Target stand Monday

milemaker13 said:

Not sure where your at but this years crop in IL has been insane. Thousands litter the roadways, often several of the same sign in the same spot. Its It's literally crazy.

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Normally it is like that. On the 3 miles leading to my little dirt road I can normally find 50 signs for different offices. On that same road I found less than 5. And they were picked up by the time I voted yesterday afternoon.

redneck2 said:

If you guys are gonna grab campaign signs, be advised that some or most candidates reuse their signs in the next election. Some get pretty ouchie about someone taking their signs. I know for certain that it’s illegal to tamper with the signs unless they’re placed illegally.

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When I was working with the Sheriff's office I mentioned the idea of using campaign signs as targets instead of just throwing them away to a supervisor. According to him, the signs are only fair game when whatever election they were for was over and the candidate did not make it clear the signs were wanted back. Like for what you said about reusing them next cycle. I am also fairly sure he and his officers do the same thing for when they don't shoot at the training ranges in the county.

Here is a steel target frame I made from some left over steel tubing I had sitting around from previous projects. The backing I had to go out and buy.

Very nice David, Your base is very similar to mine except the uprights on mine are wooden and fit inside the base, much less expensive to replace, and they do hold up longer.

George P said:

I have seen some made of PVC piping similar in shape, but the maker included a way to fill the base pipes with water for stability in high wind or rough uneven terrain. With nothing glued, it broke down easily for transport to the gun range.

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Yup. Made one of these myself. used sand bags laid on the feet on windy days. Total cost was less than $10. Used 1-1/2" shedule 40 PVC with long zip ties - 2 ea. side and 2 ea. top and bottom to secure the cardboard target backer. Easy and cheap to fix when you hit the frame.

30 mph winds will take a tractor-trailer off the highway. with a couple of nice sized sand bags, courtesy of the highway dept., the frame stays put on all but the windiest days.

I use 1 1/2 inch PVC target frames. For the bases, I drill 1/4 inch holes into them, and pound 6 inch gutter nails into the ground, it keeps them in place.

loose noose said:

Very nice David, Your base is very similar to mine except the uprights on mine are wooden and fit inside the base, much less expensive to replace, and they do hold up longer.

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Very cool! I generally feel more comfortable working in steel than wood so it was my go to material. I have another photo of it broken down sitting in its storage box. The base is made so the feet come out and it can adjust for different widths so of I wanted to I could use another target stand in the base. There are limits to how wide the stand can be. I did the base first to use some of the frames at the gun club. I decided after looking around the garage to just make the target frame.
It kept me out of trouble for a few days.

JeffG said:

I use 1 1/2 inch PVC target frames. For the bases, I drill 1/4 inch holes into them, and pound 6 inch gutter nails into the ground, it keeps them in place.

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I used PVC for the prototype of my stand. It worked quite well until it got shot. It splintered badly. I like using PVC for projects like cleaning rod storage tube, but if they get shot they have a tendency to shatter. For me at least that is true. Your mileage may vary.

DavidABQ said:

I used PVC for the prototype of my stand. It worked quite well until it got shot. It splintered badly. I like using PVC for projects like cleaning rod storage tube, but if they get shot they have a tendency to shatter. For me at least that is true. Your mileage may vary.

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<face palm> DOH!!! The objective is to shoot the target, not the frame!

Being made out of PVC , the frame is easily repaired, tho. I would take a 6' piece, a 90 deg. bend, a 'T' and my ratchet PVC pipe cutter with me. No need to glue any thing. Just push 'em together dry. If hit, cut a piece to replace the broken one.

Yes the stuff gets shot. Repair is easy. When it starts to look like Cat in the Hat plumbing, ditch them and make new ones. I have to take my stands home each day, so light weight is a plus.

I posted some photos last night that were victims of the software update. I will try reposting them when I get home.
For me that nice thing about steel is I can cut a section that gets shot up and weld in a new piece. I have even considered welding on a piece of angle iron to deflect errant rounds.

Them there are some fancy target stands. I just use some old tires. Poke holes in em with a sharp knife.

JeffG said:

I use 1 1/2 inch PVC target frames. For the bases, I drill 1/4 inch holes into them, and pound 6 inch gutter nails into the ground, it keeps them in place.

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That's what I use for IDPA/USPSA targets.

The sticks are pretty cheap.

Here are a couple more photos. What can I say, I was bored that weekend and needed something to keep me busy.