Any one ever ever build a dueling tree?

[flanjan]

I've been thinking about doing a dueling tree here lately. It looks like The Target Man makes a decent DIY kit.
http://www.thetargetman.com/product/diy ... arget-kit/
I don't weld, but i'm sure I could find some one who does. Thing doesn't look that difficult. Weld a couple tubes to some angle iron and fashion a base, get a dueling tree for about 1/3 of what others are selling them for. Any one ever have any experience either building one on their own or using this kit?

[MaryB]

Local range has one, loads of fun with another good shooter. Challenge to at 27 yards with pistols and a 4 inch target area. If I had space for a range it would be on my list to be built

[LarryFlew]

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_ ... ing%20tree

Went the easy route - works great - have the Do-All Outdoors .9mm-30.06 Steel Round Up Target - should mention I have not had the problems that some seem to have in the reviews and when I did have a sticky bushing Do-all sent replacement set even out of warranty.

[karlobag]

I think it would be hard to build one, without a lot of welding!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtihYI4PKL8

[ZardozCZ]

I've been thinking about doing a dueling tree here lately.

You could charge me admission to try it out. Just sayin!

[FJ540]

What caliber do you want the tree to handle?

[andrewP]

I've been thinking about doing a dueling tree here lately.

You could charge me admission to try it out. Just sayin!

Likewise - I have a hard time with the idea that I'd get enough use out of one to justify building or buying it, but I'd sure love the opportunity to try one out if one of you guys builds it, especially if 9mm is an appropriate caliber.

[flanjan]

What caliber do you want the tree to handle?

That's the thing, I want it for rifle and pistol. I shoot some heavy 10mm but would also want to sling some .223 and maybe .308 its way.

[FJ540]

You're going to race people with a battle rifle?

[greenfarmer]

I've been thinking about doing a dueling tree here lately. It looks like The Target Man makes a decent DIY kit.
http://www.thetargetman.com/product/diy ... arget-kit/
I don't weld, but i'm sure I could find some one who does. Thing doesn't look that difficult. Weld a couple tubes to some angle iron and fashion a base, get a dueling tree for about 1/3 of what others are selling them for. Any one ever have any experience either building one on their own or using this kit?

I think for the 95 dollars they are asking for a 4 paddle tree, you could easily build 2 of them. If you throw in your time.

You could build some pretty heavy duty ones, and ones that you could really abuse for that kind of money. Maybe if I get time this week, i'll run to my metal supplier, and get some supplies and build a couple. Light weight, easy to move. But ones that you could change the paddles on quickly. My only thing would be cutting out the round paddle. I could easily do square ones. But round would be a little more time consuming.

[FJ540]

When you factor in all the extraneous expenses, it's not an unfair price for what they're selling.

[Evad]

When you factor in all the extraneous expenses, it's not an unfair price for what they're selling.

I'd agree with that. Steel, and precision cutting tools aren't cheap. My experience comes from 4x4 parts, but it's similar. Rocker guards made from $50 in angle iron don't equal rocker guards that are precision cut and formed. At the end of the day they do a similar job, but you can see the difference.

[FJ540]

The design time also factors in.

If you were to sit down and draw it all out, then go fetch your stuff, make your cuts, and weld it all together - assuming you have all the needed gear to do so - it's still going to cost you more than their kit unless you work for free.

If you do work for free and this is a hobby making stuff - then you're getting ripped off letting someone else make your tree for you. Some people just want the tree.

[greenfarmer]

The design time also factors in.

If you were to sit down and draw it all out, then go fetch your stuff, make your cuts, and weld it all together - assuming you have all the needed gear to do so - it's still going to cost you more than their kit unless you work for free.

If you do work for free and this is a hobby making stuff - then you're getting ripped off letting someone else make your tree for you. Some people just want the tree.

I think you guys are overthinking these things way to much. This is simple, and quick metal fab. Not rocket science.

.375 id bushing stock, .375 od shaft. .375 thick flat iron. 1" wide. then some simple .375 x4 flat iron. 1x1 square tube, or possibly 1.5x1.5 square tube. and 1.5x1.5 angle iron. If your buying materials at retail prices, sure you'll have that much into it. If your buying materials wholesale, and already have the shop equipment. I guarantee for 100 bucks, I could make them and still make 50/hr labor. And that's just building one or two. If I needed 10 of them, I know i'd probably make 60-65 an hour at that price. And I know mine would be built heavier and last longer than the ones that are online.

It's not a beauty contest. It's going to get shot at. I'd rather build something strong, and functional. Than something that's pretty and after a few days with friends shooting, that it's junk.

[flanjan]

He's got a pretty solid suggestion of what angle iron to use and some semi-plans to build it. It really doesn't seem like it'll be too hard to build. I ordered a kit, I'll post another thread when I get it built. See how things go...