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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: COLongbow on July 18, 2011, 10:23:00 AM

Title: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: COLongbow on July 18, 2011, 10:23:00 AM
I've been shooting in the backyard, with my block target sitting on a folding chair, with an old futon mattress behind it as a backstop. Got the job done but looked pretty white-trashy.

Well the other evening I was talking to my wife about how I would like to build some kind of a nice backstop, and mentioned some design ideas and some info from a build-along I saw here some time ago. Just a little brainstorming.

The next day I got home from work and what do I find? My lovely wife has built me a killer backstop all by herself! In a sweltering garage while trying to corral a crazy 2-year old at the same time. She's very handy (moreso than me, I must admit) I'd say it turned out sweet! What a wife, huh??!!

It's constructed of 2x6's, a horse stall mat, and large lag screws and bolts throughout. All it needs is a couple coats of water sealing stain. This thing should last forever!

  (http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y366/COlongbow/4.jpg)

  (http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y366/COlongbow/3.jpg)

 (http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y366/COlongbow/IMAG0071.jpg)

(http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y366/COlongbow/IMAG0070.jpg)

(http://i1030.photobucket.com/albums/y366/COlongbow/IMAG0069.jpg)

I resized the photos, hope they're ok now. Sorry
Please no images wider than 640.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Lone Ranger on July 18, 2011, 10:26:00 AM
yeah that is pretty bad ass right there!

great job!

L.R.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: KentuckyTJ on July 18, 2011, 10:29:00 AM
Wow, that is nice. Your bride should be congratulated.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: snakebite on July 18, 2011, 10:32:00 AM
Very nice!!!  :bigsmyl:    :archer2:
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: BowMIke on July 18, 2011, 10:34:00 AM
My compliments to your wife! That's a fine job there!
(she's a keeper)
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Lost Arra on July 18, 2011, 10:37:00 AM
:thumbsup:    :thumbsup:  

I would say your wife is WAY past "handy".

That thing has to be heavy.

Great job.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Shedrock on July 18, 2011, 10:38:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by BowMIke:
My compliments to your wife! That's a fine job there!
(she's a keeper)
X2  :thumbsup:    :archer2:
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Toecutter on July 18, 2011, 10:41:00 AM
Wow that is fantastic!!  You can't ask for a better wife than that!!

Nathan
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Burnsie on July 18, 2011, 10:47:00 AM
That window would still be in danger at my house.

You may want to test how well the black matting stops the arrows.  You could still end up with some dents in your siding.  I've found the black mat slows them down pretty good, but some will go through quite a ways.  At least that has been my experience,  maybe your mat is more stout than mine??
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: COLongbow on July 18, 2011, 10:51:00 AM
Yep, it is very heavy.

The horse stall mat is 1/2 inch thick, and I of course tested it. My field points penetrate about an inch and the holes seal themselves when the arrow is pulled. I was surprised, I half expected them to bounce off considering how heavy that mat is.

Yeah, I may need to relocate away from the window, I've been know for the occsasional flyer!  :)
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: joekeith on July 18, 2011, 11:09:00 AM
Wow....miter cuts and everything...  :thumbsup:  Fine job indeed, I'm impressed.  She is special for sure, congrats to both of yas.  :clapper:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Mudd on July 18, 2011, 11:10:00 AM
How cool is this? ....Way!!!!!...I'm saying...

Your wife did a better job than I could!!

Now please don't take that too badly just because it isn't setting the bar very high for her...lol

She has done work that is completely out of my capabilities.

You dude are one blessed husband!!

Congratulations!

God bless,Mudd
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: scedvm on July 18, 2011, 11:11:00 AM
Excellent!  My wife is in the antique refinishing mode right now but I have to put her onto this thread and give her some ideas!
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: dink on July 18, 2011, 11:45:00 AM
wow thats very nice im impressed and that is saying alott since im a in the building business i have been thinking about something in that design but made out of mining belt tuff stuff i know when i shot in the cademy we used that stuff for a back stop it surprisingly stoded a 45 slug


                       ps does she have
                                have a sister lol
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: gto_guy on July 18, 2011, 12:18:00 PM
Dude that is awesome.Great wife!
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Wannabe1 on July 18, 2011, 12:19:00 PM
Outstanding and congrats. That's one fine wife to have around! Better hold on to that one.   :thumbsup:    :clapper:
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: PA stickbow boy on July 18, 2011, 12:30:00 PM
WOW!  that's pretty sweet!    :notworthy:
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Rusty in Fla. on July 18, 2011, 12:38:00 PM
Oh boy, wait till I show this to my wife.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Over&Under on July 18, 2011, 01:22:00 PM
Impressive indeed!...not sure I could even do that  :)

She deserves a hand..  :clapper:  

She probably thought..."anything to get rid of the nasty matress"!    :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: don s on July 18, 2011, 01:40:00 PM
YOUR WIFE DID THAT??? does she have a sister? just kidding. i'm happily married. very, very nice.  :clapper:  don
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: stabow on July 18, 2011, 01:50:00 PM
You better hope your wife keeps you. You might be hard press to find another one like her.  :goldtooth: .....stabow
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: T Lail on July 18, 2011, 01:55:00 PM
very nice...does she have a sister ?????  :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Orion on July 18, 2011, 01:59:00 PM
Very nice, indeed. I hope you're just displaying it against the house.  Much better to shoot away from any buildings.  Never know what might happen.  I've known folks who couldn't hit the backstop at 20 yards.     :bigsmyl:
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Ray_G on July 18, 2011, 02:09:00 PM
Beautiful job on the backstop.  I have been using one of those stall mats for three years.  It hangs from the fence behind my straw bales.  As the bales get older, I get pass throughs.  The mat keeps the arrows from sticking in the fence.  With the bale and mat, the field point is never more than a 1/4" into the mat.  I have been dreaming of some sort of set up like yours with a bale platform to keep them off the ground.  Hmmmmm ...
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: 5deer on July 18, 2011, 02:15:00 PM
:thumbsup:
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: South MS Bowhunter on July 18, 2011, 02:22:00 PM
My wife in trouble when I show her this  :laughing:  Your wife is to be congratulated!
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: canopyboy on July 18, 2011, 02:58:00 PM
My first thought was, "Wow, what a wife!"

My second thought was, "Wow, I need to show this to my wife."

My third was, "'What, are you saying I'm not good enough?'"

My final thought was, "I guess I'll just keep this to myself for now...."
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: ordcorpdw on July 18, 2011, 03:05:00 PM
Impressive!!!! I thought about showing that to my wife too..........then my brain kicked back in. Hmmm, yeah that would've been bad.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Doc Nock on July 18, 2011, 03:09:00 PM
SWEET!

Sawdust flying, kids wallerin, hooboy. That ain't no sissified city girl right there...

Couple posts too late to ask about a sister... and I don't like standing in lines!  :)

Congrats. That is too sweet. I can't imagine that a horse pad is cheap!
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Pat B. on July 18, 2011, 03:19:00 PM
And just what do you bring to the table in this relationship ????

Must be good ------- LOL.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: GO Rogers on July 18, 2011, 03:23:00 PM
Your wife is a good carpenter, I don't see any gaps in those angle cuts......♠ great job.  :bigsmyl:    :coffee:
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: COLongbow on July 18, 2011, 03:25:00 PM
Thanks for all the comments guys!
Yeah, she does good work all right. I just sip a wine cooler and do my nails while she does the carpentry work around the place.  :)

Actually the horse mat was only about $40 at the local ranch supply mega store. Not bad. But that thing is HEAVY, and no fun to cut to size either (I'm told, lol).

Yes, the wife has a sister, but I got the good one!

I think I'm safe up against the house, I can only back up about 18 yards and I have to keep the neighbors from getting nervous about shooting in the other 3 directions.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: JohnnyWayne on July 18, 2011, 03:30:00 PM
She's a keeper for sure    :thumbsup:

Can I ship mine up to apprentice with her for a bit?    :pray:  

  :biglaugh:
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Leland on July 18, 2011, 04:28:00 PM
Very nice!
Leland
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Hot Hap on July 18, 2011, 05:11:00 PM
Wow-I have to get my wife on the stick. I think I would replace the wire rope with nylon-may save an arrow. Very nice-Hap
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: JimL on July 18, 2011, 06:39:00 PM
wHAT A WOMAN.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Shawn Leonard on July 18, 2011, 06:44:00 PM
Great backstop, Better wife!! Shawn
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: bolong on July 18, 2011, 10:40:00 PM
That is great! Your wife and mine are on opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to that kind of stuff.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: elknutz on July 19, 2011, 08:27:00 AM
Well done!  My compliments to your wife   :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: LONGSTYKES on July 19, 2011, 08:49:00 AM
Kerry you are a lucky man, but you already know it. She did do an awesome job. I use the same type of matt behind my bale target. Good stuff, works well.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: RM81 on July 19, 2011, 11:52:00 AM
Looks good!!
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: WRV on July 19, 2011, 11:56:00 AM
That is beyond nice. Good job by the Mrs.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Bernie B. on July 19, 2011, 02:48:00 PM
You need to take your wife out for dinner!  That's a great looking target; very neat!  I'm very impressed with her carpentry skills.

Bernie Bjorklund

NC Iowa/SW Wisconsin
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: PeteA on July 19, 2011, 05:33:00 PM
My wife has a hard time hanging picture frames.

Get job, even better wife!
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: PeteA on July 19, 2011, 05:35:00 PM
My wife has a hard time hanging picture frames.

Great job, even better wife!
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Hoyt on July 19, 2011, 06:55:00 PM
I saw 6'x4' x 3/4" thick horse mats on sale in Rural King paper today for $28.99.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Benny Nganabbarru on July 19, 2011, 07:33:00 PM
A heck of a wife you have! Good on her!
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: ermont on July 19, 2011, 08:26:00 PM
You are one lucky bas**rd. I hope you know that, and appreciate her accordingly.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Dale Hajas on July 19, 2011, 10:00:00 PM
Thats really cool! Is yer wife married?   :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: techieok on July 20, 2011, 05:38:00 AM
If she has a single sister send her my way!
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Kapellmeister on July 20, 2011, 09:13:00 AM
Are ya sure that backstop's big enough?       :smileystooges:

All seriousness aside, that's really nice!    :thumbsup:   Just wondering... is the horse stall mat rubber?  Do arrows penetrate it or bounce off?  (Or haven't you ever missed your target to find out?     ;)   )
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: COLongbow on July 20, 2011, 10:18:00 AM
Hi Gene,
Well, it's a rubber-like material, very dense and heavy. I shot an arrow into it on purpose just to see what would happen. Field point penetrated about an inch, didn't bounce off like I thought.
Tough stuff.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on July 20, 2011, 11:18:00 AM
I like your wife already  ;)  

 :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Eugene Slagle on July 20, 2011, 11:25:00 AM
Congrats to a mighty fine wife sir, most of us would have to design & build it & possibly still have to keep the lady of the house happy.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Brett Wilmore on July 20, 2011, 12:11:00 PM
Way cool!  Hey I'm just wondering, does that rubber break down after awhile (year or two) in the sun?  Or can you just leave it out?  Thanks and congrats.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: JamesKerr on July 20, 2011, 12:13:00 PM
Very nice
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Keefer on July 20, 2011, 03:57:00 PM
I was impressed as well by your wife and noticed she even spaced the lags evenly to hold the matt on...She must of had a very good father that spent quite a bit of time with her showing her how to take care of herself if she needed to...I have two young daughters 4 and 5 and I already let my daughters use the wrenchs to tighten their bike seats and such...Now I hope you help do dish's,vacuum and do laundry...If not you better get with it ...  :D
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: glenbo on July 20, 2011, 08:28:00 PM
As much as I am inpressed by the backstop,I am much more impressed by your wifes effort.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: ron w on July 20, 2011, 10:20:00 PM
As was said before....she's a keeper!!   :thumbsup:  She did a fantastic job!!
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: LA Trapper on July 20, 2011, 11:07:00 PM
Dude.... you got it good.  She is something.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: hill boy on July 21, 2011, 02:03:00 AM
It takes a real man to be married to women that can handle tools like that.Leave a couple good staves laying around and see what they turn into.  :D
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: USN_Sam1385 on July 21, 2011, 06:28:00 PM
Are you serious???!!! Wow.... She used several tools for that. Count your blessings brother. You got urself a good one there.. and the wife doesn't sound half bad either.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: JParanee on July 22, 2011, 12:23:00 AM
All I can say is WOW !!!!
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: CORYL on July 24, 2011, 04:33:00 PM
That is real nice.. I have a futon mattress I use as a backstop. Maybe I should upgrade too
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: NewtoTrad2008 on July 26, 2011, 01:16:00 PM
WOW! That is very nice!
Careful shooting in your back yard, I have gotten a warning from CSPD, they still consider it a weapon and not aloud to discharge it in the city limits. Luckily the cop had common sense and didn't give me a ticket and confiscate my bow.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: COLongbow on July 26, 2011, 02:33:00 PM
I researched the city ordinance carefully, and the definitions in the no discharge clause refers to firearms. I spoke to two officers that agreed, but said that if a neighbor complained they would be obligated to respond and talk to me anyway.

I've spoken to all my neighbors in line of sight and obtained permission/made sure they weren't uncomfortable with it. Two of them that I hadn't previously met turned out to be bowhunters.

Still, I try to shoot early in the morning when there's less chance of anyone noticing...
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Pete McMiller on July 26, 2011, 02:42:00 PM
I'll echo some of the other responses - "Does she have a single sister?"  I'm in the market - no, not for a backstop, I built one like it but it took me a lot longer  :rolleyes:  Great job!  :clapper:
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: cacciatore on July 26, 2011, 03:58:00 PM
This is a really helpful wife!
Also the target is good but the spirit that moved she is more remarkable.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: kennym on July 26, 2011, 08:09:00 PM
SWEET !! She must like ya a little. Very good job!
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: NewtoTrad2008 on July 27, 2011, 01:13:00 PM
Good to know, now I just have to get my wife to build me one!
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: emt137 on July 27, 2011, 02:05:00 PM
What is the dimension of your mat? I picked one up from Rural King and it is 4'x6'.  Yours looks quite square.  I might steal part of your wife's idea.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: COLongbow on July 27, 2011, 02:08:00 PM
I think it's 5x5 feet. I know she trimmed some off. Your 4x6er should work fine!
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: emt137 on July 27, 2011, 10:15:00 PM
Longbow,

Just want to thank you and your wife!  She gave me inspiration for my own, admittedly nowhere near as nice as hers.  

I built a frame for a stall mat and tested it with my 45lb recurve at 15 feet.  A straight on shot and the arrow bounced off the mat.  I'm very satisfied.  Again, thank you to you and your missus.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Lethalflight57 on July 28, 2011, 01:59:00 PM
After seeing this project, I used pressure treated 2x4s and replicated what was depicted in the photos.  Built the same backstop using a 3/4" stall mat as a backstop for my 3D Deer target.  Works terrific and stops both field points and broadheads when I exceed my effective range.  The field points will either bounce back or barely stick.  The broadheads are easily stopped and easily removed.  The rubber material self seals upon pulling the arrow.  Great idea and a terrific project by your wife! Glad I saw it here and replicated it.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: tradbower on July 28, 2011, 06:12:00 PM
Ditto on Lethal about field points. Havent tried broadheads, but hoping the same results. also used 3/4 stall matt.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Earl Jeff on July 28, 2011, 06:28:00 PM
AWESOME. Back stop pretty good too.
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: amar911 on July 29, 2011, 02:22:00 AM
Gosh, Kerry, I am happy when I can get a home cooked meal.    :thumbsup:   All of us would like to come home to find neat stuff like that target backstop.

Allan
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: GRINCH on July 29, 2011, 02:48:00 AM
Thats impressive,she does great work.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Sweet Homemade Backstop
Post by: Autumnarcher on July 29, 2011, 08:27:00 AM
Wow, thats a great target. Even better wife. I had to put a trigger lock on my cordless screw gun to keep mne from gettting into trouble!