Shooting Bench Top

[Dead Eye]

So I am rebuilding my 100 yd bench and have been trying to decide on what material to use for the top. I used treated 2x12s for the top of my 250 yd bench but have been pondering treated 3/4” plywood. The frame and legs are made of treated 4x6s so rigidity is not too much of an issue. Any pros and cons of the two materials would be appreciated. Or any better materials that aren’t outrageous in cost.
Thanks
Dave

 

[Cemetery21]

Saw someone on here using those composite deck boards - about the size of 2x6s. I'd think they would be stable and not warp/splinter like wood.

 

[Peterson1]

I prefer plywood in the situation you describe.
This will also firm up the table restricting table movement.
Smooth top with plywood-- ridges/valleys with boards
I prefer the T shaped design for the top.
My 2 cents worth!!!
CLP

 

[joshb]

Use the treated ply. After you get it nailed down, cover it with rubber roofing. Commercial rubber roofing is an 1/8” thick. Buy a quart of the adhesive and glue it to the top. It will protect the plywood from rain and sun damage and give you a nice surface to shoot on. It will last ten years. Just about any roofing supply store carries it. Comes in white and black.
...and you can “spike” your rest feet thru it without much damage. It will almost seal it’s self back up.

 

[mr45man]

sakrete.
If it needs to be movable , Steel legs and thick plywood top.

 

[Outrider27]

Saw someone on here using those composite deck boards - about the size of 2x6s. I'd think they would be stable and not warp/splinter like wood.

As one who has considerable deck made with them, yes, they are stable and don't warp or splinter (my plywood shooting bench top doesn't either ), but I can tell you that they are nowhere near as thick as a 2x6 and would need to be braced well on the underside to prevent flexing. Not a big problem, but the necessary bracing will add to the time and effort to build a bench top with them.

 

[McFred]

No splinters here. Pretty stable too. Where I live wood does not seem to survive the elements well. Thankfully, it doesn't have to be portable.

 

[Texas10]

I would consider molding a top from CSA concrete. It's lighter weight and stronger than Portland cement and is impervious to weather. But it that idea leaves you cold, maybe this will give you inspiration.

I watched it several times and never figured out what she was building. Perhaps I was distracted.

 

[Uthink Uknow]

Quit messing around do it up right. This is my back yard. We did the driveway at the same time so we had the concrete truck bring enough for the benches. The legs are steel. Oh, also you’ll notice there is plenty of leg room unlike wooden bench tops and 2X6 frames.

 

[johara1]

3/4" exterior plywood glued together for a total thickness of 1 1/2" and painted, held down with carriage head bolts to a 2" heavy wall frame welded together on three 6" I beam legs cemented in the ground two feet..... it doesn't move...... jim

 

[Bill K]

[QUOTE="

I watched it several times and never figured out what she was building. Perhaps I was distracted. [/QUOTE]

How in the world were you distracted..? SMILE.

 

[ckrifles]

What did she say?

 

[Deleted outa08]

What did she say?

She is my newest building instructor.

 

[Dead Eye]

I think I am going to go with the treated plywood. Since the bench frame is made of treated 4x6s it will be very stable. I considered the composite deck boards but they are quite expensive. The concrete would be cool but that creates more work and I want to get it done this weekend.
I do have a limited budget. Prolly why my shooting buddies don’t look like the one in the video. Anyway it will be 4’x8’ with positions on both sides. I got some buddies that are bass aackwards, damn right handers. Thanks for the input and ideas.
Dave

 

[Hydenseek]

Some of the portable bench ideas you see on here are really steady but if you want something permanent

 

[mr45man]

No splinters here. Pretty stable too. Where I live wood does not seem to survive the elements well. Thankfully, it doesn't have to be portable.

Looks kinda short, (low)

 

[Gappmast]

3/4" exterior plywood glued together for a total thickness of 1 1/2" and painted, held down with carriage head bolts to a 2" heavy wall frame welded together on three 6" I beam legs cemented in the ground two feet..... it doesn't move...... jim

I have built benches with two pieces of 3/4" glued and screwed together and they work well. Three pieces together would be even better.

 

[McFred]

Looks kinda short, (low)

20cm OD Sonotubes make it look squat, they are buried some, earth mounded around them for additional support as they were cast separate from the top. The camera's perspective has an effect, I'm in the photo and I'm also 195cm tall. FWIW, the chair's adjustable height too (not pictured).

Shooter's 175cm tall:

 

[mr45man]

Yes i see, perfect. Sitting erect behind the gun. Benches should be built for tall people, and short people need higher / adjustable stools.

 

[tsyarnall]

I would consider molding a top from CSA concrete. It's lighter weight and stronger than Portland cement and is impervious to weather. But it that idea leaves you cold, maybe this will give you inspiration.

I watched it several times and never figured out what she was building. Perhaps I was distracted.

I need some direction. When do you use the drill.
They always seem big until you start using them. What.......? The bench..... the bench!!!