My son wanted to go shooting. So rather then just punch holes in targets I decided to make more permanent reactive steel targets. I had seen metal prefab target stands that you supply the EMT to make the frame and hang stamped metal hangers and corner pieces for sale, but figured I could make my own. Using 1" galvanized pipe I cut and welded 1/2" bolts for the corners and 3/8" rod for the hanger. Having all the required material for the stand I still needed the targets. So I cut some 3/8" x 1.5" steel bars and welded them together. Added a piece of 1/4" rod for the loop and went shooting.
Now I know I weld like Ray Charles after a 3 day drinking binge, but I was pleasantly surprised that the welds held. We did make some sizeable holes and divits in the steel with 9mm, 223, and 30 carbine at 70 yards.
So to save $25 in buying the stand pieces I spent $30 dollars in welding wire 🤣 using a Harbor Freight MIG welders.
But I can now say my welds are "bullet proof" 😉 Next stop will be the Texas Oil Pipeline so I can make some serious money welding 🤣🤣🤣.
Bill
Cool! "Ray Charles after a 3-day drinking binge"😆. As long as you end-up with bullet holes and no weld burn holes.
With all that extra wire and the need to practice to weld on the pipeline , you can close up the bullet holes on the targets . >:D :d
Quote from: oldmanjoe on February 03, 2026, 11:49:53 PMWith all that extra wire and the need to practice to weld on the pipeline , you can close up the bullet holes on the targets . >:D :d
I was thinking about filling them up...
Some big targets you got there 8)
2 big targets 4 1/2 × 7", 1 is 5x5, and the small is 3x4.
Bill your welds are gooder than the metal shop welds where I bought my targets
:d
You punched holes through them with .223 and .30? You need to make the targets out of real metal!
Quote from: MarkT on Today at 07:26:08 AMYou punched holes through them with .223 and .30? You need to make the targets out of real metal!
(https://alantani.com/gallery/38/17471-270923115116-382181124.jpeg)
>:D >:D >:D Com`on He`s bragging soup cans , 223 and 3/8 plate of unknown tensile strength very doable . Reloads ?
If you move up to the HF Titanium welder your welds will improve. It's been my experience the Chicago Electric (at least at 110v) was very difficult to weld with. It spattered too much and just didn't sound electrically consistent while using it.
I borrowed my neighbors Titanium and night and day difference. I didn't want to spend the $$$ for my spotty usage, so I ended up with this YESWELDER (https://www.amazon.com/YESWELDER-FLUX-135-Gasless-Inverter-Welding/dp/B08CBBHFX5/ref=sr_1_6?crid=139ULN81G37WX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zsuie3DjdSYYgn4l2nbmJ3Q9Ep6pLGbL92XU5_NRfPvP-4rE5gcL6P0v3V5wlZiS7m4c0Bpu6oXiPr1_eTJPJ9hV9Zr4Ft8Y4fGUFZQ-0r393wyDFlkLNAc5t-F26SO7ZARp3gJWFSCKR_EHuJ-r_9vzy5KbxelqvFjwwjfFyu7KOP3xaiCQWMfWjD2AJqmljJlftk2BaiJKOX9B_QCLbmqWj6hJPu_U2cyXGcNL3xNoTfjybO6X7PacZylmVFJBzTMCYwm7wPOKP2zrsg15S8sB_UVH2-jCr8S9-Zb6KGo.i1PsWEQxtZ23ayMOhT54QRMeUXGo7lpwzC6RcpR1riQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=welder&qid=1770222246&sprefix=welder%2Caps%2C244&sr=8-6&th=1).
I've been very happy with it Does both stick and wire welding. I gave my son-in-law my old Chicago welder.
Also, I noticed the shaker can painting on the metal targets -- no creative artistic bullseye powder coating on them?