User Panel
Posted: 12/1/2014 12:16:46 PM EDT
[Last Edit: Merlin]
I hope this is the right place for this....
A couple weeks ago, while sighting in a couple of my rifles on my personal range, I was using a folding table as a bench. Talk about an exercise in frustration!!! The table sat too low, forcing me to bend way over - very very uncomfortable!, plus it shook like an earthquake - or better yet - like T-Rex footstomps out of the JP movies every time my heart beat. So I decided to build my own concrete shooting bench. I've looked at a lot sites for plans and ideas, but this is the one that has been the most helpful: How to build the ultimate shooting range bench I started with the bench first since I wanted it to as strong as possible before I move it and place it on the concrete pad. There was one paper/site that I read that made this point very well, although I don't recall what site that was. In any event, here are the pics as I went along: Tabletop form. Dimensions are 42" long, 36" at the wide end and 20" wide at the shorter end with 1/2" rebar frame: Tabletop form just before pouring the concrete. Note that I decided to add a lifting eye. You're looking at the bottom of the table (top down) so the eye will on the underside of the table. The reason I wanted the eye is to make it easier to get the tabletop out of the form (I want to be able to reuse the form) and to weigh the tabletop when it comes out. Concrete poured. It took 3.5 bags of 80 lb concrete, so the final weight of the tabletop should be around 280 lbs plus the weight of the steel. Next up: the concrete pad. Thanks for looking! |
|
|
awesome thread!!! wish I had land so I could build one!!! cant wait to see it done.
|
|
|
|
That is awesome.
|
|
|
Grandpa is more fun at a campfire than a keyboard
NC, USA
|
Tag to see the completion.
Nice work so far |
See my ad in Ar15.com EE under...Holsters & Chest Rigs
The Lord says He can get me out of this mess, but He's pretty sure you're fooked. Proud father of enemy ass-kicker and destroyer of evil. |
Tag. Nice work!
|
|
|
I wish they would let us build them at my range to replace the wood wobblers. |
|
The nice part about being a pessimist is that you are constantly being either proven right or pleasantly surprised.
George Will Eagle Scout Vet NRA Life Member |
Originally Posted By PR361:
I wish they would let us build them at my range to replace the wood wobblers. View Quote I can relate, I was in a club before moving and they had "houses" with benches of wood. The houses sat on stacked cinder block and shook with enough wind or if anyone leaned on the building. It was ok for regular deer sighting in within reason but damn was it aggravating if you were trying to be precise in anything. Last I heard they were working on something better. Good thing. That's a fine setup OP, you ought to be happy with that for years! |
|
|
Very nice! I want to see how you are going to lift the 310 pound top.
I am so envious of anyone that has a range in their yard. I have a one hour drive to get to my clubs range... |
|
|
well, you've got a tractor, so i'm guessing that you have a grinder. i'd find a masonry sanding pad and you could probably smooth the top out pretty good. i would've welded a threaded bung into the rebar framing so it was flush with the top. then you could screwed some heavy duty eye hooks into it to move it.
|
|
|
You two need to see the pics in the first post. A lifting eye was both mentioned and pictured - not once but twice ..... It's not rocket science.
And ETA: I plan to use my forks (they replace the FEL) to lift and set the tabletop (right side up) on the concrete block columns once they are laid and poured. |
|
|
Maybe coat the top with some kind of self leveling epoxy to fill in the cracks???
|
|
|
Originally Posted By Cozmacozmy:
Maybe coat the top with some kind of self leveling epoxy to fill in the cracks??? View Quote I was thinking block fill to level and epoxy to seal, but the concrete is probably too young. Could epoxy a sheet of white Delrin on top. Dunno. Let's see where this goes. |
|
|
I'd think about some kind of coating or Formica type surface on top of the bench. No matter how careful you are, concrete is hard on gun finishes.
|
|
I've tried to see things from the liberal point of view ... but I'm just not flexible enough to get my head up my ass.
|
Nice thread. Can't wait to see the finished product. I would post pictures in the GD forum and see what ideas folks come up to deal with
the wrinkle issue. In 30min. it will be read more times then it ever will be here. |
|
|
Originally Posted By Cozmacozmy:
Maybe coat the top with some kind of self leveling epoxy to fill in the cracks??? View Quote Not really necessary: I always planned on using some leftover carpet over the tabletop anyway. I'm just disappointed the plastic folded the way it did and ruined a very nice smooth finish! Oh well, First World Problems and all that...... |
|
|
Originally Posted By Merlin:
Not really necessary: I always planned on using some leftover carpet over the tabletop anyway. I'm just disappointed the plastic folded the way it did and ruined a very nice smooth finish! Oh well, First World Problems and all that...... View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Merlin:
Originally Posted By Cozmacozmy:
Maybe coat the top with some kind of self leveling epoxy to fill in the cracks??? Not really necessary: I always planned on using some leftover carpet over the tabletop anyway. I'm just disappointed the plastic folded the way it did and ruined a very nice smooth finish! Oh well, First World Problems and all that...... Personally I would have broom finished it, then glued carpet to it. The texture from the broom finish would have made a better bond... but then again your talking to a guy who uses a folding table for a bench, and has to ask the neighbors before he shoots |
|
-Certain misery is better than the misery of uncertainty-
|
Originally Posted By -FiveFiveSIx-: Personally I would have broom finished it, then glued carpet to it. The texture from the broom finish would have made a better bond... but then again your talking to a guy who uses a folding table for a bench, and has to ask the neighbors before he shoots View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By -FiveFiveSIx-: Originally Posted By Merlin: Originally Posted By Cozmacozmy: Maybe coat the top with some kind of self leveling epoxy to fill in the cracks??? Not really necessary: I always planned on using some leftover carpet over the tabletop anyway. I'm just disappointed the plastic folded the way it did and ruined a very nice smooth finish! Oh well, First World Problems and all that...... Personally I would have broom finished it, then glued carpet to it. The texture from the broom finish would have made a better bond... but then again your talking to a guy who uses a folding table for a bench, and has to ask the neighbors before he shoots The mold was upside down. Can't really "broom finish" the top section under 3 inches of concrete.
|
|
|
Originally Posted By Cozmacozmy:
The mold was upside down. Can't really "broom finish" the top section under 3 inches of concrete. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Cozmacozmy:
Originally Posted By -FiveFiveSIx-:
Originally Posted By Merlin:
Originally Posted By Cozmacozmy:
Maybe coat the top with some kind of self leveling epoxy to fill in the cracks??? Not really necessary: I always planned on using some leftover carpet over the tabletop anyway. I'm just disappointed the plastic folded the way it did and ruined a very nice smooth finish! Oh well, First World Problems and all that...... Personally I would have broom finished it, then glued carpet to it. The texture from the broom finish would have made a better bond... but then again your talking to a guy who uses a folding table for a bench, and has to ask the neighbors before he shoots The mold was upside down. Can't really "broom finish" the top section under 3 inches of concrete. Correct. As I clearly stated in just before the second pic, the table was formed upper side down. Unless the "crinkling" leads to the concrete cracking pretty badly, it's really nothing more than a cosmetic issue. As stated earlier, I always planned to lay some old carpet over the concrete table prior to shooting. Concrete, regardless of how smooth it is, wins every time against gun steel and wood. It stopped raining today and should be clear the rest of the week. I'm going to finalize the pad tomorrow and plan to pour it on Tuesday AM. I'll let it sit overnight, then lay the first round of blocks for the three columns, and then half fill them with concrete. I'll then let the concrete cure one day, then set the rest of the blocks the next day and pour them full of concrete. I plan to lay 4 layers of standard 8x8x16 block and then one 4x8x16 solid block over that (i.e. 32" + 4" = 36" high columns). With the 3.5" of tabletop, that will make the top of the table just under 40". I want it a little high since I'm pretty tall at 6'4" and I hate having to bend over to shoot while sitting at a bench. Thanks, |
|
|
|
Originally Posted By KZ45:
I'd use some nice quality glue down carpet squares with grooves so things don't roll around. <a href="http://s1124.photobucket.com/user/urbankz/media/Carpet_zps1dc3dddd.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1124.photobucket.com/albums/l565/urbankz/Carpet_zps1dc3dddd.jpg</a> This shooting bench is going to be way too nice for just some "old carpet". View Quote |
|
|
Where's the "like" button???
this is cool!!! I'm gonna have to do one too!! |
|
|
You are doing a great job.
|
|
"I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it." - Capt. W. F. Call, Texas Ranger
http://www.theboxotruth.com/ Shooting Stuff Is Fun |
Any plans to put a canopy over it?
|
|
|
Looks awesome!
|
|
|
|
Looks great!
|
|
|
Originally Posted By Merlin:
Houston, the Eagle has landed! And last but not least, this shot shows the long, arduous journey/commute I have to take each time I want to shoot after working up a load or modifying a rifle etc. The entrance to my shop/former orgy bar/Skeeter Pee Production Center/MEC/reloading room is just to the left of the back end of my shop: View Quote Moving sidewalk. Definitely needs a moving sidewalk. Seriously, nice work on this - i have a 6 mile drive to my range. Yours is better. |
|
|
Wrinkles on the top don't look that bad after all!
|
|
|
"Behind the donuts! I know what Im doing"
NV, USA
|
Edited. - Old_Painless
Other than that.... GREAT JOB!! |
|
Just a reminder guys, this is not General Discussion. No foolishness. - Old_Painless
|
|
"I hate rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it." - Capt. W. F. Call, Texas Ranger
http://www.theboxotruth.com/ Shooting Stuff Is Fun |
The OP has a really nice setup..
Tiny wrinkles are no concern at all as he said he was intending to cover with carpet. I would suggest a simple roof on posts (carport like) . This would keep the bench/carpet mostly dry , keep you out of the sun and allow you to shoot when it is damp / light rain without getting your shooting stuff wet . Keep the roof up off you some as a low roof will tend to bounce muzzle blast/noise back at you |
|
|
Originally Posted By nhsport:
The OP has a really nice setup.. Tiny wrinkles are no concern at all as he said he was intending to cover with carpet. I would suggest a simple roof on posts (carport like) . This would keep the bench/carpet mostly dry , keep you out of the sun and allow you to shoot when it is damp / light rain without getting your shooting stuff wet . Keep the roof up off you some as a low roof will tend to bounce muzzle blast/noise back at you View Quote Both of those are good to know, thanks! |
|
|
Originally Posted By nhsport:
The OP has a really nice setup.. Tiny wrinkles are no concern at all as he said he was intending to cover with carpet. I would suggest a simple roof on posts (carport like) . This would keep the bench/carpet mostly dry , keep you out of the sun and allow you to shoot when it is damp / light rain without getting your shooting stuff wet . Keep the roof up off you some as a low roof will tend to bounce muzzle blast/noise back at you View Quote Agree with the roof it will make it louder, but it's nice to keep your equipment dry. I shoot in bad weather and don't mind getting wet and cold, but I do hate getting my equipment wet so the extra noise from a roof is worth keeping equipment dry in my opinion. |
|
Far beyond driven
|
Nice work and a great idea!
How level did it turn out? |
|
|
|
Originally Posted By Merlin:
And Tabletop II came out of the form this morning. It weighed right around 336 lbs, about 26 lbs more than mine, how that is is beyond me since I used the same form and the same amount of rebar. View Quote At 150 lbs/cf, 26 lbs is about 17% of a cubic foot - less than a 7" cube spread out over the area of the table top. You likely have a little more concrete in this table top than the previous. There is also the variance in the amount of water used during mixing, and how much has been released from the concrete during the hydration process - as well as how much has been retained by the aggregates and sand. Reinforcing is the least heavy element of your construction. These look great, BTW. I have plans to build something similar, if it ever stops snowing. |
|
Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.
|
Damn , that's sweet Nice layout , too . |
|
AMERICA WAS FOUNDED BY TOUGH HELL RAISERS THAT EVADED TAXES,GREW TOBACCO,SMUGGLED WEAPONS,BREWED SPIRITS AND STOOD AGAINST TYRANNY...AND IT WILL TAKE THIS TYPE TO SAVE HER.
|
nice!
|
|
cold dead hands
|
Very nicely done. If you want a smoother top, a vibratory motor can help get all of the bubbles out. I've also heard people who make high-end concrete countertops talk about using multiple sizes of aggregate, all the way down to fine sand.
|
|
|
Very nice, but without a footing that pad is just going to sink and always be moving.
|
|
|
I would of preferred to see a footing poured but other then that you did a grade A job!
|
|
living well is the best revenge!
ETERNAL R & R my brothers CPT Ritz, SSG Epps, SSG Ortiz, LTC Rennie Cory Jr... C co 2/325th ABN INF. 83-86 |
Originally Posted By Ef4life:
Very nice, but without a footing that pad is just going to sink and always be moving. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Ef4life:
Very nice, but without a footing that pad is just going to sink and always be moving. Originally Posted By winddummy82:
I would of preferred to see a footing poured but other then that you did a grade A job! It's been a year and a half and the concrete hasn't cracked much less moved anywhere. It's certainly not going to sink, the ground here is hard as a rock. If it does crack, it's still not going anywhere with all the steel that's in it - most commenters noted that I didn't need to have any steel at all, but I had it so used it. If it wasn't so hot, I'd be out using it right now as we speak. I want to move the scope on my coyote rifle an inch or so to the rear and want to resight it while doing it. I'm not going to do it while I'm sweating like a pig though.... |
|
Nolo for the NRA Board! http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/1860457_.html
|
Beautiful. A mason/contractor would have charged you a ton of money. Did you have the work bid before you did the job. Did you document your time and materials? Sorry if you already answered these q's.
|
|
|
Originally Posted By Merlin:
Not really necessary: I always planned on using some leftover carpet over the tabletop anyway. I'm just disappointed the plastic folded the way it did and ruined a very nice smooth finish! Oh well, First World Problems and all that...... View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Originally Posted By Merlin:
Originally Posted By Cozmacozmy:
Maybe coat the top with some kind of self leveling epoxy to fill in the cracks??? Not really necessary: I always planned on using some leftover carpet over the tabletop anyway. I'm just disappointed the plastic folded the way it did and ruined a very nice smooth finish! Oh well, First World Problems and all that...... Standing on the shoulders of giants, I think I'll stretch the plastic on the outside of the frame before I pour. Might leave some sharp (ish) edges, but those will grind off easy with a buffing wheel. |
|
|
Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!
You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.