I hate the Texas Star

[1SOW]

If you drill and tap a 1/4-20 hole at the top instead of the pinch, you can put controlled pressure on the clay by finger tightening a 1/4-20 bolt on the clay.  Might work.  You know if the clay just gets knocked out, it'll rotate.  Might not need clays that way
Easy for me to say! 

[DenStinett]

If you drill and tap a 1/4-20 hole at the top instead of the pinch, you can put controlled pressure on the clay by finger tightening a 1/-20 bolt on the clay.  Might work.  You know if the clay just gets knocked out, it'll rotate.  Might not need clays that way
Easy for me to say! 

Ok, here's a thought
Don't heat the Ring at all
Drill and tap three holes equally spaced
Say at 10, 12, and 2 o?clock
The Arm in at 12:00 and Thumb Screws at 10 and 2
Use the Thumb Screws to hole the Clays in check
I will look at this closer tomorrow

[kobus]

the clays should also not be too "loose" so that they fall out in sympathy with the ones that are actually hit.

don't you think your original design is good enough and the clays will shatter and fall out when shot with a firearm instead of an airgun?

[DenStinett]

the clays should also not be too "loose" so that they fall out in sympathy with the ones that are actually hit.
don't you think your original design is good enough and the clays will shatter and fall out when shot with a firearm instead of an airgun?

Most likely, you're right
It wasn't just because of the Pellet Gun deal though
I was looking at easier ways of inserting the Clays too
Spring fit as opposed to press fit
If I don?t get out this week with a 22 and/or 9mm, I?ll hopefully get a shot at it this weekend
I?m thinking of talking with a friend in the Plastics business
I want to see what the cost would be to form the Rings out of strips of Lexan
I think I like the ?Outside Caliper? looking shape and if I can get them made from Lexan for a fare price, that may be the way to go?Lexan being fairly Bullet Proof too

[DenStinett]

Ok, here's a thought
Don't heat the Ring at all
Drill and tap three holes equally spaced
Say at 10, 12, and 2 o?clock
The Arm in at 12:00 and Thumb Screws at 10 and 2
Use the Thumb Screws to hole the Clays in check

I looked at this a bit closer today
Depending on the thickness of the Nut you use to hold the Arm to the Ring, there may be just enough room to try this?.It?ll be tight though
The inside diameter of the Ring doesn?t leave much clearance if it?s not heated and bent

I'm liking the cut and spring fit the most so far

[1SOW]

Okay, Version 2.1:  Make the ring slightly too small for the clays.  Rout an inside lip (1/4"?) around and halfway through so the  clays slide in easily to the stop.  Two small set screws, pins or clips will now hold it against the routed stop.  Quick replacements.
Rough idea:

[DenStinett]

The only issue I have with this would be that not everyone has access to that kind of tools to cut a groove like that
I hope to take the Mini Star out Monday AM
Hope to get some pics and maybe a video
I may want to add even more weight to the end of the Arm to get a good spin out of it
I've added a couple extra Hex Nuts, but maybe a Fender Washer or two
I'm also thinking instead of Sporting Clays, find a sores for a 4? X ?? (to ??) thick steel Disks
No Clays mean no addition costs
Just a thought

[1SOW]

The groove for the plastic pipe could be done with any wood-working router and a  1/4" (or less?) rabbeting bit with a bearing.  It would take a minute or two for each holder.

Interested in hearing about how it performs.  Looks like fun.

[DenStinett]

Well, plans changed and we went out today instead
The wind was blowing at about 15-20 so the Star wouldn?t stay top-centered and had issues spinning in hard gusts
Took the Arms off and used them as Clay Stakes
Set them up out between 15 and 20 meters
Yes, the Clays break-out with one hit from a 22 most of the time (but not always) 9mm had zero issue breaking a target
As we suspected, the PVC will not take a direct hit
Broke two in half and one lost about a third of it, but it still held the Clay firmly
Looks like I need to rethink the PVC
I still may talk to my plastics friend about fabbing Lexan Rings
Also, I?m still kicking around a clip of some sorts
R&D?s turning out to be a real b!+<# on this one
Hope everyone has a safe Holiday

[BigK]

The evil genius at my club devised these 2 stations for yesterday's match:



There were 3 shooting boxes 1 red, 1 white, and 1 blue. You had to shoot the targets colored according to what box you were shooting from. So, gaming the star was MUCH harder than usual.



Any time there's one polish plate rack I cringe. Two is just plain sadistic.

Still, it was the funnest match I've ever shot!!

[jameslovesjammie]

There were 3 shooting boxes 1 red, 1 white, and 1 blue. You had to shoot the targets colored according to what box you were shooting from. So, gaming the star was MUCH harder than usual.

I would have wanted the white box.

[1SOW]

BigK,  that is cool.  I like trick steel targets.  I may screw it up, but it's FUN with capital letters.
Have you ever 'worried about your taxes' when shooting  at those?? 
At the buzzer, the world shrinks to the centers of those plates.


With the color plates, was that three strings, or run to the next box?  Evil designer. 

[recoilguy]

I just may steel that for our next shoot! Very Clever!

RCG

[BigK]

This is the actual stage description with the stars, if anyone wants to see it.


The toughest stage was in the woods with 12" auto poppers at 25 yds and 8" auto poppers in a diagonal line that started 17 yds out and ended at 20 yds.

Those 8" auto poppers 17-20 yds away completely disappear behind the front sight. In the shadows of the trees, it's hard to even see FO sights. I felt bad for the guys shooting blackout sights (no way you could see light bars, let alone the top of the blade).

[czkali]

There were 3 shooting boxes 1 red, 1 white, and 1 blue. You had to shoot the targets colored according to what box you were shooting from. So, gaming the star was MUCH harder than usual.

I would have wanted the white box.

+ 1 to that!
 
Although I think he meant it was like Twister -- you had to keep one foot in the red box, one foot in the white box, and your strong hand in the blue box.