Removing Chrome from Dumbbells

Hey guys, that probably sounds like a strange task so let me explain. I have a couple sets of those steel threaded dumbbell handles. The way I set down the dumbbells I always seem to pop the handle rings out of place (the handle rings are not the collars but the steel rings that prevent the weights from sliding onto the handle of the dumbbells). Over the course of a couple workouts this causes some problems as the handle size then shrinks and the dumbbells become uneven. For some reason, I don't seem to remember this happening to my older Wieder and York handles as I believe they were milled from solid pieces of steel (too bad I sold them a long time ago)

What I would like to do is weld the handle rings in place. In order to do that I need to remove the chrome first but to be honest I am not sure who to do this. I do not know that type of chrome it is. Does anybody know how this kind of chrome can be removed? Can it be done chemically or does it need to be with some kind of mechanical device like a grinder?

 

Might want to give Stormy Davis a call. Heard she did wonders removing the chrome from a trailer hitch.

 

Grind it off, then weld into place. You wouldn't even have to do it all the way around - maybe 4 spot welds and you're good to go.

 

I thought bout grinding it - could I use a wire brush wheel?

 

You could also contact a chroming company. They should be able to dip it and remove the chrome pretty inexpensively.

My dad redid some chrome on one of his motorcycles. The shop dipped his old parts and it stripped all the old chrome right off.

 

A sandblaster would probably strip it off.

 

Be a real man and grab some kettlebells. Real man start with the 124 and go from there.

Kidding. Sort of. I'd think a sand blaster as well.

 

if it's elcheapo chrome soak them in concentrated bleach or hcl