In the past I had promised to post pictures and instructions for building a checkering cradle. I know that some people have said that they only need a couple of shot bags and a towel. I, however, need all the help I can get in fact I really need an extra arm and hand at times. This post is only to show how I did mine and what I used nothing more. I made this cradle over 20 years ago and it has served me well and I use it a lot, I've made a couple of changes to it but nothing of note. Let me say this AGAIN this is my cradle if you choose to build one you can use any material you choose!

The materials that I used are as follows and in no particular order. All materials can be purchased at your local Lowes etc. The rails and tail stocks are made from 2 1/2" by 3/4" and 2 1/2" by 1/2" oak boards. I have two rails, one (33") for shotgun stocks that I use 95% of the time and the other (48") that I use for rifle stocks. I'll use the 33" version for assembly instructions but they basically apply to the 48" version also. First I cut two (2) pieces of the 2 1/2" by 3/4" to 33" in length then I cut a piece of the 2 1/2" by 1/2" to 15" and another to 2", these are my spacers that I will use to laminate together to make a rail. You can do the same for the rifle rail but make the main spacer longer if you wish that is up to you. The rail(s) now need to be glued together using a good wood glue with the long spacer, in the middle, on one end and the short spacer, in the middle, on the other ( I think a photo will show this).

The head and tail stocks are made in the same way. They both are 5 1/2" long, that seems to allow enough clearance over the rail, but that is up to you. The head and tail stock both have a 1/2"? hole drilled into the center of the bottom about 3" deep. This will allow them to be mounted to the rail using 5 1/2" x 1/2" lag screws (with washers). The rail needs a 1/2" hole drilled thru the spacer to allow the head stock to be attached ( As my buddy Glenn would say "work with me here.").

I'm going to stop here post some photos and pick this up later.
https://imgur.com/DekTppz
https://imgur.com/y16nxbo
https://imgur.com/mPyKksO
https://imgur.com/5Drfit9

Doug Mann