GTA
General Discussion To Gateway To Airguns => The Shop => : rh2y November 23, 2009, 03:12:30 AM
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Hi all..
Here's a pellet trap I made for no more than the cost of a couple bricks of duct seal.
Find an old desktop computer, and rip all the guts out of it. Preferably, you want a computer that has a single removable side panel. If you don't know anyone throwing away an old computer, check http://www.arrl.org/hamfests.html to find a hamfest near you. There's almost always somebody getting rid of an old PC for just a couple bucks or even for free at one of these events.
If there are disk drive bays and stuff on the inside of the case, you might need to drill out some rivets to remove those.
Using a dremel tool and a cutoff wheel, cut a rectangular hole in the removable side panel. Use a wire wheel attachment to
dull the sharp edges when you're done.
Ideally, cover up any holes in the front and back of the computer. I haven't done that yet -- you can see where the power supply used to be. I'll have to find a scrap of sheetmetal for that.
Put duct seal on the inside; use as much as you need for the FPE of your guns. This one's only going to be used with a P17 pistol, so a single layer is plenty. Use more for higher power airguns.
Lay a target over the hole, and go around the outside of the target with masking tape, so it's easy to see where to line the target up next time.
I cut up an old refrigerator magnet calendar into magnetic strips to hold on the target.
That's it! Instant pellet trap for practically zero cost.
I call it my Targeting Computer. I'm giving this one to my dad for Christmas, so don't anybody tell him.
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HeeHee....Targeting Computer. I like that.
Hey, I've got an old eMachines that would work GREAT for this. I was wondering what I was going to do with that old boat anchor. LOL
You've found me a PERFECTjob for it!!!!
Thanks and Happy Shooting!!!!
Dave
:emoticon:
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This may sound stupid but is there a purpose for a pellet trap other than containment? Can they be recovered to shoot again? I wouldn't think so myself but I'm here to learn if nothing else.
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ezman604 - 11/22/2009 12:29 PM
HeeHee....Targeting Computer. I like that.
Hey, I've got an old eMachines that would work GREAT for this. !
Dave
:emoticon:
In fact, this machine was an e-Machines. A friend of mine was getting rid of it, and it dawned on me that it would be perfect for this. I might see if I can round up some more and make more as gifts.
Glad I could give a little something back to the forum; I've gotten all kinds of useful info here!
Russ
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thatguy - 11/22/2009 1:03 PM
This may sound stupid but is there a purpose for a pellet trap other than containment? Can they be recovered to shoot again? I wouldn't think so myself but I'm here to learn if nothing else.
No, you can't re-use them, unless of course, you melt them down first.
The purpose of a pellet trap is to have a place to shoot. I use mine in my basement, since local ordinances prohibit me from shooting in my back yard.
Without the pellet trap, I'd have to go find a place to shoot. And in the winter, that gets even tougher!
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I don't think you could ever really expect to reuse the pellets.
I made mine (out of scrap pieces of an IKEA bookcase!) to stop pellets from leaving my backyard :)
I like the computer-case trap, nice!
-Joel
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Very clever! ( I have had desktops that would like to have taken my 12ga to LOL)
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In addition to containment the traps made with duct seal tend to be quieter than other backstops too.
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Now, after I had seen an Elephant fly, I thought I had seen everything. But your Targeting Computer, well it tops that.
Good Thinking.
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Bogey - 11/22/2009 3:21 PM
Now, after I had seen an Elephant fly, I thought I had seen everything. But your Targeting Computer, well it tops that.
Good Thinking.
My dad and I made a nice trap out of wood, but my own woodworking skills aren't that great.
I guess you could say I'm good with computers, though...
:-)
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Good Thinking! I knew if I saved the old Mac it would come in good for some thing. tee hee
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good idea!
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I got an email from my dad yesterday saying he's put the trap to use, sighting in the P17 I got him for an early Christmas present. So, sounds like it's doing the job. I have a couple other old computers laying around here; maybe I'll turn them into pellet traps, too.
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Great idea! I've got a couple of old PC cases I can put to good use now.
Thanks!