The "ArtiliPod" airgun monopod

[Crimson Sky]

I had checked out some rifle monopods at the various online stores and didn't seem to find one that i thought would be 'springer friendly'...those hard-to-shoot-well airguns we love...So..I decided to break out the Unimat in my shop and try to come up with a design for a monopod that would accomodate the 'artillery hold' style of shooting springers with accuracy. I have yet to sew up the leather and suede wrist and hand rests, but I'll post pics as soon as I shape the foam and lace up them up. Let me know what you folks think..suggestions are always welcomed and appreciated! Here are some pics, and more at the following link:

http://www.thebestcasescenario.com/artilipod/

Here is the head and gimbal assembly. The idea behind the design is to allow the shooter to use the 'artillery' style hold, with the
forearm of the stock resting on the open palm of the hand. I still need to mount the wrist rest, which will be a custom fitted aluminum
plate with EVA foam or soft leather and foam on top.

The spring loaded gimbal will allow the shooter to make adjustments to raise or lower the airgun's POI with minimal body movements.
The gimbal will let the foam resting pad move with the hand, without changing the 'sweet spot' of the hold once it is aquired on the open palm.
The materials are all 6061 grade aluminum alloy, with the exception of the washer, pins and retaining clips which are steel. You can see here that
the compression spring is covered in black shrink tubing. Parts were turned on a Unimat SL 1000 lathe/mill

The knob locks down the hand/wrist rest. I will also install a gimbal tilt lock, so the ArtiliPod can be used as a conventional rifle monopod if desired.

I've installed the riser posts and hand rest assembly platform. The hand/wrist rest was cut on a waterjet from 1/4" aluminum from a CAD design.
The rest rotates 360 degrees for personal adjustment and for left hand users. The locking knob secures it once you have found the position you want.

In its current state, the ArtiliPod is only 24 ounces. I'm sure if I use some Delrin® parts in the next prototype, I can shave that weight considerably
without sacrificing strength.

Welcome, Paul, to the GTA. That's an impressively executed apparatus you've built. I look forward to seeing pics of the completed project when you've got the padding installed.

Bryan

[Crimson Sky]

Bryan, thanks for the welcome! I just got some polyfoam today and will plot out the upholstery. Have several types of leather samples, need to pick one and make a pattern.

[Crimson Sky]

Gotta love aluminum---with the right tools it carves like wood, and polishes up nicely ;)

[Big_Bill]

Welcome to the G.T.A. Forums Paul,

A very nice job you are doing there ! Like WOW !

Have you done any shooting off it yet ! It looks very well thought out..

[shadow]

Big GTA welcome Paul and very impressive work there. :) That's a seller for sure and I'm sure it's got some gear's turning on the forum. As for me, I spend most of my hunting laying on the ground or deep in the bush, I'm the guy that like's to be the bush hehe. GREAT WORK though. Ed

[Gene_SC]

Hey Paul, fantastic design and engineering there.. Thank you for coming to the GTA and sharing your work. We love those step by step projects and right off the bat you made a big contribution. A Big Welcome Gene

[Crimson Sky]

I plinked a few cans with it, I had limited time when I took the pics, i was on my way to a camp site in the Catskills. It was also awkward without the padded rests, but from what i did experience, it was rock solid--Now I can see this device working well on a hike to take down some small game. I'm eager to finish it and go punch some paper as a test.

[Crimson Sky]

Thanks for the welcome Gene, and all. The gimbal design works really well, and I'm able to easily adjust the angle of the rifle with just a slight shift of weight at the forearm for a higher shot, or lean back and lower the angle. The spring resistance on the gimbal makes sure that your hand and arm are always in contact with the rests. My only challenge that I havent worked out is how to carry the device and be able to have it at the ready quickly to take a game shot. Perhaps some sort of rubber "C" shaped belt clip? Thoughts anyone?

Great but I am not a Bill Gates, I use two sticks with a shoe lace.

Great looking photos, would you show what you have downed with your product?

[Crimson Sky]

The telescoping alum tubing was from Lowes..I think they were $8 for the two. The alum bar stock was $12 for a 1/2" x3" x 24" piece from http://www.almetalsinc.com A great place for cheap, small quantity metals. I have about $30 invested in parts so far. It's just labor intensive with the milling and polishing and drilling. Once I get the EVA foam grip for the pole I think my final investment will be about $45.