Shooting benches

[fignewton]

Friend asked me to build him 3 shooting benches.  Found this video on YouTube and liked the design and the fact that he already had a cut list embedded. 
shooting benches
His estimate for "under $100" wasn't exactly accurate for today's times.  I changed the design to run the top boards from side to side in front of the shooter instead of lengthwise.  I used 9 2x6x8, 1 2x8x10, and I think 5 5/4 x 8 decking boards for the top.  (The video doesn't mention the top, only the frame structure.)  In addition, I used 2 full boxes of 2 3/4" screws (about 150 total), and then shorter ones for the top boards. Total materials was about $190 at today's prices.  Took me about 7-8 hours to build each one. They are SOLID and heavy! 
After building the first one and using my Kapex, I decided to go get the crown stops to provide better support for larger boards on the UG wings.  (See new review in Tool Review section). 
[attachimg=1]

 

[madjalapeno]

I've spent too long with woodworking. First thought was this.

 

[squall_line]

Very nice!

I don't have a Kapex (yet, or maybe ever? we'll see how it goes over the years), but I could see me trying to tackle a project like that with my HKC, other than the 45's.

How many people does it take to move?

 

[fignewton]

when he came to get the first one on a trailer, it took 3 of us to get it on.  For the second, we didn’t have a third person, so I stuck a furniture dolly under the front and the two of us rolled it up onto the tilted trailer.  That worked pretty good. 

 

[kevin clifford]

Nicely done. Looks rock solid too, very beefy.

 

[Packard]

I suppose the second seat is for the spotter with the spotting scope. 

I've used shooting benches and I was always alone on the bench. 

 

[xedos]

At today’s material prices (Apr 21’ ) a hundred bucks won’t get you enough lumber for one of those.  Under a hundred would be a pipe dream.

 

[squall_line]

I suppose the second seat is for the spotter with the spotting scope. 

I've used shooting benches and I was always alone on the bench.

My thought on the second seat was that it was easier to make than a seat that can be rotated to either side, which is what I usually see at the county-owned ranges here.

 

[fignewton]

...or to accommodate left and right-hand shooters

 

[squall_line]

...or to accommodate left and right-hand shooters

Well, yes, that's the reason for the shape/double-sidedness; I was referring to why it was a bench rather than a swinging or rotating seat.

 

[Oldwood]

I suppose the second seat is for the spotter with the spotting scope. 

I've used shooting benches and I was always alone on the bench.

I thought it might be for left-handed shooters?

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I suppose the second seat is for the spotter with the spotting scope. 

I've used shooting benches and I was always alone on the bench.

I thought it might be for left-handed shooters?

You must be left handed, righties never think like that.

 

[damagi]

I'm a righty, but shoot left handed due to cross-eye dominance. I was at camp this year and they had these fancy CNC cut plywood benches you could flip to go from right to left. Cool idea, a pain in the butt in practice. Having a seat on either side so folks can adjust as needed is a much better solution.