I decided to have a go with the first plan of a fixed kettlebell handle I discussed on the 19th December update in the main kettlebell page. As I said the first things needed are: 1) some plates you don't mind wasting on a fixed kb project (you can't take them off) and fortunately I have a few plates of the same brand that I absolutely hate; 2) to get lucky with the plate thikness to fit in the structure, since it's fixed (unless you have the shop cut the pipes  to length and thred when you buy them. Off the shelf pipes give you a fixed structure, obviously). My original plan was to make a fixed 20+kg kettlebell with 4 x 5kg plates and a modified/simplified version of the 2nd model a bit further down this page, without the unions. Not only I didn't get lucky in that I didn't have a fourth 5kg plate of the same brand (I thought I did), but taking measures it turned out that even if I did the wouldn't have fitted in. I tried with the 3 x5kg plates I have plus 2 x 2kg plates of the same brand, but still they didn't fit in. I wanted to use the main frame of my "copied" plumbing tube kettlebell here without the 2 T's and adding 2 reduction elbows, but no suitable combination was possible with those plates on that handle and plate-baring nipple length (15cm nipple; less actual usable space since part gets screwed in the elbows). I could have fitted 3x5kg plates and 2x2kg plates on the handle had I cut the 2 vertical pipes at 45% and prepaired another pipe with double 45% cuts as the plate bar, but it was too much work. I wanted something quick and dirty without having to buy anything or work to much on it. I checked how much space 3x5kg plates + 2x2kg plates + 2x1kg plates would occupy, and they could be fitted in a 20cm nipple. I had enough spare tubing in the house to build a new handle without having to buy anything, so I gave it a go and left the whole handle intact, just empty. Using 20cm nipples as a handle wouldn't help my case for a narrow kettlebell handle, but I didn't want to continue overthinking it and decided to tackle a problem at the time. First problem with the original "copied" kettlebell design was the sticking out of the T joints and end-cups. A rounded structure with no rough edges would be a first improvement, IMO, so I gave it a go.

For 1 thing the thing is rather massive. The main frame and handle are 3/4" size tubes. It is a bit slim, I would have preffered 1" size for the handle but ddn't have those pipes and joints available. The pipe through the plates is 1/2" size, so had to use 2 reduction elbows at the bottow. none of my plates excluding the 20kg ones fit in 3/4" pipes. The thing is dead solid. Added 2 washers at each end between the elbow and the 1kg plates so now it's snug. It litterarely can't fall apart as it's an "impossible" threaded pipe structure. You can see somewhere in the middle-on the right where I cut and welded the handle tube. There are no washers between plates. They are separated since the design of the plate is awefully wrong, with a hub around the bore and the outer rim much thinner than the hum. That's why I don't like them. Components: 1x20cm 3/4" pipe - 1x20cm 1/2" pipe - 2x15cm 3/4" pipes - 2x3/4" elbow - 2x3/4" to 1/2" reduction elbows. It took me less than 10 minutes to build. Total weight roughly 24kg.

You can see from my hand how big the thing is. Admittedly I have small mitts, but the other model with 15cm nipple fits just fine. It's very good for 2 handed swings, and even 1 handed is good. Cleaning it is not much of a problem. Haven't tried snatching it, and likely won't. The plates are too much separated and the handle is too wide. Snatching this thing is a bone-to-corner impact waiting to happen. I think that, apart from the straight handle excessive wideness, it's the poor design of the plates that makes me hold back. probably with some rim-to-rim plates I wouldn't mind giving snatches a go. I thing though, it looks dead neat.

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