Help Me Build a Bespoke Punching Bag Frame

ms244 · Apr 18, 2009

I don't have a place to mount a punching bag in my new place. The ceilings are a bit high. I'd like to get a metal frame for it to mount it in a corner. Something like this:

http://www.robbinssports.com/sportin...ion-p-150.html But being the cheap and handy type and possessing a really nice TIG welder, I figure I could roll my own. Also, I haven't welded anything in over a year and I figure it would be a good way to brush up on my skills. Especially the getting things square part

I'm a little worried about the stability of such a frame, although one can always pour lead into the legs. Should it be secured on to the wall or should it be free standing? And how tall should I make it? Does anyone have such a frame and any opinions on it? Or suggestions as to whats good? ETA This is an interesting site; http://www.geocities.com/fightraining/

Matt · Apr 18, 2009

My brother has one of those things, and I find it unusable.

Given that I hit slightly harder than his wife does, I kinda beat the bag into the corner, and end up just closing in on it and throwing short punches til I get bored, as it can't swing back at me naturally.

I hit it, it hits frame, kinda jerks back to position.

It is also kind of useless for footwork. Obviously you can't circle, but even for basic move in, out, side to side, pivot foot, the 'arms' of the base are always in the way.

In answer to the stability issue, he bolted his to the floor of his garage.

I feel like I made almost no sense there, so let me know if I can clarify.

ms244 · Apr 18, 2009

Originally Posted by m@T

My brother has one of those things, and I find it unusable.

Given that I hit slightly harder than his wife does, I kinda beat the bag into the corner, and end up just closing in on it and throwing short punches til I get bored, as it can't swing back at me naturally.

I hit it, it hits frame, kinda jerks back to position.

It is also kind of useless for footwork. Obviously you can't circle, but even for basic move in, out, side to side, pivot foot, the 'arms' of the base are always in the way.

In answer to the stability issue, he bolted his to the floor of his garage.

I feel like I made almost no sense there, so let me know if I can clarify.

Actually it does make sense, I think.

The legs are too narrow to do proper foot work? Could this be solved by moving the bag further out? And the swinging problem by hanging it higher?

Its going to be mounted in a corner, so the legs will the walls.

Its going to be in an apartment so I can't really bolt anything to the floor and it can't go in the garage since there is no room there and its 15 mins away from the house. Also, its unheated (and there is 2 feet of snow outside right now) and I can't go there 24/7.

I think if its heavy enough at the base and the bag itself it mounted on some shock absorbing material then it should work ok?

Ludeykrus · Apr 18, 2009

I have a MIG welder and have built many things, and am working on a gym set of workout equipment.

That pictured design looks fine. I would personally move the rear center 'leg' out another foot or so to provide more leverage, and I would put rubber feet on the bottom of the legs. This should stop any 'moving backwards' movement.

Also, a heavier bag will counteract any heavy punches, so I would go with a normal 'heavy' bag.

mmhollis · Apr 18, 2009

Bespoke? It's a Punching bag frame dude, perhaps customized is the better word choice here?

Working Stiff · Apr 18, 2009

looks more like made to measure than bespoke.

LA Guy · Apr 18, 2009

I've had the same experience as M@T with those things, and the bag was a 100 lb bag, so I doubt that just weighing down the base more would really do much. The problem is that every punch and kick jarred the bag just enough to shift the entire apparatus a little. With kicks, it was obviously much more of a problem. Also, as M@T noted, the thing is useless if you want to practice any sort of footwork whatsoever. Would it be possible for you to just hang a bag somewhere?

jsqfunk · Apr 18, 2009

Granted, part of point of hitting a heavy bag is the movement of the bag and getting used to hitting a moving target. However, think about having an attachment from the bottom of the bag to the floor like this

The bungie cord will keep the bag moving, but not rocking back and forth.

ms244 · Apr 18, 2009

What do you guys usually attach a punching bag too?

I have pretty tall ceilings here and I don't think a 5 foot chain hanging down will be a good thing.

What about some type of wall mount? I assume these just attach to a beam? How bad do these transmit vibration since I live in an apartment (though the two next door neighboors cry and scream at each other fairly regularly so I'm not too worried about it).

http://www.karatedepot.com/bx-hv-92.html

jsqfunk · Apr 19, 2009

I have to think any kind of punching bag would be really difficult to pull off in an apartment, unless you are living in some kind of cast iron loft or something.

As far as attaching a 100lb bag to a wall, the amount of hardware, and how deep into the wall you would have to anchor it...

petemac · Apr 19, 2009

If you go ahead with the project and need any advice on fabricating the frame please feel free to shoot me a PM. My current job has me at the welding bench very often

-pete

Matt · Apr 19, 2009

Originally Posted by jsqfunk

I have to think any kind of punching bag would be really difficult to pull off in an apartment, unless you are living in some kind of cast iron loft or something.

As far as attaching a 100lb bag to a wall, the amount of hardware, and how deep into the wall you would have to anchor it...
yeah, I tend to agree with this actually. It's gonna cost you half a room to mount this thing. Personally, I'd just go join the nearest dirtiest boxing gym. Failing that, and FWIW, I prefer the wall mounted hook/uppercut bags like this to heavy bags anyhow. Sure, you can't slug em as hard, but they are great for foot and head movement practice, take less space, and are easier to mount. Just a thought.

Omegablogger · Apr 22, 2009

I have a Century Cornerman, very stable although you need a bit of room for it

Kris · Apr 22, 2009

Fwiw- I currently have my bag hanging from the pullup bar of my Tuff Stuff full cage. It doesn't move at all, and the space serves two purposes (lifting rack and heavy bag). The deltas, of course, are that there isn't good side access (but at least no 'leg' **** to trip on!) and that the bag hangs kinda low. For me the height is ok since I'm 5'6"- still high enough that I can hit right at face level of a 5'11" opponent

Help Me Build a Bespoke Punching Bag Frame

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