Bench top design for comment

B

Boyd Allen

Active member
I have been playing around trying to learn just a little about a CAD program (next stop the book store for some help!) and I made this sketch of a bench top. I know that the drafting needs a lot of help, and in retrospect, I would have dimensioned it slightly differently, but look past that and criticize it on shape and size basis, assuming that there was room on the line for such a design.
benchtop-copy-copy.jpg
 
This is the design we used at the range in St. George, Utah back in the 70s.
The exact measurements may be different, but the basic design is the same. They worked out great. ;) Sadly, that particular range is no longer with us.
 
That's the tops I have at Rachel's Glen. The rear 'leg' on mine is 18 inches and the front is only 36 inches wide but it's plenty wide enough. To have 20 benches with a 45 inch wide top would have necessitated another 180 inches (15 feet) of slab and cover. My benches are on 5 foot centers and they work well. It's a good design.
 
Mickey,
I have fairly long arms, and on a 12" wide tail, the tip of my elbow is about even with the far side, so I figured that 15" should be wide enough. Obviously, with its width, this bench shouldn't be used 5' OC. I would think that 5'-9" should be the minimum. A little more would be even better. If I had to trim this design, I would leave the tail width alone, and reduce the overall width to 37-38".
 
Boyd Allen said:
Mickey,
I have fairly long arms, and on a 12" wide tail, the tip of my elbow is about even with the far side, so I figured that 15" should be wide enough. Obviously, with its width, this bench shouldn't be used 5' OC. I would think that 5'-9" should be the minimum. A little more would be even better. If I had to trim this design, I would leave the tail width alone, and reduce the overall width to 37-38".
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Just giving you the dimensions of my tops. They are not original with me by any means. The first ten tops were first at a range at Boone, NC, I believe and Buddy Ross made the second ten. I've not found a better design.

Like I mentioned, having a wider top would have run the cost of the range up considerably for me and there was no need for a wider top. Thirty six inches is gracious plenty so no need to incur the extra expense.
 
andrusdc@thebig said:
This is the design we used at the range in St. George, Utah back in the 70s.
The exact measurements may be different, but the basic design is the same. They worked out great. ;) Sadly, that particular range is no longer with us.
Click to expand...
Seeing that you're from Page it reminded me of the last time I was through there I got a tremendous toothache. Called a local dentist and he phoned in a pain prescription at a drug store for me. The pills only cost me $3. He certainly was a good friend in my need and I've never forgotten his kindness. I have good feelings about Page, AZ.
 
Boyd ...

I've always liked that design. If you've got the land and the money go for it. Bigger is better. I believe the attached picture is a picture of Mr. Coleman's bench. A great looking bench on a slightly smaller scale. As discussed previously, this design also accommodates handicapped shooters. Art
 

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abintx said:
I've always liked that design. If you've got the land and the money go for it. Bigger is better. I believe the attached picture is a picture of Mr. Coleman's bench. A great looking bench on a slightly smaller scale. As discussed previously, this design also accommodates handicapped shooters. Art
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Yep, those are mine....and, please, it's 'Mickey' and not 'Mr. Coleman. Anybody named after a rat can't stand on formality, y'know. ;)
 
Boyd ...

I agree with Lynn. I recommend concrete filled pipe for the legs. We have a similar shaped bench at the Austin Rifle Club and the legs are concrete filled pipe. Since the temperatures here have been running almost daily in the 103 to 105 heat index range anyone who is not wearing shorts is dehydrating very fast. My final suggestion is, if you've got a few coins left over and you want to go for complete creature comfort, consider wrapping the rear leg with insulation for boney knees protection. Art
 
Boyd ...

Here's an interesting bench support that eliminates the back rear support, pipe or otherwise. I would image this prevents a lot of bruised knees. Should also serve the wheelchair bound quite nicely. Art
 

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Art,
Is it totally wiggle free, as viewed through the scope, while leaning on the bench?

What size angles are used, and how are thay attached to the block and top?

I like the idea, if it really doesn't move.
 
Boyd,

I like your bench top design. What we have built for the San Angelo Gun Club in our moveable bench is very simular in shape but a little smaller so we can get benches every 5' if need be. I am going to try to post a drawing of the top but I am not very good at this. The heavy movable bench that is shown in the article that Fred J posted is as solid as a rock. It is the basis for Dan Killough's benches if any of you have shot on them.

Concho Bill

/Users/bill/Desktop/SAGC Bench top_1.JPG

Well, that did not work. I will try again latter. The overall width is 38" and the tail width is 13"
 
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Boyd ...

The bench in the attachment is found in the BR Central article Fred J referenced above my reply. I can't image any movement with a concrete top. The bench tops, and that's just the top, that we have in Austin are 4 inches thick and weigh in at over 400 lbs each. I would guess your larger top would be much more, perhaps 500 lbs. Supported properly they shouldn't move at all. The hard part would be lifting and positioning them in place. I'm sure a good engineeer could answer you questions in detail. Art

P.S. According to the article the bench pictured was built at The Palomino Valley Gun Club in Sparks, Nevada. Here is a link to their home page: http://palominovalleygunclub.homestead.com/Contact.html You might call and ask the club president about the bench construction. Hope this helps.
 
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MColeman said:
Seeing that you're from Page it reminded me of the last time I was through there I got a tremendous toothache. Called a local dentist and he phoned in a pain prescription at a drug store for me. The pills only cost me $3. He certainly was a good friend in my need and I've never forgotten his kindness. I have good feelings about Page, AZ.
Click to expand...


There are only two dentist offices in town and my wife has been one of the receptionists at the largest one for the last 19 years. You may well have met her! Next time you are through here look me up. Only Andrus in the book!

Dana:)
 
autocad

Thanks for the help on bench design. Now I'll help you out. Your drawing is fine, just don't accept the default dimension settings because it makes your drawing hard to read. Go to the drop down menu across the top. Select "Dimension and then "style". This open's a box where you can enlarge your arrows, make your dimension lines thinner than your drawing lines and most important of all, offset the dim. lines from the drawing itself.

Bob Jamieson
Austell Ga.
 
autocad issues

Thanks for the help on bench design. Now I'll help you out. Your drawing is fine, just don't accept the default dimension settings because it makes your drawing hard to read. Go to the drop down menu across the top. Select "Dimension and then "style". This open's a box where you can enlarge your arrows, make your dimension lines thinner than your drawing lines and most important of all, offset the dim. lines from the drawing itself.

Bob Jamieson
Austell Ga.
 
Thanks Lynn,
I agree; it couldn't get much better than that. From the surface texture pattern I would guess that it was cast using a cardboard Sonotube form.
http://www.sonotube.com/faq.html
Greetings from Lake Tahoe, this year's vacation site. Boy, is it pretty up here, and only about 6 hours drive time from home (Fresno).
 
"Mickey"

MColeman said:
Yep, those are mine....and, please, it's 'Mickey' and not 'Mr. Coleman. Anybody named after a rat can't stand on formality, y'know. ;)
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I thought you looked spiffy at the B'ham gun show in your tux, all that was missing was the mouse hat. Looking forward to October..
 
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