Wiktor Wise
Clay pigeon shooters often need to fire at targets thrown at random angles and trajectories, and an electric skeet thrower is a great way to practice this. Building your own electric skeet thrower can be a fun project, but it's important to consider the specifications required for the machine to work effectively. The throwing arm of a clay target thrower, for example, needs to be fast and powerful, with the angle and speed of the arm just right to make a clay target fly correctly. The power source is also an important consideration, with most portable throwers running off 12V automobile batteries. If you're set on making a spring thrower, it's worth investing in a higher-end one to avoid the tendency of cheaper models to break the clays.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of thrower | Spring, Oscillating, Electric |
| Target material | Clay |
| Target shape | Birds/round |
| Target colour | Bland/colour of the bird you intend to hunt |
| Power source | 12V automobile battery, AC power supply, DC power supply |
| Portability | Portable/permanent |
| Throwing arm material | Aluminium with a rubber rail |
| Throwing arm speed | Variable |
| Throwing arm angle | Variable |
| Number of targets | 1-3 |
| Ease of use | Easy to use and move around |
| Cost | $30-$100 |
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What You'll Learn
The importance of clay target speed and angle
Clay target sports have three major disciplines: skeet shooting, trap shooting, and sporting clays. The target speed, angle, and distance vary with each station in skeet shooting. The angle of the target determines the perception of lead, which is the distance between the target and the shooter's gun. The speed of the target also affects the lead, with faster targets requiring more lead.
In skeet shooting, the targets are launched from two houses, or traps, that are positioned at different heights. The high house is typically 10 feet (3 meters) above the ground, while the low house is 3 to 3.5 feet (0.9 to 1.06 meters) high. The targets are launched to a point 15 feet (4.6 meters) above the ground and 18 feet (5.5 meters) outside of station 8. The targets are launched at a variety of angles, with the machines typically having a range of 45 degrees total, 22.5 degrees to each side.
The speed of the clay targets in skeet shooting is an important factor. In the American version of the sport, the clay discs travel at a speed of 62 miles per hour (mph) or 57 metres per second (m/s), while in the Olympic version, they are thrown at 68 mph or 64 m/s. The faster the target, the more lead is required to hit it. The average skeet target is shot at 15 yards and is broken in less than 3/4 second, while the average sporting target is broken in 1.5 to 2 seconds.
The angle of the clay targets is also crucial in skeet shooting. The angle change from station to station affects the perceived lead, which can make it more challenging for the shooter. In addition, the side-to-side oscillation of the targets can be greater or less than the 45 degrees mandated for conventional trap shooting, providing a more realistic hunting simulation.
In conclusion, the speed and angle of clay targets in skeet shooting are important factors that affect the difficulty and realism of the sport. The speed of the targets determines the lead required to hit them, while the angle affects the perception of the lead and creates a challenging and unpredictable shooting experience.
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Using a rotating plate for direction randomisation
Electric skeet throwers have revolutionised clay pigeon shooting, offering convenience and consistency. The Trapmaster from Nordic Clays is a standout model that exemplifies the best in modern clay pigeon throwing technology. It can fire in any direction and at any angle, providing shooters with a diverse range of shooting scenarios.
If you are building your own electric skeet thrower, you can use a rotating plate for direction randomisation. This is essentially what is done for trap shooting. You can use a geared-down motor to randomise the direction. The thrower will be stationary, and the rotating plate will allow for different angles of shots. This is particularly useful for wing shooting, where you never know the direction, angle or speed at which the bird may leave the ground.
To build an electric skeet thrower with a rotating plate, you will need to decide if your thrower will be portable or permanent and build it accordingly. If it is permanent, you can power the motor on the thrower with 120-volt AC current through buried transmission lines. If it is portable, you will need to use a deep-cycle 12-volt DC battery. You can use a 12-volt car battery to power the motor.
You can also purchase automatic skeet throwers with oscillators that allow for randomised direction and angle. The Champion EasyBird Auto-Feed Trap is a good option for a powerful automatic thrower. The White Wing Auto Trap is another option for consistent and hassle-free throws.
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Powering the skeet thrower with a 12V automobile battery
Powering a skeet thrower with a 12V automobile battery is possible, but there are a few things to consider. Firstly, decide if your thrower will be portable or permanent, as this will determine the power source. Most portable throwers run on 12V automobile batteries, whereas permanent throwers are usually powered by 120V AC current through buried transmission lines.
If you opt for a 12V automobile battery, you will need to consider the power requirements of your skeet thrower. The battery's capacity and the power draw of the thrower will determine how long the battery will last. A typical car battery has a capacity of 60 amp-hours, which should provide a few hours of use. However, as the voltage tapers off, the unit will draw more amps, so you may get a shorter run time. If you are running two machines, you will need to account for the increased power draw, and you may only get an hour of use or less.
To extend the battery life, consider using a deep-cycle battery, which can provide 75 to 80 amp-hours. These batteries are designed to withstand deep discharges and can be fully recharged, whereas a regular battery may not take a charge if it is completely run down. You will also need a charger for your battery, and you may want to consider a trickle charger to keep your battery topped up.
Another option is to use an inverter to convert AC power from your home's power supply to 12V DC for your skeet thrower. This eliminates the need for a battery but may be less portable depending on your setup. Additionally, if your skeet thrower has high power requirements, you may need a more substantial inverter, which can be costly.
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Building an oscillating base for random trajectories
Clay pigeon shooters often want to fire at targets thrown at random angles and trajectories to simulate hunting situations. In regulated trap shooting competitions, shooters are required to shoot at random angles. In other situations, such as wobble trap and sporting clays, an oscillating thrower is used.
To build an oscillating base for random trajectories, you must first decide whether your thrower will be portable or permanent. This will determine the power source for the motor. If the thrower is permanent, it will likely be powered by 120-volt AC current through buried transmission lines. If it is portable, it can be powered by a 12-volt DC battery.
The oscillation mechanism must be built to certain specifications if it is to be used in a regulation trap range. According to the Amateur Trapshooting Association, the oscillation must range 45 degrees in total, with 22.5 degrees to the left or right of centre. The mechanism for a Wobble Trap is more complicated, as the thrower must also move up and down randomly to throw targets at a variety of trajectories. There are no set standards for the amount of vertical movement.
To achieve random angles, the skeet thrower could be placed on a rotating plate with a geared-down motor. This would allow the direction of the thrower to be randomised.
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Considerations for a spring thrower
If you're set on building a spring skeet thrower, there are a few things to consider. Firstly, all spring throwers work on the same principle of centrifugal force, but higher-end models are less likely to break the clays. It is also important to decide whether your thrower will be portable or stationary. If you opt for a stationary model, you could put it on a rotating plate with a geared-down motor to randomise the direction of the throws. Alternatively, you could build a portable thrower powered by a 12-volt DC battery, which would allow you to change locations.
If you're building an oscillating thrower, you must adhere to specific standards if you intend to use it in regulated trap range competitions. According to the Amateur Trapshooting Association rules, the oscillation mechanism must range over a total of 45 degrees, with 22.5 degrees to the left and right of centre. However, for unregulated shooting games like Wobble Trap, there are no set standards for the oscillation range, and the machine can move up and down as well as side to side.
You could also consider adding a wireless remote to your thrower to make it easier to activate. This feature is available on some commercial throwers, such as the Champion Easybird. Another option to consider is a foot pedal release, which is included with the FlyWay 60 clay pigeon thrower.
Finally, you should be aware of the potential challenges in building a spring thrower. Some people suggest that, by the time you've built and perfected your thrower, you might have spent more money than if you had just bought a commercial one. However, building your own thrower gives you the freedom to customise it to your specific needs and preferences.
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Frequently asked questions
An electric skeet thrower, also known as a clay thrower, clay trap, or trap thrower, is a machine that throws clay targets into the air for shooters to shoot at.
Building your own electric skeet thrower can be a fun project and can save you money compared to buying a pre-built machine. It also allows you to customize the machine to your specific needs and preferences.
The materials you need will depend on the specific design of your electric skeet thrower. However, some common materials and components include a power source such as a 12V battery, a motor, a throwing arm made of aluminum with a rubber rail, springs, and linkages.
To make the clay targets fly at different angles and trajectories, you can build an oscillating thrower. This involves creating a mechanism that allows the thrower to move side-to-side and up and down randomly, providing a variety of trajectories to simulate hunting situations.
Yes, it is important to prioritize safety when working with electrical components and high-velocity projectiles. Ensure that you are familiar with basic electrical safety practices and always wear appropriate protective gear when testing or using your electric skeet thrower.
