What I need

is someone who can cut out some field target patterns. I have the patterns but no way of doing it.
I have enough squirrels and rats. I'm not sure what gauge the patterns should be cut from but I assume that it should be thick.
Or can anyone recommend a tool for say task?
Thanks
Bart

[Big_Bill]

Hello Bart,

I think they now cut these out with a laser cutter,  but with a little practice they can be with an acetylene tourch, a plasma cutter will also cut these with some practice.

I would say a welding shop might help, when there slow you will get a better deal.

Good luck,

Bill

I've been look at shears and a good quality shear that will do 10 gauge metal is $350-$650, that's alot of pellets.
Bart

[Gene_SC]

LOL, yes it is Bart... hehe....... If I were serious about makeing some of those, I would probably go rent a set of tanks with cutting torch.... Used to cost about $25.00 per day with deposit.. Who knows how much it is these days.. But if you have ever used that stuff, it would not be hard to rough cut and grind to finish.. Cutting torche used to be my second hammer and screwdriver.... hehe

Gene

Thanks. I just assumed it was to thick for 10 gauge
Bart

[DanoInTx]

Torch for sure.  I've done alot of sheet metal work, and for something that heavy you're going to want a torch.  A shear on something that thick is not going to give you the cut you want, it "breaks" the metal rather than shearing it.  A good throatless shear would cut  it, but it would be ugly and you'd end up grinding it to shape anyways.  If you took the time to cut the radius's with a drill, then cut to those reliefs with a throatless shear it might look "ok", but metal that thick does really like to cut to any shape other than straight.  Just my $0.02, but with a shear you'll have squirels with the cross section of a Stealth Fighter.....funny little facetted creatures:)

Dan

[Rixtrix]

Pounded Paddle targets are 3/16" thick and I think they say they are laser cut. A plasma cutter will  make a much cleaner cut with a lot less dross than a torch  and you can trace around a 1/4" plywood pattern without burning it up. I made mine from .080" sheet that I cut with a sawzall, but found that a little thin( it bent from impact). I then cut the silouette I wanted from laminate flooring and pop-riveted it to the mechanism. Then I riveted a heavy washer over the KZ to absorb miss impacts( we poor shooters do that sometimes). I even back cut a second washer so I could add a smaller washer to change the KZ size. If you look closely, you can see the prairie dog peeking out from behind the bunny's ears, haha. On the nicer looking one I just riveted the silouette to the mechanism.

Ric G

[shadow]

Oh sure just when I'm finishing up on my "Gene's mud flap pellet trap" I see these one's. Them look great too, back to The Shop. Ed

[Gene_SC]

Very nice Ric.....  :)

Thanks for sharing

Gene