5 DIY Deadlift Jack Ideas For Your Home Gym

There is something very gratifying and fulfilling about lifting a heavy barbell off the floor and putting it back down. However, there is a part of deadlifting that everyone dreads but only a few talk about — changing the weights.

Loading and unloading a grounded barbell can be as exhausting as performing a set of heavy deadlifts. A deadlift jack makes getting the weights on and off a barbell incredibly easy. It’s like changing weights on a racked barbell.

Most home gym owners usually place a loaded barbell on a 2.5-pound weight plate or lift one end in their hand as they change the weights with the other. Both these methods are suboptimal.

Deadlift jacks are a must-have for home gym owners who lift heavy. However, most commercial deadlift jacks are pricey and can burn a hole in your pocket. Since deadlift jacks are a straightforward tool, you can build them on your own using minimal tools and materials.

You could build a DIY deadlift jack using metal or wood. In this article, we cover five deadlift jack blueprints for people of varying experience levels. Go over all of them and pick the one that suits you the best.

5 DIY Deadlift Jack Ideas

Check out these five easy-to-follow DIY deadlift jack blueprints:

The Lumberjack

The Lumberjack is among the most popular wooden DIY deadlift jacks. It was created by the popular YouTuber Kyle Divine of the Kaizen DIY Gym fame. This incredibly sturdy homemade deadlift jack is aesthetically appealing and can give commercial barbell jacks a run for their money.

The best thing about using a wooden deadlift jack is that it doesn’t spoil your barbell’s knurling. While using a metal DIY deadlift jack, you must cover the cups with a soft material to ensure it doesn’t ruin your bar’s knurling.

Tools & Materials:

1. Sliding mitre saw
2. Table saw
3. Drilling machine
4. Orbit sander
5. Countersink drill bit
6. Wood clamps
7. 12-inch long 3/8 drill bit
8. 1 x 8ft 2×6 lumber
9. 1 x 4ft 2×4 lumber
10. 5-inch long 3/8 bolts
11. 1 x 2ft dowel rod
12. 3/8 lock nuts
13. 3/8 washers
14. Titebond III wood glue
15. Wood stain

Instructions:

Follow this step-by-step guide to build the wooden deadlift jack:

Step One — Buy the Materials

You could get all the materials listed above at your local hardware store or Home Depot. People not accustomed to using power tools should get the lumber pieces cut to the exact specifications at the store.

Step Two — Get the Materials Ready

You can cut almost every piece of this DIY deadlift jack using a mitre saw. You will have to cut a few pieces of wood at basic angles to accommodate the lifting arm and ensure stability.

Cut the 8-foot 2×6-inch lumber into two 18.5-inch long pieces. Cut the same ends of these lumber pieces at a 75-degree angle. Use the same piece of lumber and cut two triangular pieces of the following dimensions:

1. 90, 45, and 45 degrees
2. 45, 75, and 40 degrees

Then, cut the 4-foot 2×4-inch lumber into two 2-inch wide and 6.5-inch long pieces using a table saw. You could use the mitre saw for this, but the table saw is much safer for lumber of this size. Use the same piece of wood to carve a 13.5-inch long piece of wood with a 30-degree angle cut on one end and a 45-degree cut on the other.

Cut the dowel piece so it is 10.5 inches long. The dowel will be attached to the top of this DIY deadlift jack and used as a handle to lift the barbell off the floor.

Remember, the exact measurements for you might vary depending on the lumber you are working with. Feel free to make the necessary adjustments while building this wooden DIY deadlift jack. The wood pieces must fit snugly together. If the pieces have spaces between them, it could lead to instability.

Step Three — Assemble

It’s time to put everything together once you have all the pieces ready. Be diligent and ensure everything is screwed down properly.

Place one 18.5-inch long piece on a table. Position the wooden piece cut at a right angle at the bottom so its edges are flush with the 18.5-inch piece. Place the lifting arm above this and top it off with the other diagonally cut piece. Place the two 2-inch wide and 6.5-inch long pieces above the diagonal piece. The dowel piece should fit snugly between the 2-inch wide pieces. The edges of the 2-inch pieces should be flush with the edges of the 18.5-inch piece while the dowel sticks out.

Step Four— Assemble

Make adjustments if necessary. Once you’re happy with the dimensions, use wood glue, screws, and bolts to assemble the deadlift jack. Drill pilot holes before putting in the screws to prevent the wood from splitting. Add a third screw into the dowel from the side for security.

Generously apply wood glue over the assembled pieces and place the other 18.5-inch long lumber piece on top. Fasten the 2×6 piece by drilling wood screws on the edges.

The final step in the assembly process is to drill two holes through the 2×4 pieces for bolts. These will hold this DIY deadlift jack together under heavy loads.

Step Five — Smoothen the Edges

Raw lumber pieces can be rough and might cut your hands. Use a sander with 220 grit sandpaper and run it all over the deadlift jack to smooth out any rough edges. You could also use the sandpaper to remove any markings from the lumber yard. And with this, The Lumberjack is ready for use.

Step Six — Paint (Optional)

Use a wood stain to color your DIY deadlift jack. Although this is not necessary, making your training equipment aesthetically appealing can make your home gym look more welcoming.

Step Seven — Test

Test the sturdiness of your homemade deadlift jack by loading a barbell with two 45-pound weight plates and placing one side of it on the jack. If the deadlift jack can handle this weight, add your 1RM deadlift weight. After this, add a couple more plates to ensure this DIY deadlift jack can handle anything you throw at it.

Steel Deadlift Jack

Although The Lumberjack is an incredibly sturdy deadlift jack, building it requires experience with power tools and four to five hours of your time, depending on your experience level. However, this steel deadlift jack requires zero craftsmanship and can be completed within ten minutes. This mini deadlift jack project requires less than $30 to complete.

Tools & Materials:

1. 1 x 3/4″ x 12″ galvanized pipe
2. 4 x 3/4″ galvanized TEE pieces
3. 4 x 3/4″ x 2.5″ galvanized pipe
4. 2 x 3/4″ elbow joints
5. Duct tape

Instructions:

Here is the detailed guide to building the mini deadlift jack:

Step One — Buy the Supplies

This is how all the DIY projects begin. You must get all the supplies together before beginning the project. Refrain from initiating a project that can be finished within a day unless you have all the necessary tools and materials at your disposal. Dropping off a project midway increases the possibility of never finishing or delaying it.

Step Two — Assemble the Base Structure

Once you have all the tools necessary to build a DIY steel deadlift jack, you just need to put all the pieces together. Here is a step-by-step guide to putting together this homemade deadlift jack:

1. Connect the 12-inch piece to a Tee piece.
2. Connect another Tee piece on the opposite end of the 12-inch pipe. The Tee pieces should be perpendicular to each other. For example, if one Tee piece is placed flat on a table, the other should be placed on its side.
3. Add a 2.5-inch piece to the bottom side of the Tee piece placed on its side.
4. Attach a Tee piece to the newly added 2.5-inch pipe. This Tee piece should be parallel to the Tee piece on the other end of the 12-inch pipe. Unaligned Tee pieces can cause instability under load.
5. Add a 2.5-inch pipe to the top of the upward-facing Tee piece.

The two Tee pieces in contact with the floor are the most important pieces of this DIY deadlift jack. Ensure that they are perfectly parallel.

Step Three — Assemble the Bar Holder

Attach an elbow joint on each end of a Tee piece so they face upward. Attach your last pair of 2.5-inch pipes to each elbow joint and screw them tightly. This piece will hold the barbell, so you must ensure it doesn’t wobble.

Step Three — Attach the Bar Holder to the Base

Screw the bar holder onto the upward-facing 2.5-inch pipe. The bar holder’s Tee and elbows must align with the 12-inch pipe. Alternatively, you could wrap duct tape around the bar holder piece before screwing it on. The duct tape will save your bar’s knurling.

Step Four — Test

Use the steps mentioned in the blueprint above to test your DIY deadlift jack’s sturdiness. Since this deadlift jack has a wide bar holder, expect the bar to roll down when the jack is engaged. This transfer of weight makes engaging the jack easier.

The Fishhook

As the name suggests, this deadlift jack looks like a fishhook. Unlike The Lumberjack, The Fishhook deadlift doesn’t require prowess with power tools. However, you will need decent drawing skills to ensure the shape of this DIY deadlift jack doesn’t hamper its functionality or structural integrity. Folks who don’t trust themselves with a pencil can get someone to help them sketch the fish hook shape. 

Tools & Materials:

1. 1 x 4ft 2×8 lumber
2. Measuring tape
3. Pencil
4. Drill machine
5. 2-inch hole saw
6. Jigsaw
7. Orbit sander

Instructions:

Use the following steps to build The Fishhook deadlift jack:

Step One — Buy the Materials

Gather all the tools and materials before beginning the project. This is a rather straightforward DIY project; you can get all the tools and materials from a hardware store.

Step Two — Mark the Wood

Place the 4-foot lumber on a table and mark 9.5 inches from the top using a pencil and a measuring tape. Marking the hook at 9.5 inches ensures enough distance between the 45-pound bumper plates and the floor to load and unload the weights easily.

Step Three — Draw a Freehand Fishhook

Use a pencil to draw a fish hook. Draw the base of the fish hook toward the bottom of the lumber. The bottom of the jack should be flat to ensure stability. The top edge of the fish hook should be at the 9.5-inch mark. Draw the handle toward the middle of the lumber’s other end. The handle should be thick enough for a good grip.

Step Four — Drill the Bar Catcher & Cut the Lumber

After drawing the fish hook, use a 2-inch hole saw to drill through the center of the board at the 9.5-inch mark. This 2-inch hole is where the bar will sit in the jack. Use a jigsaw to cut along the lines you drew in the third step. You will have your Fishhook jack at the end of this step.

Step Five — Smoothen the Edges

Use a sander with 220-grit sandpaper to smooth out any rough edges. Take your time with this step. You don’t want to cut your hands while hoisting a heavy barbell on this deadlift jack.

Step Six — Test

Like with every other DIY project, test the final product before employing it in your workouts. Load and unload a heavy barbell multiple times to ensure this DIY deadlift jack can handle them.

The Bench Board Deadlift Jack (No Measurements Required)

Who knew a bench press tool could help your deadlift? I recommend using a bench board with a handle for this DIY project.

Tools & Materials:

1. 1×6-inch Bench board (with a handle)
2. Pencil
3. Jigsaw
4. Orbit sander

Instructions:

Here is how to build a bench board deadlift jack:

Step One — Buy the Materials

If you don’t own a jigsaw, consider renting one or take your bench board to a carpenter. This DIY project is relatively small and easy, and buying a jigsaw specifically for it is not worth it.

Step Two — Mark the Bench Board

Lay the bench board on the floor. Place the bottom of a 45-pound weight plate flush against the flat bottom of the bench board. Mark the inside of the weight plate’s ring on the board using a pencil.

Mark a point an inch above the bottom of the circle and redraw the circle. This ensures the weight plates won’t hit the floor when this DIY deadlift jack is engaged. Draw 45-degree diagonal lines originating at the top and bottom edges of the circle toward the bench board’s shoulder.

Step Three — Cut and Sand the Bench Board

Use a jigsaw to cut along the markings. Use a sander with 220-grit sandpaper to smooth out the rough edges. If you didn’t use a scale to draw the diagonal lines, you’d have to spend longer smoothing out the rough edges. Test the board before loading it with heavier weights.

Metal Full Barbell Jack

Full barbell jacks are most commonly used to change weights in powerlifting and Olympic competitions. Unlike single-sided barbell jacks, full barbell jacks allow you to simultaneously change the weight plates on both sides, which can be incredibly efficient when multiple people are working the bar.

Tools & Materials:

1. Steel beams (3/16-inch or 1/4-inch thickness)
2. Workbench
3. Angle finder or protractor
4. Sandpaper or a sander
5. Ear protection
6. Measuring tape
7. Marker or chalk
8. Circular saw or angle grinder with a metal-cutting blade
9. Welding machine (with gloves, helmet, and glasses)
10. Welding electrodes or wire (compatible with your welding machine)
11. Clamps
12. Metal primer and paint (optional)

Instructions:

Building a DIY metal deadlift jack is more complicated than making a wooden one and is best left to the experienced craftsman. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step One — Buy the Materials

Get all the materials listed above from a hardware store. Again, buying power tools, especially for this project, is not worth it. That said, feel free to invest in them if you want to pursue other projects after this.

Step Two — Mark

A full barbell jack usually measures 24 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 6 inches tall. Use a measuring tape to mark these dimensions on the steel beams.

Step Three — Cut the Steel and Make the Lifting Arms

Cut along the marked lines to create the base of your barbell jack with a circular saw or angle grinder. The cuts should be straight and accurate. Cut two 6-inch by 3-inch pieces of steel to create the lifting arms.

Step Four — Weld the Frame & Attach the Lifting Arms

Position the base and top on your workbench and clamp them to keep them steady. Tack weld the pieces together at the corners to create the frame. Ensure the structure is square before completing the welds. Position the lifting arms on the frame’s edges, perpendicular to the base. Tack weld them in place. Complete the welding by creating solid and continuous welds at all the joints.

Step Five — Sand and Finish

Smooth any rough edges using sandpaper or a sander. Although not necessary, painting the deadlift jack can improve its durability. Test the deadlift jack with heavier weights to ensure the welds can handle the poundage.

FAQs

Should I build a deadlift jack or buy it online?

A commercial single-side deadlift jack can cost upward of $30, whereas you can build a high-quality metal DIY deadlift jack for less than $30. That said, the satisfaction of building and using a DIY gym tool is invaluable.

Are DIY deadlift jacks safe?

It depends on the quality of the materials you use and your craftsmanship. DIY deadlift jacks made using high-quality materials and crafted to perfection are as safe as commercial jacks.

How much weight can a DIY deadlift jack handle?

The maximum load capacity of a DIY deadlift jack will vary depending on the materials used and your building process. Metal deadlift jacks can generally handle more weight than wooden jacks. However, a pound value cannot be attached to homemade gym tools.

Wrapping Up

A deadlift jack is a must-have for lifters who go heavy on the deadlifts. It is a straightforward tool you can build on your own. Depending on your prowess with power tools, you can pick one of the five DIY deadlift jack projects detailed in this article. Beginners can start with the DIY steel deadlift jack, whereas experienced craftsmen can do the metal full barbell jack.

If you have any questions about DIY deadlift jacks, drop them in the comments below, and I’ll be happy to help!

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