Alpha Mule Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Bought a sheet of 8'x4'x18mm Coped the pattern found on the web Cocked up one bit (I need to measure thrice, cut once), but nothing critical. It still needs finishing to get everything even. I will also be turning it into Swiss cheese to save some weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Mule Posted July 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Now looks like: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabhui Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Looks good! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buze Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Sweet! Made a bench a couple years ago for my lab; slightly beefier version, with tiles etc. Mostly made of B&Q pine and cheap tiles. A little bit overbuilt ;-) https://plus.google.com/+MichelPollet/posts/DcYVqvWvn79 Finished version: https://plus.google.com/+MichelPollet/posts/6iatcBDWPFf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Mule Posted July 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Buze: where does your rifle go? ;0))) Should have said it's a shooting bench. Dissembles back to a 'flat pack' in a few seconds to be transported to,,, well anywhere. It can be built correy ducket for lefties too, with no alterations to the build. I haven't tested it with a rifle yet, but I'll update when I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Mule Posted July 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Achhh, can a mod move this to Craft & DIY please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted July 24, 2016 Report Share Posted July 24, 2016 Achhh, can a mod move this to Craft & DIY please? Sorry but you will have to take it apart first. Lol. A very nice job you have made. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lloyd90 Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Needs a nice coating of oil now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Mule Posted July 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 (edited) Oh very funny (JohnPhilip) I reckon I need to do some alterations to get it all snug and then I'll cut some holes to lighten it (as suggested in the plans). Mrs is quite chuffed with it too, it kept me out of her hair for a whole day. Wickes had an 8x4 sheet, but wouldn't cut it in half so I could get it in the car, on H&S reasons. Neither would they loan me a saw, for the same reasons. B&Q don't stock it (in Bridgend) as it takes up too much space ("But we have plenty 2x4, why not just get some of those?"). Local builders merchant have it and provided a yoof with a saw. Poor lad only got half way through before he ran out of steam. Even with a jiggered elbow I was quicker. And it was about 2/3 of the price of the others. I also got to play with my reasonably new jigsaw - bonus! It will need some weather protection - I wonder if I can camo it in Cuprinal,,,, Edited July 25, 2016 by Alpha Mule Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 If you cutting holes with one of those bits that go in a drill i would put pilots holes right through for every hole your going to make with the hole cutter , then work from both sides with the hole this will stop you getting tear out in the plywood . Ply tends to soak up loads of paint or varnish, if painting just use up what ever old paint you have first till it won't sink in any more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kalahari Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Where did you find the plans please? David. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Mule Posted July 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 I'll be aiming for something like this - but will probably end up with Swiss cheese. PDF attached Shooting Bench - Trim Weight Ideas.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Mule Posted July 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 (edited) Where did you find the plans please? David. Here There are two details missing from the plans. The inner top of the rear back support is 4". The centre point where the large radius caused me some fun - I ended up drawing it on paper to figure where I wanted it. Edited July 25, 2016 by Alpha Mule Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Mule Posted July 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Just a thought: I used 18mm as they spec'd, but I reckon 12mm would probably do most people. Still firm enough, but cheaper, easier to cut and I would think substantially lighter to lug around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 I would be temped to get a couple of hole cutter of differant sizes and do some random patterns. What will happen with the plywood and using a jigsaw, you will get tear out on one side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewh100 Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 yeah very nice job needs a nice oil finish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Mule Posted July 25, 2016 Author Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 JP, The hole cutter I have made a right mess of the first one I tried. I ended up using the jigsaw to cut a larger one. I'm using rough and medium blades, which are not really great for cuttin curves. I'll see if I can get some fine ones tomorrow. As the sun was shining and I was getting fed up with my lack of success with the bench, I went out to knock on the door of the farm next to the I was on the other night. Spoke to th eson, who will speak to dad. I'll call the dad tomorrow to see if I can get out there. And there was me thinking my week off on leave would be quiet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Don't get these hole cutter that are all stacked together they are rubbish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old farrier Posted July 25, 2016 Report Share Posted July 25, 2016 Very nice Great to see bit of diy If your painting it mix primer with white spirit 50/50 for your first coat it'll save a lot of paint long term 😊 As for the holes to lighten it pilot hole and try a fine tooth metal blade may help with your splitting problem Thanks for posting All the best Of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Mule Posted August 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 A wee update: I managed to get some more time on the bench today: Time for a bit of picture whoring: This one was a quick one as I thought it was about to rain. I've cut some holes Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Mule Posted August 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 And I've cut more holes and painted on some shed protection. The colour is described as 'Medium Oak' - I reckon it's more 'Light Tan Poo'However, It was built so I can play with zeroing and I'm breaking into self loading and need something I can sit on rather than laying down, getting up, re-cycling (3 slipped disks complain about that sort of thing), not really as a 'low-seat' (although that has merit!) I give you, the rough and ready (not even sanded down), Alpha Mule Mk1 shooting bench (stolen from some other guys idea, on the Internet) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Mule Posted August 7, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 And from the front. I originally cut the holes as a weight saving exercise, but now think they could be used to assist with camo-ing it and a semi-permanent role. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted August 7, 2016 Report Share Posted August 7, 2016 Hey it would make a nice bird table lol .it looks great hope your making a cushion for it .or you will be picking "skelps" out of your rear lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alpha Mule Posted August 8, 2016 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2016 Hey it would make a nice bird table lol .it looks great hope your making a cushion for it .or you will be picking "skelps" out of your rear lol. I'll bird table you! And they're 'spails' I've had 4 already Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TaxiDriver Posted August 9, 2016 Report Share Posted August 9, 2016 Needs a hole drilled in the centre for the umbrella Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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