R
Russ Rosene
Guest
As benchrester, I am an equipment freak. Rather an equipment mule. I remember fondly the early days, a rifle, a box of shells and occasionally a cleaning rod. Now with six boxes of gear and rifles getting to the bench has lengthened my arms. The dream of one self contained unit of transport was only a fantasy. A dream renewed every time I went to the range.
Trouble arrived recently when a client asked if I could build a cabinet. Not just any cabinet but a stunning monster of epic proportions [119"x108"]. I had constructed shop cabinets before but allowed that the monster was beyond my current capabilities. This is the slow part of my year and I thought it would be a good time to learn some new skills.
I hied myself to the local library and found an excellent book on constructing cabinets using a biscuit joiner. A quick call to a fellow tool head produced said joiner and I retired to ponder the mysteries of square cabinets and biscuits. The book laid out a sample cabinet of middling height and width with a single drawer and door. This looked like a winner. Except for one thing. I live in a 700 square foot town home that includes the one car [shop] garage. I did not need a spare cabinet of dubious utility.
Then it hit me, now was the time to build the ultimate range box. The one that would carry every gadget of shooting necessity. Oh how I would easily stroll to any bench and be the envy of those with lengthening arms. I began to measure and plot, the lure of everything I needed in one box drew me on. I have a rather large spotting scope [bought with delusions of 1000 yard shooting] and stand that needs to be babied. A front rest must also be contained. At first I thought golf bag sized. No. LARGE golf bag sized. Nope. With eight drawers this thing would need pneumatic tires. Possibly a motor.
One and a half sheets of 3/4" and the best part of one sheet of 1/2 plywood, an 8' 1x6 plank of red oak, 1-1/2 pounds of screws and package of finish nails, 32 biscuits and a pile of glue and unknown hours pondering my sanity the Dreadnought was born.
Soon it will sport wheels, drawer dividers and foam inserts for the rest and spotting scope.
Trouble arrived recently when a client asked if I could build a cabinet. Not just any cabinet but a stunning monster of epic proportions [119"x108"]. I had constructed shop cabinets before but allowed that the monster was beyond my current capabilities. This is the slow part of my year and I thought it would be a good time to learn some new skills.
I hied myself to the local library and found an excellent book on constructing cabinets using a biscuit joiner. A quick call to a fellow tool head produced said joiner and I retired to ponder the mysteries of square cabinets and biscuits. The book laid out a sample cabinet of middling height and width with a single drawer and door. This looked like a winner. Except for one thing. I live in a 700 square foot town home that includes the one car [shop] garage. I did not need a spare cabinet of dubious utility.
Then it hit me, now was the time to build the ultimate range box. The one that would carry every gadget of shooting necessity. Oh how I would easily stroll to any bench and be the envy of those with lengthening arms. I began to measure and plot, the lure of everything I needed in one box drew me on. I have a rather large spotting scope [bought with delusions of 1000 yard shooting] and stand that needs to be babied. A front rest must also be contained. At first I thought golf bag sized. No. LARGE golf bag sized. Nope. With eight drawers this thing would need pneumatic tires. Possibly a motor.
One and a half sheets of 3/4" and the best part of one sheet of 1/2 plywood, an 8' 1x6 plank of red oak, 1-1/2 pounds of screws and package of finish nails, 32 biscuits and a pile of glue and unknown hours pondering my sanity the Dreadnought was born.
Soon it will sport wheels, drawer dividers and foam inserts for the rest and spotting scope.
