How to build a device that will do popup targets and then drop them.

[Maggot]

A friend and fellow member here has occasional shoots at his farm and we're always looking for new ideas for challenges. I thought to make a little divice, inexpensively, that could be put behind a rock or log and an unknown distance, then have it pop up and the shooter only has say 15 seconds to identify, range, aim, and fire. Inexpensive is important. Simple remote control would be nice. Come on you engineers. Other ideas welcome.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Moths make good targets….

 

[MarshallDodge]

I have one that I designed and built a prototype. It became a project at local university. They took my idea and are improving on it, and 3D printed the prototype

 

[zeroz]

Have your kids go out behind the rock and get on the radio to tell them up, down. Cheap as it get.....until it isnt. What could go wrong

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Have your kids go out behind the rock and get on the radio to tell them up, down. Cheap as it get.....until it isnt. What could go wrong

Pulling targets is a rite of passage…

Sirhr

 

[Maggot]

Pulling targets is a rite of passage…

Sirhr

Yeah, but in this case it wont happen. He's too young. I tried to talk him into using a running Wetback but that wouldnt fly.

Hey Pedro, if you make it across the field we'll give yo 100 USD and all the soft taco's you can eat.

 

[Maggot]

I have one that I designed and built a prototype. It became a project at local university. They took my idea and are improving on it, and 3D printed the prototype

View attachment 8121541

Do you intend to market that?

Looks like the wires need protected, but interesting.

 

[Maggot]

View attachment 8121525

Moths make good targets….

Yes, I may have found my answer. Or somebody has way too much time on their hands.

 

[acudaowner]

not sure how instructional it is but you should be able to copy the idea of it .

 

[jrb06]

Not exactly what you are looking for but may give you some plan ideas.

Range Master Steel LLC

www.rangemastersteel.com

 

[Maggot]

not sure how instructional it is but you should be able to copy the idea of it .

Im familiar with those. Im looking for something more sophisticate that will pop up for a short time then go back down. Or at very least rotate 90 degrees then return. To give a limited engagement time. Might not be doable within a small budget.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Im familiar with those. Im looking for something more sophisticate that will pop up for a short time then go back down. Or at very least rotate 90 degrees then return. To give a limited engagement time. Might not be doable within a small budget.

Target on a long arm. Connected with belt or gears to an electric motor. Spins in a circle and only appears over the berm in an arc for x seconds. Appears every y RPM.

Put a light foam core target holder on the end of the arm.

If no electricity, use a car battery and a 12v motor. Probably can build from a used starter motor and a ring gear for cheap. If you want to start and stop it, remote control solenoid in the circuit.

Follow me for more hillbilly McGyver shit.

Cheers.

Sirhr

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Or 12v linear motor.

Push button, pops out. Let button off, retracts.

In fact, I think I have one new in package left over from another project. I’ll look tomorrow. Yours free. You can buy the actuator/controller kits on Amazon.

Sirhr

 

[Maggot]

Or 12v linear motor.

Push button, pops out. Let button off, retracts.

In fact, I think I have one new in package left over from another project. I’ll look tomorrow. Yours free. You can buy the actuator/controller kits on Amazon.

Sirhr

Let me know about that. It would be going to Virginia.

 

[diggler1833]

 

[Longrangeprecision762]

View attachment 8121729

In communist China target shoots you

 

[DFOOSKING]

Get a spinner target. Have the lower plate have a hole in it for a rope to tie to. Weld or bolt on some light angle to protect rope from spawl.

Hide the entire spinner behind a protective barrier that has a tube for the rope to pass through out of sight and protected. You might want to use a cheap section of rope at the plate as a means to deal with inevitable spawl cutting into it. Maybe a piece of PVC to aid in the rope's movement through the barrier.

You pull the rope....the plate angles back/away out of sight. You let it go....it pops back up.

You could make a berm or stack railroad ties or logs and some dirt to the desired height. You might want a angled plate to protect the spinner when you use railroad ties as it doesn't really take much to pass through them in a match setting. The barrier is as much to protect the spinner as it is to obscure it.

Sorry if the drawing isn't up to par. I came up with this about 5min ago

 

[Wild dog]

Check out GT Targets they might have something that fits the bill. Unfortunately rifle target steel is expensive now. Give Karl a call he likes to discuss new target ideas.

 

[Maser]

Where's Rube Goldberg when we need him?

 

[cas6969]

 

[jbailey]

View attachment 8121729

Love this one. Cheapie, ends up saving money, probably.
Works only in North Korea, People's Republic of China, Myanmar, Somalia and a few other dumps calling themselves a sovereignty. Commonwealth of Virginia might have a different take on the legality.

 

[Pbgt]

for some of the best practice on a budget, I get a box of Free kittens at the mall(couple bucks a doz at most..) tie a helium balloon to their tail...

 

[hollowoutadime]

Back on Topic. Might be something here.
Might try this on my range, need input for myself and OP.
$40 on amazon

I'm thinking if you want a 4-5" plate. balance it (so it doesn't strain the linear actuator.) This one moves 4" at 1.2" per sec.
It should be possible to have it move a weight - that at, say 2", causes an out of sight top heavy target to flip.

Once hit, it can trigger a sensor to reset.

I might order one.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

It’s your lucky day @Maggot

Not only do I have a linear motor, but the kit comes with a complete electronics package and remote control and instructions.

12vdc. Just hook to a car battery.

I forgot I had a full electronics package with it. Didn’t even remember what I ordered it for until I opened the box. Then I remembered I can’t say. ;-) Ended up using a three axis… thing. It worked.

Pm me with where to send it and I’ll ups it tomorrow. It will work perfect for you! No charge. Your tax dollars may have already paid for it!

Sirhr

 

[OkieMike]

Not too difficult to build... The only sticky part is powering it: Batteries or a long extension cord.

Perhaps something powered by a popular brand of cordless tool battery.

Mike

 

[hollowoutadime]

Damn, That Sir guy is generous!

I had to order MY parts today.

I plan to construct a "relatively balanced" axle shaft with a 5" AR500 plate .

Using a gear reduction motor with a coupling to drive the shaft.
Motor will always be driven unless the optical sensor($20 ) detects light (hole on sensor plate) when AR500 disk approaches top position.

I'll use a NC relay to handle the motor's current.
When the plate gets hit and falls over, I need to detect that (possible optical sensor) and restart the motor.
As the plate approached the top, it'll get hinged over to reset.
I need to figure out how to detect the AR500 plate falling. Maybe it's +12v and it falls on a simple spring (connection to motor)i

All the mechanics will be "protected" from hits or shrapnel off the backstop's plate.

Anyway, my range is all 12V dc (solar, controllers, and batteries), so I'll work around that.
If I get one to work, then I'll work on a way to randomize 5 of them. Might need to learn Arduino, but I think I can do it with a segmented metal disk (ala roulette wheel)

I think this shit should work.
criticism appreciated. (its the bear pit)

 

[mi650]

Used to have one of these.

 

[sirhrmechanic]

Damn, That Sir guy is generous!

I had to order MY parts today.

I plan to construct a "relatively balanced" axle shaft with a 5" AR500 plate .

Using a gear reduction motor with a coupling to drive the shaft.
Motor will always be driven unless the optical sensor($20 ) detects light (hole on sensor plate) when AR500 disk approaches top position.

I'll use a NC relay to handle the motor's current.
When the plate gets hit and falls over, I need to detect that (possible optical sensor) and restart the motor.
As the plate approached the top, it'll get hinged over to reset.
I need to figure out how to detect the AR500 plate falling. Maybe it's +12v and it falls on a simple spring (connection to motor)i

All the mechanics will be "protected" from hits or shrapnel off the backstop's plate.




View attachment 8122278


Anyway, my range is all 12V dc (solar, controllers, and batteries), so I'll work around that.
If I get one to work, then I'll work on a way to randomize 5 of them. Might need to learn Arduino, but I think I can do it with a segmented metal disk (ala roulette wheel)

I think this shit should work.
criticism appreciated. (its the bear pit)

When you're done, post info. I might be able to do something like that in Lego. You're way too advanced for me, Gunga Din!

Cheers!

Sirhr

 

[Maggot]

It’s your lucky day @Maggot

Not only do I have a linear motor, but the kit comes with a complete electronics package and remote control and instructions.

12vdc. Just hook to a car battery.

I forgot I had a full electronics package with it. Didn’t even remember what I ordered it for until I opened the box. Then I remembered I can’t say. ;-) Ended up using a three axis… thing. It worked.

View attachment 8122259View attachment 8122260View attachment 8122261

Pm me with where to send it and I’ll ups it tomorrow. It will work perfect for you! No charge. Your tax dollars may have already paid for it!

Sirhr

Thanks, Ill get an address shortly.

 

[Maggot]

When you're done, post info. I might be able to do something like that in Lego. You're way too advanced for me, Gunga Din!

Cheers!

Sirhr

PM incoming. thanks again.

 

[Californio]

View attachment 8122007

I have a target, 3'oclock, 420 yards, one on the stump, two on the ground. Great Training