2x4 target stand

Geerubb

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Looking for a cheap and portable way to hang some steel targets. I have the steel targets and 2x4 topper hangers, but was looking for a good base. I found these Birchwood Casey stands for about $30 each. Anybody have experience with these or similar?


http://shop.birchwoodcasey.com/products/birchwood-casey-2x4-nested-steel-target-stand.html


BTW - I'm currently using DIY 2x4 bases like this:
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Do you have access to a welder? My friend made nearly identical stands for a whollllle lot less than $30ea. It just takes some angle iron, rectangular tubing, sawzall, welder, and paint.

I like his stands much better than the 2x4 style that are so common, like yours.
 
Do you have access to a welder? My friend made nearly identical stands for a whollllle lot less than $30ea. It just takes some angle iron, rectangular tubing, sawzall, welder, and paint.

I like his stands much better than the 2x4 style that are so common, like yours.
Not to mention steel targets are Hell on wooden stands.
 
A million years ago when I used to work for a living I knew how to weld, now I get blisters from a keyboard.

Would a cheap wire flux welder be good enough for building simple frames for stands?
 
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A million years ago when I used to work for a living I knew how to weld, now I get blisters from a keyboard.

Would a cheap wire flux welder be good enough for building simple frames for stands?
Yes. I don’t “know how to weld” but I can weld. Making target stands that are inevitably going to get shot would be a waste of pretty welds. As long as you get good penetration you’ll be fine (that’s what she said).
 
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Here's what I use. I bought these targets, plus already had 2 plates 8x2x1/4. Bought chain and hardware for the steel at Lowe's.

Bought these hooks to hang

Bought 10' RIGID conduit at Lowe's for top bar. Bought 4 of the 5' sections of EMT for the legs. Used this kit to make the rack, but didn't put any bolts in it. Can set it up and tear it down in 5 minutes. Can fit all in my SUV.

I have had zero problems with any of my purchases. Use them an average of 2 times a month. Several people shooting at them with handguns and pistol caliber carbines in anything from .22lr to 44 mag. at 5 yards to 30 yards. Have shot the steel with 454 casull but it does leave a small dimple in the front.
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I have a couple of those little metal decorative yard flag hangers that you stick in the ground. Work great. Also rebar, and just bend it with a couple of legs and stick em in the ground.
 
Just thinking out loud. Could ya make something out of PVC pipe that would carry the weight and assemble/disassemble easy?
While I haven’t used it, I feel like PVC would tip over too easily. Otherwise it would be great for the lightweight and may stand up to the spall decently well.
 
Most anything that you can cobble up will work for paper/cardboard targets. With steel targets, you get the weight of the target itself being supported, and then the sudden impact of the energy when the bullet hits the steel, and then the swinging back and forth of the target. Also, take a look at the big 8 X 8 stand at Battery Oaks. That stand has been up a long time and many bullets have been fired at the targets but, the bullet splash has riddled them badly. And, these are 8 X 8 timbers.
 
Just thinking out loud. Could ya make something out of PVC pipe that would carry the weight and assemble/disassemble easy?
Not PVC, but you can do it with 2x4s out of construction dumpsters and a set of the sawhorse brackets. And easily to replace when needed. Pretty cheap way to have stands. I don’t use them often, but I do have four setups with steel plates.
 
Not PVC, but you can do it with 2x4s out of construction dumpsters and a set of the sawhorse brackets. And easily to replace when needed. Pretty cheap way to have stands. I don’t use them often, but I do have four setups with steel plates.

Please post address:)
 
I have a ton of diy stands just like yours and a bunch of 1x2’s. Wish we could store these at the club. The stands out there (DPRC) are too wide for USPSA/IDPA targets and hauling the stands and sticks is a PITA.
 
While I haven’t used it, I feel like PVC would tip over too easily. Otherwise it would be great for the lightweight and may stand up to the spall decently well.

If you filled the bottom parts with cement and let it dry into a solid mass, that would likely help a lot.

Then again if you accidentally shoot PVC it's going to be KOed.
 
If you filled the bottom parts with cement and let it dry into a solid mass, that would likely help a lot.

Then again if you accidentally shoot PVC it's going to be KOed.
Cement would help with strength, and mass to prevent tipping, but then they'd be so dang heavy, I'd just deal with 2x4's personally haha! I'm guessing there is a reason we don't see PVC used for target stands very often.
 
Do you have access to a welder? My friend made nearly identical stands for a whollllle lot less than $30ea. It just takes some angle iron, rectangular tubing, sawzall, welder, and paint.

I like his stands much better than the 2x4 style that are so common, like yours.
Got any pics of these?

I don't think PVC with concrete will really work for this - i feel like the spal from the rounds will tear it up pretty fast. It's already bad enough on the wood ones. I really like the looks of the birchwood ones i linked, just wish the folded or fit together in a way that I could store them in a rubbermaid tote or similar for easy transport. I'm only looking to hang a single 8 or 10 steel target on it, which will be shot mostly by 22 and some 9mm.
 
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