Home › Forums › Campfire Forum › Aerial Target Thrower Ideas?

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    • ChumpMcgee
      Member
        May 22, 2012 at 4:00 pm
        Post count: 252
        #4712

        So I was wondering if anyone has ever built or know how to build one of the aerial target throwers? I am looking for one that I could build but also be portable. I just bought plans for one but the directions to put it together are very poor and I feel like I just gave someone $20. I still will be putting it together but was wondering if anyone else had any ideas or suggestions. So far have have looked at catapult launchers but have also looked into modifying a clay pigeon thrower, but those things are so heavy and I don’t know how I would mount it on its side.

        Until then I guess I will just have to toss the foam footballs up in the air.

      • Don Thomas
        Member
          May 23, 2012 at 1:37 am
          Post count: 334
          #33478

          I remember reviewing an article on this subject by someone who had designed just such a thing. This was some years ago, and I cannot remember the name or contact. The piece didn’t make it into the magazine. As I recall, he had a video and a website. You might try an Internet search. Sorry I can’t help you more. Don

        • Bruce Smithhammer
            May 23, 2012 at 2:23 am
            Post count: 2514
            #33529
          • Mark Turton
              May 23, 2012 at 8:22 am
              Post count: 759
              #33857

              Laport have been making one for a while http://www.laporte.biz/en/archery-96.html

            • ChumpMcgee
              Member
              Member
                May 23, 2012 at 2:14 pm
                Post count: 252
                #34170

                I have actually bought plans from a guy for $20 for plans on what seemed to be a pretty easy to put together launcher made from wood. Once I got the “plans” it turns out that its basically a picture wither the pieces spread out. He does have a part list but not to clear on some of the pieces. Then I am looking at the price and its going to cost right around $100 bucks for this thing…what I most likely going to do is take these plans and scrape them and build something new.

                Those laporte throwers a freaking AWESOME! wish I had $5,000 to spend cause I will totally get that SOB.

              • Mark Turton
                  May 23, 2012 at 4:13 pm
                  Post count: 759
                  #34263

                  May be worth speaking to Laporte I think they have a franchise for these so that they can be hired out at fares, competitions or just for fun, don’t know what they do with units past their sell-by.

                  Alternatively you could arm a teenager with a box of frisbees.

                • Robin Conrads
                  Admin
                    May 23, 2012 at 5:33 pm
                    Post count: 916
                    #34309

                    The Aug/Sep 03 issue has an article by William Josler about shooting pheasants with traditional archery tackle. He goes into great detail about a launcher that throws plastic water bottles up in the air. I don’t know if that is what you are looking for, but I can post the article later this evening. I’m working in the Subscription Office today and I can’t find a scanner to save my life. 😯 I’ll do it as soon as I get back to my home office.

                  • ChumpMcgee
                    Member
                    Member
                      May 23, 2012 at 6:55 pm
                      Post count: 252
                      #34373

                      Sweet that would be awesome Robin! Thanks

                    • Robin Conrads
                      Admin
                        May 24, 2012 at 2:19 am
                        Post count: 916
                        #34765

                        Here you go! The article is in the digital edition “pageflip” format. That was the best way to get good detail on the plans without making the file HUGE. It can be printed or downloaded, and if anyone needs a higher resolution file of just the plans, send me a PM.

                        Larry’s Brilliant Brace of Birds by William Josler

                        I think T.J. hunted with these gentlemen from Maryland a while back. If I remember correctly, he hit the first pheasant he shot at, and then missed the next 20. Should have stopped at one! 😆

                      • ChumpMcgee
                        Member
                        Member
                          May 24, 2012 at 1:59 pm
                          Post count: 252
                          #35365

                          Thanks Robin this is so simple and I was over thinking it the whole time. Wish I would have waited to find out more info on launchers and to go out and spend $80 bucks on supplies that are not needed now. Oh well I will try my design out as well but the bad thing about mine is it can only shoot 1 or 2 targets at a time before I have to reload it. This one I can set up several and shoot at them.

                          Thanks again!

                          I am going to play around with this idea all weekend I think. Maybe even try to attach tennis balls or smaller bottles to see how it works. OR I could go to the pet store and pick up the doggy pheasant toys that they have for a more realistic shot 😆

                        • Robin Conrads
                          Admin
                            May 24, 2012 at 4:10 pm
                            Post count: 916
                            #35482

                            Check your local Goodwill or donation stores first. They usually have old stuffed animals for really cheap. I would guess those things might be too heavy for a rubberband to launch, but it will be fun to play with it.

                            I might have contact information for Larry Schwartz (mentioned in the article) and he might have contact info for the author. Larry is nice guy and I think he’d be happy to answer any questions you might have.

                            Be sure and get your chores done before you get engrossed in this project. I can see you “playing” all weekend. 😀

                          • Voodoo
                              May 31, 2012 at 2:55 pm
                              Post count: 50
                              #44040

                              Here’s a pretty simple one I built out of an old clay thrower and a couple of bed rails…cost me $5 and a bit of welding….. just weld the bed rail together to form a “C” channel, take the legs off the thrower, turn it on it’s side and weld it to the “C” channel post….just make sure it’s tall enough so that someone couldn’t get their head over it when releasing……….now you can either put the post into the ground, or weld it to a car rim or put on some legs for portability, it throws about 40′ or so straight up as well as grounders and anything in between……

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