Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
Articles
Latest reviews
Author list
Classifieds
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Equipment Discussions
Dream portable shooting bench
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="yobuck" data-source="post: 481113" data-attributes="member: 12443"><p>shooting benches are alot like guns and fishing rods.</p><p>one size wont fit all occaisions. the quest for the ultimate will never end.</p><p>i prefer to kneel next to the bench rather than use a stool. </p><p>thats a personal thing and others use a bucket or stool while using my bench.</p><p>my way uneven terrain dosent cause me problems. it also makes for a lower table which usually means more stable. a scrap of carpet offers enough padding for the knees. </p><p>4 adjustable legs make the most sturdy setup.</p><p>heavy wall aluminum electrical conduit makes great legs.</p><p>my portable bench has a single thickness 5/8 plywood top 24"x36"</p><p>under that is an 1 1/2" aluminun angle iorn rectangle about 20"x32"</p><p> aluminum conduit couplings are welded at slight outward angles in the 4 corners of the angle iorn rectangle. </p><p>there is also a thin aluminum triangle in each corner under the couplings. that adds more ridgity to the table and aids in welding the couplings.</p><p> the plywood can be screwed to the angle iorn from below, or thru bolted with small nuts and bolts and counter sunk slightly into the plywood.</p><p> when not in use, i attach the threaded top removable legs under the plywood top with an aluminum strap and wing nuts onto 1/4" bolts thru the top. </p><p>the whole thing weighs less than 20 lb. and is very compact. i carry it with a rifle sling attached with swivels to the angle iorn. </p><p> </p><p>the legs require 2 sizes of aluminum conduit. it comes in 10' legnths so measure carefully so as not to need an extra pc. </p><p>it needs to be purchased at a real electrical supply house. </p><p>not one of the blue or orange warehouses.</p><p>conduit is pipe and pipe is measured i d not o d.</p><p>mine is 1 1/4" outside leg, and 1" inside leg. </p><p>make sure the small size slides in the large one before leaving the store.</p><p>buy the four 1 1/4" couplings there also.</p><p>they might be willing to turn the threads on the 4 pcs of outer leg. i would ask.</p><p>if not you need a pipe threader to do it.</p><p>for the leg adjuster, weld a 3/4" square pc. of 3/4" thick aluminum on each outside leg about 2 or 3 inches from the bottom. drill thru everything and tap it 1/4x20 at least. 5/16" or 3/8" would be better. </p><p> then run in a pc. of all thread and leave enough to bend at a 90 deg. before cutting. a bolt with a cross pc. welded on works well also.</p><p>mine is about 30 years old. i just replaced the plywood this year for looks more than function.</p><p>i have 2 other benches, both larger and heavier. </p><p>this one gets the most use by far and it fits very nicely inside my jeep wrangler. </p><p>there is one thing im considering. last year i hunted prairie dogs for the first time ever.</p><p>the shooting covered about a 180 deg. radius. i was moving the table to get lined up frequently. </p><p>im going to attach a 36" round top with a few small bolts on top of the existing. </p><p>that way no moving the table. when finished ill just remove it.</p><p>prairie dog hunters take heed. a round top would be better.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="yobuck, post: 481113, member: 12443"] shooting benches are alot like guns and fishing rods. one size wont fit all occaisions. the quest for the ultimate will never end. i prefer to kneel next to the bench rather than use a stool. thats a personal thing and others use a bucket or stool while using my bench. my way uneven terrain dosent cause me problems. it also makes for a lower table which usually means more stable. a scrap of carpet offers enough padding for the knees. 4 adjustable legs make the most sturdy setup. heavy wall aluminum electrical conduit makes great legs. my portable bench has a single thickness 5/8 plywood top 24"x36" under that is an 1 1/2" aluminun angle iorn rectangle about 20"x32" aluminum conduit couplings are welded at slight outward angles in the 4 corners of the angle iorn rectangle. there is also a thin aluminum triangle in each corner under the couplings. that adds more ridgity to the table and aids in welding the couplings. the plywood can be screwed to the angle iorn from below, or thru bolted with small nuts and bolts and counter sunk slightly into the plywood. when not in use, i attach the threaded top removable legs under the plywood top with an aluminum strap and wing nuts onto 1/4" bolts thru the top. the whole thing weighs less than 20 lb. and is very compact. i carry it with a rifle sling attached with swivels to the angle iorn. the legs require 2 sizes of aluminum conduit. it comes in 10' legnths so measure carefully so as not to need an extra pc. it needs to be purchased at a real electrical supply house. not one of the blue or orange warehouses. conduit is pipe and pipe is measured i d not o d. mine is 1 1/4" outside leg, and 1" inside leg. make sure the small size slides in the large one before leaving the store. buy the four 1 1/4" couplings there also. they might be willing to turn the threads on the 4 pcs of outer leg. i would ask. if not you need a pipe threader to do it. for the leg adjuster, weld a 3/4" square pc. of 3/4" thick aluminum on each outside leg about 2 or 3 inches from the bottom. drill thru everything and tap it 1/4x20 at least. 5/16" or 3/8" would be better. then run in a pc. of all thread and leave enough to bend at a 90 deg. before cutting. a bolt with a cross pc. welded on works well also. mine is about 30 years old. i just replaced the plywood this year for looks more than function. i have 2 other benches, both larger and heavier. this one gets the most use by far and it fits very nicely inside my jeep wrangler. there is one thing im considering. last year i hunted prairie dogs for the first time ever. the shooting covered about a 180 deg. radius. i was moving the table to get lined up frequently. im going to attach a 36" round top with a few small bolts on top of the existing. that way no moving the table. when finished ill just remove it. prairie dog hunters take heed. a round top would be better. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Rifles, Reloading, Optics, Equipment
Equipment Discussions
Dream portable shooting bench
Top