Dueling tree home made question

L

little_airwolf

BANNED
BANNED
BANNED
EE Expired
Rating - 96.4%
27   1   0
Location
Calgary
Just wondering if anyone here has made a dueling tree?
I've read reviews on Champion and Do all Dueling trees.
Both have design flaws and people say they work for about a box of ammo max.
Was thinking about buying some heavy duty hinges and weilding them to a pole. I just don't know how to spring load it so the hinges always stay at one side or the other.
Your thoughts?
 
I wish I could help you...I would love to have one of these things! When I was a kid my father, who was a bit of a DIY handyman, made one up with the help of a friend who welded. It had 6 targets that swung from side to side when hit (we used .22's only) and the great thing was that as soon as all 6 were on one side, a lock slid into place preventing any further hits from moving any of them. No disputes about winners. It was great fun, but somehow disappeared during the decades between then and now.:redface:

If anyone starts making one today that works, I'd be all over it. I hope you keep us posted.
 
go to action target.com I know you said you want to make one but they have one that looks pretty good. I would like to get one but the range I go to doesn`t allow you to shoot steel targets which is too bad. It can get boring just shooting paper so I hang tennis balls from my homemade target stand with fishing line works pretty good. I am trying to think of other fun targets without breaking the rules. Anyways check it out post back on what you think of it
 
Wow, thanks. Saw that site plus another one. So it costs $165 including shipping. I guess not bad, but twice the cost of other dueling trees. I did find one in texas for $350 + shipping. However it looks like it's a professional one. Still, wouldn't mind finding a tree with more than 6 targets. 10 would be awesome. Even better would be if you got all targets to one side, it would lock.
Has anyone seen one like that?
 
I've got one mostly done, but other things taking priority right now. Just need to finish cutting out the panels, and weld them to the pipe pieces.
 
little_airwolf said:
I think it would work for one side but how would it flip over and stay to the other side?
Click to expand...

There must be a way to incorporate a ball detent at the bottom of the hinge piece so that the target stays on the one side then, after rotating, engages the other ball detent and holds the target there till it is shot again. I deliver goods to schools and have seen such a system on the outer doors involving a large steel ball bearing that slips into a matching cup to keep the doors open. I can think of another, possibly simpler, way to do the same thing but it be WAY easier to explain if I could post a drawing of it. :(
Cheers!!
 
spacesaver said:
There must be a way to incorporate a ball detent at the bottom of the hinge piece so that the target stays on the one side then, after rotating, engages the other ball detent and holds the target there till it is shot again. I deliver goods to schools and have seen such a system on the outer doors involving a large steel ball bearing that slips into a matching cup to keep the doors open. I can think of another, possibly simpler, way to do the same thing but it be WAY easier to explain if I could post a drawing of it. :(
Cheers!!
Click to expand...

I also thought of that. The only thing I forsee is having to replace the spring and or ball.
Another idea that I had was using strong earth magnets wielded to both sides of the tree. When the swinging bracket gets close enough to the magnet, it would hold it perpindicular. When hit, I think it would have enough force to break the magnets force and swing to the other side.
 
Not spring-loaded... just have the base of the tree designed so the tree leans forward "just a bit". That'll hold the plates in place against a breeze, and when you shoot the plate, it'll have enough energy to just flop-over to the other side.

I've heard of some fancy ones that will "lock-out" the other side when someone wins (definitive win), but that's too complex for me.
 
Spinners are always easy and cheep to build, weather vertical or horizontal, but a bolt through the part that attaches them to the pipe and tighten it down, slows the spinning action down so you can hit it again
 
If any of you watch the youtube vids on dueling trees. It's very common that when a target is hit, it doesn't swing all the way to the other side. Or it swings to fast and bumps back and is at an angle to the shooter. Putting the tree at an angle solves most of the issues plus deflects the lead downward. Maybe I could use both and have a reliable tree. I don't want to spend $170 bucks or more on something that breaks all the time or doesn't work right.
 
I was all set to build one but my family bought me a set from Wholesale Sports. Decent enough little tree with spring loaded spinners. The tension is adjustable depending on the round you are using and the range. Decent enough package so far, if not a little small (I will probably build a stand to make it a bit taller... it is only about 2-1/2 feet tall).
 
Please post pics and a report when you're finished. I've made some spinning targets and sillouettes but I'd like to make a dueling tree as well. I'd also like to make a couple of those "walking jack" targets. :)
 
Just an idea, not implemented yet...

Instead of making the base/hinge flat, make it a "V" shape. Steep enough that it would swing back, but not so steep a hit couldn't push the arm up the "V".

Concept stolen from a mailbox post...it can take a plow hit, then return to position. No springs required, gravity will do it.
 
camster said:
Just an idea, not implemented yet...

Instead of making the base/hinge flat, make it a "V" shape. Steep enough that it would swing back, but not so steep a hit couldn't push the arm up the "V".

Concept stolen from a mailbox post...it can take a plow hit, then return to position. No springs required, gravity will do it.
Click to expand...

You have the right idea. A friend designed a duelling tree, bevelling the bottom post. No springs needed, the bullets energy will flip the gong 180 degrees to the upright. I have 3 pics, if someone interested, send me your e-mail, as I can't seem to post pics any other way. This home made design is simple, but works!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom