How to Make a Punch Bag Wall Bracket Using Scaffold Poles

Health and fitness is bigger than ever! Boxing is an amazing sport for all round fitness. Using scaffolding to make a wall bracket for a punch bag couldn't be more simple, 3 pieces cut to length and then joined together with Tube Clamp fittings. Here's how to do it.

Supplies

Materials Used:

• Tube Clamp Tube 48.3mm (Size 4) - Scaffold Pole
• 90 Degree Elbow Tube Clamp
• Acute Angle Elbow Tube Clamp
• Adjustable Tee Tube Clamp
• Fixing Bracket Double Sided Tube Clamps
• Hook Tube Clamp
• 50mm M8 Coach Screws
• 8mm Wall Plugs

Tools Used:

• Evolution Rage R255SMS Mitre Saw
• 8mm Hex Key (Allen Key)
• Drill
• Spanner

Step 1: Cut the Pieces to Length

Cutting the metal tube is a breeze with the Evolution Rage R255SMS Mitre Saw. Regular mitre saws aren't able to cut metal like this so please don't try this with a regular wood cutting saw. The Evolution range of saws are able to cut wood, metal and plastic all with the same blade on the same saw.

The First task is to cut 3 pieces of scaffold pole to length. The bracket I'm making is for an 18" Diameter Punch Bag. So I needed 3 pieces cut to 55cm, 50cm and 40cm long. With those cut to length its just a case of putting them all together with the fittings.

Step 2: Put It All Together

This is the layout of how all the pieces go together. Triangle shapes are incredibly strong so that's what this design is based on. A triangular bracket to maximise its rigidity and holding strength.

I find it best to join the 40cm and 50cm piece together first with the 90 degree elbow tube clamp. The tube clamps lock on with set screws. The set screws are tightened using an 8mm hex key (Allen key). Don't tighten them fully yet. Tighten them just enough to hold the pieces in place. This will give some wiggle room and make it easier for all the pieces to go together.

Next add the adjustable tee tube clamp to the top 50cm piece. Again, don't tighten it fully leave it loose so it can be moved easily to allow all the pieces to go together.

Now its time to add the 55cm diagonal piece to the bottom of the adjustable tee tube clamp. Tighten it just enough to hold the piece in place.

While we still have access to the 40cm piece we need to add the 2 double sided fixing brackets. These are what will attach the bracket to the wall later.

With those brackets in place we can add the acute angle elbow tube clamp to the bottom of the 40cm and 55cm pieces. This brings it all together. With the fittings only lightly tightened the pieces should easily manoeuvre into place. Make sure they're all fully seated and then go round and fully tighten each set screw to lock everything into place.

We need something to hang the punch bag from so all that's left to do is add a hook tube clamp to the end of the 50cm piece. This is also locked into place with a set screw.

Step 3: Mount the Bracket to the Wall

To fit the bracket to the wall I drilled 4 8mm holes, added 8mm wall plugs to the holes and then used 50mm M8 coach screws to mount the bracket. The coach screws go through the holes on either side of the double sided fixing brackets.

A great feature of the double sided fixing brackets is the fact you can loosen the set screws and swivel the bracket against the wall for easy storage. It can then easily be swung back out and locked into place when you want to use it again.

All that's left to do now is to hang the punch bag on the hook.

Step 4: DONE!

I really hope you liked this project. A nice simple one that's for sure. If you can source the scaffolding for free then it is a no brainer to build the bracket rather then buy one. Buying brand new scaffolding is quite pricey so do keep that in mind.

Comments

[terrefirmax2]

I always have trouble visualizing how the bracket is going to hold. Ever since I put up an L bracket that promptly tipped out from the weight of hanging something from it I have felt insecure about the physics (and geometry?) of what pressures keep IT secure. As a reasonably intelligent woman I feel that it's limitations like this that prevent others also from trying new things, if they never got the foundations in high school of forces and principles.

[3366carlos]

Look at how I mounted my bag. Between the wall and a column. Used 2-2x4s, so all weight on them. Screwed wood to brick. Very little load on the bricks.

[AverageJoesJoinery]

I know what you mean. I don't have engineering knowledge, I'm really just an Average Joe but from my understanding triangles are strong and great at spreading weight loads evenly. In this instance the weight is pulling down. So the top part of the bracket is pulling away from the wall but because of the angular brace, making a right angled triangle, the bottom part of the bracket is pushing against the wall. So the forces cancel each other out making a strong fixing. Without the angled piece the bracket would just be pulling away from the wall.

[3366carlos]

Excellent work.

[spgoodman9]

Was struggling to buy a ready made bracket as most have sold out so followed this and delighted with the outcome. I now have a much sturdier bracket for about the same price as I would have paid anyway!

[Pricklysauce]

Hey Joe...good to see you on Instructables...great ible

[AverageJoesJoinery]

Thanks mate! Been here a while haha

[drakep11]

AJJ, I love this design. It's great to get outdoors for a bag workout.

I needed a removable hanging system and to have the bag sit further from the wall for working all angles.

Solution: I used 2, full-length 2X4 studs, pinned only on one end via a large screw eye with washers, nut. These are spread into a vee, and their 'free' ends sit at joint of wall and deck.

Attach an 8' length of cable to the eye holding the 2X4s and connect the other end of the cable to a separate, heavy-duty eye hook that's been centered and anchored 8-9' up on the outdoor wall.

Now, your bag can hang on the 'tripod' formed by the cable and 2x4 legs. The best part is that when I am done, I can take down and stow the bag and the holder system, leaving only the screw eye anchor on the wall.

Rough sketch attached.

Cheers.

[AverageJoesJoinery]

Thanks mate! I really like your design! It offers a lot of distance from the wall which other designs struggle with. Using the cable is a great idea while its under tension from the weight of the bag but is it likely to 'bounce' when the bag is in motion?

[drakep11]

I have 150 lb bag. It does not bounce-- it's more like dead weight than responsive. I hang it up using a carabiner, where the arms and cable all come together (Screw eye, through bolted). Hardest part is walking the bag to/from the garage.

Most of the weight (2/3rds?) is supported by the wooden tripod arms, though I've not worked the loads/physics.

The cable secures into the wall with a 5-inch screw eye. Could also be anchored to an expansion bolt+washer+eye setup if going into concrete or masonry, or you could mount a 2" X 6" X 12" block using anchors and put a screw eye into that?

[terrefirmax2]

But again, what keeps the whole thing from pulling out of the wall?

[AverageJoesJoinery]

Working off the idea of creating a triangle. The top part of the design is pulling away and the bottom part is pushing in. At least that's how I figure it haha

[askjerry]

This is an excellent design... looks good, simple to build, and very functional.

[AverageJoesJoinery]

Thanks Jerry! :)

[jimwi]

nice work.
Just one thing. Put a spring on the hook to the bag to lessen vibration.
Long term vibration will weaken the wall.

[AverageJoesJoinery]

Thanks! So far the bag is moving freely on the hook, the loop seems to slide in place so I havent noticed any vibrations to the bracket or wall. Great idea to add the spring though!

[jessyratfink]

Nicely done! Looks well sturdy :)

[AverageJoesJoinery]

Thanks Jessy! It's rock solid and so simple to make :)