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Homemade Benchrest Plans?
- Thread starter Ya know
- Start date
Mostly they have cast iron bases so they sit hard on the bench, but you could just pick a heavy sandbag you like and build a U-frame around it. As long as the bag was filled with something dense, you wouldn't lack for weight. Actual sand might do it.
I expect you can figure out adjustable feet for yourself, but if you expect to make one-wheel windage and elevation adjustments much less a joystick control for it, then you're going to be into metal parts or at least some hefty threaded inserts. Basically its an X-Y table rotated 90° to the bench so Y becomes Z, plus feet, and with a bag sitting on its top edge.
Bottom line: no, I haven't run into existing plans for such a thing.
I expect you can figure out adjustable feet for yourself, but if you expect to make one-wheel windage and elevation adjustments much less a joystick control for it, then you're going to be into metal parts or at least some hefty threaded inserts. Basically its an X-Y table rotated 90° to the bench so Y becomes Z, plus feet, and with a bag sitting on its top edge.
Bottom line: no, I haven't run into existing plans for such a thing.
Rifleman1776
New member
i've made a couple over the years. Never much success.
I have made all wood with wood threads. Those didn't hold up.
I have used iron pipe with threaded flanges fixed to the bench. OK but not very versitile.
For years I have used an inexpensive plastic rest. Not good, it moves around with every shot.
Next to a heavy, and expensive iron rest is just plain sandbags.
I have made all wood with wood threads. Those didn't hold up.
I have used iron pipe with threaded flanges fixed to the bench. OK but not very versitile.
For years I have used an inexpensive plastic rest. Not good, it moves around with every shot.
Next to a heavy, and expensive iron rest is just plain sandbags.
Thanx Unclenick & Rifleman1776. What I'm thinking about is a solid block of wood w. a space btwn it & a 3/4" wood flat top to snap on a commercial front bag. Then attach 3, 2x4 wood legs running out vertically. Attach levelers/height adjusters. Add some weight to the legs & something to brace the front side of the rifle against. Add a rear bag & I'd be set. There would be no windage though. This is in the real early planning stage. I've seen other wood 'rests out there but they lacked weight. This one would weigh a bit. Plus, w. good wood & good fit & finish it'd be a looker. I'm just not sure (I'll test it out 1st though) if metal threaded inserts for the levelers would have play btwn them & the bolts. If so, I figure it would be next to worthless.
603Country
New member
YaKnow, I'm also a woodworker and was thinking about building something similar. I use sandbags right now, which work pretty good, but sandbags aren't the most adjustable of rests. If you do come up with some workable plans for an adjustable rifle rest, I'd be very interested in being a copycat.
Steel rest adjustable
Here are a few pics of the one I made out of steel. Might give you an idea or
2. It adjusts up or down from the 1" all thread encased in slotted tube. The
carpeted angle iron swivels back and forth or can be locked to steady. It weighs about 9 lbs, and wind will not move it @ all. Just my 2¢.
View attachment 70746
View attachment 70747
Here are a few pics of the one I made out of steel. Might give you an idea or
2. It adjusts up or down from the 1" all thread encased in slotted tube. The
carpeted angle iron swivels back and forth or can be locked to steady. It weighs about 9 lbs, and wind will not move it @ all. Just my 2¢.
View attachment 70746
View attachment 70747
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That 'rest loox real solid Zildjian. That thick piece of metal attached near the bottom of my tripods' wood legs would add a lot of wt. exactly where it'd be needed--down low. Plus, it would lock all 3 wood legs into an immovable position--there'd be no change in orientation of any of the legs to the others upon recoil. Black threaded pipe may very well be something I'll be able to incorporate--we'll see. 603Country, did you catch all that? Tedswoodworking.com has 16,000 woodworking plans for I think $67, but he'll drop $20 if you go to the site then try to exit. I'd think there might be something there. Not sure if it's a legit deal though. I'll check it out & post in a week or so if he has anything. Rimfirecentral has some plans--do a search there. Mite check out Buzz Yooper-Homemade Front Benchrest, under Techniques and Equipment. If you could get some weight on that thing it might work. And like they say, only one-eyed carpenters wear eye protection.
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