Step 5 - How to make the Weight Plates

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5. Weight the mold with the concrete
   
   After you have filled the mold top the approximate level you desire and mixed with water, you want to check the weight.  It really doesn't matter exactly what the weight is, as long as you create sets of 2 identical (or close in weight) plates, so your barbell will be balanced.
   
   Of course, some folks will want to produce weights that closely match what they are accustomed to using at the gym, like 5, 10, 25, 35 and 45 lb plates.
   
   So, just step on and off the scale holding the mold and concrete and then again without it.  Subtract the smaller number from the larger to get the weight of the plat.  The weight of the plastic oil pan itself is trivial. Adjust by adding or removing concrete to get the weight you want!
   
   When you do the large plates in a heavier plastic tub, you might want to weigh the tub empty, to deduct (or "tare") as the tub can weigh a few pounds.
   
   
   

Next: Step 6 - Add the sleeve