Portable shooting bench

[Alex Wheeler]

Here's the pictures for those that wanted them. Turned out good. Thanks Boyd for the idea of 3 coupling to make it a 3 or 4 leg bench.

 

[nra-for-life]

looks nice. that was smart to have several positions available for the rear leg.

 

[BoydAllen]

Actually,
The idea is that for less critical setups, where the bench is likely to be repositioned a lot, and releveling would be a pain, that the center socket would be used for a three leg configuration. The other sockets would be used with a leg in both, one that was adjustable so as not to let the bench rock on uneven ground. My four leg setup is a little different than his, but I would guess that if he compares a properly leveled four to three, that four win every time.
Boyd

 

[jimbires]

very nice , looks like it turned out reel good . it should work well for you .

 

[Patch700]

I built one this past summer , it turned out pretty good . I used 2 layers of 3/4 plywood for the bench top . I used 1 1/4 pipe legs . it's very solid . I couldn't get the angle blocks cut very well , so I had a guy make them for me . he does wood working and the blocks turned out excellent . I also made a stool . here are a bunch of pictures , maybe they will give you some ideas . Jim

Jim would you happen to know offhand where a fellow might find those cast threaded bases for the pipe to thread into? I'm rebuilding a portable bench that's currently using the folding banquet table legs and would like to go with the pipe legs.

Worse case scenario I was thinking of using couplers cut at 15 degrees and welding to a base but if I can find these cast threaded ones I would gladly go that route.

Thx in advance.

 

[jimbires]

I built one this past summer , it turned out pretty good . I used 2 layers of 3/4 plywood for the bench top . I used 1 1/4 pipe legs . it's very solid . I couldn't get the angle blocks cut very well , so I had a guy make them for me . he does wood working and the blocks turned out excellent . I also made a stool . here are a bunch of pictures , maybe they will give you some ideas . Jim

Jim would you happen to know offhand where a fellow might find those cast threaded bases for the pipe to thread into? I'm rebuilding a portable bench that's currently using the folding banquet table legs and would like to go with the pipe legs.

Worse case scenario I was thinking of using couplers cut at 15 degrees and welding to a base but if I can find these cast threaded ones I would gladly go that route.

Thx in advance.

Patch 700 , they are called a " flange " or " pipe flange " . I bought mine from J.J. Powell . he is a local gas , heating oil , and oil distributor that also does furnace installation . I'd say these could be bought from a hardware store , Lowes , home depot , true value . places like these should have them . if I remember right I paid about $15 each . I think I paid a little to much , but that was the price . here is a google search for " pipe flange " hope this helps . Jim

https://www.google.com/search?q=pipe%20flange%20&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a&channel=np&source=hp

 

[Patch700]

[/quote]

[/quote]


Patch 700 , they are called a " flange " or " pipe flange " . I bought mine from J.J. Powell . he is a local gas , heating oil , and oil distributor that also does furnace installation . I'd say these could be bought from a hardware store , Lowes , home depot , true value . places like these should have them . if I remember right I paid about $15 each . I think I paid a little to much , but that was the price . here is a google search for " pipe flange " hope this helps . Jim

https://www.google.com/search?q=pipe%20flange%20&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-USfficial&client=firefox-a&channel=np&source=hp
[/quote]

Perfect thanks Jim! You just saved me from having to go to various businesses asking if they carried threaded thingamajigs that looked like this.. lol

 

[Pete Wass]

I would opine it makes a difference how much accuracy one is looking for. Over time, wood shrinks. I've shot off a lot of benches over the past 30 odd years and I've yet to see a wooden bench that didn't move when one bumped it.

If I were going to make a portable bench, I'd make it from welded steel on it's own trailer. Plywood tops are great. Can't get a bench too solid.

 

[jamesdmock]

Hi Guys,
I am going to make a portable bench this week. The plan is to bouble a couple pieces of 3/4'' hardwood ply wood for the top and use 2'' pipe for legs. I am going to angle the three legs outward slightly. Basically I am copying some of the benches I have seen online. I just wanted to ask, for those that have a portable bench, is there anything you wish you would have done? How stable are these type of benches? Should I build a triangle of angle iron under it like some I have seen?
Thanks,
Alex

Attach a handle to help with moving it.

 

[Luisyamaha]

I noticed you guys definition of "portable" is different from mine. LOL. Good looking benches, though.

Luisyamaha

 

[BuffaloBill]

Mine pushes the boundaries of the portable definition too, but it’s a pleasure to shoot off of.

Thread 'Another Shooting Bench Project'

Aug 30, 2022

I have a farm to use as a gun range, but a permanent bench would in the way of farming activities. So I’m thinking about making one as shown below. The top would be concrete and shaped/dimensioned similar to those I read people liked at the St. Louis range (if I found the right discussion threads).

I believe the tongue weight would be about 90lbs with a total weight of about 550lbs. As drawn the tubing is 2” square. I liked the use of diagonals for rigidity and smaller tubing, as opposed to larger tubing w/o diagonals. I’m thinking 11ga wall thickness for the axle/tongue ass’y and...

• BuffaloBill
• Replies: 27
• Forum: Main Message Board

• 

 

[charlie b]

Portable comes from portage, which means people can move it. I recall the 75mm pack howitzer. Could be broken down into pieces that a gun crew could carry.

If it needs a vehicle (or horses) then it is 'towable', ie, towed artillery like the 105mm.

I think some of these benches qualify as 'towed'

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Portable comes from portage, which means people can move it. I recall the 75mm pack howitzer. Could be broken down into pieces that a gun crew could carry.

If it needs a vehicle (or horses) then it is 'towable', ie, towed artillery like the 105mm.

I think some of these benches qualify as 'towed'

To use military jargon, some benches are what I'd call "Vehicle Served".

 

[Mike Montgomery]

Here's the pictures for those that wanted them. Turned out good. Thanks Boyd for the idea of 3 coupling to make it a 3 or 4 leg bench.

Alex,
The only thing that I can add to the discussion is to drill a hole in each pipe leg so that you can use a screwdriver to loosen the pipe when it gets stuck. And it will! As for what I would do different, I would use 1 1/8 thick flooring instead of the 2 pieces of plywood, glued and screwed.

Mike Montgomery

 

[Tesoro]

Why does everyone still using L shaped benches? Are they all shooting free recoil bench rest with heavy guns?

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Why does everyone still using L shaped benches? Are they all shooting free recoil bench rest with heavy guns?

Humm, seems obvious to me, but I'd be interested to hear what shape bench you prefer. I'm talking bench shooting live varmints, not BR shooting. When I hear "portable bench", I immediately think shooting varmints in the field.

Care to clarify?