Let me know your favorite type of archery target and some of their pros and cons. I have a Rinehart Targets 18-1 Portable Archery Target that I like for the portability but it is significantly harder to get arrows out of than this target that I just built. (PS I have shot a couple of 50 shot sessions and it is still working great)
I have that same rhinehart target and it’s super durable but you’ll wear yourself out just pulling the arrows out the target , for field points it’s hard to beat the bulldog targets but they won’t take a broadhead
I have had the same rinehart for like 4 years, it's shot to heck but it still stops arrows. Mine is back from when that 6 sided target could have the cylinder pulled out and replaced. It's gonna need replacing sometime because of the arrows overpenetrating by a good 5 inches now so I'm gonna build your target if I can get the supplies.
@BuildItMakeIt the mats I used had holes in them. I have ordered some solid ones from TEMU which will be more dense and provide better stopping power. One other thing. My archery club sticks the target faces onto a cardboard backing. I will do this too because it will help prevent the faces from tearing.
Man I really enjoy your videos. They are well made, explained and concise. I’m a follower now. The target here is very nice. My older outdoor club used hushboards as target and did it exactly as your design. They lasted long for us using regulation fieldpoints but the nimrods also used bh and they ruined them. You can pull them out so they’d cut them out creating a cavernous hole in the target face. Thank again for the excellent videos and keep on putting out content. 🤙🏽
Awesome, thank you! I had never heard of hushboards before, and looked them up. Thau look like they would work great. Yeah this target I wouldn't expect to hold up well to broadheads either. My previous target does pretty well with broadheads, but I also have a smaller foam target I pull out when I get closer to hunting season. Thanks again!
Yeah I like the all thread. A few people said they like straps better so there is let metal to accidentally hit, but I haven’t hit the all thread yet in three years.
Built this yesterday, works great. Thanks for this idea I was struggling for a while with how to build a DIY target and never thought to use these mats.
Started out with a target made this way, only con I found of this one was the stainless steel ready rod was the end of your arrow if it touched it. The solution, use banding or ratchet straps to compress the mats together and you are good to go. Also saves some money and is a little less time consuming to make.
archery is my favorite past time now. just picked it up a couple months ago and I already got a target and hunting bow. plus you can make this taller for indoor shooting or cross layer them and cut the hanging edge off for wider target!
I like this design because you can use any type of cheap boards from any local store. You could use even polystyrene that should be much cheaper than what you used in this video.
I put a 4sq double layer of floor pads on the front of a 4-high extra long hay bales stacked on top of an old desk frame. I shrink-wrapped each layer, bales first, as I put it together to hold it in place & to water proof it. The mats absorbs the arrows really well without getting too deep into the bales & gives me a large backing to hold a 120m target face which is rolled up & placed on top of the bales when not in use when shooting 18m targets. It's not portable but it serves it's purpose & items can be easily replaced. 🎯😁
That sounds amazing!!! I really like the idea of using the mats as the initial absorbing layer and then something cheaper for the more bulk. I feel like shooting into hay in large amounts typically the hay falls apart too quickly, but you seem to have a great plan for stretching it. Plus that target sounds nice and big.
@@BuildItMakeIt Ok, will have to create a Instagram acct. Ugh. 😣 To note: on the setup I added child floor mat shapes onto the target face for my Compound shooting friends. 😁
My question is how about 400+fps 500 grain crossbow bolt. I have been searching for a target but when I read the bad reviews it is the same problems I have. The 20" bolt sinks to the fetching or will not pull out or it fuses what ever is in the target to the shaft when you do get it out. I never thought about a target when I got my crossbow. With my compound bow I never had problems but the crossbow is moving 3x ish as fast. Friction I think is the problem.
That's a great concept. I'm wondering what the velocity threshold is for crossbow use. There is a signifiant difference in velocity/inertia there and crossbow shooter may need to double the depth of the tiles. Does anyone have any experience with crossbows and foam tiles?
I have heard from about 10 people using this with crossbows that it worked fine. One fellow used the whole mat to make it extra thick and just trimmed off the tabs as the face. While I still like this target, it will be cheaper to make a thicker one with cloth like this target I made ua-cam.com/video/VQaMyswfNuw/v-deo.html The cloth stuffed target isn't new and I have seen a lot of people use those for crossbows. You can make it extra thick if you want and also pulling out the arrows is a lot easier.
Hi, did you make this target yet? I’d like to know the cheapest place to get the foam matts as this seems to be the item that will crank up the $$ amount for a DIY project. I’d like to build it but I’m having a hard time finding these foam matts for a good price. Thank you
How long does this generally last before you have to start changing out matts? An estimate of arrows fired would be nice. This is for an archery club starting up, so we definitely need something durable with reasonably priced material.
@@Aedob4 Thanks I really like it. I don't think it is the cheapest, but it is super durable and repairable and I really like it. It has been going strong since I made it, although my shooting has tapered off as the weather has cooled down.
@@BuildItMakeIt this is what I mean, if its durable is cheap!! I will change the layers after a while from up/down to centre because thats the most hit spot!
Nope, we were literally shooting the target this morning (two years on now) no issues. The broadheads will tear up the mats quicker, but won’t have I’ll effects on the arrows.
@@bobbydenezza7795 I have seen no issues other than dulling, but I normally dont shoot broadheads into this target, just when I am getting ready for hunting season. I do use heavy duty broadheads really targeted for elk and bigger stuff, so I’m not sure if thinner razor types may have an issue.
Right on and good eye. I would like to upgrade to a proper drill press someday, but the Shopsmith is doing pretty well. Plus the lathe and sander functions are nice to have when I need them. I will admit I have never used the table saw function of it since an old 60's craftsmen table saw was my first real woodworking buy and the Shopsmith came later.
Oh, I am not sure. It is good with a compound bow at around 350 fps. It depends on how heavy your arrow is. I think it would be ok, but honestly that may be pushing the target. That is pretty fast.
I am not sure where you can get them in bulk. Harbor freight does sales sometimes, they were on sale last week but the prices have gone up a couple of dollars per 4 pack since I made the video which is a real bummer.
Still working good for me two full season on. Sometimes it leaves a little residue but it rubs right off. Generally the arrows are ok to pull out. Much easier than my Rinehart but harder than cloth or cardboard targets. I do a twist on the arrow and it will release and pull out ok. My kids bows that are less than 35 lbs pull right out.
I'm just thinking of making it a little lighter. Instead of wood and metal, you could use a foam adhesive to keep the foam together and bind/compress the pieces with a strap. If done right it would be much lighter, more mobile and possibly even cheaper.
Yeah I think it’s a great idea to use straps. The downside to gluing it together is you lose the repair option if you wear it out. I have done that with rigid insulation before and it held up fine, but then I could just swap out layers to give more life. If you build it though let me know. I would love to see how it turns out.
How much do you think it weighs? I made a similar model but used cardboard instead. It ended up being rather heavy, at least much more than i expected, probably 15kg or more😅
Just out of curiosity, have you used broadheads with this setup? I really like this compared to spending several hundred dollars on ones that can not be repaired!
I have used broadheads but only as the setup right before hunting season. I have found that if shooting in the same area it wears out much faster than my rinehart target, (like 5x) but then I can replace those few mats in that area and any others that seem worn out for next season. Plus I like the large face for 60-70 yard broadhead checking where my rinehart is only around a foot cubed.
If the man says broadheads…I’m in!! Awesome build and good, constructive and respectful comments? ??!!! Proves that your channel is on the top level sir. Congrats!!
How did you manage to get 70 cut sheets from the foam quantity listed in your supplies needed if you cut them in half? I understand you said you salvaged some from under your pool, but why not give an accurate “supplies needed”? when it’s all said and done, that a $120-$130 target.
My 1000fps rated .22 caliber air rifle did not go through. I think it is kind of expensive though if it was made specifically for air rifles but maybe for such a big target it may make sense. I’d do done tests with your own setup first before committing. Hope that helps.
70 lbs and I typically shoot 20 yards but did some at 5 yards. Since I have made it I have shot out at 80 yards and most everywhere in between that and 5 at times.
I have made this exact same thing with ratchet straps and 2 smaller planks at either end a couple of years ago and it does work well. They hold up alright for the cost but pretty time consuming to make, I used a knife to cut as I don't have a table saw.. If budget really is a factor then I would recommend making one like this, but I ended up just buying a replacement which will easily last 4-5 times longer for only 3 times the cost.
Have you tried shooting broadheads into this foam? I understand it will shorten the lifespan of the foam, curious how well they would remove and how long it would last.
I haven’t yet. If it is like the normal foam targets Ive used before then the broadheads pull out easier. Ill have to try and get back to you. I do fear a bit the layered design would more easily cut out chunks than a solid foam target since the broadhead can cut out a whole layer thickness. It may be better to use the mats standing up.
Broadheads are going to shread this just as bad as any broadhead rated foam target. That's why it's worth taking the time to tune your bow (and arrows) so that your field points and broadheads fly and impact the same. That way you never need worry about both wearing out your target and damaging your broadheads. In reality you should only need about 2-3 shots from each broadhead before you can safely store them away until season rolls around. So unless you go crazy with a quantity of hunting arrows, your number of broadhead shots into the target shouldn't be more than 30 in a given year (20 or so for tuning and another 10 or so to verify all is well right before season starts).
@@jmike8934 unfortunately I completely disagree with you. I tune my bow as much as the next guy and rarely do my broadheads and fieldtips not fly close. But I've shot broadheads enough to know that they are not field points. The industry has pushed everyone that their product has field point accuracy. I think as a hunter you should shoot every broadhead arrow and build confidence. I've been in camp many times with guys who claimed they hit the same spot, wound an animal, then go back and watch them practice with their broadheads and find they were not exactly perfect. It's the least we can do for the animal as bow hunters, and it greatly helps with my confidence. I do not shoot expandables, so if something gets knocked off in my setup throughout the year slightly, fixed blades usually magnify that. I'd never know if I shot field points practicing in hunting season.
@@mitchellshirk2533 I think you are reading more into what I was suggesting or taking the whole "Impact the same" too literally. I don't mean the have to hit the EXACT same point, just group the same or very similar. For example I have my broadheads tuned and sighted to dead center but my fieldpoints hit about 1/2" low left in comparison. Solution? 4 clicks up, 1-2 left and now in the off season my field points are dead on. Season gets here, a readjustment my sight and verify all the BHs are hitting center and I'm good to go. That's 6 broadheads. 10 shots max. Maybe I've just been lucky with my builds and rarely do I have to make serious alterations to my setup when moving from field point to broadhead. I can think of one but that was on me for forgetting I had tuned with stock nocks but used lighted on my broadhead arrows. The guy you mentioned was just a shitty hunter. Most of us don't worry about going to hunt camp. We hunt within a close radius of our home and rarely get to go on trips. Once I verify my bow has changed from cutting paper to cutting flesh, it stays in the case unless it's time to kill. No field points fly out of it until tags are filled. Meaning unless I do something stupid like bang or drop my case, the chances of anything changing are 0. Now of course common sense has to play in a bit as well and adjust accordingly. The times I have gone on week long adventures, of course I did more verification of all my equipment and even went as far as to tune and carry a backup. But again that's just not the norm for most of us and as long as you are correctly confident in your equipment then you don't need to sling a ton of broadheads. edit: I'm also with you on the no-expandables thing. I tried to give them a fair shot years ago but I found that NOTHING beats a good COC with a bit of weight behind it (these 350gr arrow setups also make me cackle).
I've had an identical target for many years. I use it specifically for broadheads because, although the tiles chop up a little easier than solid foam targets, I can replace them cheaply amd easily so in the long run it's way cheaper than a brand name foam block. I found if you move tiles from the centre to the edges regularly then it'll take a lot of shots before you need to buy more tiles
I made one of these about 5-6 years ago And I though blew a kidney out pulling the arrows Found out there is arrow lube made it easier but still hard to pull arrows out Worked great for a recuve or longbow you can't be to loss on compressing the pads or they pass through My target was a 24 x24 x12 cost around $50-60 I had wood already Heard from a club they just hang 4 strips of carpet 4' x8' over a cross member and works very well
So it held up for two years and I am on to my third year now. It is getting a bit worn in a few places, so I’ll probably add two packs of mats to refresh it in the next month or so.
@Build It Make It wait it's on its 3rd year and you haven't had to replace anything? Wow! How many arrows do you put in it per week? I may have to build myself one cus I shoot 80 arrows a day (50lb recurve)
@@davisstellman so I have removed a few mats and switched their order so it got a little shorter(like two inches). I shoot typically 40 arrows from my compound each weekday for about half the year then off and in after hunting season. I will probably buy 3 four packs and replace any mats that are split in half or are very chewed up, but won’t know how bad till I get them apart. I am currently shooting it so it’s not out of commission.
I did it on the larger side so upwards of 32 tiles (8 packs). I like it cause you can rotate through if you need them and i like the more rectangular shape which is more aesthetically pleasing to me, but thats probably a stupid reason :)
Does this weigh hundreds of pounds like my carpet version? Also curious about your bow set up? A 55# bow @26" draw with a 350gr arrow could have very different results than say a 74# @29" with 500gr arrow.
Thanks for the questions. I just weighted the target and it is 45 lbs. I like it because it has a nice amount of mass so it doesn't move a ton, but not so crazy that it is hard to move around. I'm right in the middle with a #65 draw weight and 515 grain arrows that are 30" long.
Interesting. Too bad the foam mats aren't longer, pretty narrow target when you want to shoot at a dew spots from distance (for some people). I have barge cement but thats a lot of work to glue pieces on every layer. I wonder if yoga mats(very cheap at goodwill) would be sufficient
Nice job. Do you think that it would work cutting the mats down one more time to 6” thick instead of 12” thick? I’m cheap and don’t want to have to buy so many mats!
Thanks! I think it depends on your bow and poundage. I’ve got a decently efficient compound bow at 70 lbs this year and I am pretty sure I need the full 12 inches. When I shoot my 35 lbs recurve it would be fine at 6 inches.
Hello! Any ideas for a Olympic sized target bale? :) mine is getting shot out and supply is short rn so either it’s out or ungodly expensive. Also also, are you going to Vegas next year? :)
I think for something along that size you could do the mats side by side for 4'. That is what some others have done here, but I think that would get too expensive with todays prices. I would probably build a wood frame like 12 inches deep, and put on two faces of synthetic burlap, then stuff it with cloth, or plastic if you can find that much stuffing for cheap/free. It would be super heavy though and not really movable. I'm probably not going to Vegas next year, I'd love to but I am not really that good of a shot. You?
What draw weight is your bow? I’m sure this target would work for bows around that weight and lighter, but think it may need more thickness for heavier bows
Can you explain to me why you used a 25/32 drill bit and not a 1/2 inch.. To me it would seem the 3/8 would fit in the 1/2 inch hole better than 25/32. 3/8 = .375 , 1/2 = .5 and 25/32= .78125
Yeah definitely if you hit the treaded rod your gonna mess up your arrow. Luckily since the target is 2 feet wide you have a pretty big margin, but i agree from an arrow perspective ratchet straps would be safer.
Ha Ha! Yeah I need to be more hardcore and work on my recurve. I have two recurves but they are old (like 50 years old) that I like to use when I am just having fun, but I need to get a good one.
cheapest you can find those mats are about 60$ the lumber and other stuff would've been at least 40 to 50, so now your spending over 100$ and an afternoon to build plus the time to get that stuff, not to mention you'd be fighting to pull your arrows out of that foam. or you could just buy a target for less then 100$...
I agree the arrows aren't the easiest to pull out. I also have a Rinehart 18-1 Target and the arrows are way harder to pull out of than this target. I think that's the price you pay for the durability of foam.
Thanks that's good to know. I know the prices vary a lot between places. I checked out the foam boss targets and they look like they are pretty much just as thick, but they are a little bigger on the face so that is pretty nice. Good find for people that can't get the matts locally at a reasonable price.
you really need something to mask out the threaded bar.. if an arrow hits that it'll either shatter, or worse, bounce or deflect in a random direction. Extremely dangerous not to put something in front of them.
A number of people in the comments have used ratchet straps while building the target to avoid the threaded rod. I haven't seen anyone put something in front to block them, but that is a good idea. Thanks!
Anyone ever tried a crossbow up against this or similar? I’d like to make my own, but not if 400 FPS crossbow bolts will blow too far into it. Nice build though.
I am not sure if someone has built one specifically for crossbows but I know that both compound bows and crossbows are in the same range of momentum and energy so I would assume it would do fine.
Yeah I did some with a knife but the table saw was just so fast and I’m a lazy guy :) Good idea with the scissors, I wouldn’t have thought trying to cut the mats with scissors.
My draw weight is 65 so you would be great. There are others that have built this target and they are shooting even higher draw weight. The target doesn’t fall when getting hit. It weighs about 45 lbs.
@@richardvallee966 I typically am shooting at 20 yards or higher but I have shot at 5 yards in the garage. For my compound bow if I hit the same hole more than a couple of times in a row it does go in pretty far, so what I do is print a 5 by 5 grid on a sheet of paper since I am inside. With that I don't go through the same hole too many times. One note, it has always stopped the arrow just it can start to go in really deep and gets tougher to remove. Hope that helps.
Anything resembling horse stall mat or floor mat will not work.Arrows are difficult to pull out and it leaves a residue in your arrows when you pull them out.
Sorry the target didn’t work out for you. I haven’t tried horse stall mats as a target. I have one as a backdrop and I could see that being really hard to get arrows out of if you shot it side on.
Thanks! Yeah, I think if you aren't shooting a ton it may not be worth it. I have had a few people tell me they have used cardboard or carpet. Sounds like the carpet is better of those two.
I agree a table saw isn't necessary but it was faster and left a cleaner edge than a utility knife. Your right, I could of cut more at once and been faster, I didn't even think of that.
@@BuildItMakeIt . A utility knife is just as fast and a lot quiter. I use these matts, but I shoot the fronts and tie them together on the sides by those interlocking pieces that you cut off. No need for wood and threaded rods. 12 matts will give a good 2' X 2' X 6" target.
Those mats are 5$ a piece here so this is by no mean a cheap target , I get you had yours laying around but to buy those mats and get 2 pieces per mat it would cost 200$ or more just to make
Yikes $5 each is pretty expensive. I did just check to see them at Harbor freight, and they have gone up in price again which is a real bummer. Looks like the new normal price is $10 for 4 mats. Hopefully price increases slow down. The target was never cheap to make but the mats have gone up now almost 40% from when I first bought them and about 30% from last year when I posted the tutorial. Crazy.
Can you do the math and show me how 50 dollars worth of these oads (9 dollars a pack with 4 at half an inch, meaning you get 4 inches per pack if you cut them in half and stack them) and it be this big?
Sure, each mat is 1/2 inch thick so one pack gives 4 inches of target since they are cut in half. 24 inches tall is 6 packs, and 8 packs makes 32 inches tall. Using the 9 dollars price and no coupons thats 54 - 72. I do recommend getting a coupon if you can. My local circular had them again recently for 7 a pack. The regular price used to be 8 when I first got them, but I still used a coupon.
Lots of people are asking this, and I think it is a fair point. For me this is my 5th target in 3 years, all but one has been destroyed/used up the year I bought them. The one that has lasted is the Rinehart 18-1 target (foam) I bought last year. That target is $140. I wanted a larger target at least 24"x24" that would last multiple years. This target currently is like 85-100 to make depending on local, and should last me years. If I do cut up/wear out some mats it is only like 7 dollars to bring it back up to nice condition, all the while getting taller if I put the bad mats at the edges. If one isn't shooting a lot I think you can get away with something cheaper no problem. I am not sure what target for $100 is going to give me what I have with this target, but certainly I may be missing some targets.
The biggest issue I see with a lot of these DIY targets is of course, the use of metal and wood in their construction, reason (a) is obvious, arrows are expensive, and (b) the more surface area the target needs, adding size, weight, time and expense to your project. The 'joke' here is, _if you know you can hit the side of a barn, just shoot the barn._ The point being bigger targets don't make better shots, and removes more than adds to your training. So there's my take on that. Let's suppose that the target should be as inexpensive, resistant, lightweight, and portable as possible, esp. for BY archers and beginners. I've found that a 30" carbon arrow will not pass through two sofa seat cushions at around 30'. The width of one of these is 6", 22x26". Someone demonstrated that 16 layers of cardboard _can_ stop an arrow. With this information we can build a 2 sided archery target by padding the foam seat w/ cardboard on both sides, and 'cap' the face with 1-3 foam floor mats (6 in a pack). 16 layers however, is as deep, if not more than the foam itself, and we have to do this twice, making for a bulkier heavier target, which we don't want. If we can increase the amount of resistance of the cardboard, we may not need to use as much, say 9-12 layers. But how? It is a known fact that silicone gasket seal can be used to make a self healing injection port. What is an arrow but a big fast moving needle? So adding a core layer of silicone between layers of cardboard _should_ dramatically increase puncture resistance, each layer contracting and stretching around the arrow just as a balloon stretches around a most anything before it breaks. for 9 layers of cardboard about 3.5", that's 6 layers of silicone. If we cap each side with 1 mat, 4", 2, 4.5", all three 5". For even more resistance we can insert every 3 layers in a trash bag, adding protection from the elements. Strap all of this down as tightly as possible. Now you have a lightweight, portable and highly puncture resistant 2 sided archery target for under $30.00 (floor mats and silicone gasket seal)
Thanks for your thoughts. I think a lot depends on the type of shooting someone does. This target is more "aimed" at someone who is shooting compound and hitting very close together around 10-12 times in a row like with a vegas target. With this target being around 2' by 2' you can move the 18" target around a bit with each new paper target to minimize hitting in the same spot over and over again. I am a pretty tall guy and shooting a fairly heavy bow and have destroyed multiple targets so I wanted something that could handle the abuse that I was going to throw at it. I totally agree a beginner doesn't need to build a target like this if they aren't going to be putting the type of abuse into the target like I outlined above. I like your idea for a nice lightweight archery target on the cheap.
There are certainly targets that cost less to buy. If you are looking for a cheaper target, I just built one for my kids that take a 80 cm target for the face. It isn't as durable as this target but is still repairable. ua-cam.com/video/VQaMyswfNuw/v-deo.html Take care!
Yeah, a couple of people have mentioned they are worried about that. So far me and my kids haven't in the couple of years we have been using it, but that could be a problem for a wild arrow.
Let me know your favorite type of archery target and some of their pros and cons. I have a Rinehart Targets 18-1 Portable Archery Target that I like for the portability but it is significantly harder to get arrows out of than this target that I just built. (PS I have shot a couple of 50 shot sessions and it is still working great)
I have that same rhinehart target and it’s super durable but you’ll wear yourself out just pulling the arrows out the target , for field points it’s hard to beat the bulldog targets but they won’t take a broadhead
I have had the same rinehart for like 4 years, it's shot to heck but it still stops arrows. Mine is back from when that 6 sided target could have the cylinder pulled out and replaced. It's gonna need replacing sometime because of the arrows overpenetrating by a good 5 inches now so I'm gonna build your target if I can get the supplies.
how would that hold up on crossbow bolts?
Use golf Tees to hold targets.
That's a great idea. Thanks!
Use golf tees “ for” targets
I use fresh out of the box rifle bullets. Adds to the excitement and the experience
I built one similar to yours. To give a little more protection for the arrows I covered the all thread with garden hose.
I like the idea with the garden hose around the all thread. Ill have to look into doing that next time I take it apart to replace a few mats.
@BuildItMakeIt the mats I used had holes in them. I have ordered some solid ones from TEMU which will be more dense and provide better stopping power.
One other thing. My archery club sticks the target faces onto a cardboard backing. I will do this too because it will help prevent the faces from tearing.
Man I really enjoy your videos. They are well made, explained and concise. I’m a follower now.
The target here is very nice. My older outdoor club used hushboards as target and did it exactly as your design. They lasted long for us using regulation fieldpoints but the nimrods also used bh and they ruined them. You can pull them out so they’d cut them out creating a cavernous hole in the target face.
Thank again for the excellent videos and keep on putting out content. 🤙🏽
Awesome, thank you! I had never heard of hushboards before, and looked them up. Thau look like they would work great. Yeah this target I wouldn't expect to hold up well to broadheads either. My previous target does pretty well with broadheads, but I also have a smaller foam target I pull out when I get closer to hunting season.
Thanks again!
This target holds up really well. Good use for all those old floor mats!
Yeah, i has them sitting around for over a year and it seemed like a waste to throw them away and this target is still holding up.
I really like the all thread. I saw a similar video of this type of target and they used ratchet straps.
Yeah I like the all thread. A few people said they like straps better so there is let metal to accidentally hit, but I haven’t hit the all thread yet in three years.
Have you tested a crossbow with broadheads on this target?? Nice build!! Im looking to build one for broadheads shot from a crossbow 440 fps.
Built this yesterday, works great. Thanks for this idea I was struggling for a while with how to build a DIY target and never thought to use these mats.
I am glad it worked for you. Mine still gets almost daily use so I am glad you make one as well.
Hi, how much did you end up spending on the foam matts and where did you get these? I’m thinking of building one to walk back tune my bow. Thank you.
My fav is a sturdy cardboard box filled with plastic. Waterproof it with plastic wrap. Cost about 50c to make and takes 10 minutes
Nice! I have had a couple of people mention that as good method. I have heard grocery bags make pretty good plastic fill.
@@BuildItMakeIt I've been meaning to try this method in your video. It's a great concept
Started out with a target made this way, only con I found of this one was the stainless steel ready rod was the end of your arrow if it touched it.
The solution, use banding or ratchet straps to compress the mats together and you are good to go. Also saves some money and is a little less time consuming to make.
Thanks, that is a great idea to add the ratchet strap, pretty much superior in every way to the rods.
I made the archery target today. Thank you for the instruction video.
I’m glad it could help you. I started using mine again for this season. It’s nice to get shooting again.
archery is my favorite past time now. just picked it up a couple months ago and I already got a target and hunting bow. plus you can make this taller for indoor shooting or cross layer them and cut the hanging edge off for wider target!
I like this design because you can use any type of cheap boards from any local store. You could use even polystyrene that should be much cheaper than what you used in this video.
Thanks! Yep, I have done a target with polystyrene and it works as well.
this is really cool and I'm going to try it, quick question though, why not face it smooth with a flat piece?
I made one similar to this. I just use wooden golf tees to hold the target in place.
Thanks! The wooden golf tees seem like they would be an easy and cheap solution. Ill have to get a bag.
I put a 4sq double layer of floor pads on the front of a 4-high extra long hay bales stacked on top of an old desk frame. I shrink-wrapped each layer, bales first, as I put it together to hold it in place & to water proof it. The mats absorbs the arrows really well without getting too deep into the bales & gives me a large backing to hold a 120m target face which is rolled up & placed on top of the bales when not in use when shooting 18m targets. It's not portable but it serves it's purpose & items can be easily replaced. 🎯😁
That sounds amazing!!! I really like the idea of using the mats as the initial absorbing layer and then something cheaper for the more bulk. I feel like shooting into hay in large amounts typically the hay falls apart too quickly, but you seem to have a great plan for stretching it. Plus that target sounds nice and big.
@@BuildItMakeIt I'll send you a picture if you want it. 😊
Awesome! Post it on instagram and ill take a look. Id love to see it. Im @builditmakeit
@@BuildItMakeIt Ok, will have to create a Instagram acct. Ugh. 😣 To note: on the setup I added child floor mat shapes onto the target face for my Compound shooting friends. 😁
@@BuildItMakeIt Instagram is being a pain & won't let me confirm, you have anything else I can send it to?🤔
Flush boy that’s wavy 😂😂😂
Relatively flush face... :)
My question is how about 400+fps 500 grain crossbow bolt. I have been searching for a target but when I read the bad reviews it is the same problems I have. The 20" bolt sinks to the fetching or will not pull out or it fuses what ever is in the target to the shaft when you do get it out. I never thought about a target when I got my crossbow. With my compound bow I never had problems but the crossbow is moving 3x ish as fast. Friction I think is the problem.
Looks like I've found my weekend project. Thanks!
Great! Tag me on Instagram so I can see it when your done. There have been a couple of cool targets I've seen people built so far. @builditmakeit
Only 104 subscribers? You should have at least 5k, great video quality
Thanks! We are working on it ;)
this may be great with my crossbow
That's a great concept. I'm wondering what the velocity threshold is for crossbow use. There is a signifiant difference in velocity/inertia there and crossbow shooter may need to double the depth of the tiles. Does anyone have any experience with crossbows and foam tiles?
I have heard from about 10 people using this with crossbows that it worked fine. One fellow used the whole mat to make it extra thick and just trimmed off the tabs as the face. While I still like this target, it will be cheaper to make a thicker one with cloth like this target I made ua-cam.com/video/VQaMyswfNuw/v-deo.html The cloth stuffed target isn't new and I have seen a lot of people use those for crossbows. You can make it extra thick if you want and also pulling out the arrows is a lot easier.
Would 8mm yoga matts work?
I'm concerned it might be too dense
Really useful video - thank you!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks
Will it hold up to using broadheads?
Brilliant, I'm going to make the same bild tomorrow! Thank you so much!
Good luck!
Hi, did you make this target yet? I’d like to know the cheapest place to get the foam matts as this seems to be the item that will crank up the $$ amount for a DIY project. I’d like to build it but I’m having a hard time finding these foam matts for a good price. Thank you
Hay bales work well.
Thanks!! I’ve shot hay bales but they don’t typically last very long for me. Maybe its because I’ve just used junky ones from the feed store.
@@BuildItMakeIt yea I only had some brief experience as a kid. we were outside the city limits at the time, so hay bales were easier to get
My coach said they are bad for carbon fiber arrows though.
Will this stop a crossbow bolt
This is perfect...thank you.
Glad you like it!
How long does this generally last before you have to start changing out matts? An estimate of arrows fired would be nice. This is for an archery club starting up, so we definitely need something durable with reasonably priced material.
I shot 12,000 before switching some mats around, but I didn't shoot in the same place each time.
Can this target hold up an arrow from a 65-70 pound compound bow?
Yep that’s what I’m shooting now.
@@BuildItMakeIt Thank you! Maybe this is the cheapest, best and durable DIY target so far!!!
@@Aedob4 Thanks I really like it. I don't think it is the cheapest, but it is super durable and repairable and I really like it. It has been going strong since I made it, although my shooting has tapered off as the weather has cooled down.
@@BuildItMakeIt this is what I mean, if its durable is cheap!! I will change the layers after a while from up/down to centre because thats the most hit spot!
@@Aedob4 Awesome. I'm sure you will love it! After you make it if you have Instagram tag me over there so I can see it @builditmakeit
Seems like a nice idea but the foam is cost prohibitive. I might try to look for an alternate.
Will the foam mats ruin your arrows especially when shooting broadhead in them?
Nope, we were literally shooting the target this morning (two years on now) no issues. The broadheads will tear up the mats quicker, but won’t have I’ll effects on the arrows.
@@BuildItMakeIt nice. Are you broadheads still in good shape with the exception of the blades getting dull?
@@bobbydenezza7795 I have seen no issues other than dulling, but I normally dont shoot broadheads into this target, just when I am getting ready for hunting season. I do use heavy duty broadheads really targeted for elk and bigger stuff, so I’m not sure if thinner razor types may have an issue.
One question for us crossbow shooters, what’s your estimate for arrow speed limits? I have a Ravin that shoots at 500 FPS.
Let's not just gloss over that you are using a Shopsmith 10ER in your project.
Nice!
Right on and good eye. I would like to upgrade to a proper drill press someday, but the Shopsmith is doing pretty well. Plus the lathe and sander functions are nice to have when I need them. I will admit I have never used the table saw function of it since an old 60's craftsmen table saw was my first real woodworking buy and the Shopsmith came later.
Hi I’m from india I see ur video it’s seems very good .I have ten point crossbow 505 fps,can this target stop these speed arrows,waiting ur reply
Oh, I am not sure. It is good with a compound bow at around 350 fps. It depends on how heavy your arrow is. I think it would be ok, but honestly that may be pushing the target. That is pretty fast.
Hi where can u get those foam mats in bulk and so they r not too expensive??
I am not sure where you can get them in bulk. Harbor freight does sales sometimes, they were on sale last week but the prices have gone up a couple of dollars per 4 pack since I made the video which is a real bummer.
Are the arrows hard to remove and does it leave a residue on the arrows? How has it held up? Thanks
Still working good for me two full season on. Sometimes it leaves a little residue but it rubs right off. Generally the arrows are ok to pull out. Much easier than my Rinehart but harder than cloth or cardboard targets. I do a twist on the arrow and it will release and pull out ok. My kids bows that are less than 35 lbs pull right out.
I modified this design to put a 10x10 375 target core in the middle of mine I like this design a lot
Oh, that is a super good idea. Does it hold pretty well?
@@BuildItMakeIt yes it’s held up better than expected even hitting the edges which are about 5-6 inch wide pieces of the foam mats
I'm just thinking of making it a little lighter. Instead of wood and metal, you could use a foam adhesive to keep the foam together and bind/compress the pieces with a strap. If done right it would be much lighter, more mobile and possibly even cheaper.
Yeah I think it’s a great idea to use straps. The downside to gluing it together is you lose the repair option if you wear it out. I have done that with rigid insulation before and it held up fine, but then I could just swap out layers to give more life. If you build it though let me know. I would love to see how it turns out.
How much do you think it weighs? I made a similar model but used cardboard instead. It ended up being rather heavy, at least much more than i expected, probably 15kg or more😅
nice video, sorry for the question maybe i lost this detail but how many foam mats were used in total?
I used 32 of them, cut in half for a 64 stack. The description has a break out of all the materials and rough cost.
Just out of curiosity, have you used broadheads with this setup? I really like this compared to spending several hundred dollars on ones that can not be repaired!
I have used broadheads but only as the setup right before hunting season. I have found that if shooting in the same area it wears out much faster than my rinehart target, (like 5x) but then I can replace those few mats in that area and any others that seem worn out for next season. Plus I like the large face for 60-70 yard broadhead checking where my rinehart is only around a foot cubed.
If the man says broadheads…I’m in!! Awesome build and good, constructive and respectful comments?
??!!! Proves that your channel is on the top level sir. Congrats!!
How did you manage to get 70 cut sheets from the foam quantity listed in your supplies needed if you cut them in half? I understand you said you salvaged some from under your pool, but why not give an accurate “supplies needed”? when it’s all said and done, that a $120-$130 target.
Thanks!
Wonder if it would stop a .22 cal air rifle?
My 1000fps rated .22 caliber air rifle did not go through. I think it is kind of expensive though if it was made specifically for air rifles but maybe for such a big target it may make sense. I’d do done tests with your own setup first before committing. Hope that helps.
What poundage were you shooting off that bow and how far?
70 lbs and I typically shoot 20 yards but did some at 5 yards. Since I have made it I have shot out at 80 yards and most everywhere in between that and 5 at times.
Nice idea with the threaded rods. Ratchet straps would work too I’m assuming
For sure, ratchet straps would work great. They are 8 bucks for 4 at my local harbor freight and 10 at home depot so thats a great alternative.
I have made this exact same thing with ratchet straps and 2 smaller planks at either end a couple of years ago and it does work well. They hold up alright for the cost but pretty time consuming to make, I used a knife to cut as I don't have a table saw.. If budget really is a factor then I would recommend making one like this, but I ended up just buying a replacement which will easily last 4-5 times longer for only 3 times the cost.
@@mrnice752 thanks!! Good yo hear some others have made this. I agree if you have the money you can buy some really nice targets that can last.
Great construction..
Thanks. Im glad you liked it.
Where did you buy the mats
At harbor freight.
How well would it work with say, airsoft rifles?
I don't think it is ideal. I went out and did a quick ten shots. 4 stuck, 1 dropped, and 5 bounced right back.
@@BuildItMakeIt thanks!
Plus id just tighten the bolts if it got chewed up too much.
How many mats did you end up using before cutting them in half?
I used 32 foam mats before cutting them in half. So that was 8 packages.
Have you tried shooting broadheads into this foam? I understand it will shorten the lifespan of the foam, curious how well they would remove and how long it would last.
I haven’t yet. If it is like the normal foam targets Ive used before then the broadheads pull out easier. Ill have to try and get back to you. I do fear a bit the layered design would more easily cut out chunks than a solid foam target since the broadhead can cut out a whole layer thickness. It may be better to use the mats standing up.
Broadheads are going to shread this just as bad as any broadhead rated foam target. That's why it's worth taking the time to tune your bow (and arrows) so that your field points and broadheads fly and impact the same. That way you never need worry about both wearing out your target and damaging your broadheads. In reality you should only need about 2-3 shots from each broadhead before you can safely store them away until season rolls around. So unless you go crazy with a quantity of hunting arrows, your number of broadhead shots into the target shouldn't be more than 30 in a given year (20 or so for tuning and another 10 or so to verify all is well right before season starts).
@@jmike8934 unfortunately I completely disagree with you. I tune my bow as much as the next guy and rarely do my broadheads and fieldtips not fly close. But I've shot broadheads enough to know that they are not field points. The industry has pushed everyone that their product has field point accuracy. I think as a hunter you should shoot every broadhead arrow and build confidence. I've been in camp many times with guys who claimed they hit the same spot, wound an animal, then go back and watch them practice with their broadheads and find they were not exactly perfect. It's the least we can do for the animal as bow hunters, and it greatly helps with my confidence. I do not shoot expandables, so if something gets knocked off in my setup throughout the year slightly, fixed blades usually magnify that. I'd never know if I shot field points practicing in hunting season.
@@mitchellshirk2533 I think you are reading more into what I was suggesting or taking the whole "Impact the same" too literally. I don't mean the have to hit the EXACT same point, just group the same or very similar. For example I have my broadheads tuned and sighted to dead center but my fieldpoints hit about 1/2" low left in comparison. Solution? 4 clicks up, 1-2 left and now in the off season my field points are dead on. Season gets here, a readjustment my sight and verify all the BHs are hitting center and I'm good to go. That's 6 broadheads. 10 shots max. Maybe I've just been lucky with my builds and rarely do I have to make serious alterations to my setup when moving from field point to broadhead. I can think of one but that was on me for forgetting I had tuned with stock nocks but used lighted on my broadhead arrows.
The guy you mentioned was just a shitty hunter. Most of us don't worry about going to hunt camp. We hunt within a close radius of our home and rarely get to go on trips. Once I verify my bow has changed from cutting paper to cutting flesh, it stays in the case unless it's time to kill. No field points fly out of it until tags are filled. Meaning unless I do something stupid like bang or drop my case, the chances of anything changing are 0. Now of course common sense has to play in a bit as well and adjust accordingly. The times I have gone on week long adventures, of course I did more verification of all my equipment and even went as far as to tune and carry a backup. But again that's just not the norm for most of us and as long as you are correctly confident in your equipment then you don't need to sling a ton of broadheads.
edit: I'm also with you on the no-expandables thing. I tried to give them a fair shot years ago but I found that NOTHING beats a good COC with a bit of weight behind it (these 350gr arrow setups also make me cackle).
I've had an identical target for many years. I use it specifically for broadheads because, although the tiles chop up a little easier than solid foam targets, I can replace them cheaply amd easily so in the long run it's way cheaper than a brand name foam block. I found if you move tiles from the centre to the edges regularly then it'll take a lot of shots before you need to buy more tiles
Hey friend,love your work...could you please tell what's the bow poundage?thanks in advance
Sure, I'm currently shooting at 65 lbs. with 550 grain arrows. My draw length is pretty long as well around 31 inches (I'm a fairly tall guy).
I made one of these about 5-6 years ago And I though blew a kidney out pulling the arrows Found out there is arrow lube made it easier but still hard to pull arrows out Worked great for a recuve or longbow you can't be to loss on compressing the pads or they pass through My target was a 24 x24 x12 cost around $50-60 I had wood already Heard from a club they just hang 4 strips of carpet 4' x8' over a cross member and works very well
Thanks. That’s a cool idea with the carpet and would be pretty easy to make.
Rub a bar of soap on your shafts. This will make it much easier to pull. Even with a two blade bh, I rarely need to use an arrow puller
How has it held up over the year?
So it held up for two years and I am on to my third year now. It is getting a bit worn in a few places, so I’ll probably add two packs of mats to refresh it in the next month or so.
@Build It Make It wait it's on its 3rd year and you haven't had to replace anything? Wow! How many arrows do you put in it per week? I may have to build myself one cus I shoot 80 arrows a day (50lb recurve)
@@davisstellman so I have removed a few mats and switched their order so it got a little shorter(like two inches). I shoot typically 40 arrows from my compound each weekday for about half the year then off and in after hunting season. I will probably buy 3 four packs and replace any mats that are split in half or are very chewed up, but won’t know how bad till I get them apart. I am currently shooting it so it’s not out of commission.
@Build It Make It very cool, I'll probably see about making one as soon as I can
Use wing nuts instead of hex nuts. Quicker to go on and off.
Great idea thanks!
How many tiles did you end up using?
I did it on the larger side so upwards of 32 tiles (8 packs). I like it cause you can rotate through if you need them and i like the more rectangular shape which is more aesthetically pleasing to me, but thats probably a stupid reason :)
awesome.
Thanks!
great archery target, love
it!
I am glad you like it!
Hi would that stop a crossbow at 400 fps
There have been a number of people with crossbows that have built it and everyone says it stops it, but I haven't personally tested it.
you are genius
Thanks :)
Pretty neat how u compressed that. Also using the mats!. Very very good idea!
Thanks! Ive been pretty happy with the target and its still going strong.
Of course he's not going to mention that there are other videos on UA-cam of people making this exact target.
You mean like ever commercially available layered foam boss?
Using foam packing sheets would make this a real bargain target.
That is a great idea and would make it a lot cheaper!
What a great idea!! Thanks!
It’s served me well so far.
Does this weigh hundreds of pounds like my carpet version?
Also curious about your bow set up? A 55# bow @26" draw with a 350gr arrow could have very different results than say a 74# @29" with 500gr arrow.
Thanks for the questions. I just weighted the target and it is 45 lbs. I like it because it has a nice amount of mass so it doesn't move a ton, but not so crazy that it is hard to move around.
I'm right in the middle with a #65 draw weight and 515 grain arrows that are 30" long.
Interesting. Too bad the foam mats aren't longer, pretty narrow target when you want to shoot at a dew spots from distance (for some people). I have barge cement but thats a lot of work to glue pieces on every layer. I wonder if yoga mats(very cheap at goodwill) would be sufficient
Hi there great vid ..how many pound bow r u shooting
Thanks! I've got my bow currently set for 65 lbs.
Comment for the UA-cam algorithm!
Thanks so much, the UA-cam algorithm must be appeased.
Nice job.
Do you think that it would work cutting the mats down one more time to 6” thick instead of 12” thick?
I’m cheap and don’t want to have to buy so many mats!
Thanks! I think it depends on your bow and poundage. I’ve got a decently efficient compound bow at 70 lbs this year and I am pretty sure I need the full 12 inches. When I shoot my 35 lbs recurve it would be fine at 6 inches.
@@BuildItMakeIt Got it, thx. This gun guy is new to archery and no way is 70 lbs comfortable for this old guy!
I may be ok then.
Hello! Any ideas for a Olympic sized target bale? :) mine is getting shot out and supply is short rn so either it’s out or ungodly expensive.
Also also, are you going to Vegas next year? :)
I think for something along that size you could do the mats side by side for 4'. That is what some others have done here, but I think that would get too expensive with todays prices. I would probably build a wood frame like 12 inches deep, and put on two faces of synthetic burlap, then stuff it with cloth, or plastic if you can find that much stuffing for cheap/free. It would be super heavy though and not really movable.
I'm probably not going to Vegas next year, I'd love to but I am not really that good of a shot. You?
Awesome! I'm going to make one. Approx how many layers of foam did you end up using?
Mine is 8 packages I believe, so that is 32 mats or 64 layers.
@@BuildItMakeIt thanks mate
Do you think this would hold up to a 375 fps crossbow, shooting 22" 479gr bolts with 100gr broadheads/field points?
I would think so. It may wear out a little faster but I think thats still in the range of what this target can handle.
Could I use cardboard cut into strips instead?
I think that would work, but I’ve never tried it before.
How many fps will this stop
There are crow bow shooters using it and stopping 400+ fps
What draw weight is your bow? I’m sure this target would work for bows around that weight and lighter, but think it may need more thickness for heavier bows
Im currently shooting at 65 lbs with 550 grain arrows.
Thank you for the info. That is about what my setup is too… a little heavier draw weight and arrows (my draw length is short)
Can you explain to me why you used a 25/32 drill bit and not a 1/2 inch.. To me it would seem the 3/8 would fit in the 1/2 inch hole better than 25/32. 3/8 = .375 , 1/2 = .5 and 25/32= .78125
Yep good catch I totally said that wrong. Thanks! It was a 25/64 drill bit I used, one size up from 3/8, not 25/32.
As long as you have that sled, your could have saved time and cut the tabs off with your saw.
Thanks! Yeah the table saw is way quicker than using the knife, but not everyone have a table saw, or a large sled for it as well.
To cut the foam a “hot knife” works well… just do it in a well ventilated area
That’s a great idea. I didn’t even think about that. Thanks!
Awesome!
Thanks! I appreciate the watch. Hopefully it was useful to you.
Great idea (with the ratchet straps) but those threaded rods are arrow killers - I would never want something like those on both sides of my target.
Yeah definitely if you hit the treaded rod your gonna mess up your arrow. Luckily since the target is 2 feet wide you have a pretty big margin, but i agree from an arrow perspective ratchet straps would be safer.
Bro nice target. I think I might make myself one. But we need to talk. What's with the compound bow? Recurve is where its at Bro!!!
Ha Ha! Yeah I need to be more hardcore and work on my recurve. I have two recurves but they are old (like 50 years old) that I like to use when I am just having fun, but I need to get a good one.
I bought a cheep black hunter and i love it. Plus i dont have to cry if i scratch it when walking through the bush.
I just checked that out looks pretty nice for the money. Luckily Christmas is coming up pretty soon so I may be able to swing it ...... :)
cheapest you can find those mats are about 60$ the lumber and other stuff would've been at least 40 to 50, so now your spending over 100$ and an afternoon to build plus the time to get that stuff, not to mention you'd be fighting to pull your arrows out of that foam.
or you could just buy a target for less then 100$...
I agree the arrows aren't the easiest to pull out. I also have a Rinehart 18-1 Target and the arrows are way harder to pull out of than this target. I think that's the price you pay for the durability of foam.
Here in the UK. Those foam mats are stupid expensive.
Its actually cheaper to buy a foam boss from the archery store.
Thanks that's good to know. I know the prices vary a lot between places. I checked out the foam boss targets and they look like they are pretty much just as thick, but they are a little bigger on the face so that is pretty nice. Good find for people that can't get the matts locally at a reasonable price.
Not convince this target will withstand a crossbow with Broadhead.?
you really need something to mask out the threaded bar.. if an arrow hits that it'll either shatter, or worse, bounce or deflect in a random direction. Extremely dangerous not to put something in front of them.
A number of people in the comments have used ratchet straps while building the target to avoid the threaded rod. I haven't seen anyone put something in front to block them, but that is a good idea. Thanks!
@@BuildItMakeIt ratchet straps are certainly the way :) good video though
Anyone ever tried a crossbow up against this or similar? I’d like to make my own, but not if 400 FPS crossbow bolts will blow too far into it. Nice build though.
I am not sure if someone has built one specifically for crossbows but I know that both compound bows and crossbows are in the same range of momentum and energy so I would assume it would do fine.
Next build rather than making a mess at the saw ,a good scissor works
Yeah I did some with a knife but the table saw was just so fast and I’m a lazy guy :) Good idea with the scissors, I wouldn’t have thought trying to cut the mats with scissors.
What's the draw weight of this bow? Do you think this can handle an 60 pound bow with 324fps speed?
Does this target falls when an arrow Hits it?
My draw weight is 65 so you would be great. There are others that have built this target and they are shooting even higher draw weight. The target doesn’t fall when getting hit. It weighs about 45 lbs.
Do you have an ig account?
@@BalwinderSingh-hx4qm yep Im @builditmakeit
@@BuildItMakeIt How close to the target? I am asking as I would like to use in garage (5 yards distance)?
@@richardvallee966 I typically am shooting at 20 yards or higher but I have shot at 5 yards in the garage. For my compound bow if I hit the same hole more than a couple of times in a row it does go in pretty far, so what I do is print a 5 by 5 grid on a sheet of paper since I am inside. With that I don't go through the same hole too many times. One note, it has always stopped the arrow just it can start to go in really deep and gets tougher to remove. Hope that helps.
Problem is these mats are damn expensive. Where I live 6 mats in 24"x24" are 50€.
Nice video! Dude your channel is right up my alley, will definitely check out the rest of your videos, cheers!
Thanks I appreciate it. I liked your "snowflake" tuning video :)
@@BuildItMakeIt Thanks haha!!!
Anything resembling horse stall mat or floor mat will not work.Arrows are difficult to pull out and it leaves a residue in your arrows when you pull them out.
Sorry the target didn’t work out for you. I haven’t tried horse stall mats as a target. I have one as a backdrop and I could see that being really hard to get arrows out of if you shot it side on.
@@BuildItMakeIt They work great as a backstop.Way to heavy for me to lift though.They weigh 100lbs.
Yeah, it's nice, but still pricey...all the mats..I would have to buy new stuff since I have no access to any used...
🙂👍🇨🇦
Thanks! Yeah, I think if you aren't shooting a ton it may not be worth it. I have had a few people tell me they have used cardboard or carpet. Sounds like the carpet is better of those two.
@@BuildItMakeIt I actually shoot
around 700+ arrows a week...using straw bales ... traditional asiatic archery is my poison 😉🙂👍🇨🇦
@@brucenovotny5924 woah nice!!! That is awesome!
I can't believe you used a table saw to cut those foam matts one at a time. That's like using a hand saw to cut your sandwich in half.
I agree a table saw isn't necessary but it was faster and left a cleaner edge than a utility knife. Your right, I could of cut more at once and been faster, I didn't even think of that.
@@BuildItMakeIt . A utility knife is just as fast and a lot quiter. I use these matts, but I shoot the fronts and tie them together on the sides by those interlocking pieces that you cut off. No need for wood and threaded rods. 12 matts will give a good 2' X 2' X 6" target.
Those mats are 5$ a piece here so this is by no mean a cheap target , I get you had yours laying around but to buy those mats and get 2 pieces per mat it would cost 200$ or more just to make
All that said it is a really nice quality target a if you bought that target it would probably be 500$
Yikes $5 each is pretty expensive. I did just check to see them at Harbor freight, and they have gone up in price again which is a real bummer. Looks like the new normal price is $10 for 4 mats. Hopefully price increases slow down. The target was never cheap to make but the mats have gone up now almost 40% from when I first bought them and about 30% from last year when I posted the tutorial. Crazy.
Can you do the math and show me how 50 dollars worth of these oads (9 dollars a pack with 4 at half an inch, meaning you get 4 inches per pack if you cut them in half and stack them) and it be this big?
Sure, each mat is 1/2 inch thick so one pack gives 4 inches of target since they are cut in half. 24 inches tall is 6 packs, and 8 packs makes 32 inches tall. Using the 9 dollars price and no coupons thats 54 - 72. I do recommend getting a coupon if you can. My local circular had them again recently for 7 a pack. The regular price used to be 8 when I first got them, but I still used a coupon.
Honestly, though, with how high prices are for the materials needed, why not just buy a pre-made target?
Lots of people are asking this, and I think it is a fair point. For me this is my 5th target in 3 years, all but one has been destroyed/used up the year I bought them. The one that has lasted is the Rinehart 18-1 target (foam) I bought last year. That target is $140. I wanted a larger target at least 24"x24" that would last multiple years. This target currently is like 85-100 to make depending on local, and should last me years. If I do cut up/wear out some mats it is only like 7 dollars to bring it back up to nice condition, all the while getting taller if I put the bad mats at the edges. If one isn't shooting a lot I think you can get away with something cheaper no problem. I am not sure what target for $100 is going to give me what I have with this target, but certainly I may be missing some targets.
Need better options. No smaller than 24", lightweight/portable w/handle, no metal, can stop 150lb crossbow. All the while building it on a budget
The biggest issue I see with a lot of these DIY targets is of course, the use of metal and wood in their construction, reason (a) is obvious, arrows are expensive, and (b) the more surface area the target needs, adding size, weight, time and expense to your project. The 'joke' here is, _if you know you can hit the side of a barn, just shoot the barn._ The point being bigger targets don't make better shots, and removes more than adds to your training. So there's my take on that.
Let's suppose that the target should be as inexpensive, resistant, lightweight, and portable as possible, esp. for BY archers and beginners. I've found that a 30" carbon arrow will not pass through two sofa seat cushions at around 30'. The width of one of these is 6", 22x26". Someone demonstrated that 16 layers of cardboard _can_ stop an arrow.
With this information we can build a 2 sided archery target by padding the foam seat w/ cardboard on both sides, and 'cap' the face with 1-3 foam floor mats (6 in a pack). 16 layers however, is as deep, if not more than the foam itself, and we have to do this twice, making for a bulkier heavier target, which we don't want.
If we can increase the amount of resistance of the cardboard, we may not need to use as much, say 9-12 layers. But how?
It is a known fact that silicone gasket seal can be used to make a self healing injection port. What is an arrow but a big fast moving needle? So adding a core layer of silicone between layers of cardboard _should_ dramatically increase puncture resistance, each layer contracting and stretching around the arrow just as a balloon stretches around a most anything before it breaks. for 9 layers of cardboard about 3.5", that's 6 layers of silicone. If we cap each side with 1 mat, 4", 2, 4.5", all three 5". For even more resistance we can insert every 3 layers in a trash bag, adding protection from the elements. Strap all of this down as tightly as possible. Now you have a lightweight, portable and highly puncture resistant 2 sided archery target for under $30.00 (floor mats and silicone gasket seal)
Thanks for your thoughts. I think a lot depends on the type of shooting someone does. This target is more "aimed" at someone who is shooting compound and hitting very close together around 10-12 times in a row like with a vegas target. With this target being around 2' by 2' you can move the 18" target around a bit with each new paper target to minimize hitting in the same spot over and over again. I am a pretty tall guy and shooting a fairly heavy bow and have destroyed multiple targets so I wanted something that could handle the abuse that I was going to throw at it. I totally agree a beginner doesn't need to build a target like this if they aren't going to be putting the type of abuse into the target like I outlined above. I like your idea for a nice lightweight archery target on the cheap.
This will cost more than just buying one.
There are certainly targets that cost less to buy. If you are looking for a cheaper target, I just built one for my kids that take a 80 cm target for the face. It isn't as durable as this target but is still repairable. ua-cam.com/video/VQaMyswfNuw/v-deo.html Take care!
that target is great until someone hits a piece of the allthread with a broadhead.
Yeah, a couple of people have mentioned they are worried about that. So far me and my kids haven't in the couple of years we have been using it, but that could be a problem for a wild arrow.