Coda
NES Member
These Dueling Trees seem to be quite fashionable these days, problem is the cost. A good one is going to set you back $500 and then there is the shipping. So being the cheap bastard that I am I decided to make my own.
I started with this “kit” on Amazon which includes (6) paddles and (6) tubes.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K4ZLZJU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (I notice this item is currently out of stock, but there are many similar options through Amazon)
I also bought some 4” .22 cal paddles. I found these on eBay.
Set of 6 .22 LR Dueling Tree paddles 4" 1/4" AR500 steel DIY Dueling Tree | eBay
Then I welded up a frame using 1-1/4” angle. A lot of them are fabricated using 1-1/2” or 2” angle but the 1-1/4” worked out best to get a full 180 degree swing of the paddles. Plus I had some 1-1/4” x 1-1/4” angle lying around. I also did not what this thing to turn into a one man hernia. The frame weighs 25lbs, and believe it or not the 6” paddles weigh in also @ 25lbs. So it is manageable with the paddles installed, and real easy to move with the paddles removed.
Ready for primer and topcoat. I just used some Rust-Oleum reduced down with mineral spirits. Again stuff I had laying around.
Notice how the paddles will swing a full 180 degrees. With larger leg angle you would need to notch the legs to get a full swing. I wanted to be aiming at circles not ellipses. Also notice that I tack welded a second length of angle along the leading edge to stiffen up the 1/8” thick angle. I was worried about damage from 9mm hits.
The final product…..
After testing the 6” (9mm) paddles worked great. But the 4” (.22) Paddles had shorter legs and occasionally they would jump out of the cylinders. So I welded some bar stock on there so the legs were the same length as the 6” paddles. Problem solved.
This was a little disappointing, I couldn’t believe what the lead splatter did to the paint after a few hundred rounds. The only thing I might have done differently on this project was just leave the frame bare metal and spray occasionally with fluid film. I painted the frame not so much for appearance but to protect it from rusting.
So there you have it, a dueling tree for a little over 100 bucks (add another 50 bucks if you want the .22 paddles also). If you had to buy the angle you could probably do this for about $150. I know both Tractor Supply and Home Depot stock 1-1/4” angle, although you will pay a higher price than if you source it through your local steel supplier.
I started with this “kit” on Amazon which includes (6) paddles and (6) tubes.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01K4ZLZJU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (I notice this item is currently out of stock, but there are many similar options through Amazon)
I also bought some 4” .22 cal paddles. I found these on eBay.
Set of 6 .22 LR Dueling Tree paddles 4" 1/4" AR500 steel DIY Dueling Tree | eBay
Then I welded up a frame using 1-1/4” angle. A lot of them are fabricated using 1-1/2” or 2” angle but the 1-1/4” worked out best to get a full 180 degree swing of the paddles. Plus I had some 1-1/4” x 1-1/4” angle lying around. I also did not what this thing to turn into a one man hernia. The frame weighs 25lbs, and believe it or not the 6” paddles weigh in also @ 25lbs. So it is manageable with the paddles installed, and real easy to move with the paddles removed.
Ready for primer and topcoat. I just used some Rust-Oleum reduced down with mineral spirits. Again stuff I had laying around.
Notice how the paddles will swing a full 180 degrees. With larger leg angle you would need to notch the legs to get a full swing. I wanted to be aiming at circles not ellipses. Also notice that I tack welded a second length of angle along the leading edge to stiffen up the 1/8” thick angle. I was worried about damage from 9mm hits.
The final product…..
After testing the 6” (9mm) paddles worked great. But the 4” (.22) Paddles had shorter legs and occasionally they would jump out of the cylinders. So I welded some bar stock on there so the legs were the same length as the 6” paddles. Problem solved.
This was a little disappointing, I couldn’t believe what the lead splatter did to the paint after a few hundred rounds. The only thing I might have done differently on this project was just leave the frame bare metal and spray occasionally with fluid film. I painted the frame not so much for appearance but to protect it from rusting.
So there you have it, a dueling tree for a little over 100 bucks (add another 50 bucks if you want the .22 paddles also). If you had to buy the angle you could probably do this for about $150. I know both Tractor Supply and Home Depot stock 1-1/4” angle, although you will pay a higher price than if you source it through your local steel supplier.