seabiscuit
09-23-2011, 05:36 PM
Here at the Academy, we've got what's probably the greatest metal shop at any undergraduate institution - and it's better than some graduate and commercial shops too. Mills, lathes, drill presses, sanders, grinders, sheet metal tools, MIG and TIG welders, oxy-acetylene torch, water jet, heat treatment ovens... the list goes on.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wliYIO_9vTU/Tn0DukVLe1I/AAAAAAAAO4I/qAeKx6QSmRQ/s720/P9230357.JPG
I decided to take advantage of some of the tools and make myself some steel targets. I completed the first one today, and I'll test it this weekend.
My target had to do three things:
Deflect bullets downwards
Swing to absorb bullet energy
Not cost a lot (be free)
I met all three requirements using scrap metal, a band saw, belt grinder, drill press, oxy-acetylene torch, and MIG welder.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ItANiB-YHg4/Tn0DviNinRI/AAAAAAAAO4A/lwVoaeLLTLo/s912/P9230358.JPG
After cutting 8" octagons with tabs out of 1/4" steel plate, I ground the edges to make sure they wouldn't cut me or catch any bullets. Then I placed the tabs in a vice and used the torch to heat the metal to red-hot. Once it was soft, a hammer bent the targets over to the 90 degree angle.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rMgGi1dVLs0/Tn0DwsXwO1I/AAAAAAAAO4E/mqspM85RaUY/s912/P9230359.JPG
I cut a 2" wide strip from the same scrap steel, and began drilling 5/8" holes in it on the drill press. Once the holes were drilled and the 2" squares cut, I ground the edges and corners and headed down to weld. With the tabs mounted, I found some 1/2" steel round stock, cut it, ground spikes into the ends, and welded it into the upside-down U shape.
The plate angles downwards when it's hanging, and swings easily. The whole project cost me about five hours.
I'll test it out this weekend, starting out with my Marlin .22 bolt action and my S&W M&P 15-22, then maybe my Glock 26. We'll see how it does.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wliYIO_9vTU/Tn0DukVLe1I/AAAAAAAAO4I/qAeKx6QSmRQ/s720/P9230357.JPG
I decided to take advantage of some of the tools and make myself some steel targets. I completed the first one today, and I'll test it this weekend.
My target had to do three things:
Deflect bullets downwards
Swing to absorb bullet energy
Not cost a lot (be free)
I met all three requirements using scrap metal, a band saw, belt grinder, drill press, oxy-acetylene torch, and MIG welder.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-ItANiB-YHg4/Tn0DviNinRI/AAAAAAAAO4A/lwVoaeLLTLo/s912/P9230358.JPG
After cutting 8" octagons with tabs out of 1/4" steel plate, I ground the edges to make sure they wouldn't cut me or catch any bullets. Then I placed the tabs in a vice and used the torch to heat the metal to red-hot. Once it was soft, a hammer bent the targets over to the 90 degree angle.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-rMgGi1dVLs0/Tn0DwsXwO1I/AAAAAAAAO4E/mqspM85RaUY/s912/P9230359.JPG
I cut a 2" wide strip from the same scrap steel, and began drilling 5/8" holes in it on the drill press. Once the holes were drilled and the 2" squares cut, I ground the edges and corners and headed down to weld. With the tabs mounted, I found some 1/2" steel round stock, cut it, ground spikes into the ends, and welded it into the upside-down U shape.
The plate angles downwards when it's hanging, and swings easily. The whole project cost me about five hours.
I'll test it out this weekend, starting out with my Marlin .22 bolt action and my S&W M&P 15-22, then maybe my Glock 26. We'll see how it does.