Unique shooting bench

[W.R.Buchanan]

Looking at this I can see where it could be wobbly, at least when speaking in terms of a rock solid shooting platform. To counter that, perhaps 4 stout stubby legs under it, maybe an inch or two long?

3 legs only, 4 will still wobble.

Pretty cool idea and someone should get a gold star for it!

Randy

[Jackpine]

The wobble in older spools is usually because they were made of wood that was not dry and as the wood dries and shrinks, wobble appears. Soaking the treads of the long rods that go through with penetrating oil will hopefully get the nuts turning and tightening can be done. If it is a permanent setup, filling the center with sand will make for some pretty good stability.

[BigEyeBob]

Most of those wooden spools I ve seen here ,have been eaten by termites , they eat the inards out of the wood leaving a paper thin layer on the out side .Try and pick them up and it disintergrates . Even loaded with cable ,leave it too long in one spot and they get it.Termites have been known to eat the plastic shielding on under ground cables as well .

[gondwana]

This interests me. I'm looking for a portable solution that I can make at home and would really appreciate any thoughts and pics.

[Arseniy Botkin]

interesting idea + it can be rolled)) 30 years ago, I would have already gone to look for such a coil, there used to be a lot of them everywhere))

[GregLaROCHE]

Very interesting. That gives me some ideas.

[OS OK]

I started building a new shooting bench yesterday but i am after 'heavy & steady'...a wiggly bench will make you cuss!

I drew it out on the shop floor...drank a few beers as I mulled on what I needed to do...



"Yup, it's for a leftie!"



Then I went to the wood pile, fetched some heavy 'treated' 4" x 4''s . . .



Then I got busy making the top framework, prolly in a week or so I'll have'r done.

[onelight]

Nice work .

[Pressman]

Looks good and should really help your quest for accuracy.

[Baltimoreed]

Just a suggestion but it would be more comfortable if the inside corner is a long radius instead of a rt angle. Also thicken it up so it’s maybe an inch thick there. I like to lean into that corner to lean into the rifle. Nice mortise work.

[OS OK]

Just a suggestion but it would be more comfortable if the inside corner is a long radius instead of a rt angle. Also thicken it up so it’s maybe an inch thick there. I like to lean into that corner to lean into the rifle. Nice mortise work.

Good idea about that inside corner, I had planned a small radius there but will increase that...the top is 2.25" thick so that ought be enough for comfort?
Almost got all the framework done yesterday but the rain clouds threatened to wet everything so I had to drag it all in for today (crossed fingers = 'no rain' today)

[fallingblock]

I seen a picture of one similar to that. I think it was a guy in the Houston area.

[Czech_too]

A prototype of the bench we intend to use on at least part of the range.
After making up a material list & then figuring out the cost, there was no way I could justify $180+ on each bench & we're going to need several. So when I saw these pictures of spools converted into benches ... A little modification to the idea & this bench is solid. Might have $65 into it, labor is free.

[Boz330]

I had a bunch of these on my personal range and they rot pretty quick, even if they are painted. A penetrating preservative would probably work better.
If they contact the ground they will soak up moisture even under cover and rot.

Bob

[pertnear]

I luv it! Thanks for posting. I've seen that design a couple of times. Ingenuity at its best! But...

Still looks like a good bit of work is involved building one, although the materials maybe free. It would seem like someone could build one out of old pallets & be more ergonomic(?) I for one, like a separate sitting stool to make the shooter in the least stressed shooting position.

Just sayin'......

[OS OK]

I posted earlier about building a good bench for home use here...I got her done.

Included some 'red-neck' leveling feet...



I was very pleased...



Only thing I didn't count on was my leaning against it to shoot, it moves my cross-hairs when I do, but...not anymore, I had to make one 'hi-tech' modification...I leaned a big rock against it, problem solved!

[Baltimoreed]

Good work, a very nice build even if you did put the seat on the wrong side. Like the clever levelers.

[Boz330]

GEEEEZZE Baltimoreed, you beat me to it.

Bob

[Czech_too]

My intention, don't know how well the younger generation will follow it, is to give all of it a good coat yearly of some sort of wood preservative and put it off of the ground by using some sort of material between it and same. I figure that it will be at least 2 years before any sort of covered firing line is built. The range we're building is from scratch so it's at least a 5 year project. After it's up and running/established I want to step down and hopefully enjoy it. I'd like to be able to say that it's been fun, but I can't.

[Gunners Mate]

Clever idea. I like it. Needs a solid top, i can see your brass going down the hole. Also needs to be water proofed. I had one that I used as a shooting table on my backyard range and the weather eventually destroyed it. Salt treated blocks to get it off of the ground will help keep some of the water away from it.

Needs an umbrella in that center hole to keep the sun off