Butch sent me one of his ShadeTree tops, and I've had some time
to see what direction I might go with. I picked up a BE1005 some
time ago from Grizzly on closeout. From there I added a bottom
steel plate for weight, longer F-class screws, and Protector made
me a nice 4" top bag in cordura, and filled with heavy sand. This
past year it's been my primary rest for testing.....Well since I had
done some truing of the original BE top slide, and frankly do like
it, I decided to ditch the marineer wheel and it's lock rod, and put
the joy stick top in it's place. Nothing wrong with a little redundancy.
I had more of a headache finding 10/24 flat screws then the actual
work.....After mating the BE's slide rails to Butch's top plate, I was
on a roll but did have a problem with the joy stick being too long with
interference for the front leg screw.....I shortened the rod about 2"
and installed a larger knob I had on the shelf. It worked slick since you
can rest your hand on the front leg while manipulating the rod. About
the only thing I want to do yet is make a few donut collars in several
thicknesses for the center rapid post. If I need more height in a hurry,
I can raise the post, slide in a collar, then drop the post to sit hard
and steady on the frame, making no chance for the post to slip down.
After that, it all joy stick or maybe some adjustments from the side
screw.....Plan is to test drive it this week if the weather clears.
to see what direction I might go with. I picked up a BE1005 some
time ago from Grizzly on closeout. From there I added a bottom
steel plate for weight, longer F-class screws, and Protector made
me a nice 4" top bag in cordura, and filled with heavy sand. This
past year it's been my primary rest for testing.....Well since I had
done some truing of the original BE top slide, and frankly do like
it, I decided to ditch the marineer wheel and it's lock rod, and put
the joy stick top in it's place. Nothing wrong with a little redundancy.
I had more of a headache finding 10/24 flat screws then the actual
work.....After mating the BE's slide rails to Butch's top plate, I was
on a roll but did have a problem with the joy stick being too long with
interference for the front leg screw.....I shortened the rod about 2"
and installed a larger knob I had on the shelf. It worked slick since you
can rest your hand on the front leg while manipulating the rod. About
the only thing I want to do yet is make a few donut collars in several
thicknesses for the center rapid post. If I need more height in a hurry,
I can raise the post, slide in a collar, then drop the post to sit hard
and steady on the frame, making no chance for the post to slip down.
After that, it all joy stick or maybe some adjustments from the side
screw.....Plan is to test drive it this week if the weather clears.
