of the grain direction. The first one I made broke along the grain.
This is an easy fix, simply rotate the design 90º.
The last piece I cut is done with 1/8” birch plywood. This stuff is inexpensive and super easy to work with. The purpose of this piece is for reinforcing the top.
Once all the pieces are cut, I add a healthy amount of glue, assemble, and clamp.
After allowing the glue to dry overnight, I use the belt sander to even out the sides. I use my table router with a round over bit to soften the edges.
As I mentioned earlier, I am going with a dark wood stain on this one. I use the Minwax Ebony oil based wood stain. It does a great job at concealing the smoke marks and looks beautiful when it dries.
After letting the stain dry overnight, it is ready to be installed. I use lag bolts and washers to make sure it is hung up securely.
This thing works great. I made it specifically for my Bells of Steel Rackable Curl Bar. The combination of this bar and the dark stain on the barbell holder looks really sharp!
