Portable shooting bench

[YEMX]

Not sure where to put this thread, this gate seemed the most appropriate.  Mods: Feel free to move if needed.

I'm currently working on a portable shooting bench.  I'll start with, this isn't MY idea.  It's simply my version.  I've only seen one person do this, on Youtube.  I haven't been able to find any other posts or vids of anyone doing something similar, but I think it's a pretty sweet idea!  Anyhoo, onto the build.

I'm using a portable miter saw stand as the base for this build.  Specifically a Hitachi UU240F.  It supports up to 400 lbs, so I think we'll be good in the weight capacity department LOL.  It's no longer available on Amazon, so I assume it's been superseded by a new model.  I don't know. 

I'll snap some pics, but overall, it's a simple project.  Just A LOT of measuring, and I have to make sure not to get too excited, get ahead of myself, and back myself into a corner...  Anyhoo- the reason for this build, is because I want a portable shooting bench.  But it needs to meet some personal criteria:

-  Breaks down to a relatively compact package (the fewer pieces the better)
-  Relatively light weight components
-  Easy to lug around (whether that be by hand or in a vehicle)
-  Compact enough to use inside the house (most of my shooting is from inside my house out to the backyard... Oh the joys of living in MD  )
-  Easy to set up and break down
-  Inexpensive to build or buy
-  Sturdy
-  Bench top large enough to be comfortable- not feel cramped.  Room for a few things- tin(s) of pellets, mags, maybe a notebook for collecting shooting data.  That sort of thing.

I found a few commercial folding/portable shooting benches, but they're either too big for inside the house (I'm talking bedroom size rooms), or too expensive.  I didn't want to do one of those "single sheet of plywood" collapsible bench builds, because they're too bulky when broken down, and too big for a bedroom when assembled.  At least MY bedrooms.  YMMV.  So while perusing the web and Youtube to get inspiration, I stumbled across this vid:




Breaks down into two pieces: The top and the stand.  Well, okay- three pieces if you include the seat.  My stand has wheels, making it easier to move around.  I'll post pics, and measurements and such, for anyone who wants to build something similar.  I'm not building this as a "be all, end all" shooting bench.  Just something that meets my specific needs, and I think is a handy thing to have.  As of right now, I've only done a bunch of measurements, and taken a few notes.  I'll try to get some work done this weekend, but we'll see.  Regardless, I will take pics during the process.  I'll post everything here, as progress is made.  Thanks for following along!

[avator]

Following...
I bought a Blackstone stand for a knockoff grill and it didn't quite fit. So I used it to make a portable shooting bench. My wife discovered it and stole it to do her crafts and other stuff on.. 

[Frank in Fairfield]

Nice

I made this from a YouTube video as well.
Amazon used to sell the legs (sawhorse).
It has made seven trips to Wyoming for prairie rats.
I’m use a 6 gallon, padded bucket to sit one when in the field.
A Walmart folding stool at home..
The bucket holds water, ammo, GPS, etc..

[YEMX]

Nice

I made this from a YouTube video as well.
Amazon used to sell the legs (sawhorse).
It has made seven trips to Wyoming for prairie rats.
I’m use a 6 gallon, padded bucket to sit one when in the field.
A Walmart folding stool at home..
The bucket holds water, ammo, GPS, etc..

I'm planning on using a padded 5 gallon bucket for the field too!  I'll be making a bag (case? wrap? harness?) for it, so I can carry it like a backpack as well.  That's a future project though.

[avator]

Nice

I made this from a YouTube video as well.
Amazon used to sell the legs (sawhorse).
It has made seven trips to Wyoming for prairie rats.
I’m use a 6 gallon, padded bucket to sit one when in the field.
A Walmart folding stool at home..
The bucket holds water, ammo, GPS, etc..

I'm planning on using a padded 5 gallon bucket for the field too!  I'll be making a bag (case? wrap? harness?) for it, so I can carry it like a backpack as well.  That's a future project though.

How about a foldable golf bag cart?

[YEMX]

How about a foldable golf bag cart?

I actually thought about that, or possibly a modified collapsible baby carriage.  To haul a rifle and a tank, plus other shooting goodies.  If I ever start participating in field target events, I'd for sure look seriously into modifying a collapsible golf bag cart of baby carriage.

[avator]

Back when I was using steel and aluminum scuba tanks for filling guns I used a foldable golf bag cart. Had the small Crosman backpack attached to it for doodads. Worked out pretty good. Those tanks are heavy. I still have them and the cart.

[splitbeing]

The broken down size of the table in the vid is not somdifferent than a balck and decker collapsable work bench. I know you want to stay away from those, but the bulkiness reason is confusing since it folds up as small or smaller than the example of a custom bench given. Maybe itching for a DIY table project?

[avator]

These are cheap ready made grab and go.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lifetime-4-Foot-Fold-in-Half-Adjustable-Height-Table-Indoor-Outdoor-Essential-White-80509/103571100?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=723&gclsrc=aw.ds&adid=22222222277103571100_117755028669_12420145346&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-394283752452&wl5=9012797&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=103571100&veh=sem_LIA&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyZvV5t_RiQMVckp_AB0ZkTpNEAQYBiABEgLC8PD_BwE

But I get it.. I love making my own stuff.. especially if I'm repurposing.

[Back_Roads]

These are cheap ready made grab and go.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lifetime-4-Foot-Fold-in-Half-Adjustable-Height-Table-Indoor-Outdoor-Essential-White-80509/103571100?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=723&gclsrc=aw.ds&adid=22222222277103571100_117755028669_12420145346&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-394283752452&wl5=9012797&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=103571100&veh=sem_LIA&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyZvV5t_RiQMVckp_AB0ZkTpNEAQYBiABEgLC8PD_BwE

But I get it.. I love making my own stuff.. especially if I'm repurposing.

 I like the adjustable height .


 I just upgraded to an old metal mesh ironing board, also adjustable.

[avator]

These are cheap ready made grab and go.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lifetime-4-Foot-Fold-in-Half-Adjustable-Height-Table-Indoor-Outdoor-Essential-White-80509/103571100?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=723&gclsrc=aw.ds&adid=22222222277103571100_117755028669_12420145346&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-394283752452&wl5=9012797&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=103571100&veh=sem_LIA&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyZvV5t_RiQMVckp_AB0ZkTpNEAQYBiABEgLC8PD_BwE

But I get it.. I love making my own stuff.. especially if I'm repurposing.

 I like the adjustable height .


 I just upgraded to an old metal mesh ironing board, also adjustable.

I think it also comes in black so you don't have to paint it... unless you want camo.. 

[Frank in Fairfield]

How about a foldable golf bag cart?

I actually thought about that, or possibly a modified collapsible baby carriage.  To haul a rifle and a tank, plus other shooting goodies.  If I ever start participating in field target events, I'd for sure look seriously into modifying a collapsible golf bag cart of baby carriage.

Tom,Like this?
$12.00 At Goodwill:

[avator]

How about a foldable golf bag cart?

I actually thought about that, or possibly a modified collapsible baby carriage.  To haul a rifle and a tank, plus other shooting goodies.  If I ever start participating in field target events, I'd for sure look seriously into modifying a collapsible golf bag cart of baby carriage.

Tom,Like this?
$12.00 At Goodwill:

Pretty sweet.

[YEMX]

How about a foldable golf bag cart?

I actually thought about that, or possibly a modified collapsible baby carriage.  To haul a rifle and a tank, plus other shooting goodies.  If I ever start participating in field target events, I'd for sure look seriously into modifying a collapsible golf bag cart of baby carriage.

Tom,Like this?
$12.00 At Goodwill:

EXACTLY Like that!!

[YEMX]

Okay- little update.  Sorry for the bad pics, and the mess in the pics.  ANYHOO.

I'll have to run the QD arms backwards, meaning the locking latch will face away from me when it's in use, because if I don't, one arm will be jabbing me in the ribs.  I shortened the rear QD arm by 3".

Here's what I'm working with:


Quick Disconnect arms:






There's about 4-7/8" stick out from the saw stand with the unmodified QD arm.  Again, I cut down the rear one by 3" or so.  Original OAL of the arms is 18-1/4".  I would have shortened the rear arm a touch more, but there's the QD locking mechanism parts I want to keep protected, so I left a little more metal to do just that.   

Next, I'll get to work on the top...  Just need to pick out some measurements and bolt it to the QD arms.  The OAH of this portable bench needs to be 30" to match the height of the window sills in my house.  Which is the primary place I'll be using this bench...  I'll post more pics once I get that done- Should be in the next few days.  Thanks for tuning in y'all!

[YEMX]

These are cheap ready made grab and go.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lifetime-4-Foot-Fold-in-Half-Adjustable-Height-Table-Indoor-Outdoor-Essential-White-80509/103571100?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=723&gclsrc=aw.ds&adid=22222222277103571100_117755028669_12420145346&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=501107745824&wl4=pla-394283752452&wl5=9012797&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=103571100&veh=sem_LIA&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyZvV5t_RiQMVckp_AB0ZkTpNEAQYBiABEgLC8PD_BwE

But I get it.. I love making my own stuff.. especially if I'm repurposing.

 I like the adjustable height .


 I just upgraded to an old metal mesh ironing board, also adjustable.

I was actually using one of these before- well, the non-adjustable kind.  It works a treat, but three problems:
1) it blocked one of my closets
2) it was a touch too big for the room
3) it was a junk magnet.  I just kept putting things on top and underneath it LOL
Bonus "problem":
4) now that I've rearranged my room and added some furniture, one of those size tables won't fit...

[avator]

I keep one in the back of my truck for the rare occasion I shoot other than home... among other away from home uses. It used to reside in the RV and used for the flat top grill and outdoor fridge.

[YEMX]

I keep one in the back of my truck for the rare occasion I shoot other than home... among other away from home uses. It used to reside in the RV and used for the flat top grill and outdoor fridge.

Once I get the sub panel installed in the garage, and I get my modest welding set up done, I want to put together a portable shooting bench that'll go into a 2" hitch on my vehicles. 

[avator]

Oh yeah.. remember that Blackstone grill stand I mentioned?  I found it... daggone woman. 

[Rick67]

I think an XL ironing board would work if they’re not too flimsy.

Easy to stow away too!