Where do I get the sticks for target stands?

[Corpral_Agarn]

This is a really dopey question:

I am building some idpa/uspsa target stands out of 1 1/2 PVC pipe and I don't know where to get the sticks to staple the cardboard to.

Are they just wood stakes or...?

Thanks,

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

They are calles firring strips and you get them at Home Depot. I believe they are 1x1/2” and 8 feet long. Cut them to the height you desire.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

They are calles firring strips and you get them at Home Depot. I believe they are 1x1/2” and 8 feet long. Cut them to the height you desire.

Thank you!

 

[9mmepiphany]

I don't know where to get the sticks to staple the cardboard to.

After all these years....

1.5" x .5" furring strips...check the grain, pick the straight ones.

Mark one end, paint or marker, to be inserted into the PVC, that way you don't end up with staples on both ends.

 

[ATLDave]

Home Depot will usually even do the cutting for you for free!

 

[Varminterror]

As others mentioned, firring strips work fine. Personally, I'm a bit too ham handed with my portable target stands, so I end up busting them up when built with the 1/2" to 5/8" stock, so I use 2x2 stock. Our Lowes used to have them, no idea what for, but in lieu of factory options, I take the 5min to rip 2x4's on the table saw.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

After all these years....

1.5" x .5" furring strips...check the grain, pick the straight ones.

Mark one end, paint or marker, to be inserted into the PVC, that way you don't end up with staples on both ends.

I know, I know.

Its just that I never had to actually source any before.

Thanks for the replies, All!

 

[thomas15]

The furring strips come in a bundle of I think 12 strips, comparatively inexpensive. They are not choice lumber. I usually get several bundles so I can keep extras on hand. Instead of staples to attach the targets to the strips, I use bulldog clips so that I don't have to remove the staples and risk getting stuck with sharp staples. I also use leather gloves when handling them because of splinters.

 

[ATLDave]

Amen to the leather gloves. Also essential if you're doing things like moving poppers or other heavy steel!

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Amen to the leather gloves. Also essential if you're doing things like moving poppers or other heavy steel!

Agree.

I use the mechanix fastfit for that kind of stuff.

I can tape with them on, too.

 

[Dudedog]

My club uses survey stakes,
lots of them out there, fairly smooth no splinters generally. (unless/until they are shot up)

Maybe something like this if 4' is tall enough
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Greenes-Fence-4-ft-Wood-Garden-Stake-25-Pack-RC84N25U/204721121

 

[9mmepiphany]

I just got back from the range and took a closer look at the stakes.

The ones we use are 1" x 2"

 

[flightsimmer]

Make it easy on yourself, during elections there are target stands all over the place and their free for the taking and many people wish you would.

 

[1KPerDay]

Targets included!

 

[Riomouse911]

Wait till after the elections, taking them before may be a crime in your area .

I use the 1x2's in my stand bases... and yes, staples can be a bear if you're not careful!

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Picked up the furring strips today.

1x2's.

Thanks for the info, All!

May have some photos and/or video of the stuff in use .

 

[Doublehelix]

The furring strips come in a bundle of I think 12 strips, comparatively inexpensive. They are not choice lumber. I usually get several bundles so I can keep extras on hand. Instead of staples to attach the targets to the strips, I use bulldog clips so that I don't have to remove the staples and risk getting stuck with sharp staples. I also use leather gloves when handling them because of splinters.

Amen to this post! I could have written it myself! I use the clamps nowadays instead of staples, although the stapler is still in my shooting box. Leather gloves in the range bag, use them every time.

I cut mine to 5-foot heights, which I think is pretty standard.

 

[shoobe01]

Depends on your stands. Seen both the sizes above. I like the thicker ones a lot. Also gives options; you buy say 10" and cut to 6 and 4" so can have low and high targets.

When possible (not on many flopping targets etc), I say forget staples. Big binder clips work better because no staples in the wood, so they store flat and don't stab people as much, and they don't crack the wood so you can use them many, many times. Even on furring strips.

Binder clips are rarely hit, so cost is low as they are 99.9% reusable. They are very draggy, so if hit they do not cause significant secondary damage and never rebound and fly uprange.

Use exactly three binder clips per target. Triangles for structure, etc. Not two, not four. Three.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

Well the furring strips worked great in my 1 1/2 pvc pipe stands. I didn't take pics of the stands close up, but can do that later if people are interested.
I got the "plans" for the target stands from Box o' Truth: https://www.theboxotruth.com/educational-zone-24-homemade-target-stand/

I used 6" paper plates for head targets and 8.5x11" paper for body targets stapled to old IPDA cardboards (any cardboard would do).

I also made a VTAC style barricade too and had a blast working with the ports and such.

Pics for fun:


There is a steel auto popper on the hillside roughly 150yrds out:

 

[Chuck R.]

I really like working the 9 hole drill with the VTACs.

Built 2 of them for my range, shooting in "off" positions is something that requires practice. Are your shorter than norm, or are you like 6'5"?? Pic of one of mine:

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

LOL

I am 5'8" and I made 2 barricades from one sheet of 4'x8' so they are a little short.

I don't think I could use that top port anyway.

I really like all the shooting options.

ETA: When I made 2 from one, I ended up with a shorter one than the other, 6' one.
the one in the pics is the shorter one.

 

[jmorris]

I make my stands so they nest and can be stacked.



Then I build dolly’s so one guy could roll the targets, tape, stapler, sticks and stands to and from the bay in one trip.



Saves a lot of leg work.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

I make my stands so they nest and can be stacked.

Then I build dolly’s so one guy could roll the targets, tape, stapler, sticks and stands to and from the bay in one trip.

Saves a lot of leg work.

That's pretty awesome, actually.

Maybe someday I will get to that level.

I am just happy with my little pvc and plywood.

 

[Doublehelix]

Check out these stand from Bobcat Armament (they are local to me, so I can drive over and pick them up).



http://www.bobcatarmament.com/bobcat-steel-bobcat-steel-2x4-stand.html

• They nest for stacking.
• They accommodate furring strips for USPSA on the outside, and 2x4's on the inside for steel targets (one stand does both).
• The support legs (parallel to the ground) are the same size as the furring strips so on a windy day, you can put sticks in the leg holes to keep them from blowing over.

Expensive, but brilliant. I have 6 of them.

Kimball (the owner) is a good dude, and is a full service Dillon dealer as well for you reloaders.

Highly recommended!

 

[ATLDave]

I've never played with a VTAC barricade. Is there some special purpose to each of those ports - i.e., are they designed to each represent/replicate some particular type of "real world" barrier/loophole - or is it just an array of originally-arbitrary slightly-inconvenient ports?