Homemade Target Stand

**CDR_Glock** · 11-09-2011, 09:40 PM

Getting ready to join an outdoor range, I ordered some steel plates. However, I also want to shoot paper targets or Cardboard IPSC Targets, too.

I looked into target stands but they were $50 and you still had to use wooden slats to mount the targets. I saw a stand that didn't need to use wood but they were $140 without shipping.

I did a search and found the following link from www.accurateshooter.com:

http://bulletin.accurateshooter.com/...-target-stand/

I went to Home Depot and bought an 8 foot 1.5" PVC pipe and had them cut the pipe into 8 pieces that were 15" long. I connected them using 4 90 degree elbows and 2 Tees. I found an 8 foot 1/2"x1 1/2" slat that I had cut in half. I set it up in the wind today and it didn't move. Additionally, I did not use glue since I want to be able to disassemble this. If any component gets damaged from shooting, I can replace the part.

Total cost : $12.

**droid** · 11-09-2011, 10:10 PM

That's a good idea.

Let us know how well it works when you actually shoot at it with a target attached.

I'm used to the scrap re-bar welded together that you drive in the ground.
Usually doesn't cost me anything to make those but they don't disassemble and you wouldn't carry one in a car unless you didn't care about your upholstery!

Thanks for posting!

**CDR_Glock** · 11-09-2011, 10:33 PM

Originally Posted by droid

That's a good idea.

Let us know how well it works when you actually shoot at it with a target attached.

I'm used to the scrap re-bar welded together that you drive in the ground.
Usually doesn't cost me anything to make those but they don't disassemble and you wouldn't carry one in a car unless you didn't care about your upholstery!

Thanks for posting!

I'll shoot either this weekend or next week. I'll give you guys a range report.

**Carson** · 11-10-2011, 03:04 AM

My boss had me make a couple of them about 6 years ago when we were slow one week. Working at a land survey place we had lots of wooden lathe stakes around. The only issue I've experienced is the wind in Oklahoma. Depending on how tall you cut your wood stakes, they can act like a sail when you staple a target up and lay the target over.

Never had any part of the base break. A cheap duffel bag will keep the PVC parts together and just expect to replace the wood every outing or two if you're shooting at distance or with friends

**CDR_Glock** · 11-10-2011, 01:45 PM

I would have to have a flier to hit the PVC. What happens to that if it is hit?

**Carson** · 11-10-2011, 02:02 PM

It breaks a chunk out of the PVC. If it's dead center, it can crack all the way around. It doesn't "explode" or anything. I've never see one of the uprights hit (I made mine where it's mostly wood sticking up.. only about 8" of PVC out of the T) but I know the base doesn't get disturbed even if it gets broken. It really does make for a stable stand. And like you said, just replace the broken piece/side when you're finished.

**Komitadjie** · 11-10-2011, 04:04 PM

Those are a good design, I've made a couple at various points, then mostly ended up leaving them with friends. The perfect thing to use for a backer, I've found, are old political campaign signs. That corrugated plastic material can be stapled to easily, and holds up a lot better than cardboard, it doesn't end up shredding so badly. Day after elections, you can snag a whole pile of them for nothing.

**CDR_Glock** · 11-10-2011, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by Komitadjie

Those are a good design, I've made a couple at various points, then mostly ended up leaving them with friends. The perfect thing to use for a backer, I've found, are old political campaign signs. That corrugated plastic material can be stapled to easily, and holds up a lot better than cardboard, it doesn't end up shredding so badly. Day after elections, you can snag a whole pile of them for nothing.

Great tip. I'll grab them now. There's enough signs that they won't miss them.

**Komitadjie** · 11-10-2011, 04:33 PM

It made me chuckle when I ran across them the first time up at the range, the fellow that was shooting at them was the fellow who's name was on 'em.

He said he didn't need 'em any more (his campaign was sucessful) so he may as well get some use out of 'em. I fully agreed, and went home with a great big stack to use for my own backers.

**JackBlades** · 11-13-2011, 03:14 PM

And they say nothing good comes out of politics!

**CDR_Glock** · 11-17-2011, 04:09 PM

Originally Posted by droid

That's a good idea.

Let us know how well it works when you actually shoot at it with a target attached.

I'm used to the scrap re-bar welded together that you drive in the ground.
Usually doesn't cost me anything to make those but they don't disassemble and you wouldn't carry one in a car unless you didn't care about your upholstery!

Thanks for posting!

I tried it today. The 4 foot slats make it too short. it was stable despite the wind in the Valley today. So I didn't need counterweights. For $12 versus $50, I am satisfied.

**GEEZER** · 11-17-2011, 05:19 PM

Great ideas!

**CDR_Glock** · 11-18-2011, 01:15 AM

I was impressed by it. Since I didnt glue it, I can take it apart without issues. It's very snug since each piece was individually cut. If you buy the precut versions, each 15" section will cost you $2.88 or something. The entire 8 foot PVC pipe was $4 and change. You need 8 15" pipes.

**Bad Boy** · 11-19-2011, 02:34 AM

I saw one of those @ the range once. Simple, yet ingenious build.

Very lightweight also, if you don't mind me adding on here. When the guy was done, he picked it up and carried it back behind the line w/ no effort atall.

I wanted one then, want one now. Some ranges only go 25 OR 100 yards. Great thread.

**CDR_Glock** · 11-19-2011, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by Bad Boy

I saw one of those @ the range once. Simple, yet ingenious build.

Very lightweight also, if you don't mind me adding on here. When the guy was done, he picked it up and carried it back behind the line w/ no effort atall.

I wanted one then, want one now. Some ranges only go 25 OR 100 yards. Great thread.

I don't know the weight but it's not heavy or cumbersome, at all. The way I constructed it, if the PVC is damaged, I can replace a segment. It is highly unlikely that I will shoot the PVC. I can't say that for friends who may shoot at it, though. The original author of the design says he takes it apart and puts it in a duffel. I'm not doing that. That is too time consuming.

Some people put counterweights inside, and again, that would lead to less simplicity of use.