The Ironmaster Quick-Lock Dumbbell Stand is terrific!
As I mentioned in my earlier post, I received my set a few days ago. The assembly page that comes with the kit is sufficient I suppose, but I have always felt that a second perspective can be helpful in such situations. So, I pulled out my trusty camera and took a step-by-step photo journal of the actual assembly of this contraption.
The photo-thumbnails below are courtesy of a cool javascript I found online http://vikjavev.no/highslide/. You will need to have javascript enabled in your browser in order for it to work, and chances are you already have. But for those of you that have disabled scripting in your browsers, you can scroll to the bottom of this post for a link to a non-scripted thumbnail/slide show. This one is a bit more informative however, so I hope it works for you.
We begin by laying the two large panels across a bench, length-wise and face down like so (the front panel has an Ironmaster emblem on it, while the back panel has no logos at all). We will start by bolting the top shelf to the back panel first.
The thumbnails in this tutorial are expandable. Click them once to open them to their full size, look them over, and when you are done, click them again to close them.
Step 1)
Step 1) The top shelf has been inserted into the interior side of the back panel. The holes are lined up nicely and the top-side of the top shelf is facing away from the camera.
In the photo to the left, you will notice that the two panels have been laid down on a utility workout bench, "head to head". The head, or top ends of the two panels are distinguishable from the bottom ends of the panels by an interior bracket that is welded into place at the top end of each panel. I have an arrow pointing to the one visible bracket in the photo. The other bracket is out of view.
As you can see in the photo, we have taken a third panel, the top shelf actually, and fitted it snugly into place, getting our screws and bolts at the ready to hand-tighten the top shelf into place. Note: The top and bottom shelves are nearly identical to each other, except for one important, distinguishing characteristic: the top-side of the top shelf has two equally sized vinyl/rubberized protective covers glued to it, whereas the bottom shelf has one continuous piece of protective covering. Make certain that the first of the two shelves bolted into place is the TOP SHELF. It is important to make that distinction to avoid problems later on. You’ll see why.
Step 2)
2a) These are the two holes you want to start with. Begin with affixing a bolt and nut to each side, as shown in our next photo.
2a) The two side bolts are needed just to stabilize the top shelf, holding into place so that you can rotate the assembly onto its side. From there, you can begin to add the other four bolts and lock-nuts needed to hold the top shelf in place.
Step 2b) From this angle, you can see the first of two bolts and nuts, inserted and hand tightened on the side. Do this for the other side as well.
2b) In this third shot, you can see a close-up of the first inserted bolt. Remember, you are just hand tightening everything at this point. This allows the assembly to flex a bit. You actually want this. It will come in handy down the road.
Just to be clear, the side bolts that are used first are needed to stabilize the top shelf, holding into place, so that you can rotate the assembly onto its side. From there, you can begin to add the four other bolts and lock-nuts needed to hold the shelf in place.
Step 3
Step 3a) Insert the four remaining bolts used to secure the top shelf to the back panel. Hand tighten for now.
3a) This involves placing the assembly on its side so you can more easily access to the four side holes. Trust me, it is easier this way because you are not having to work against gravity to hold the nuts and bolts in place. Again, hand tighten and proceed.
With one end of the top shelf entirely bolted to the rear/back panel, it’s now time to bolt the other end of the top shelf to the front panel. The procedure is somewhat similar to Steps 1-3a.
With the assembly still on it’s side, take the front panel (the panel with the Ironmaster logo) and mate it to the free end of the top shelf. Match the holes and secure panel in place by bolting the side holes as before.
Step 3b) From this angle, you can see the stand is upside down. This gives you clear and clean access to the holes in the front panel as identified in the photo.
3b) From there, I recommend turning the stand upside down on its head, like it is in the photo below. I know that seems odd, but I did this for convenience. With the stand upside down, like it is in the photo, I was able to place a handful of nuts and bolts onto the underbelly of the top shelf, using it as a make-shift work space. I then proceeded to fasten the rest of the front panel to the exposed end of the shelf with four more nuts and bolts. Have a look at the pic.
At this point you should have just the top shelf bolted into place. Now, you can begin to bolt the lower shelf into place.
Step 4
Step 4a) The lower shelf and panels are now secured together. At this point it is safe to use your Allen Wrench to tighten everything down.
4a) Return the stand to its side so that the front and back panels are perpendicular to the bench. The bottom end of the stand protrudes off one side of the bench and the top end protrudes off of the other side. Gently, take the bottom ends of the front and back panels and spread the panels ever so slightly - approximately 1/2 an inch (if you left the nuts hand tightened, there should be enough flex in the assembly to permit this).
Now, with the panels slightly parted, take the lower/bottom shelf and insert it down and in between the front and back panels so that the bottom shelf fits in between the panels nicely. Next, rotate the shelf into position and work the shelf backwards, towards the bottom end of the stand. Push the panels together so that you have a nice fit, making sure the holes line up. Begin bolting the bottom ends of the panels to the bottom shelf. When you are done it will look like what you see here.
Step 4b) Another angle, showing the lower shelf in place and ready for tightening
4b) Another angle can be seen here.
OK, we are almost done! We basically have just a few steps left. Sweating yet? Good.
The last three items to be assembled are the dividing partition (the flat, rectangular 6 inch high piece of sheet metal), the main deck of the stand, and the feet.
Step 5
Step 5a) Insert the partition at an angle, fitting it into the corner of the bracket and inner wall.
5a) With your nuts and bolts tightened into place, you can now place the stand upright on the floor. You should now be looking down at the top side of the top shelf. Take the metal dividing partition and insert it into the stand at an angle, so that one edge of the partition fits into the corner formed by the bracket and inner wall of either panel.
Step 5b) Slide the partition into place so that it seats into the 1/4 inch groove made by the two vinyl sheets Bolt into place
5b) From there, you will need to sort of "rotate" or gently slide/snap the partition into place so that both ends of the partition are lined up flush against the brackets. The holes should line up nicely. Here is another view.
Wheeee. Almost there!
Step 6
Step 6) Lay the top deck, face down, on your bench so that it balances securely.
The last panel that needs to be fastened into place is the top deck. This is the heavy, vinyl-covered plate that your Quick-Lock Dumbbells will sit on. Take the top deck and lay it across your bench or workspace like so:
Step 7
Step 7a) With the stand upside down on the deck, align the holes and begin to insert your flat-headed bolts.
7a) Invert the stand once again and place it, upside down, on top of what is actually the bottom side of the deck at this point. Position the stand so that the holes line up.
Step 7b) Just four flat-headed bolts to go. Insert from the bottom up and bolt into place.
7b) Make sure the stand is stable and balanced, then proceed to insert the flat-headed bolts (you should have four of them) from the underside and secure them in place with your remaining nuts and washers. You will need a screw driver for the flat-headed bolts, and it may be necessary to use some pliers to hold the lock nuts in place while you tighten the deck to the stand.
Step 8
Step 
The rubber feet should be screwed all the way in, adjusting outward on an as needed basis. My floor is flat, so no adjustment was needed.
Now, screw the rubber feet into?place.
And that, as they say, is that!? You are so smart! Good job!
Congratulations. You’re Finished! Now that is a piece of work!
My next photo tutorial will involve a look at the Quick-Lock Dumbbells themselves! I will have some great shots of the dumbbells with the add-on kit installed. So stay tuned.
Standard Slide Show - less filling, tastes pretty good
