Heard he said he made his equipment for teenagers and people with little money. It was strong equipment sold for for practically nothing. I bought that bench probably in 1974. Still in service.
I got to know him pretty well.......our powerlifting team went to his shop and bought all new stuff from him for the YMCA gym we trained at.
He would always call me up onstage to do his odd lift contests even though I never trained for them......I did OK too for the most part.
They filmed part of Pumpimg Iron at Mt. Park Amusement Center where Ed held all his contests for free......I made the movie and am in a crowd scene.......my claim to fame.

I met Arnold there,Franco,Louie,Katz,Warren Fredericks,Leon Brown,Bob Klez,Pete Caputo,Elliot Gilchrist,Joe Ugolik,The Mentzer brothers,Gene Massey,Skip Robinson,Marty Joyce,Tony Roma,Bill Mitchell,Ron Magnum,Len Archambault, and a slew of other guys.
Later on in life I had the honor to be in the same show as Gilchrist and Leon Brown.
Insanely awesome durable equipment as you know.......great guy.....great times.