Range box almost completed

[tfbncc]

Well, I've got good news and bad news.

The good news, I'm just about finished with the first range box. For those that didn't see the first thread, I cleared the idea of building range boxes to sell. I needed to make some extra money fast.

So here it is. Range box Mk1 Mod0. Built from furniture grade plywood (1/4, 1/2, 3/4 base). It will hold 6 pistols, storage space for ammo, hearing and eye protection under the gun tray, and a 1" deep accessory drawer at the top. Finally, a support for your spotting scope attached to the lid. This box is built like the proverbial brick sh*thouse! I originally intended to use the 1/4 inch plywood for all the sides, back, and front but it wouldn't stay straight. So, I used 1/2 inch for the sides and top, 1/4 inch for the front and back, and a 3/4 inch bottom to hold the weight. Which means this box is no lightweight. But, for the weight gain, you get the extra strength and this box should last a couple of decades. It was suggested that I cover the outside with a vinyl material. But after thinking about that, I decided against it. I prefer to spray paint the outside. Since the box is designed to be banged around, it's a lot easier to paint over dents and dings instead of having to get the whole box recovered. Also, you can change color schemes whenever you feel like it. Let me know what you think.



remaining things to do: Paint the box. Attach hardware. Finish the scope support. Line box with green felt.

my cost to build these is about $30 to $35 for wood, paint, glue, screws, and hardware. I'm asking $80 plus $20 for packing and shipping. That's about $50 less than anything I found on the internet that even resembles this type of box.

Now for the bad news. I'm broke. I have two dollars left in my pocket. Which means I can't finish the box until I get a partial or full payment in advance. My internet will probably be turned off in the next couple of days. And possibly the electricity as well. I gave my direct contact information to Chris in case I do lose my internet. I will still have my cell phone. So if you are interested in getting a box made (or anything else made out of wood within reason) you can still contact me.

I really, really hate being in this predicament. Thanks in advance for your consideration.

Ray

[308Mike]

Ray, do you have anything like a PayPal account setup or some other way for us to give you a hand up? That's a fine-looking range box and I could see you making some decent coin off them once you get going, but you can't get going if your gas & light get shut off. Let us help.

Are you an artist and can draw, penstripe, and/or paint unit logos fairly well? Or perhaps even lacquer on a large decal from the NRA, GOA, JPFO, ISRA, OCC, or other RKBA organizations?

[tfbncc]

Mike, yes I have a paypal account. Just go to the "send money" page and type in my e-mail address:

tfbncc@clearwire.net

As for putting on logos, I have a couple of ways I can do that. Probably the easiest would be to print out any logo on decal printer paper, then give it a couple of coats of polyurethane. I can also see if a t-shirt transfer will work on wood. Then coat it. If the t-shirt transfer works, that would be the better way to go. They are more durable than the decal paper. I've tried to make large decals for projects before and they tend to stretch or distort when being slid off the paper. The big question would be "will the ink fade when exposed to outside environment?". Epson makes some good inks, but I'll have to investigate that. The other option I can look into is having my daughter paint it on. She's a very good artist, and is taking art in high school. But I don't know if she's up to painting logos. I'll ask her.

Ray

[Combat Controller]

Let's help a member out folks.

Can you make racks for safes? Perhaps that would be faster and cheaper and be easier for those of us who have all the range bags they can stand?

[tfbncc]

CC, I can make just about anything. From simple rifle rests up to a mock gun safe (wood not metal). Though I would say that most of my stuff would be utilitarian in design and looks right now as I don't have much finishing supplies.

[308Mike]

You know, a few months ago I was forced to make my own modifications to the wood-work on the inside of my safe since Lincoln didn't have any interior variations to a safe the size of mine. For companies that don't want to mess with custom safe interiors, you could put your name out there to them and let them know if they have customers who would like a customized safe interior, they could contact you.

Some felt, or thin carpet and either staples at the edge and glue in the middle or adhesive backing and you could come up with designs to maximize safe space for minimal cost. I had to shorten a cross-board to cover only 1/2 the width of my safe because I now had more guns/barrels than would fit through the designed holes in the rifle portion of my safe. I contacted Liberty Safes and asked if they had any modifications for my safe interior and they said "no." So I had to do it myself.

You could create customizable "carpet kits" for the bare-bones metal gun safes they sell at Home Depot or online.

Regarding your range boxes, I saw the below picture in an article and it immediately made me think of you and your boxes, and thought you might like to see how this guy's scope is mounted:



I don't have a PayPal account, but if you send me your snail-mail address, I'll send you a check for some "development funds".

What part of the country do you live in? Do you have any other forum members living nearby?

[tfbncc]

Mike, that is exactly the type of box I'm building. I can tell I'm going to have to shorten the support for the spotting scope. The box is almost 3 feet tall with the lid in the upright position. Sitting on a table, that would make add another 27 to 30 inches. I'm making this so that a 6 foot tall shooter can position his spotting scope at eye level while the box is on a bench and not have to bend down.

As for making custom inserts, as long as the customer gives me exact measurements and detailed instructions on what he wants, I can make it. Cost would be negotiable depending on materials and complexity.

I have several ideas for "convenience" items that are easy to build. Fold up rifle rests, other range box designs, possibly get into the CAS shooting carts. It all depends on getting a known name and making a quality product. I will NOT sell shabby, half assed, poorly built items that fall apart after a month. If something does break, I fix it for free.

I live in Orange Park, Florida. Just to the South West of Jacksonville.

And I would really like to thank you for your support and ideas.

Ray

[Windy Wilson]

308 Mike,
I like that motto on the box in the picture.
Steady Hand, steady heart.

As an aside, just what does the "Discipline Head of the NRA Bullseye" group do, anyway?

[308Mike]

As an aside, just what does the "Discipline Head of the NRA Bullseye" group do, anyway?

I have no idea, I'd have to read up on them.

[SeekHer]

It means he's a "Bullseye" pistol shooter and probably the president of his club or division...

To shoot you have to have discipline, routine, as consistency equates to accuracy!