Free Building Plans and Projects
I’m always looking for free plans on how to build things and inspiration for projects. Here are some 100% free sites for building plans and projects.
North Dakota State University Agricultural Department
These building and facility plans were developed over many years by engineers at Land Grant Universities. They provide conceptual information that is excellent for planning purposes.
A lot of the plans are mid 1900. This is great if you are looking for inspiration from the past. I was thinking of printing some of the really old plans out and using them as art.
Some cool plans I ran across in the Miscellaneous section are
- Make An Adjustable ½ HP Tablesaw (ND 72-4-1)
- Drawing Table Design from 1937 (ND 72-6-1)
- How to Build a Brick Incinerator (5198)
LSU Biological and Agricultural Center
- Barbecue Section
- Looking for Free House Plans? Residential Section has free construction plans for 2 – 4 bedroom homes.
The University of Tennessee Extension
It maintains a collection of over 300 building and equipment plans, and all are now available in electronic format for download.
- Free Greenhouse Plans
- The Fruit and Vegetable Plans include a smoke house, solar fruit dryer and an electric forced air fruit dryer.
Indoor Spaces
- Herringbone Headboard
- Luggage Rack For Guests
Outdoor Spaces
- Tomato Cage Light Display
- Build a Deck Top Pond
Woodworking
- Make a Fold Down Table
- Make a Wine Rack
Golds Gym Power Tower Review and Setup Notes
I started doing the INSANITY: The ASYLUM
Power Tower Review
I had the following criteria when shopping for a power tower.
- Sturdy construction
- Be able to handle side to side movement
- Have the functionality to do pull ups in a variety of position
- Comfort when doing the pull ups
Notice I’m more interested in the pull up functionality than the dips and Roman chair part.
After reading reviews online and going to 3 different sports stores and trying all the power towers they had, yes I am that guy on the equipment, I purchased the Gold’s Gym Platinum Assisted Power Tower
The reference for comparison of the Gold’s Gym Power Tower is what I use in the gym. This is a welded heavy gauge steel construction power tower that takes the abuse of at least 50 – 75 people per day.
Sturdy construction – (4 / 5) The ‘A’ frame design, wide base and bent tube steel makes this power tower really sturdy. The score isn’t a 5 because it is bolted construction and not welded like a gym one.
‘A’ Frame For Strength
Be able to handle side to side movement – (3 / 5) This is where the Gold’s Gym Power Tower excelled compared to other power towers I tried. When testing this I rotated and changed grip on the pull up bar causing my body to shift around. This movement is within the normal range of use. What I didn’t do was play jungle gym and see if I could launch my body sideways from the power towers. Other power tower pull up bars flexed up to ⅜ – ½ inch, but the Gold’s Gym Platinum stayed pretty solid.
Have the functionality to do pull ups in a variety of position – (4 / 5) Most power towers I tested only had straight bars and could only allow for a close grip and wide grip pull up. This is the case with gym power towers too. I like the way the bar turns to a 90 degrees on the inside allowing you to do pull ups with your thumbs facing you. Switching grips to this 90 degree position is part of the Asylum training and was important in my decision. There were only two positions I had a hard time doing, a close grip chin up and alternating hands pull up. This is because of the distance between the separate pull up bars and the angle of the grip.
Pull Up Handle Configuration
Comfort when doing the pull ups – (4 / 5) I consider myself average height, 5 ft 10 in. (Not really sure, haven’t measured how tall I am. Maybe I’m shorter and am wishing I’m 5 – 10), with an average arm span. All regular pull up positions felt natural without strain on my wrist except when I tried to do chin ups, which is possible by facing away from the power tower.
Other Features:
- Like most consumer power towers the maximum user weight is 300 lbs (136 kg).
- The assisted chair portion works pretty good and folds away easily, once you figure out the up and out motion. It uses a 4 band system that helps offset the person’s weight.
- The dip arm moves up and out of the way. This is really nice when doing pull ups.
Power Tower Setup and Assembly Notes
I’m not going to recreate the User’s Manual, download the Gold’s Gym Platinum Assisted Power Tower Instructions in PDF form. What I am going to do is hopefully clarify some things so that when someone else puts this together it will be easier.
It took about 3 1/2 hours to assemble this power tower. Of course I was taking pictures along the way.
Tools Used
- 2 Adjustable Wrenches (I used a 17mm socket, an extension and ratchet for one of the wrenches)
- 1 rubber mallet (all out of those so I just used a hammer. Gently of course)
- 1 standard screwdriver
- 1 Philips screwdriver
- Step ladder (some of the final bolts are really out of reach)
When unpacking, separate the plastic from the cardboard so the cardboard can be recycled. I didn’t see any recycle symbols on the plastic. Too bad.
One more thing..You are not crazy. There are some steps like #1, ‘Attach two Base Pads’, where part of the has been completed by the factory.
OK, now that some ramblings are out of the way spread out all the parts to make it easier to find everything.
Gold’s Gym Power Tower Parts Spread Out
Do not tighten any locknuts until step 8 is done.
There are numbers on the bolt and small accessory package only. Don’t waste time looking for numbers on larger pieces.
Power Tower Bolts
If you see any LEFT or RIGHT indicators on the pieces, the reference is if as if you are looking towards the widest portion of the legs, at least it was with mine. See the image below and the one for Step 5.
Identifying Left And Right Side
In step 1 and 2, I used some Scotch Blue Painter’s Tape to hold the bolts in place.
Blue Painter’s Tape Holding Bolt In Place
The feet on the front will most likely not sit flat on the floor. Gently tap them so they sit flat. I cheated by tightening the locknuts a little and the loosening them after I finished tapping the feet. It is a lot easier to straighten these no when the other 100 lbs of the power tower isn’t on them.
Feet Not Flat From Factory
Adjusting Power Tower Feet With Hammer
Just Tap It In..Place
I couldn’t help the Happy Gilmore reference.
Step 5 is where the Left and Right reference orientation became clear. It only makes sense that the bars angle inward.
Step 5: Support Bars Angle Inward
Power Tower Support Left and Right
Step 8 is where you put the pull up frame on the top frame. I had to pull out the step ladder on this one to make it easier to tighten those top bolts.
Step 8: Inserting Pull Up Frame
Time to tighten all those M10 locknuts from the previous steps. Since I was putting this together by myself, I used some small pieces of wood to lift up the front legs one at a time to get to the locknuts.
Shimming Legs To Tighten Locknuts
The biggest pain in step 9 was aligning the pull up handle cap. I tried two methods when attaching the pull up handles to the pull up frame.
First method was to align the pull up handle in place and slide the pull up handle cap in place from the side.
Attaching Pull Up Handle: Side Method
Positioning Cap
Attaching Pull Up Handle: Side Method
Sliding Cap In Place
The second method was to put the pull up handle cap on the handle and bring it in place from the top.
Attaching Pull Up Handle: Top Method
Positioning Handle Above
Attaching Pull Up Handle: Top Method
Moving Handle With Cap In Place
The tether in step 12 was already attached to the back support. All I had to do was push the adjustment pin in place.
Already Attached Tether
Inserting Adjustment Pin Into Tether
In step 11, 17 and 18 the upholstery pieces, knee pad, armrest covers and backrest, are bolted in place. Make sure these go in straight. If it even feels like the bolts are going in crooked, take them out and try again. One of the bolts didn’t seem like it was going in as smooth as the other one on the knee pad. I swapped the bolts and it seemed OK.
Attaching Knee Rest Pad
Attaching Arm Rest Pad
Backrest Attached
Lastly go back over all the bolts to make sure they are tightened.
Power Tower Final Thoughts
The hard thing about shopping for a power tower is
- finding one that fits the exercises you want to do now
- also is design in a way that it will not be restrictive expanding your routines with new exercises
For me the Gold’s Gym Platinum Assisted Power Tower does a good job of balancing price with functionality and good construction.
Gold’s Gym Power Tower
During my research I’ve only heard a couple complaints
- The cost to replace the 4 assist bands is around $80. I will have to make sure I use some automotive rubber rejuvenation product to see if I can make these last longer.
- The dip arms are a little wide for some people. They are a little wide, but this focuses on working the chest more than tricep isolation.
Some of the features I really love are
- The Roman Chair folds out of the way
- There is little side to side movement
- Assisted pull ups and dips
- Comfortable pull up position
- Sturdy tubular construction
If you found this article helpful please share it with others. Also, the Amazon links in this article help me maintain this site. Please use them to purchase the power tower if you do decide to purchase one. Thank you.
Register For A Free World Of Concrete 2011 Pass
It’s that time of year again. I had to miss last year’s World Of Concrete, but I will definitely be there this year.
I am by no means a pro when it comes to concrete, but I love being inspired by the vendor displays and getting a chance to use tools from manufacturers like Bosch, Dewalt, Hilti and many others.
Thanks to the Tilt-Up Concrete Association, you can register for the Exhibit pass for free.
Pour In Place Concrete Counter Display
Being able to go to shows like the World of Concrete is one of the best perks to living in Las Vegas. Maybe I’ll get another rebar star.
Hope to see you there in January!
World of Concrete Exhibit Hall
Show Information:
World of Concrete 2011
January 24 – January 27
Las Vegas Convention Center
Free Exhibit Pass
That’s One Huge Concrete Saw
Starbucks Coffee Press Replacement Glass Review
I have a Starbucks 8 cup coffee press that I use in the mornings at work, and unfortunately I broke the glass in the sink while cleaning it. After searching around for a replacement I found the Bodum 34-Ounce Coffee Press Glass Replacement Beaker
Bodum Coffee Press Replacement Glass
Bodum Coffee Press Replacement Glass Dimensions
and the BonJour French Press Replacement Glass Carafe 8-Cup Universal Design
Boxed Bonjour Replacement Glass Carafe
Both will fit the 8 cup Starbucks coffee press perfectly.
At the time the BonJour Replacement Glass Carafe
1 European cup = 4 ounces
therefore
Starbucks 8 cup coffee press = 34 ounces
Like I said earlier I purchased the Bonjour Replacement Glass Carafe for my coffee press.
My Starbucks coffee press looks like a skeleton without the glass.
Skeletal Remains Of My Coffee Press
Fits perfect.
Bonjour Fits My Coffee Press Beautifully
Time to brew some more coffee 
Time To Brew Some More Coffee
Helping Animals
We have added a link to the APSCA to the site today. The APSCA works to rescue animals from abuse, pass humane laws and share resources with shelters nationwide. My Little Helper is a pit bull mix rescued from the shelter, and she’s been one of the most well behaved and loving dogs I’ve known. She gets so excited to see her friends, humans and dogs, at the dog park.
Recently we found out someone shot her with a BB gun before we got her because an x-ray revealed a BB in her back. We have always been advocates for the humane treatment of animals ,and wanted to help out by hopefully driving more traffic to the APSCA site.
My Little Helper
I’m not sure how things would get done without her .
Also, there are a lot of great pets at shelters and rescue organizations waiting to be adopted .
- Pet Finder – Petfinder is an online, searchable database of animals who need homes. It is also a directory of more than 13,000 animal shelters and adoption organizations across the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Organizations maintain their own home pages and available-pet databases.
- Animal Shelter – The AnimalShelter.org web site was created in an effort to place homeless animals throughout the United States.