Hardened Pins for Farley Rest

C

Chris Harris

Member
Does anyone know what hardened pins Farley uses to screw into the bottom of his rest? I would imagine that it is a generic part but it is nothing I recognize. (To clarify: I am referring to the pin that is threaded and epoxied into the bottom of each of the three threaded legs.)
 
look for some anchors for a ramset. that's the studs that construction workers shoot into a slab with a .22 blank. I have seen some at lowes. the ones that work best have a hardened point that is screwed into a stud.
 
Better Idea

Chris,

Your question really struck a nerve with me as I have experience with both the Farley front rest and building and maintaining concrete bench tops.

Don't misunderstand; I love the Farley rest and would not part with mine, but the concrete nails on it are an abomonation! :mad: Not only are they pure hell on bench tops but they also go right thru the holes in Superfeet. I won't let anyone use them as is on the bench top at the tunnel. :mad: The fix is simple. :)

Replace them with 1/2 inch hex bolts that have been sharpened in the lathe to a ninety degree included angle. The hex should be tightened all the way down on the top of the base and the point should protrude from the bottom only enough to engage the holes of the Superfeet. It's the best setup I have ever seen. :)

"Oh,, but that won't provide for any leveling." you say.

Not a problem, I assure you. If you use Superfeet, Don Nielson's 'hockey pucks' or something similar, your rest will sit plenty level on the bench. If the rifle cants in the front rest you need to message the bag a little to level it up.

I'm on a crusade to stamp out bench bashers! :mad: :)

I would not want to see any more rules written, but I hope everyone will voluntarily start using some type of protector for the bench tops around the country. All you have to do to appreciate what a job it is to build them is try repairing or replacing those that have been battered by hardened pins and sledge hammers.

Please save those bench tops!

Hope this helps.

Later,

Gene Beggs
 
I use superfeet now but had to make new legs for my farley since the ones made for the farley I bought have holes that are too big and my original feet went right thru by 1/8":eek: so I made new ones like gene is talkin' 'bout and added some brass tops that are knurled and polished for the added bling factor I am known for:p
 
Hi Gene

You will be pleased to note that I am fully supportive of your point (pun unintended) about the bench tops. I, who have built several concrete benches, never want to see them defaced in any way. I never liked knocking the pins into the tops and at the recent NBRSA champs I discovered the rubber/metal feet for the rest. What a pleasure!!! There is no sense for anyone to use the hardened pins most importantly because I get the impression the rubber feet are more stable. Much easier to set up as well.

I just wanted to have something in the end of the threaded leg that got snapped by the courier. The best was simply to replace with what was there. I had already ground down the other two pins to approx 90 included angle!

Maybe a separate should be put on the forum to encourage people to "discover" the rubber/metal feet.

I would be curious to know if anyone disagrees with me in thinking that the rubber feet are better.
 
on a slick top bench is the rubber feet more stable? I doubt it but are sure easier to set up. I wish somebody would pull their rest with a scale with both methods and see. be sure to put 10 or 12lbs on the rest to simulate the gun. I can actually move mine by pulling it where I couldn't if it were hammered in. I still like the feet- great idea IMO!
 
Many years ago, Jerry Hensler showed me some aluminum squares with rubber backing that he used on the benchtops at the Deitz range in New Braunfels. They worked great but I have not seen them in use elsewhere.

Prior to winning a set of Superfeet as a door prize, I made my own from 1/8 inch thick brass discs two inches in diameter with a small hole drilled in the center. Rather than rubber, which does allow the rest and rifle to move a tiny bit, I use anti-skid sandpaper like they put on ladder steps. It's made by 3M and can be found at Home Depot.

Don Nielson makes some very nice turned aluminum units and even engraves your name on them. He calls them 'Hockey Pucks.'

Next time you see someone pounding on a benchtop with a hammer, remind them that there is a better way. I'll never forget an incident that I witnessed at Kelbly's one year.

The unlimited shooters were setting up for their next match. One big burly guy was pounding the hell out of his rail gun base with what looked like a five pound sledge hammer. I stopped in disbelief and about that time George Kelbly Sr., walked past the guy and with the utmost self control said, "I don't know if that bench is going to survive that beating or not."

I couldn't help but wonder what George would have done if that bench had split and crumbled to the ground. :eek:

Gene Beggs
 
Chris Harris said:
To clarify: "Better" in terms of assisting one with accuracy.
Click to expand...

Chris, as you know, many of the benches around the country are beat up pretty bad.

If you do not use the Superfeet type pads, you run the risk of your front rest or rail base falling off into a hole. I saw this very thing keep Joe Krupa from winning the Unlimited Grand at Kansas City one year. I could have cried because he was shooting so well. Oh well,,, he came back with a vengeance; didn't he? :D

Later,

Gene Beggs
 
You are correct about a foot falling into a hole. That is why I think the rubber feet are "less risky".

However, I do see one problem with the Superfeet and that is if the bench is so badly pock-marked that the surface becomes uneven. Even a 2" disk will tend to rock a little. I found myself having to remove the disk off one of the pins in Phoenix and allow that leg to be tapped into the bench. But this may be pretty rare.

Chris
 
Dusty, I removed the old pin and ground a new point on it, then simply Loctited it but now with less threads engaged. It should hold, if not I will call Jamie. Thanks. I was not able to find the exact pin on the internet but I will take a look around at our Fastenal store when I get there next.
Chris
 
Superfeet/Farley

There are Superfeet made for the small diameter points on the Farley. If anyone needs to exchange the standard set for a Farley set, contact me.

Dave Dohrmann
dbugholes@aol.com
 
Chris, no offense, but I wouldn't buy anything from Fastenal if they were the last bolt place on earth. They are the most rude and uncaring people that I have met.
Butch
 
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