Concrete shooting bench top

[Joe Salt]

Can't anyone just say if you build a concrete and then you don't like it, put Marine plywood on top and seal it. No need to argue.

Joe Salt

 

[D Coots]

My bench, same as St Louis Benchrest. 33" high.

 

[dolek]

My bench, same as St Louis Benchrest. 33" high.View attachment 1132384 View attachment 1132385

Nice, I like the lines on that one .Long angle gives you plenty of options for positioning .

 

[RED 7]

When you guys set these leg plates in the concrete, is it plenty safe to weld the legs on after it has set up? Was just wondering if that much heat would make concrete pop apart.

We do not field weld 100% two or three one inch beads is more than enough to secure the tops to the posts.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

We do not field weld 100% two or three one inch beads is more than enough to secure the tops to the posts.

Thank You!

 

[Dgd6mm]

My bench, same as St Louis Benchrest. 33" high.View attachment 1132384 View attachment 1132385

I like the finish on your floor. Bench top is nice also.

 

[dttheliman]

These just work

 

[liljoe]

Dang Coots, is that in your living room?

Joe

 

[D Coots]

Dang Coots, is that in your living room?

Joe

No Joe. Out in the shop about 10' from my loading bench. Good idea though......

 

[Rich S]

If you make a permanent bench, consider adding extra space to set gear, shoot pistols etc... We added an extension to connect the front of our benches. We also made the top and legs in one continuous pour to save build time
.View attachment 1131585

Attached are dimensions of our bench(s). The main part of each bench is close to the dimensions at St. Louis Benchrest. We just extended the front some.

 

[Fast14riot]

I've shot on some nice benches, steel cased concrete tops, steel frame legs. But, if you use a Labradar, take that into consideration for the overall length if you use it on your bench.

Only gripe I have about concrete tops is if I forget a small towel for my strong side elbow, I have gnarly road rash after a dozen rounds. I mostly shoot prone, so I dont often think of it.

 

[dogdude]

Alex, you quite right about the Lab., I need a tall tripod too hold it , my bench is 6'' too short.
When I sat up my benches fully with gear the first thing I put down is a moving pad from the 70's
Very thick (could not get those pics. to attach), but get a couple of Protector #21 elbow bags..No road rash!!

 

[tangocharlie]

The obvious thing for me to consider, and I had to, from a club’s point of view, is cost. Wood tops or benches, no matter how well maintained, will need to be replaced sooner or later. With concrete, it’s one and done. We poured our own tops, used cinder blocks and mortar for legs, and we had benches.