Concrete bench options?

[Pathfinder76]

I’m looking for suggestions for the local range for a permanent concrete bench solution. Does anyone have suggestions on how to build and afix a good bench? Thanks.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Pathfinder76

I’m looking for suggestions for the local range for a permanent concrete bench solution. Does anyone have suggestions on how to build and afix a good bench? Thanks.

We did ours in 1984, with sono tube and cast the tops in place.
Cat

[Pathfinder76]

Thanks cat. How are the legs anchored to the slab?

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Pathfinder76

Thanks cat. How are the legs anchored to the slab?

the sono tube legs often have a rebar cage in them and the is a foot bent into the cages.
This is not a cheap way to do things , but it is rock solid.
The cages can also be straight, depending on the engineering
Cat

[catnthehat]

I have also seen benches made from mason blocks, and they are very solid as well, and probably a great deal cheaper than concrete.
Cat

[elkhunter11]

I have used the cast sonotube benches, the mason block benches, and hybrid concrete tubes,/wooden top benches, all are very rigid, and work well. The concrete tops are hard on shooting jacket elbows, if you don't place something under your elbow.

[wallz]

Our ranges have concrete tops with 5" metal legs. Two in front and one in back center and the bench you sit on swivels on the back leg and has provision to tighten the seat in a higher position.
They actually seem to work out well.

From what I gather the steel is drilled into the bottom and set in place and the cast top is placed on top.

I'll try and get a few photos next time out and post em up for you.

[justsomeguy]

Originally Posted by catnthehat

We did ours in 1984, with sono tube and cast the tops in place.
Cat

I miss those benches, that was my escape from the insanity of everyday life.

[DLab]

These are the benches I designed and installed at my local range.
The steel frame top is a "T" with the concrete top anchored on the left, right and rear of the 'T'.
The seat pivots side to side and is height adjustable to accommodate both right and left hand shooters.
The seat itself also is height adjustable on a screw mount through a 4 inch connector. It's a very solid, durable setup when all powder coated.
I had a stop ring installed below the seat arm for safety from sudden drops with a "T"bolt to tighten at the height needed.
In the winter we raise the seats up and swing them under the top for weather protection.
This setup is rock solid.
One of our members built wood forms for the tops and a local concrete company donated excess concrete and mesh/rebar reinforcement leftover from jobs.

The design also allows the benches to be moved as the legs are are anchored in the pad.

[Pathfinder76]

Those look really good. I’d love a picture of the underside of those.

[catnthehat]

Originally Posted by Pathfinder76

Those look really good. I’d love a picture of the underside of those.

Yes. They do, and theyook lkme they are easily made as well. Moreover than ours for sure!
Cat

[pikergolf]

Medicine Hat uses cast slab tops with three steel legs bolted to both the slab and the bench top. Very stable. Tops are about 4" thick.

[Ackleyman]

The old Namaka BR Club had close to the same design of benches as the Hat.
Eight of them are at the Milo range now. They are a great , rock solid design.

[Grizzly Adams1]

I see a place for precast concrete panels, one set of forms and they'd all be the same, portable if you had to, as well.

Grizz

[32-40win]

I like the setup on DLab's range the best, the adjustable seats make a lot of difference to being able to setup comfortably on the bench for different sizes of people, that is well worth any extra expense and effort in doing. One range I've been to lately has one bench I can use relatively easily, the rest are too short, the other range is a hair taller, still a bit short, I can jack up the front rest OK, but the rear becomes a bit pesky heightwise. Both ranges have perfectly good benches, but the fixed seats were setup for shorter folk, and I'm only 5ft 11.

[DLab]

Here you go Chuck, with a quick material list.Dimensions are subjective to your particular needs ,of course, but you get the general idea.
I looked at a number of different bench designs and made use of what I thought were the best features from each of them.

I would make 2 changes, I would make the transition no the narrow part of the concrete top a radius instead of an angle.
I also would use a composite wood material for the seat tops that won't require a seal coat every spring.
Other than that, this setup works very well.
You'll notice the rear leg is held in a separate mount, in case the seat or seat mount arm needs future repairs. The ACME post is tack welded on the bottom so it doesn't wander off.

[Pathfinder76]

Thank you! That is fantastic.

[EZM]

That looks like a great set up. I like the steel leg and framing under the concrete top = seems to me the seat offers enough adjustability including not only for height but for it swinging further back as well? I am correct there?

Ranges where you can't adjust the seating position for height or distance are not always comfortable for people of all shapes, sizes and heights.

[DLab]

Originally Posted by EZM

That looks like a great set up. I like the steel leg and framing under the concrete top = seems to me the seat offers enough adjustability including not only for height but for it swinging further back as well? I am correct there?

Ranges where you can't adjust the seating position for height or distance are not always comfortable for people of all shapes, sizes and heights.

Correct, the seat pivots/spins 360 degrees, it can be locked in anywhere on the post. Once that T bolt is snugged in place it's firm, no slippage what so ever.
I measured the distance of the stools used on the 100 yard range to come up with the 17 inch arm length for the seat, worked out nicely.

[DLab]

The Club Treasurer and myself are the build committee for this project. It's on the 100 yard Range.
The same benches will be installed for use in the near future, almost finished.
The old covers were destroyed in a heavy wind(120k) storm a few years ago, this one isn't going anywhere.

[Pioneer2]

a mother-in law suite underneath ? Asking for a friend.

[DLab]

Originally Posted by Pioneer2

a mother-in law suite underneath ? Asking for a friend.

LOL Two, in the event of a Divorce.

[wallz]

Okay hopefully I can add some pictures.
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[Backwoods Runner]

The benches at Rocky. Have recently been cut down to 33” in height. Much better now. The handicap bench is a welcome addition. Benches are very heavy and solid but still movable if needed.