I have never seen the release used at matches but this is what I built from what was described to me. I understand the match release had a double hinge but this is a single plate that when ready is raised about 1/2 to 3/4" on one side. It has been through one night of IPSC practice indoors and one IDPA match and has worked without failure. Since taking these pictures a base was added to attach a sheet of rubber on the bottom for indoor cement floor. The base also extends beyond the front and back with 4 holes for screws or nails to attach to a larger plywood base outdoors. The application so far has been to release one drop turn that also released another drop turn that has a similar mechanism on it's base.
How to build.
- Not much to it. take two pieces of 3/8 by 2" strapping about 9 inches long and drill two holes. One in the center for the release rod, one at the upper right or left for the foot pedal hinge.
- Weld the two 3/8 strapping pieces above to one 1" square tube under the hole where the hinge pin will go. Weld a second 1.5" square tube on the other side flush with the top.
- Take the 7/16 rod and heat up and bend a 90 degree angle for a cocking lever and then weld a chain link on the end for the rope. Also install a stop washer and weld approximately 5-6" from the 90.
- Find a spring that is quite ridgid that will fit over the 7/16" rod. I could only find these two at Revy so I placed a washer between the two springs so they would not bind.
- Feed the rod through the hole install the spring(s) and a second washer. and weld in place.
- The two pieces of 1/4" by 1" strapping form the release mechanism. Weld one in place full length and the second only part way as pictured.
- Now the fun part. To figure out where to weld on the release rod activator. I just pulled the cocking mechanism until both springs were fully compressed and used soap stone along where the partial 1" strapping stopped. The release rod sits at an angle so the foot plate easily activates it.
- Last plasma cut the foot plate and weld onto the 3/8 rod to form the foot peddle.
- I added stair grip tape on the foot plate for positive foot grip.
- I also later added a base plate (not pictured) with 4 holes and to attach a rubber sheet base to stop any slipping on a cement floor.
- If the pictures don't tell the story contact me and I will send full size pictures with a tape measure pictured for dimensions.
- Good luck and have fun. I had a lot of positive comments at the practice and the match. When used at the match the release triggered a drop turn I built and then a release mechanism on the drop turn triggered the weighted turning target. I will show the drop turn mechanism later.
- I have not sold any of these at this point so I do not have any other user comments.
- Caution when you release it the first time it really snaps. Just don't have anything sitting at the rear where the rod comes through it won't be on your work bench for long.
http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/8937/2008nov182nt8.jpg
Upside down view.
http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/4427/2008nov185wg1.jpg
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/9332/2008nov184mr3.jpg
How to build.
- Not much to it. take two pieces of 3/8 by 2" strapping about 9 inches long and drill two holes. One in the center for the release rod, one at the upper right or left for the foot pedal hinge.
- Weld the two 3/8 strapping pieces above to one 1" square tube under the hole where the hinge pin will go. Weld a second 1.5" square tube on the other side flush with the top.
- Take the 7/16 rod and heat up and bend a 90 degree angle for a cocking lever and then weld a chain link on the end for the rope. Also install a stop washer and weld approximately 5-6" from the 90.
- Find a spring that is quite ridgid that will fit over the 7/16" rod. I could only find these two at Revy so I placed a washer between the two springs so they would not bind.
- Feed the rod through the hole install the spring(s) and a second washer. and weld in place.
- The two pieces of 1/4" by 1" strapping form the release mechanism. Weld one in place full length and the second only part way as pictured.
- Now the fun part. To figure out where to weld on the release rod activator. I just pulled the cocking mechanism until both springs were fully compressed and used soap stone along where the partial 1" strapping stopped. The release rod sits at an angle so the foot plate easily activates it.
- Last plasma cut the foot plate and weld onto the 3/8 rod to form the foot peddle.
- I added stair grip tape on the foot plate for positive foot grip.
- I also later added a base plate (not pictured) with 4 holes and to attach a rubber sheet base to stop any slipping on a cement floor.
- If the pictures don't tell the story contact me and I will send full size pictures with a tape measure pictured for dimensions.
- Good luck and have fun. I had a lot of positive comments at the practice and the match. When used at the match the release triggered a drop turn I built and then a release mechanism on the drop turn triggered the weighted turning target. I will show the drop turn mechanism later.
- I have not sold any of these at this point so I do not have any other user comments.
- Caution when you release it the first time it really snaps. Just don't have anything sitting at the rear where the rod comes through it won't be on your work bench for long.
http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/8937/2008nov182nt8.jpg
Upside down view.
http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/4427/2008nov185wg1.jpg
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/9332/2008nov184mr3.jpg
