Building a Leg Press for local small gym.... need help?

[CGCINC]

Had a guy approach me to build a leg press for his gym.
He was looking at one that cost $1600 but is wondering if I can build like quality for less.(I'm in the range of $800 for all the materials...rollers, upholstery, steel, misc. and of course the 10% more that always creeps up)

My hold up on saying yes to building it is making sure the sled assembly glides smoothly and not bind up from side to side.
I planned on using these leg press rollers here... http://www.fitnessrepairparts.com/ca...wItem/58000221
I'm just not sure that if I made a track for them to ride in, they would roll smoothly or what the best way to approach it is?
Also, would I need a smaller adjustable wheel underneath the track to hold the wheels against the rail as the person pushed the sled up?


This pic is of a leg press basically like what I would build. You can see the track on the far side the wheels roll in.
http://www.aussiefitness.com.au/prod...47840_zoom.jpg

[sportbike]

No leg press plans, but might give you some ideas.

Click the title of the plan on the left side of the page

http://www.craftsmanspace.com/free-p...ent-plans.html


Sample:
http://www.craftsmanspace.com/Free%2...ever%20Row.pdf

[Rodsmachineshop]

just buy a used one on ebay repaint it , can pick a commercial used one up for around 500 bucks

[CGCINC]

No leg press plans, but might give you some ideas.

Definitely some good idea's on there!! I like free plans, thanks

just buy a used one on ebay repaint it , can pick a commercial used one up for around 500 bucks

But then I learn nothing... Except how to save time and labor.
We did find one on Craigslist for $750 but he really wanted me to build one if I could. $1200 is what he wants to spend so the cheaper I can do it the more profit.
PLUS, I would like to maybe build myself one if I can do it cheap enough and make it roll smooth.

The most expensive part is the padding/upholstery. I have narrowed it down to a few selections but I would be buying replacement upholstery made for a name brand machine so they stick it to ya.

[redbeard]

Had a guy approach me to build a leg press for his gym.
He was looking at one that cost $1600 but is wondering if I can build like quality for less.(I'm in the range of $800 for all the materials...rollers, upholstery, steel, misc. and of course the 10% more that always creeps up)

My hold up on saying yes to building it is making sure the sled assembly glides smoothly and not bind up from side to side.
I planned on using these leg press rollers here... http://www.fitnessrepairparts.com/ca...wItem/58000221
I'm just not sure that if I made a track for them to ride in, they would roll smoothly or what the best way to approach it is?
Also, would I need a smaller adjustable wheel underneath the track to hold the wheels against the rail as the person pushed the sled up?

The longer the wheelbase, the less likely it is to bind. A track that is barely bigger than the wheels should keep any up/down slop to a minimum. A couple ideas that may or may not help: how about a peice of 1/4 or 5/16 rod in bottom corner of the track? Assuming you are using bolts for axles, it would prevent the heads from scraping te sides and give a bit of a funnel effect to keep it centered. You could also put a couple or four in-line skate wheels at a 45 to run in the top corner, but that would probably be overkill.

The most expensive part is the padding/upholstery. I have narrowed it down to a few selections but I would be buying replacement upholstery made for a name brand machine so they stick it to ya.

That should not be! After all, it is just some foam glued to a piece of plywood with fabric stretched over it. Even with foam being kind of pricey, it shouldn't cost much more than 50-75 bucks at JoAnn or the upholstery fabric store.

[Rodsmachineshop]

making the seat and back is easy , i do jet ski seat seat covers at my shop all you need is a heat gun and a air powered staple gun . when you heat the vinal its very easy to work with