I need some help figuring out if what I want to do will hold the weight I want it to. My basement is unfinished and has the floor joists from the floor above completely exposed. I want to mount a pull up bar from the joists similar to the one in this picture.


I want to modify it a little though. I want it to look like a "W" consisting of 3 12" pieces of 3/4" iron pipe as the down rods, connected to 2 elbow joints on the ends and a T in the middle. Between the elbows and the T will be a 48" piece of 3/4". The maximum amount of weight that will be on the entire structure is about 400 pounds with slightly more being on one side. Will the pipe hold this or should I build two bars identical to the one in the picture?

Now, the part I am most worried about is mounting it to the joists. The joists are wooden I beam joists (I think that's what they're called) about 18 inches apart. Can I mount the flanges directly to the joists? If I need to attach at a place between joists, will a 2x4 attached to the joists with lag bolts be strong enough to hold the bar? For some reason, I just can't see a 2x4 being strong enough to hold that.

Any thoughts are appreciated and if needed, I can try to explain my thoughts a little better.

Thanks

 

Hi there,

For your own safety (and your family's), let me explain some issues, starting with the building codes
As we all know, there is a building code, but each state / province has its own version / adaptation. An Architect, Engineer, etc must elaborate the interpretation / application of the Building codes, calculation of structures and foundations, for each project, etc. Not only for the technical understanding of these issues, but for the liability.
An advice regarding a technical subject (something basic as the weight of the bar effects in a 2x4 and independent if you are paying for this advice or not) implies liability.
Structures / materials are quite different depending the characteristics of the project, load, soil / topography, wind conditions and seismic calculations.
In addition, keep in mind that any material has different properties for different efforts, and you are adding weight
Certainly, I'd recommend to check the situation with a local professional

 

first get some 2 1/2"x10 nails and 2x8 lumber. screw 2 pieces of 2x together and mount vertically in between to i joists on the webs. place a screw every 1 1/2" or so on each block. mount the same assembly 2 joist bays over. it is from these that you will hang the bar.

the pipe should hold, i think the critical connection is the steel/wood connection. you'll have to see what home depot has in the way of hardware to make this connection. if you could find some sort of strap or bracket to put the weight on the top of the blocking that would be best. or a bracket that is bolted horizontally through the blocking would work as well. the flange you have picture would be less than ideal but may still work, this is up to you.

 

First, the flanges are not meant to hold any amount of weight and will be guaranteed to break as they are brittle.
Not only could they break but the screws holding them up could pull out.
Secondly, the galvanizing on the pipe is toxic and will be forced into your skin.

You need to make this out of black iron, either all pipe or a pipe grab bar and structural steel attachments.
It will also have to be welded as you will not find a screw-it-together-yourself solution that will be safe.

Attaching blocking between joists like OhioDraft suggested but with 3 1/2" screws instead of nails is the first step but where the bar fastens to the blocking should be from the side so that the force is on the shear and not the pull.
You would also want to reinforce this with a diagonal brace to prevent it from swaying.

You should look at a commercially made one and the instructions for installation to see how others do it or to be safe just buy a good quality one.
A fall would make the exercise benefits pointless if you wind up in a wheelchair or worse.

Let us know how you make out.