Homemade wooden rings v1.0

Chris Jordan · 09-25-2006, 09:14 AM

My PVC rings were great in their time. However the open PVC at the top with the chain running through just isn't what I wish it could be. I seem to always scrape up my shoulders doing muscle-ups. I want rings.
http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/26/30615.jpg

The rings in CJF #46 appear to measure 9 or 9 1/4". As near as I can find online they should be 1 1/8" thick. So I scoured my lumber rack for scrap plywood and went to work. Each ring needs 2 9.25" squares of 1/2" plywood and another square of 1/4" plywood.
http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/26/30616.jpg

Counter to the math involved, this makes a 1 1/8" thick mass of wood when glued up. I applied a thin, even layer of glue to each mating surface, put the 1/4" ply in the middle and smashed each sandwich under 150# of weight on a level surface. When I came back to my shop at 7:00 the next morning I had these:
http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/26/30617.jpg
Now, draw the inside and outside circles. The outside is obviously at 4 5/8" radius, the inner at 3 1/2" radius. Then get your jigsaw out and get to work.
http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/26/30618.jpg http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/26/30619.jpg

Now you have a nice pair of circles with square edges. Rasp away any irregularities in each circle. Finally I rounded the edges with a 3/8 (biggest I had) roundover bit in my router.
http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/26/30620.jpg

My 5 year old QA dept did a few quick flips before giving approval.
http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/26/30621.jpg

I do have some concern that the plywood will delaminate with use. I have wrapped the rings with athletic tape and I'm just hoping for the best, really. To this point they are a far better solution than the PVC rings. If you've got the tools it should only take you about an hour spread over two days to make them.

Chris

Jon Gilson · 09-25-2006, 10:39 AM

I made a pair of these--they're currently in use at Crossfit Boston. I haven't had any problems with de-lamination. They seem to be slightly less rigid than Power Rings (i.e. they flex a tiny bit under load), but that hasn't affected dips or pullups to any large degree.

I used epoxy when mating the plywood. Other than that, my rings are identical to Chris's.

If you cannot afford Power Rings, these are a great bet.

Best,

Jon

John Velandra · 09-25-2006, 12:35 PM

So we get to "try" them on for size? LOL...
Looking forward to it!

Jon Gilson · 09-25-2006, 01:08 PM

John,

You can if Neal leaves them hanging. For some reason, there seems to be a programmed group aversion to using the wooden rings. It can't be the craftsmanship--they're beautiful!

Silly Crossfitters...

Best,

Jon

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09-25-2006, 09:14 AM	#1
Chris Jordan Member Profile: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Greenfield IL Posts: 315	My PVC rings were great in their time. However the open PVC at the top with the chain running through just isn't what I wish it could be. I seem to always scrape up my shoulders doing muscle-ups. I want rings. http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/26/30615.jpg The rings in CJF #46 appear to measure 9 or 9 1/4". As near as I can find online they should be 1 1/8" thick. So I scoured my lumber rack for scrap plywood and went to work. Each ring needs 2 9.25" squares of 1/2" plywood and another square of 1/4" plywood. http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/26/30616.jpg Counter to the math involved, this makes a 1 1/8" thick mass of wood when glued up. I applied a thin, even layer of glue to each mating surface, put the 1/4" ply in the middle and smashed each sandwich under 150# of weight on a level surface. When I came back to my shop at 7:00 the next morning I had these: http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/26/30617.jpg Now, draw the inside and outside circles. The outside is obviously at 4 5/8" radius, the inner at 3 1/2" radius. Then get your jigsaw out and get to work. http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/26/30618.jpg http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/26/30619.jpg Now you have a nice pair of circles with square edges. Rasp away any irregularities in each circle. Finally I rounded the edges with a 3/8 (biggest I had) roundover bit in my router. http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/26/30620.jpg My 5 year old QA dept did a few quick flips before giving approval. http://www.crossfit.com/discus/messages/26/30621.jpg I do have some concern that the plywood will delaminate with use. I have wrapped the rings with athletic tape and I'm just hoping for the best, really. To this point they are a far better solution than the PVC rings. If you've got the tools it should only take you about an hour spread over two days to make them. Chris

09-25-2006, 10:39 AM	#2
Jon Gilson Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jaffrey NH Posts: 665	I made a pair of these--they're currently in use at Crossfit Boston. I haven't had any problems with de-lamination. They seem to be slightly less rigid than Power Rings (i.e. they flex a tiny bit under load), but that hasn't affected dips or pullups to any large degree. I used epoxy when mating the plywood. Other than that, my rings are identical to Chris's. If you cannot afford Power Rings, these are a great bet. Best, Jon

09-25-2006, 12:35 PM	#3
John Velandra Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Fayetteville NC Posts: 710	So we get to "try" them on for size? LOL... Looking forward to it!

09-25-2006, 01:08 PM	#4
Jon Gilson Affiliate Profile: Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jaffrey NH Posts: 665	John, You can if Neal leaves them hanging. For some reason, there seems to be a programmed group aversion to using the wooden rings. It can't be the craftsmanship--they're beautiful! Silly Crossfitters... Best, Jon