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

 

[RB64]

Well, I got it made up after work today, have to do the sanding and finishing tomorrow. I wasn't really looking to make the lightest bench, just the most stable bench I can take apart and put in the truck. I am going to shoot br rifles off this and want it really sturdy. Anyhow, I doubled some 3/4 and welded a triangle out of angle iron and bolted the top to it. I welded a fitting in each corner to screw the legs into. Its pretty darn stable, and I bet the top doesn't weight over 50 lbs. I used 1 1/2'' galvanized pipe for the legs. I'll post a picture when its done.

This is my portable bench . Pretty stable . I may fill legs with tile grout to dampen vibrations .
I also Built sturdy wood bench that I dug 6" holes in the ground for semi Permanent . Or you could drill for axles to move .

 

[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".