I hate the Texas Star

[DenStinett]

Well, it took me a few days but I put together a Prototype of the Mini (Texas) Star Target System
I figure instead of 8 inch plates at 10 yards, I can try shooting 4 inch Clays at 5 yards
Works out to be the same sized target at distance

Not counting the Sporting Clays, I have about $50.00 into it in parts
A box of 135 Sporting Clays cost $15.00 at Sportsman?s Warehouse and who knows , they may even be cheaper at Cabela?s or even WalMart
135 will give you 27 runs per box
At $50.00 for the ?Star? and $$15.00 a box, it would take a long time to add up to even the cheapest Steel Texas Star

[kobus]

that is very nice Den.  well made.  please let us know how it works.

[Mr. Sasquatch]

Den,

Is this how you open your safe now? Five hits in the right order and it pops open? 

Seriously, though, nice set-up. What are those white plastic thingies that hold the clays?

[painter]

Den,

Is this how you open your safe now? Five hits in the right order and it pops open? 

Seriously, though, nice set-up. What are those white plastic thingies that hold the clays?

Inquiring minds...

more details please...

Sir.

[BigK]

First time they dragged a Texas Star out at my club it seemed like it was 15' in diameter, had 2" plates, and spun on perpetual motion ball bearings. Since then, it has somehow shrunk to 5' dia w' 8" plates...how'd that happen?

[1SOW]

Den, that is ingenious, and looks like fun.  It'll also run with a .22, or even a pellet gun.   

[DenStinett]

Thanks 1
Yeah, it should work with just about anything, even a Slingshot
PLUS, you can us the loose Arms as "stack-out" Clay Holders too

[czkali]

Now I want to see a video of it in action. I'm curious how fast it spins once the first target is hit. Seems like it won't be too fast since the targets are light but those rods for the spokes are light too. Hmm, curious minds want to know.

[DenStinett]

Now I want to see a video of it in action. I'm curious how fast it spins once the first target is hit. Seems like it won't be too fast since the targets are light but those rods for the spokes are light too. Hmm, curious minds want to know.

We'll see what we can do on the Vid thing
I've been thinking the same about swing speed
I may add a nut and/or washer or two to add some weight at the end
If my Trig serves;
Same Angular Velocity a half size will only look to be slower
i.e. 2 feet per second of travel at 3 feet of Radius will be 1 foot of travel at 1.5 foot R?.Or something like that

[DenStinett]

Den,

Is this how you open your safe now? Five hits in the right order and it pops open? 

Seriously, though, nice set-up. What are those white plastic thingies that hold the clays?

Sauatch and Painter:
They are PVC Pie fitting cut and heated to shape
Check-out this post for a bit more detail:

http://www.czfirearms.us/index.php?topic=47277.msg279620#msg279620

[1SOW]

PVC  won't survive centerfire ammo.

[painter]

PVC  won't survive centerfire ammo.

True...

but cheap, and easy to replace.

If I decide I want to make myself really frustrated...

I'll build one.

[DenStinett]

PVC  won't survive centerfire ammo.

PVC  won't survive centerfire ammo.

True...
but cheap, and easy to replace.

Yeah, one fitting costs about $2.00 and yealds two rings
I bought three fittings and got six Rings....One spare (for now)
I figure when I use the spare, I'll buy another fitting and end-up with two spares
I went with 1/4 inch AllThread for the Arms to give them a bit of flex, hoping to give the PVC Ring a little bit of a chance in glancing blows
We'll see how they hold-up

[DenStinett]

Den, that is ingenious, and looks like fun.  It'll also run with a .22, or even a pellet gun.   

Hey ! :
Set the Star up in the Back Yard
Ran my Umarex Colt .177 Pellet at it
Just shot little tiny holes in the Clays
Shot three pellets as fast as I could sight and pull the trigger; 12:00, 10:30 then 01:30 all hit the center of the Clay...Nothing but little tiny holes
Nice shooting for three quick shots hits, but no broken Clays
TOTALLY BUMMED
It took about five random shots around the edge of the Clay to get one to kinda break enough to fall out of the Ring
I'll have to try .22lr then 9mm first chance I get
Thinking I may have to cut an inch or so out of the top to allow the Ring to have less grip on the Clay
Or give the Ring a Clamping action when the Clay is hit
It's still a work in progress folks

[DenStinett]

I cut an inch out of the tops of the Rings and reheated them to close the gap
Now they pinch the Clays and may help to break them when hit
I shot them with my Pellet Pistol and can brak one with three of four hit
Still need to try it out with 22s and 9mms