Old CDs into Dumbells

UPDATE:  Just wanted to let you know the finished dumbell is actually very soft to the touch.  While the edges of the CD may look sharp, they aren't at all.  I actually rest the 10 pound weight on my stomach while doing crunches for extra resistence.

Ok.  Speaking of Goodwill, I found piles of old CDs sitting there.  Just boxes and boxes and boxes of them.   So I have become obsessed with finding a creative way to recycle them at home.   Why?  Because I know all of you have a ton of these as we're all moving towards a more digital music platform.

So, I asked the store manager what it would cost to buy them all.   $20 for as much as I wanted.   Deal!

And here's what I made: dumbells.    150 CDs, about 75 on each side, on a threaded rod from the hardware store and then (8) bolts to hold it all together.  No tools needed.  Just thread it all and bolt it tight.

They weight about 10 pounds each and I actually love the shiny look of them.  I made two of them and they are sitting in my living room.   Very handsome looking items I must say!   

Easy, functional and kinda clever.  Let me know if you make any and what you think.

Comments

[denise f in c'ville, va]

you never, ever cease to amaze me!they're sculpture extraordinaire!

[Leslie]

Ooooh!!! Clever! I've had a box of old CDs sitting on my desk at work for about 2 years . . . with the same thought in mind: "There's got to be a way to reuse these!!" I've been meaning to make a lamp out of them, but haven't gotten around to it. (You stack them and put an LED down into the center hole - I found instructions somewhere on the 'net.) Now I've just got to do it. Except that dumbell is looking kind of tempting . . .

[happyathome]

What a clever idea! Now do you use them? Or are they for your guests in the guest house!

[carol.baxter]

They look gorgeous!

The weight of yours are about 1/2 of what I would ordinarily use, but I think I have about 40lbs of burned cds laying about here...

boo

[whitney]

you have way too many good ideas!!!! :)

[Michelle]

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[Amy B. (Early Bird Special)]

You've done it again, Danny! This is a brilliant idea, and sure to be a winner with my husband.

I suggested this project idea to CRAFT's blog. Hope you don't mind! :)

Truly,
Amy

[At Home with Kim Vallee]

Before the arrival of the USB flash drive, we burned lots of CDs at the office. We recycled the bad ones as coasters – we still use them.

The dumbells are a cool idea. I would probably insert some padding on the handles for my delicate hands.

[ginger]

Oh that's Great how about using them for book ends.You always come up with the most clever ideas.
hugs ginger

[Rachel]

I love them. Anything DIY from materials that would likely end up in the trash is a winner in my book. And they're a conversation piece.

I used a bunch of old CD's as a border near the ceiling in my husband's office.

[KIm]

Easy, functional and BRILLIANT!

[Cynthia Friedlob, The Thoughtful Consumer]

You could also recycle the CD covers: decoupage. For example, use on the top of an old table, wrap around a wide picture frame, improve the looks of a beat-up filing cabinet.

[Ruth Gore]

Way cool! You can also make awesome Christmas tree ornaments with them - adhere a picture on one side of your child/dog/self/family member - you get the idea! Cover the other side with beautiful paper or scraps left over from scrapbooking your holidays and make a hole in the top! Run through a piece of hemp twine, raffia, ribbon, and hang. You can also leave the shiny side uncovered to reflect the tree lights if you like that look!

[Summer]

Love it! But I second the call for padding or maybe gloves.

I usually don't like most of the projects that recycle CDs. I'm looking for some way to attatch them to each other to make a curtain or room divider...

[Melanie]

Brilliant!

[David beb-Avram]

Great idea, but what to do with the cases?

[Cynthia Friedlob, The Thoughtful Consumer]

Hmmm. The cases. If they're not too scratched up, they could serve as picture frames. Just print out or cut pix to the proper size, insert, and stick a hanger on the back of the case. Or stick a magnet on the back and hang on a metal surface.

[www.projectblancoyd.com]

Not sure if you check your comments often but we must hang out next time you are in the philadelphia area :) Oh and I totally blogged you!

http://projectblancoyd.typepad.com/project_blancoyd/2008/08/blog-to-read-da.html

[Seleta]

Every time I think you won't surprise me again you come up with something like this. Brilliant.

[Elie]

very creative!! i like it

i've surfing ur blog for a couple of days now! i love ur ideas

i used to go the gym and work the dumbells,they used to leave marks on the palms of my hands and i've been wondering about the screws holding the CD's, wouldn't it leave marks on ur hands because of the weight?

[Dawn]

In San Antonio, we have a store called C.D. Exchange - they buy used CDs, DVDs and video games. If you have more CDs that you haven't used for projects, perhaps you could take them to a similar type of store and sell them! Make a little $$$! :) Best Wishes!

[kristen verity]

I might be limited in vision but the idea of decoring with CD's seems...dumpy.

I wonder if old CD's or CD cases couldn't be used to insulate a house. I mean they put a layer of plastic wrap all over a wood frame, why not layers of cd's? Just thinkin'.

[Robyn Haas]

*squealing with delight* OMGosh! danny this is the cleverest thing ever! I am so doing this...so doing this!
Thanks
Robyn

[Tracy]

Hey Danny I found a tutorial on Wikihow on how to turn old cds into a disco ball! Pretty cool. I'm getting started on this today. Check it out: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Disco-Ball-With-CDs.