Help making bipod feet non skid

September 10, 2019, 03:34 PM

Ironmike57

Gentlemen, I am looking for suggestions on how to make the feet on my rifle bipod non skid. Durability is a must. Right now, the feet are smooth and slippery. I would like to have them dig in a bit vs sliding on the shooting bench or any other surface. I don't want to have them having a spike.

I was thinking of finding some type of rubber material and use some sort of adhesive for the project. I am having a hard time finding any rubber material.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

Mike

September 10, 2019, 03:35 PM

sigfreund

Nonskid stair tape?

If you don’t want something as aggressive and abrasive as that, there are various types of thin rubbery shelf and drawer liner that would increase friction. I have found the various Shoe Goo adhesives to be useful for attaching that material to surfaces, even fabric.

September 10, 2019, 03:40 PM

Ironmike57

Sigfreund, I use that for some of my pistol grips. It does not hold up very well.

quote:
Originally posted by sigfreund:
Nonskid stair tape?

September 10, 2019, 03:41 PM

wreckdiver

A few dips in PlastiDip from Home Depot, Lowe's, WalMart?

September 10, 2019, 03:43 PM

Ironmike57

Thanks Mark, I will give it a look.

I just found this. It may work, but it is spendy. I only need a couple of square inches.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ru...06-W100-15/301919677

quote:
Originally posted by wreckdiver:
A few dips in PlastiDip from Home Depot, Lowe's, WalMart?

September 10, 2019, 04:26 PM

TXJIM

Dog boots, slip them on and Velcro around the bipod leg.

https://www.chewy.com/frisco-a...zmrSRJxoCaYAQAvD_BwE

______________________________
“I'd like to know why well-educated idiots keep apologizing for lazy and complaining people who think the world owes them a living.”
― John Wayne

September 10, 2019, 04:36 PM

smschulz

I think the problem is getting and keeping anything to stick on the bottom.
I like the Plasti- Dip idea (a few coats).

September 10, 2019, 04:41 PM

Ironmike57

$33.00! Yikes!

I think that they would have too big a footprint. Pun intended.

quote:
Originally posted by TXJIM:
Dog boots, slip them on and Velcro around the bipod leg.

https://www.chewy.com/frisco-a...zmrSRJxoCaYAQAvD_BwE

September 10, 2019, 04:42 PM

Ironmike57

I agree. I think Mark nailed it. I just watched a few youtube videos on the plastidip. I am intrigued.

quote:
Originally posted by smschulz:
I think the problem is getting and keeping anything to stick on the bottom.
I like the Plasti- Dip idea (a few coats).

September 10, 2019, 05:12 PM

TXJIM

quote:
Originally posted by Ironmike57:
$33.00! Yikes!

I think that they would have too big a footprint. Pun intended.

quote:
Originally posted by TXJIM:
Dog boots, slip them on and Velcro around the bipod leg.

https://www.chewy.com/frisco-a...zmrSRJxoCaYAQAvD_BwE

Posted more for the concept, I am sure there are many options for size, color and price in the category. Would be a simple non permanent solution. Plus they come is sets of 4 so you could split the cost with a buddy

______________________________
“I'd like to know why well-educated idiots keep apologizing for lazy and complaining people who think the world owes them a living.”
― John Wayne

September 10, 2019, 05:31 PM

Ironmike57

Jim, I like the material of the boots. I would like to find it in a small quantity.

quote:
Originally posted by TXJIM:
quote:
Originally posted by Ironmike57:
$33.00! Yikes!

I think that they would have too big a footprint. Pun intended.

quote:
Originally posted by TXJIM:
Dog boots, slip them on and Velcro around the bipod leg.

https://www.chewy.com/frisco-a...zmrSRJxoCaYAQAvD_BwE

Posted more for the concept, I am sure there are many options for size, color and price in the category. Would be a simple non permanent solution. Plus they come is sets of 4 so you could split the cost with a buddy

September 10, 2019, 05:40 PM

bald1

Mike will these Accuracy International rubber bipod feet fit? I have them on my Gibbs M8500 (Parker Hale) bipod.

September 11, 2019, 08:47 AM

maladat

Kind of similar to the Plasti-Dip idea, you can buy two-part silicone rubber or urethane rubber mixes.

You could make little molds (could probably be as simple as small plastic cups or a folded up piece of aluminum foil that you coat with vaseline), stick the bipod feet in the molds, and then pour the mixes silicone/urethane rubber in. Wait a bit and your bipod feet will be encased in a block of rubber.

I haven't done it personally, but I've seen it done and it's pretty easy. Smooth-On has a good reputation for their silicone and urethane rubber products.

Urethane would probably be more durable.

If you didn't want to go all the way to casting your bipod feet in blocks of rubber, Smooth-On also makes brush-on urethane resin products intended for coating stuff.

September 11, 2019, 06:11 PM

Ironmike57

Bald, I am not sure. I would have to see them. I wish mine were rubber from the get go.

quote:
Originally posted by bald1:
Mike will these Accuracy International rubber bipod feet fit? I have them on my Gibbs M8500 (Parker Hale) bipod.

September 11, 2019, 06:12 PM

Ironmike57

Excellent idea!

quote:
Originally posted by maladat:
Kind of similar to the Plasti-Dip idea, you can buy two-part silicone rubber or urethane rubber mixes.

You could make little molds (could probably be as simple as small plastic cups or a folded up piece of aluminum foil that you coat with vaseline), stick the bipod feet in the molds, and then pour the mixes silicone/urethane rubber in. Wait a bit and your bipod feet will be encased in a block of rubber.

I haven't done it personally, but I've seen it done and it's pretty easy. Smooth-On has a good reputation for their silicone and urethane rubber products.

Urethane would probably be more durable.

If you didn't want to go all the way to casting your bipod feet in blocks of rubber, Smooth-On also makes brush-on urethane resin products intended for coating stuff.

September 11, 2019, 06:14 PM

Ironmike57

Gentlemen, thanks for all of the great ideas. I am going to try the plastidip route first. If it turns out that it is not durable, I will move on.

September 12, 2019, 12:16 PM

Ironmike57

I happened upon a local hardware store today. Lo and behold what I found.

https://www.grainger.com/produ...ECS&cm_vc=IDPPLARECS

Exactly what the doctor ordered! I just need to find the best rubber cement.

Thanks for your help guys.

September 12, 2019, 02:20 PM

myrottiety

I was going to suggest skateboard tape maybe?

September 12, 2019, 02:34 PM

Ironmike57

We thought about that. I don’t think it would be durable enough.

quote:
Originally posted by myrottiety:
I was going to suggest skateboard tape maybe?