Author Topic: Portable Shooting Bench (Read 1419 times)

quickdtoo · « **on:** November 08, 2004, 08:05:23 AM »

I've been wanting to build a portable shooting bench for a long time, but never found a design that I liked that didn't require welding. I finally found one that is simple, inexpensive, easy to build and from the description, fairly sturdy. I'm going to use 2 sheets of 3/4" plywood, laminated together as I already have it. I also want to rout a small channel in the top perimeter around the front, back and right side to prevent small objects from rolling off. Comments and suggestions are welcome.

http://www.aeroaces.com/bench1.htm

Cottonwood · « **Reply #1 on:** November 08, 2004, 09:41:47 AM »

quickdtoo

These are by far a much better and cheaper way to go, than I was going. I had seen in a DVD on Varmint Safari where Dave made a shooting table that had the banquet folding legs like you see on long banquet tables. These legs I was going to purchase at Home Depot for $37.99 a pair.

But having these plans shows me a much cheap affordable table to make for taking out Prairie Dog and Rock Chuck shooting this spring. The only other thing to add, would be the unbrella stand for those hot scortching days in the sun :grin:

I want to be the first to thank you for posting this for us all

quickdtoo · « **Reply #2 on:** November 08, 2004, 09:58:05 AM »

The nice thing about the 3 leg table is it is self-leveling, a problem that 4 leg tables don't deal with well. I looked at all kinds of folding leg systems and never saw one that looked as stabile as this one. I just went out and priced the pipe and flanges, pipe was less than $20 for 3-30" pieces cut and threaded, and the flanges are $4 each. A 6' piece 1x6 oak is $16, didn't check on a cut piece, but I think I may end up building 2 tables anyway. Looks like a good winter project!

Brett · « **Reply #3 on:** November 08, 2004, 11:24:10 AM »

Quikdtoo those plans are definitely a keeper. Thanks.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** November 08, 2004, 01:20:48 PM »

I've had a few "thoughts" since I started this thread, thinking maybe I'll countersink bolts through the top to bolt the flanges on instead of using screws, this should make it a bit sturdier. Then lay some thin laminate or vaneer on the top. Got that idea from the original "welding required" bench that I found.

http://www.larrywillis.com/shootingbench.html

Fred M · « **Reply #5 on:** November 08, 2004, 02:47:39 PM »

Quick.
This is a very nice shooting bench, The 1" top will weigh about 15 lbs.
You could use 1/2' plywood and glue 3- 10'x10" gussets where the legs go
this would save 5lbs and the top would be more than strong enough.

The legs could also be made from Schedule 40 HP plastic pipe for more weight savings. If you haul it around in a pickup you don't need to worry about weight. More weight makes it more solid.

Yes I would use 3/8x3-1/4" carriage bolts for the pipe flanges, they work well in wood.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #6 on:** November 08, 2004, 02:58:31 PM »

Thanks, Fred....I think the weight is a good thing, the legs being made of steel should make it real stabile and the overall weight and size isn't a problem, I'm even thinking of making the top bigger so it just fits in the back of my SUV on the floor.

Fred M · « **Reply #7 on:** November 08, 2004, 03:10:18 PM »

Quick.
If you send me your e-mail addi I can send you a BR drawing for an inplace bench two or one sided to get an idea of what you about.. I can't get the FTP going nothing ever shows up. I send you the drw as an e-mail attachment. You can send your e-mail address by P.M.

Good Keen Man · « **Reply #8 on:** November 08, 2004, 10:04:07 PM »

shoot down to your local auto wrecker and buy a second hand scissor jack for about $5. Line the top part with foam. They are reasonably heavy, steady and easily height adjustable, just wind it up a bit. And if your car gets a flat tyre on the way to the range you have got a jack right at hand!

quickdtoo · « **Reply #9 on:** November 09, 2004, 04:12:26 AM »

Fred, that's a nice bench, but unfortunetly I don't have any place to put a permanent bench. Thanks for the plans, maybe someday??

aulrich · « **Reply #10 on:** November 09, 2004, 04:12:32 AM »

The leg system looks a lot like the legs you can get from Ikea. I'll have to look up a price but if I remember correctly they are fairly cheap.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #11 on:** November 09, 2004, 04:22:24 AM »

This will give something to do over the winter months since I won't be doing much if any outdoor bench shooting in the snow. I have a membership to an indoor range which the only draw back is the max distance to shoot is 100 yards

But after the snow melts it will be set up time in the upper pasture where we can shoot to almost 400 yards. :grin:

Steve in Michigan · « **Reply #12 on:** November 09, 2004, 04:34:27 AM »

I used the ultimate in a portable shooting bench when I went prairie dog hunting in South Dakota. I used an ironing board and a camp stool. Mine has four separate legs, unlike some that have two. It was infinitely adjustable for height and my rifle had a bipod so I was all set with an extremely light and easy to carry setup. In normal dirt or grassland, the scissor design along with the four individual feet made a solid platform for shooting off of. The shape was great and provided plenty of room for rifle, arms and ammo. Again, like I said before, find one with four legs and not just two with a cross-foot on each leg.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #13 on:** November 09, 2004, 04:58:54 AM »

Steve in Michigan

Now I just tried this in the bedroom with my wifes board... dang great idea it works but had a wobble on the carpet. The only thing I would add to this are extenders after taking off the cover caps on the cross legs to extend out with holes in them for possibly staking in the ground, hence eliminating any chance of wobble from side to side.

Now sitting on a prairie dog town, this I think would be great :-D

Now my wife is happy cuz she said that she needed a new ironing board as well

Steve in Michigan · « **Reply #14 on:** November 09, 2004, 06:45:59 AM »

That is why I mentioned to get one with the four legs instead of two with the cross-beam feet. The guys I hunted with had those and they wobbled a lot. With the four legs, they sink into the ground and it gives you a firm surface that hardly wobbles.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #15 on:** November 09, 2004, 07:05:30 AM »

Steve we will try this

before spending alot more money on the other shooting tables.

Again Thanks
Jon

Cottonwood · « **Reply #16 on:** November 11, 2004, 03:36:31 AM »

For those interested here is another set of plans

http://www.mountainmanslodge.com/shooting_bench.html

Now if I do this, I will make two tables with these folding legs putting them on the front of the shooting table and a solid 3rd leg at the back. I can even make that 3rd leg a folding leg instead of unscrewing it every time I take it with me.

nipprdog · « **Reply #17 on:** November 11, 2004, 12:07:01 PM »

a shooter at a local range had this nice looking bench.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=00225PTST

really nice bench, but $90, plus shipping. :eek: