Caldwell [un]Stable Table

stagpanther · July 22, 2019, 08:18 PM

I bought and it's very well made, except for one drawback--it is anything but stable--because the main tube and table top are secured by one screw--which basically creates two pivot points. Why caldwell didn't simply install two extra screw clamps for each attachment I will never know--it would make an OK product a truly great one. Unfortunately I don't have the tools necessary to screw and tap the extra holes--anyone else come up with a solution to make the table something less of an oxymoron?

Bart B. · July 23, 2019, 06:30 AM

Which model do you have?

Have you asked Caldwell for help?

stagpanther · July 23, 2019, 08:48 AM

I have the "heavy" model, steel main tubes; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VUxlAcDEqE
It appears it's made for them by Battenfield. I'll ask them.

Don Fischer · July 23, 2019, 10:36 AM

Made my own from 1 1/8th" car decking and 1 1/4" black pipe. extremely steady and portable.

stagpanther · July 23, 2019, 10:45 AM

Nice!

**Unclenick** · July 23, 2019, 11:00 AM

Stagpanther,

There do seem to be at least two designs:

Here

and

Here

Can you post a photo of the underside to the single screw thing you are describing becomes apparent?

Also, what is the diameter of the tubing with the screw in it?

stagpanther · July 23, 2019, 11:06 AM

The first one you have linked is the "Stable Table Lite"; a different product--the one I have is the one I have linked to the youtube video I liked to above--and in your second link.

stagpanther · July 23, 2019, 02:15 PM

I called Battenfield--their response was "sorry, no solution for that."

**Unclenick** · July 24, 2019, 08:34 AM

Sorry, I missed seeing you had the link up.

It looks to me like you are referring to the screw with the knob on it that attaches the top to the post. I see no reason you couldn't treat the female tubing on the top like you were fitting an M9 slide to center a barrel. This is done by using a small hammer and a punch to peening the mouth of the female part in three places until they just start to make contact with the post. It'll mark the paint job, but it should take most of the play out. You can touch up the paint.

Don Fischer · July 24, 2019, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unclenick

Stagpanther,

There do seem to be at least two designs:

Here

and

Here

Can you post a photo of the underside to the single screw thing you are describing becomes apparent?

Also, what is the diameter of the tubing with the screw in it?

I like that first one! Don't care for the second one. Thing about those table's like that is lack of support. Look'e like no support at all on the front of the table then that looks like one that swivels around. That means loose joint's. How loose? No clue but time will only make them looser. Notice the first is solid to the ground and only joint's that move are the top of the leg's. They will probably loosen up in time too but I'd think not near as fast as the swivel table. The swivel table may be a lot better for moving around like shooting sage rats. To gain one function you need to compromise on another. I'd tried my table the first time with smaller top of 3/4" plywood and 3/4" legs, wasn't very stable. Thin leg's wobbled around to much and plywood just wasn't heavy enough.

ballardw · July 27, 2019, 01:51 AM

My dad made a table very similar to the one Don_Fisher shows when I was 10 or so. All of the commonly advertised commercial benches I have been able to sit behind are less comfortable and seem awkward as they have little or no alteration in positioning the rifle. The Caldwell stable table is an exception as the table can be pivoted relative to the seat so you can get some left/ right offset. But trials in a store did show that it tended to have some "mobility" that I didn't like and getting the table/seat relationships for height and distance always wanted a bit more "up/down" or "closer/farther" than was possible. I am pretty close to average height so finding a comfortable adjustment seems like a reasonable request.

stagpanther · July 27, 2019, 03:42 AM

Quote:

How loose? No clue but time will only make them looser.

That's a fact.

I was thinking about drilling out the tubes and adding extra lock screws, although I might not have enough thickness in the tube wall to adequately tap the holes.

FrankenMauser · July 27, 2019, 04:02 AM

My father owns one.

As a point of reference to summarize my opinion...

He doesn't understand why my brothers, and/or I shoot off-hand when he has the "table" around.

It's like sitting on a water balloon, hoping that it doesn't "pop".

stagpanther · July 27, 2019, 04:15 AM

Quote:

It's like sitting on a water balloon, hoping that it doesn't "pop".

zukiphile · July 30, 2019, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Fischer

I like that first one! Don't care for the second one.

I like yours better.

July 22, 2019, 08:18 PM	#1
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,789	Caldwell [un]Stable Table I bought and it's very well made, except for one drawback--it is anything but stable--because the main tube and table top are secured by one screw--which basically creates two pivot points. Why caldwell didn't simply install two extra screw clamps for each attachment I will never know--it would make an OK product a truly great one. Unfortunately I don't have the tools necessary to screw and tap the extra holes--anyone else come up with a solution to make the table something less of an oxymoron? __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

July 23, 2019, 08:48 AM	#3
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,789	I have the "heavy" model, steel main tubes; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VUxlAcDEqE It appears it's made for them by Battenfield. I'll ask them. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!* Last edited by stagpanther; July 23, 2019 at 09:39 AM.

July 23, 2019, 10:45 AM	#5
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,789	Nice! __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

July 23, 2019, 11:00 AM	#6
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Stagpanther, There do seem to be at least two designs: Here and Here Can you post a photo of the underside to the single screw thing you are describing becomes apparent? Also, what is the diameter of the tubing with the screw in it? __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

July 23, 2019, 11:06 AM	#7
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,789	The first one you have linked is the "Stable Table Lite"; a different product--the one I have is the one I have linked to the youtube video I liked to above--and in your second link. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

July 23, 2019, 06:30 AM	#2
Bart B. Senior Member Join Date: February 15, 2009 Posts: 8,927	Which model do you have? Have you asked Caldwell for help?

July 23, 2019, 10:36 AM	#4
Don Fischer Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2017 Posts: 1,868	Made my own from 1 1/8th" car decking and 1 1/4" black pipe. extremely steady and portable.

July 23, 2019, 02:15 PM	#8
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,789	I called Battenfield--their response was "sorry, no solution for that." __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

July 24, 2019, 08:34 AM	#9
Unclenick Staff Join Date: March 4, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 21,063	Sorry, I missed seeing you had the link up. It looks to me like you are referring to the screw with the knob on it that attaches the top to the post. I see no reason you couldn't treat the female tubing on the top like you were fitting an M9 slide to center a barrel. This is done by using a small hammer and a punch to peening the mouth of the female part in three places until they just start to make contact with the post. It'll mark the paint job, but it should take most of the play out. You can touch up the paint. __________________ Gunsite Orange Hat Family Member CMP Certified GSM Master Instructor NRA Certified Rifle Instructor NRA Benefactor Member and Golden Eagle

July 27, 2019, 01:51 AM	#11
ballardw Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 1,411	My dad made a table very similar to the one Don_Fisher shows when I was 10 or so. All of the commonly advertised commercial benches I have been able to sit behind are less comfortable and seem awkward as they have little or no alteration in positioning the rifle. The Caldwell stable table is an exception as the table can be pivoted relative to the seat so you can get some left/ right offset. But trials in a store did show that it tended to have some "mobility" that I didn't like and getting the table/seat relationships for height and distance always wanted a bit more "up/down" or "closer/farther" than was possible. I am pretty close to average height so finding a comfortable adjustment seems like a reasonable request. __________________ -+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ All data is flawed, some just less so.

July 27, 2019, 04:02 AM	#13
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	My father owns one. As a point of reference to summarize my opinion... He doesn't understand why my brothers, and/or I shoot off-hand when he has the "table" around. It's like sitting on a water balloon, hoping that it doesn't "pop". __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.