Makin' my own rest (pics)

[204shooter]

Hi all,

Didn't want to spend $200-$400 on a new rest so I decided to make my own. It may not look as good as a SEB of work as smoothly as a Farley, but it should work great for me.

I still need to finish the top plate (gonna attach "wings" on sides to help bag keep it's shape) and weld upright to base. I will probable replace standard bolts with thumb screws also. May even give a flame paint job.

Yes there is a roller thrust bearing in the upright, and keen inserts (similar to heli-coil) in all adjustment holes.

No I'm not making anybody else one and no it's not for sale, unless you have a BIG check with my name on it. Not that is that valuable, but I made it out of scrap at work on my breaks and lunches and had a hard time finding material laying around.
And I do mean scrap, notice the porosity in some of the aluminum.

 

[LHSmith]

Looks solid enough, my only reservation would be the narrow footprint of the base, stability demands a large footprint.

 

[butchlambert]

Can you make it shorter? Some of the ranges that we shoot at are level or downhill. You need to be lower than 5" with the mariner wheel.
Butch

 

[204shooter]

LHSMITH
I hear ya on the footprint, the base is 8"w X 9"l hopefully that is stable enough. That was the only stock we had on hand at the shop.

butchlambert
I too was wondering about the height and I may shorten the upright by about an inch or so before I weld it to the base.


Thank you very much for your comments and suggestions.

AK

 

[HillbillySniper]

Look good for just using "scrap" laying around at work ;D. Hope it works well for you!

Hillbilly

 

[k80skeet]

Looks real nice. Randolph Machine Has (2) very nice tops. I am a little bais because I think THE RANDOLPH FRONT REST is with the best front rest ever made head and sholders above all the reat on the market. GO TO RANDOLPH MACHINE AND CHECK THEM OUT.!!!! THEY ARE GREAT!! I have both tops and both are made at the highest Quailty as is everything they make.

 

[RAGGED]

Looks solid, isn't it a great feeling making your own equipment, even if it seems to take FOREVER!

 

[wareagle392003]

Nice Job ! Especially using scrap raw materials. Half the fun of hobbies is the build and improvising! I would rather have a functional home-made anything than a me-too store bought as long as it performed on par.
I'm working on a couple of my own front rest creations in my spare time. I'll share pictures when I get further along. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing.

 

[seb]

Good job. I always enjoy my time making stuffs and always enjoy to see people making their own stuffs...action, bolt, trigger, stock, rest, golf clubs, pool stick etc etc... (anything).
If you could add a "mariner" wheel for the rough elevation that must be more easier & faster to turn.
If the rest is intended for bench shooting, you might want to cut the height of the center column?
Also on the locking bolt, you might want a large handle/knob/leverage rather than to use allen wrench.
I also see the base is considerably small...if you could drill the holes more nearer to the corner...?
You say it might be painted. I would love to see the finished job.

seb.