I've always been jealous of the nice range boxes I see at shoots, but could never bring myself to spending the big bucks required to get one. A few days ago I stumbled on a nice wooden tool box just the perfect size on sale at Harbor Freight. It looked like with just a little bit of work it could be converted into a nice range box. This box is surprisingly well made for what it cost, and now I have tons of storage space.
http://www.harborfreight.com/interests/ ... 94538.html

Today I took the day off, so a quick trip to Home Depot and I had a 36" x 11" piece of poplar to use for the conversion. Here is the result of my days work with the cradles in place. I think this weekend I'll line the cradle pockets with leather.



Here is the box all buttoned up with the cradles stowed in the back of the box.

Looks great!!! Nice job

Very nice. I would line the cradle pockets with felt instead of leather, though. Direct contact with leather isn't good for the metal surfaces on a rifle.

What a Great Idea!!!! Would you be willing to make that those modifications so I could bolt them on a box like that? I am a HORRIBLE wood worker, except in refinishing, staining, and such.

Thanks!

Steve

Good idea on the felt - not because of any reaction to metal (I've carried blued revolvers in leather holsters for years with no problem, so a rifle sitting in a cradle for a few hours shouldn't be an issue) but because it will be cheaper and easier to do. Instead of driving all the way down to Tandy Leather 20 miles away, I can go to the fabric store a few blocks away...

Hi friends........
Nice job i like very much.










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Dog Kennels, Rabbit Hutches, Chicken Coops

I would stick to the leather idea. Felt picks up grit and acts like sandpaper. Ask my Marlin 1894 that I shoot for SASS. It has a nice unblued stripe where it rests in the gun cart from felt.

James

I used strips of rubber sheet for my pocket liners on my range/rifle box I made. Doesn't pick up anything. Is soft and pliable and grips great. Mine is designed so the the rifle sits with the buttstock in one end behind the pistol grip and the other side rests the forearm of the stock so no blued metal is rubbing on anything ever.


Dee

Dee Would you have the schematic for the box you made. If it is the one in yellow I viewed on your link I want one. Thanks Eric Sharpe

No drawings sorry. We just hacked one out from some sketches and measurements off the rifles. I assume you are talking about the tote style boxes we use with the two carry handle ropes? They are basically just 12" or so wide pieces cut to match with the exception of one having a V shape for the butt stock and the other a U shape to cradle the front end of the forearm. From there I simply took some 4" wide pine x 3/4" thick and cut 1 piece the length needed to separate the sides and mounted it centered on the bottom vertically. From there I just skinned the remaining two outer sides and the bottom with some thinner paneling type sheets of wood. All this is wood I just had laying around. Zipped it all together with some screws and put on the rope handles with some flexi hose for handles. You can make little compartments inside the box after if you like. I just left mine open with two big channels. Let me know if you want better pics of mine. I think you are seeing Jeaux's which is not much different.

Dee

Thanks Dee Any Pictures or detailed info would be a big help. You can email [email protected]