TargetTalk

Does anyone know of a source for a bank of RF turning targets scaled down for 50 feet? I just checked the most likely manufacturers and don't see anything. I seem to recall this rig being available, but darned if I can find it.

TIA

Stan

If I recall correctly Ed Hall has instructions for a do-it-yourself bank of turning targets (http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/index.html).

National Target (Nationaltarget.com) does offer 50' versions of the RF target.

Tom

Tom Amlie wrote:If I recall correctly Ed Hall has instructions for a do-it-yourself bank of turning targets (http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/index.html).

National Target (Nationaltarget.com) does offer 50' versions of the RF target.

Tom

Tom,

Thanks for the info. I'd already seen Ed's cool rig, but I was looking for a completed system.

Stan

We are building a turning target system for 50 feet. The system will probably cost around $800. I have commissioned a local machinest to build the system using compressed air to turn the targets. The controller is a Timer Controller built by Target Timers. The cheapest system I have seen out there is $2000 per firing point.

We built 2 50 foot portable bays for our club a few years ago using electric solenoids to pull the turning mechanism. If you were to search the archives, I'm pretty sure that I've explained the system, with photos. It seems to me that each bay cost in the neighborhood of $100.00 for parts.
We hang the bays up to use them, then take them down and hang them along the wall to store them. We use one of the TargetTimers controllers to run them. Works very well.

Hope this helps
R.M.

What is the solenoid you used for the system? I would be interested in the information because if there is away to reduce the cost for our system we would be interested. The parts for our system compressed system is going to cost us more then $100. The solenoid alone will cost us more then $100.

I have built a 10M portable version and supplied a basic design for a 50 foot bank, both run with wiper motors. Neither of these turn fast enough for true ISSF times. We also constructed a 25 yard ten point air system for, I believe, less than $800, most of which was spent on steel. I can provide pictures of the 10M and already have the basic instructions for the 50 foot up at my site. I hope to eventually place a page devoted to the 25 yard system there as well. But, again, none of these will turn fast enough for ISSF timing. To do that you will probably need a solenoid.

I would like to mention, in case you (or any other readers) are going the air route, a friend pointed me toward Surplus Center for the cylinder and valve for our system. They have some pretty good prices on surplus items, one of which I'd like to provide some extra info for, specifically. They have a Bosch valve that can be used for single or double-ended cylinders. It is driven by 24VDC and works up to 145 PSI. The price is only $19.99 plus shipping. An extra note about this valve - the specifications say it is pilot operated - if you remove the end away from the coil (carefully - it's under spring pressure), you can flip a gasket to its mirror position and the pilot pressure will be supplied internally from the input port.

Here are the sites if you're interested:

Surplus Center: http://www.surpluscenter.com/

solenoid: http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?U ... 3&catname=

and, no, I'm not affiliated further than being a happy customer.

If I can be of any help, let me know.

Take Care,
Ed Hall
http://www.airforceshooting.org/
http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/

R.M. wrote:We built 2 50 foot portable bays for our club a few years ago using electric solenoids to pull the turning mechanism. If you were to search the archives, I'm pretty sure that I've explained the system, with photos. It seems to me that each bay cost in the neighborhood of $100.00 for parts.
We hang the bays up to use them, then take them down and hang them along the wall to store them. We use one of the TargetTimers controllers to run them. Works very well.

Hope this helps
R.M.

R.M.,

Is this the message you were referring to?

http://www.targettalk.org/viewtopic.php ... highlight=

By chance do you have any notes with specifics on the parts used, dimensions, etc.?

Thanks,

Stan

I don't have the dimensions handy, but they're not difficult to figure out.
The solenoid is shown in one of the photos. I think it came from Granger.
The main frame is made of square tubing (about 1.25 square)but on a 45 degree angle so any bullet hits will glance off.
Targets are 14" square. Spacing is 18.1" (.46 metre) I think our backer-boards are 14 X 16 X 1/8 hardboard ( like pegboard without the holes)

I'm sure there's more info that you'll want, but this should get you started.

R.M.

Thanks R.M.

The relay is shown at:

http://www.grainger.com/production/info/ww-granger.htm

for $35.80. That would for sure be my choice over the wiper motor, for speed as well as ease of construction. For the 10M setup I built a few years ago (with wiper motor), I used bearings instead of bushings and 2 inch angle steel for the frame. If I were to build another, I'd use the solenoid. However, my system runs from a small 12 volt battery. This relay draws a good current from 120 VAC. I wonder what a comparable DC solenoid would draw...

Take Care,
Ed Hall
http://www.airforceshooting.org/
http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/

The last set of turning targets I built was powered by a wiper motor. If you get the leverage right then it is easy to get within ISSF rules.

It would have been much easier to use an electric solenoid (as opposed to a solenoid operated pneumatic valve) but I have never managed to find one that is powerful enough, has a long enough stroke or is economically viable.

Hi David,

I hadn't ever seen any reasonably priced solenoids with enough travel either. I had talked with Syncrostart about one they had with a two-inch stroke, but the current draw was enormous and the price was pretty steep. The one in R.M.'s reference, which I linked to above, has a pretty good spec for a smaller system, though - 16 pound pull at one inch. It's Dormeyer model 3000-M-1. I guess my link didn't work as well as I thought. If you type 4X242 into the search field, the specs will come up. The relay actually shows a maximum stroke of 1.25 inches (12 lb). I think the price is fair. The only trouble I see for myself is that it is 120 VAC and therefore not truly portable, but it looks great for any location that can supply AC power.

Roddy made up a portable (hanging) 50' RF bank for our club with a base rod, levers and tie rods worked by a salvaged appliance solenoid of some sort. Works slick.

Ed Hall wrote:If you type 4X242 into the search field, the specs will come up.

Thanks for that reference Ed.
As you say, I would have thought that solenoid would be a very good starting point for a small system. You would probably need to use two though, one for each direction. Still, that wouldn't break the bank.

Hi David,

If your turning resistance is low enough, you can just use a spring return as R.M. did. I like to use bearings. I see R.M. used brass bushings in his units. I also use aluminum and cardboard, where R.M. used hardboard. For the smaller systems the weight isn't too bad with five targets, unless you start trying to make everything out of steel. For my turning systems here (BE competition at 50 feet), I'm just using a piece of angle aluminum at the top and mounting cardboard on the aluminum. Then we staple the target to the cardboard. The aluminum does get hit and offers very litle resistance to the round, but seems to go quite a while without need for replacement of parts. Anyway, if you can get your torque down to under half the solenoid pull, a spring return is probably the best choice.

Take Care,
Ed Hall
http://www.airforceshooting.org/
http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/

I've finally placed a page on my site showing some details of our 25 yard Turning Target System at the Long Lake Fish & Game Club. This is not quite like my Do-It-Yourself projects, but it does have pictures and descriptions of components and some of the work, in a general way. I hope to add a rough materials list, but I'm not sure how detailed I may make it or how soon that will be added. For anyone interested, the page can be seen at:

http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/tur ... temll.html

My hope is that it can serve as a base for those wanting to build one and can then be modified for the specific needs of the particular range, or perhaps on hand materials.

R.M.,

I would like to create a similar page to the one above describing your system(s). Would that be OK with you? Who should I credit with the construction - club or individual?

JackH,

Can you get me some details on Roddy's system for the same purpose?


Everyone,

For those wishing to contact me direct, please use the address:

edwin_hall@airforceshooting.org

I will reply from a Juno address.

Take Care,
Ed Hall
http://www.airforceshooting.org/
http://www.starreloaders.com/edhall/

I made two banks for 50 ft. RF. Used pneumatic cylinder to turn each bank. Instead of using air, I used a nitrogen cylinder with regulator, instead of an air compressor. On the pneumatic cylinders, I used adjustable quick dump valves on both ends so I could regulate the speed of the turn to ISU rules. Each bank has its own solenoid valve. Target controller is set up so you can face targets for scoring and then edge them for the timed series. Controller is capable to turn targets for ISU Rapid Fire (8,6&4 sec.). Standard pistol (20&10 sec.) and Duel for Centerfire (7 sec. delay & 3 sec exposure for 5 repetitions), For NRA Timed and Rapid Fire ( 20&10 sec.). You have a choice of 3 or 7 sec. delay for start of any timed sequences. All the timers are adjustable and may be fine tuned at your discretion. Timer is 120VAC. Sytem minus nitogen cylinder is for sale. It must be picked up in Waddington, NY, located 1/2 way between Massena and Ogdensburg. You can e-mail thru this forum. Make a decent offer and it is yours. Jon