Back in the day, i used to stop at a few of the local Junk/Recycling yards to hunt for stuff. It was pretty easy to put together a nice collection of vintage roundheads, buns and occasionally a globe. Today not so much!

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

That’s be a dream come true!!!

Picked up 25s 35s and 40s today. Slow and steady working on my set.

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

That’s the fun part! Putting the set together.

Round heads! Classic

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! You’re classic, Coach!

Great video! My campus gym was giving away their old heavies but they wouldn't give me a cart so I farmers carried them across campus from 80 lbs to 110 lbs. I saw that the 35s were selling for a couple hundred bucks on ebay so I can only imagine what the heavies go for. I'm pretty proud of being able to curl the 80s and hammer curl the heavier ones so I probably won't sell them but it's great to know that they are pretty valuable. I'm still trying to press the 110 overhead with my right shoulder since I'm left side dominant.

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

If they are over 100 pounds, they are Legacy Roundheads. I mention various pricing estimates in the video. It really depends on your local market. Generally somewhere around $1.50 to $2.00 a pound.

Great info, helpful as I'm filling out my collection. Nothing better than a roundhead DB.

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

I like the patina of the blues.

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

There’s something about the blue paint that I like.

Thanks! Helped me a lot.

I like the round heads. Pre or post usa,it doesn't matter. You have a great channel.

@vintageweightspgh

10 ай бұрын

Thanks so much! I appreciate the support.

I just scored some 25's, 40's and 50's. Nice to have in my small home gym. Thanks for the video

@vintageweightspgh

3 ай бұрын

That’s great! Thanks for watching and commenting.

Thanks for the quality info!

@vintageweightspgh

7 ай бұрын

It’s my pleasure! Thanks for watching and commenting!

One thing worth mentioning is I have found that more often than no USA stamped heavy’s are much more accurate that pre USA heavy’s. I went out of my way to buy and trade my way to having a more accurate set. My 80-100 are all USA stamp now and are several lbs more accurate than the pre USA ones I once owned. USA also has a slightly thicker handle Good work rob. Sad to see you switching over to the ugly globes 😜

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

I remember you mentioning that and plan to mention it in a future video. As for the handle width, that’s interesting. I only have a few USA. I’ll check them out. To the calipers! Thanks for watching! 💪

@randystanton6280

Жыл бұрын

Got single preusa 15 and 25 yesterday. Weighs 15.2lbs and 25.6lbs

Found your videos working on building my York collection. Thanks for the videos. Regards Rich

@vintageweightspgh

3 ай бұрын

I really appreciate the kind words. Thanks for watching, Rich!

Thx, Rob. Great content always. Love my new-to-me blue 10s! Bc of space restraints un my small home gym space, I'm going with 10# intervals and using microgainz to create the 5#s tweeners... gotta work with what you have.

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

I think that’s a great idea. I love my @microgainz! Thanks for watching and commenting! It means a lot!

I really want these especially barbells

Great video! I love roundheads. Wish this video existed when I first started collecting them. I use to think there were pairs of 11,13,14 😂. Great information in this video.

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! That’s the goal. Prevent the search for 11s! Lol

That is an awesome collection.

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

Thanks! It’s been very fun chasing them down. I usually think of how I got the particular pair at some point when I’m using them haha.

Cool Video !! Ive only used York dumbbells since the late 70's. Nothing like the Solid steel I have 1 through 45 lbs in pre USA. And 50 and 55 lb in USA. Above that just standard steel Hex heads . Keep the videos coming 👍

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

That’s awesome! Thanks for watching and commenting. It means a lot. More videos are in the works!

@doug2078

Жыл бұрын

@@vintageweightspgh Your very Welcome !! Im old school . My York barbell set is still the best Christmas gift I Ever got !!!

My blues are green. One pair still has the champs stickers. They looked black. Dark green. They were kept it a clean house. They arent close to blue they are green. I was told they didnt make a green but i have them. They look tye dyeish like the blues but green. I like em a lot.

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

Interesting!

Great video. Those round heads look real working man style weights. I would chose the stamped USA, even though not as old. I love lifting with USA iron!!

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

They’re both made in the USA, but if you like the USA stamp, go for it. I love USA iron too. Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

I would love to have a set of these!

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

I’ll let you know if I see some for sale out your way. 💪

Thanks for the info. I’ve been trying to phase out my generic hex heads and replace with yorks. As far as loose heads, loctite makes a product. “Designed for the bonding of cylindrical fitting parts” Loctite 603 bearing retaining compound. I think applying this, and forcing it in the loose space with compressed air would work. I’ve never done this, but wouldn’t be afraid to try it.

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

Would be worth a shot! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!

Great video! Looking to start the process of obtaining a full set of roundheads, so this is really helpful

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

I don’t know if your account was hacked, you’re joking, or you’re serious. If you’re serious, I’m here to help.

@Massenomics

Жыл бұрын

@@vintageweightspgh completely serious! I’ve got just a few random roundheads now. Looking to fill out as full of a set as possible. For my personal collection.

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for watching and I’m glad it helped!

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

That’s fun. The thrill of the hunt! I’ll message you over on IG, and check some of my “How to Collect Vintage Weights” videos. They’re only couple minutes each but give some search terms and advice to get started.

In the northeast and yeah i have some of those 20-40lbs got thrm free long ago didn't know they're collectable

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

Definitely

I'm 4 pairs shy of 5-100. Really just like the look and sometimes I kick myself when I see a great deal on a full set of prostyle or urethane. If I ever go that route, I'll be set for blobs since I train strongman

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

True. There’s always the blob backup plan! Thanks for watching!

Thanks Rob. Pretty sure the first gym I ventured into some 35 years ago had a good number of these. Here in Australia though, I doubt there will be many in circulation. Cheers

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

Do you ever see any older weights in Australia? I’m curious what may be circulating on the used market there.

@scottcharlton129

Жыл бұрын

@@vintageweightspgh It’s a very good question. Since first seeing you on KZread 6 weeks ago, I have been looking in earnest, mainly on Marketplace. I just missed a set of York 20 kg plates but otherwise there has been a complete, utter zero. Have been trying your suggestions about different search terms, to no avail. I am going to hang in there for a little longer but don’t hold out much hope. We shall see! Cheers

I don’t understand why a current company like rogue or sorinex doesn’t make these now? Still proprietary? And could make blobs as is too.. thanks for great video and ballpark pricing!

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

I’ve wondered the same for a long time. I assume proprietary legal stuff (I’m clearly not a lawyer 😂). There are several people that have made blob like weights. The issue for many is that they are typically more expensive than just getting the real thing. York is owned by a large conglomerate company at this point. I often wonder if it was still owned by a single business savvy owner like Bob Hoffman would York have jumped at the chance to produce blobs. Thanks for watching and commenting.

Awesome video Rob! If you ever decide to sell your 95s, let me know brother 💪🏼

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! No time soon on those. 😁

A good welder could clean it up to look nice. You could also poor lead or sauder down there.

@vintageweightspgh

7 ай бұрын

I’ve had someone recently tell me about pouring led down there.

I’m in CT. Someone just posted a nice York set from 5-80 pounds but want 3.35 a pound. Expensive.

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, personally, I wouldn’t pay that unless I was very desperate. The only ones that would come close to that value would be 55-80. And even that would be a stretch in most local markets.

Loving the channel brotha! Any thoughts on making York blobs back into barbells? I seem to be able to find a ton of heavy blobs but heavy roundhead DBs are tough to find.

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the support! @professorcrowbar on Instagram said that he would make blobs back into roundhead dumbbells. I don’t think he has yet though. I’ve seen @jokabug_the_lazy_old_faka weld roundhead heads onto thick handles and make inch style heavy dumbbells. So if you can weld, you can do whatever you resign really.

@danielmason6859

Жыл бұрын

@@vintageweightspgh Super helpful. Thanks!

Thanks for your info, as always. I've found (over the last couple years) a few (light weights) of these Yorks at thrift shops and such, but they're hard to find that way. I have found more unbranded round heads than York. Do you have any ideas about those? Are the unbranded round heads probably China-made? Any idea? I've got a couple BFCO 15-lber round heads and all it says is BFCO. A smaller one I've got says BFCO with a "China" imprint. Do you have any idea, roughly, when American companies started farming the manufacture of weights and dumbbells overseas? Do you know if there was any law that said the dumbbell/plate had to state its origin? I mean, why do some say "China" (or Taiwan or whatever) and others have no information whatsoe? I've even got some light Dan Lurie plates that say expressly say they were made in India. Do you know if York farmed their manufactured material at some point overseas? (I know Weider did because I've got some that are stamped as such: China). I even picked up a small plate where the manufacturer (obviously overseas made, probably China) calls itself (misspelled) "gymenist." I bought it as an odd curiosity. So, I guess I'm wondering ... it's a fine video here, but you don't exactly touch on the issue of "York" as a desirable American manufacturer, as opposed to other round heads that feel just as good -- and look just as good -- in the hand. Even if they're made in China. There's a mystique, or something, specifically about York, no? Being part of a distinctly American weight lifting tradition? And the presumption that "American made" is better (although, as you note, earlier York dumb bells don't self-proclaim this fact). In terms of value, say, or desirability, then merely the "York" imprint counts for a lot, although -- other than that -- theirs may be indistinguishable from other -- even unbranded -- dumb bells, no? Thanks again for your channel and research.

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

I haven’t seen any companies produce dumbbells with the pill/Roundhead shape. I’ve seen a few companies get close with their bun style, but not the rounded flat plane, over two rounded sides of a Roundhead. As for York, yes, they shifted overseas which is why they began stamping them with USA to indicate that those products were made in USA as opposed to some of their other products. Eventually, they shifted everything overseas. Great questions! To me, the Roundhead is one of kind.

How many blue roundhead sizes were made besides 3lb.and 10lb.? What years were blue ones made? My 3lbs and 10lbs blues have fatter handles than the standard roundheads ,and I really like that!! But...I saw a pair of 20 lb.blues, and the handles were not fatter. How many blue pairs have fatter handles like the 3lbs and 10lbs???

@vintageweightspgh

5 ай бұрын

I’m fairly certain the blue Roundheads were the same dimensions as the regular. All 3 and 10 pound Roundheads have larger handles because the are solid cast instead of a steel handle and cast heads like the 15-100. Blues were made 1-100 just like regular.

Do you have an online resource where you found this info? I got some roundheads (and other vintage York stuff) today and they don’t seem to fit either of your descriptions.

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

You most likely have York Legacy Roundheads that were produced after the ones shown in my video. Google those keywords. The lettering and numbering is a different, thicker font than on the ones in my video. Legacy came after these and went up to 150 pounds.

@kemptonbryan

Жыл бұрын

@@vintageweightspgh they definitely are not legacy. They have York and US stamped on the front together.

I found a pair of 65’s in Ohio. Paid $75 for the pair. Tried finding a set online and couldn’t find any

@vintageweightspgh

Ай бұрын

Nice pickup!

I have some York bun dumbbells they are 30lbs and 35lbs. Can you give me any info I can send a picture

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

York bun dumbbells we’re made as part of the set that came before Roundheads. So before 1960s. 1-45 were buns. 50-100 are globe style.

How long to gather and how much did it cost? Ive heard people spend as much as a urethane set

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

Great questions. It took about 4 years to collect almost the full set. Cost depends on how quickly you want them and how far you’re willing to drive. I like searching for deals; so I paid $1 a pound or less for most. I paid about $1.50 a pound for most of the heavies. But some less. I got the 95s from a local college’s athletic department selling off old equipment for $150. Patience equals deals. If you want them faster and have the money to spend, full sets go on sale at times.

What is the difference between the round head and the legacy.

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

Legacy were made after the Roundheads I have shown in the video. The lettering/numbering is different on Legacy series, they go up to 150 pounds, and I think they were made overseas. Thanks for watching!

Where do “legacy” roundhead come into play?

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

They came after all the ones shown in this video and are generally not considered “vintage”. However, they are collected by some. They have a couple differences from these - one of the biggest being a knurled handle.

Are all of these round heads made in the usa

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

All of the ones in this video, yes.

I have one pair of 25's that don't have the USA on them, but that doesn't mean their Not from the USA - it just means their from the 1980's, correct??

@vintageweightspgh

8 ай бұрын

Correct. And thanks so much for watching and commenting on my videos. I really appreciate the support!

wouldnt a weld bead fix a loose head?

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

Sure. But some people might not like the look of it. Others might. All personal preference.

Are these the same as “Bun” head

@vintageweightspgh

8 ай бұрын

No. The bun style for York were released prior to the Roundheads. Buns 1-45, globes 50-100 pounds.

Also If you are looking to unload any I'd be interested.

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

Not right now, but I’ll keep you in mind. 💪

The USA stamped roundheads were manufactured in the 1990s. I had heard the stamp was put there during a transition period during which manufacturing was being moved from the US to China. To differentiate US v. China, those manufactured in the US were stamped while those manufactured in China were not stamped. Did I hear correctly or do fact checkers say, "False"? I have a line on some mint condition non-stamped roundheads but want to make sure I remain with Made In America.

@vintageweightspgh

6 ай бұрын

Yep. That’s what I say in the video. 😀

@unastamus6122

6 ай бұрын

@@vintageweightspgh Thanks for the reply, Rob. But, I'm still not crystal clear in my own addlepated brain. Are ALL unstamped (USA) York roundhead dumbbells pre-1990, or did China produce (and distribute) unstamped York roundhead dumbbells during the 1990s? As I stated, I have a line on some unstamped dumbbells in unbelievable condition, but, as a purist, I prefer to remain with made in America. I'm just trying to be sure I choose wisely. Thanks.

15 lb thick handle ? I bought a mixed ( 2 racks) of dumbbells 5- 85 lbs. 1989 Here in CT. BUT the 45/55/60 round heads. AS HANS and Fraz on SNL... "" THOSE ARE FOR girly hands " LOL THESE 3 are THICK handles. I'''ll have a post a video later today. NEVER seen a photo of THESE THICK ones.

@vintageweightspgh

Жыл бұрын

The 15 pound roundheads I have are not thick handled. Only 12 and below. Thanks for watching!

can get a set of standard plates and handles and avoid all this

@vintageweightspgh

9 ай бұрын

You could lift with rocks and avoid those as well. To each his own. 😀

@dyardsale5475

9 ай бұрын

@@vintageweightspgh Rocks are not calibrated. Who needs all this? Get a set of plates and make whatever dumbbells you want. Fixed dumbbells are for gyms where people cannot be expected to make their own or not lose or steal parts.

They cost too much in my opinion

@vintageweightspgh

6 ай бұрын

To each their own. Compared to what modern hex dumbbells cost, I like &1.50-$2 a pound for these. But that’s just me. I’m sure plenty of people prefer hex dumbbells.