jlasorsa03 Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 First I just want to say I am new to this forum, and glad to be a part of it. I have already learned an incredible amount from reading through some of these posts. I have read through a few ideas on guys practicing shotgun and how to make target holders. Most seem to want to buy them rather than make them (lack of a welder usually, such as myself) and I have used a very inexpensive item for years and I thought I would share it. They are by no means professional, and will probably not stand up to use at a public range for very long, however for personal practice they do just fine. I ordered "wardrobe box hanger bars" and cut one end of them to the desired length and so they could be stuck into the ground. They come in 24" and 20". (you can also stick in a vice and bend back and forth until they break if you do not have a method for cutting metal) These things are metal, stand up to lead shot (down to #4 shot) and hold clays very well. They are very light and stack for easy carry and storage. And their flat top, which also allows you to place knock down targets on top of them. The kicker....they are $1.72 each! http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/packaging/boxes-cartons/Specialty-Moving-Boxes/24-hanger-bar-24-wardrobe-box You can also find them on staples.com and amazon.com. Just google "wardrobe box hanger bars" (See pics. Sorry I don't have a pic of a knock over plate on top, but you can get the idea) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
outerlimits Posted February 4, 2013 Share Posted February 4, 2013 So the secret's out! Also, you can bust off the end, squeeze it in a vice and slide it into another, secure with a self-tapping screw and it's twice the height. I wrap rubber bands around the clay and they stay put. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
larry weeks Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 And I wasted a bunch of time cutting up re-rod, cutting plates and welding them together. Arrrgggghhhh! Thanks for the tip. I'll pay for a whole lot of those before I weld another one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert King Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 I just used rebar for clay holders. Don't work for steel knock downs, but are great for just clays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullittmcqueen Posted February 12, 2013 Share Posted February 12, 2013 This is a great idea. Thanks for sharing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jlasorsa03 Posted February 12, 2013 Author Share Posted February 12, 2013 No problem at all, glad to share. They work great. The simplest way to use them is to simply straighten one end with pliers, and hammer the edges straight against something hard and flat. I like the idea about putting two together. I'm going to try that. I haven't ever had to use rubber bands, they hold clays well enough. And they hold my 3" and 8" AR500 knockdowns (thetargetman_llc off ebay 20$ for 6 3", 40$ for 6 8" shipped) for plinking with my rimfires, centerfires or shotgun. I used to use rebar, but these are much lighter and easier to carry, you can stack a dozen of them together and hold them with a big rubber band and it weighs a few pounds. I hope you all enjoy them. I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mertbl Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Just curious about the targetman's stuff on Ebay. How well do these knockdowns hold up? The price seems too good to be true but i'll buy a bunch to practice with if they are decent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JesseCJC Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 His knockdowns state that they are AR36, not 500. I use his ar500 stuff with my AR with no problems as well as pistol and shotgun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuildSF4 Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 A36 mild steel, Brinell hardness 150 to 180. AR500 has a Brinell hardness of 470 to 521, much better for bullet strikes... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mertbl Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 well i bought a set of the 3" knockdowns i figure at $23 shipped theyll be a cheap experiment/lesson. If they hold up great, if not thats ok. Ill be using stock 9mm and handloaded 40 on them also some #8 shot. Ill try and report back in a week or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chills1994 Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 (edited) Cool! I made mine out of steel that "self-reset" because I didn't want to have to go back and forth putting clay birds on stands. The range I can practice at is 52 miles away, so range time is a premium. Wanted to maximize my time shooting. It's just mild A36 steel. It does fine with birdshot and .22LR, especially when I am teaching my nieces and nephews how to shoot, either with the Buckmark or a 10/22. They get to hear it go DING! and it swings back and forth. So it is instantaneously reinforcing. Also made it so claybirds will fit in those steel rings. The Mark II version will most likely get hinged on the bottom and also be self resetting. No more bending over and picking up steel plates out of the mud like other steel plate stands. Edited February 18, 2013 by Chills1994 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenDragon64 Posted February 18, 2013 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Chills, how'd you make that self-resetting? Attach a steel cable between two to hang the targets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chills1994 Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Chills, how'd you make that self-resetting? Attach a steel cable between two to hang the targets? I sent you a PM. Here's another pic: Maybe that helps (and no, those aren't driveway markers like you see out along country roads. ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JesseCJC Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 If you have an office depot or staples near you, they stock them as well. Purchasing 10 plus shipping from the link above put the stands at about 3.xx ea and they are the same price local if you want to get them quicker. Thanks for the idea though OP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STI91 Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 Check with your local moving companies. the moving company i went to had used ones they kept in the back of the warehouse they will sell for .50 each. I bought a bunch and they always have them in stock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedge58 Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 Thanks for the tip jlasorsa03 I just ordered 10. In the future I will check my local moving companies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
humzai Posted March 14, 2013 Share Posted March 14, 2013 thanks for the info. Chills could you post some more pics of your design? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie213 Posted March 23, 2013 Share Posted March 23, 2013 as above please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chills1994 Posted March 26, 2013 Share Posted March 26, 2013 thanks for the info. Chills could you post some more pics of your design? Thanks! Here's a video: I have a Mark II version in the works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dukduk Posted May 1, 2013 Share Posted May 1, 2013 those boxes are really expensive at staples Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JesseCJC Posted May 5, 2013 Share Posted May 5, 2013 Finally made if out to test the wardrobe hanger bars on a windy day. Annoying to say the least as they kept blowing off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rledwards Posted August 22, 2013 Share Posted August 22, 2013 Finally made if out to test the wardrobe hanger bars on a windy day. Annoying to say the least as they kept blowing off The second post mentioned using a rubber band to keep the clays from blowing off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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