Here's the deal, all metal pipe is measured based on the interior diameter (diameter of the hole, or largest sized ball that can fit through the pipe). As such the wall of the pipe itself makes it wider for the purposes I use it for. 3/4 inch black or galvanized pipe fits all my 1" standard plates (ecept one 5lb plate) perfectly. So that's what I used for the loading pin part of the KB.
As far as the plates I used, they're 1" standard and I just sort of collected them over the years. I've never seen 1/2" plates, but I wouldn't put it past wallmart to come up with that garbage. Measure the hole and see what you have. length of the loading pin? I have several and I change them out based on what I'm loading the KB up to. you have to to keep the plates relatively tight and motionless, of course, you could avoid this by using a collar.
As far as your size, HA! I weigh 190. To be fair, the only reason I used a 2" handle (which is bigger than 2" due to reasons already discussed) was because the whole reason I made the fucker was that I read about KB training in "mastery of handstrength" by john brookfield, specifically for grip training. And personally I think it makes any accomplished with this KB MUCH manlier than on regular 1" handles.
Am I to understand you've never done any thickbar work? are you asking if using a regular bar is ok for grip work? FUCK NO it aint... most of the time. i suppose if you're working to hold a deadlift better, timed holds with a regular bar have an important role.
