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Hanging Hardware for Gongs


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Take a chain link, divide it up or mark it up into 4 "pie" pieces. Cut one of the pie pieces out of the link, leaving you a 3/4 link, weld that onto the back of the target so it is like a hook. Use same chain to hang it from. Most likely you will need to cut two links like that and weld them on the back, then hang it from two chains.

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Grade 8 bolts from any hardware store can take more hits than normal Grade 2 bolts. They're not perfect, but are better. Use pieces from an old tire tread instead of chain (ideally one big piece as wide as the target). The tire is basically indestructible and can take many hits, whereas the chain just has to be hit once to fail.

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grade 8 bolts and conveyor belt or firehose are the way to go.

if you REALLY get tired of replacing bolts, call big dog steel and order some of their bolt protectors. it's a little round ar500 cover that fits over the bolt head and protects it

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The common 'big-box' stores do stock Grade-8 bolts but the selection is limited. Buy spares. Even the Grade 8 bolts will get chewed up by direct rifle hits.

Plow-bolts are another option.

Also, if your targets are AR500, do not weld directly to the plate. The steel will be softened near the weld where it was heated by the welding process. Its commonly done for pistol targets without obvious problems but rifle is much harder on the steel.

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picard-facepalm-o.gif

I am a certified welder in the coal handling/ electrical powerhouse/oil refining industry. I think you could understand the need for certain types of abrasion resistant steels would be required in such an industry.

The various plant engineers I work under have a dedicated "schedule" or process for me when I weld AR plates and structures/mechanisms. This localized "softening" of the AR plate where it was welded, especially from the back side does not exist.

Well, at least it doesn't exist when you know what you're doing.

I guess some Bubba could FUBAR it all up if he didn't know what he was doing.

Lastly, popper plates, gongs, etc. should be considered consumables. Don't expect to pass them down to your grandkids

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The various plant engineers I work under have a dedicated "schedule" or process for me when I weld AR plates and structures/mechanisms. This localized "softening" of the AR plate where it was welded, especially from the back side does not exist.

Well, at least it doesn't exist when you know what you're doing.

I suspect the instructions from your engineers are more about trying to minimize entrained hydrogen in the weld area, especially if you are preheating.

If they are sharply controlling the amount of heat propagating from the weld, the goal is to minimize the heat effect. It doesn't eliminate it entirely.

Not a job I feel comfortable giving to the local fab shop.

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The plant engineers get their directions from the manufacturer's engineers. It's a big game of CYA.

I use a special 7018 rod.

At least with a gong, a lot of the bullet's energy is absorbed by getting it to move, almost like a ballistic pendulum.

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I have even used 7018 to repair targets that have been shot through at close range by rifles. If done right, you can repair gongs with 7018 just fine. I run it on a DC stick welder and I love it. Chills, what about that rod you run on the outside of buckets and such thats really hard stuff don't you think? I know it's harder than 7018.

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