Weekend Project: DIY Steel Target Hangers

Recently, Joe Grine posted a story featuring the above Rogue Shooting Targets t-post target hangars. While they’re a great idea, I thought the price seemed a bit high. I tend to be a “do it myself” kind of guy, so with a shooting date coming up with Joe and a few other guys, I thought I’d add my steel plates to the range fun.

First off, I measured the end of a common T-post to see what the dimensions were so I could buy the proper sized square tubing. A quick stop at my local steel supplier was then in order. After finding the correct size, (I chose 2″ x 2″ square milled steel, .080 wall thickness). Then I gave a thought to how long it would take me with a hand operated hack saw to cut 10 pieces up.

Not liking that, I asked if the steel supply place would cut it up for me. Yup…at $1.75 per cut. So I gave them the green light. The next morning, I picked up ten three-inch pieces of cut up steel.

Off to the local hardware store for some bolts and nuts. Four-inch long threaded 3/8″ diameter mild steel should do the trick.

Then to the drill press in my shop. X marks the spot for the holes.

Put the bolts through the holes, tighten them, and this part is done.

Next step: bend the bolts. No need for a torch, just a vice and a crescent wrench.

So I did make one small mistake here. I bent one bolt a bit too far and I could feel it partially break. Next time I’m in town, I’ll just buy another bolt and bend it a little less.

I’m pleased with the end result…10 steel plate target hangars.

You can see the broken bolt, fifth one up.

While Joe paid $37.50 per pair for his hangars, I’m into mine for considerably less. Total cost for ten hangers:

Grand total: $31.73. Your mileage may vary depending on the cost of steel in your area.

It took me about an hour to make them. I suppose I could paint them and de-bur the edges to make them prettier. Also, this project would have only been $14.23 had I chosen to work up a sweat cutting these things by hand. So for those of you with a little more DIY attitude, that gets it down to $1.43 per hanger.

Now I’m all set for the range trip to Mt. Hood. This will be great preseason practice for long range shooting. I’m headed for the Hells Canyon wilderness area for first season elk. Stay tuned.