Build Plans for DIY Half-Rack made from construction grade 2x4's and 2x6's. This is very cost effective way to start a home / garage gym. This design can be built for ~$61.70 from construction lumber commonly found at your local Home Depot or Lowes. This half-rack can be easily constructed in a couple of hours with wood glue and screws. The 2x4 uprights are designed to be removed from the 2x6 base if desired. This can accommodate storage requirements or general maneuverability. My wife and I have been using this design since the pandemic started and have really enjoyed having it. It is small enough to be out of the way in a two-car garage, simple to use, and supports the weight we are capable of lifting. We use it for squats, military press, and bench press. I am 5'11" and she is 5'6"; I use the "tall squat rack" and she uses the "short squat rack". Both of us have average reach for our height and are very comfortable using the "bench press" rack with a standard bench. STRENGTH: The vertical orientation of the 2x4's in the rack design gives the half rack much more strength over other designs. A single 2x4 is said to support 636lbs as a column - or under compression along the vertical axis: (https://jonochshorn.com/scholarship/calculators-st/example7.1/index.html). However, this load capacity is increased as the load bearing 2x4's are braced against deflection and failure from the surrounding laminated 2x4 structure. This rack is not made to support extremely heavy sets. If you desire to lift in excess of 500lbs (2.5 safety factor), consider a metal rack. Other options include using 2x6's or 4x4's instead of 2x4's for the uprights. Note: This strength discussion only applies to compression of the 2x4 lumber. If a loaded barbell is re-racked unevenly, or introduces lateral stress to this rack, the load capacity will be greatly reduced. In plain english, be careful with un-racking and re-racking your weight. Don't slam the barbell into the half rack (front/back), or try to "re-center" the barbell by sliding the loaded barbell left or right. Use common sense; this rack is plenty strong for the average lifter and isn't cause for nervousness, even when supporting a 315lb squat bar. We've never had an issue with its strength or stability, but we respect the limitations of wood as a building material. _____________________________________________ My Background: I have a mechanical engineering degree from Georgia Tech and worked as a machinist for Emory University designing and machining research equipment. I served 10.5 years on active duty in the U.S. Army; serving in the Infantry and Special Forces as a Green Beret. I transitioned to the Army Reserves, 75th Innovation Command, with direct support to the Army Futures Command. I work to help bring innovation into the US Army to help achieve modernization priorities and future capabilities. I have started my own company and hope to one day design and manufacture robots and autonomous systems for commercial and US Department of Defense use. Eventually, I would like to use these systems to help humanity explore outer space.