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Ben Philippi
United States
เข้าร่วมเมื่อ 31 ส.ค. 2011
I make videos, travel, shoot guns, ride bikes, kayak fish and enjoy the outdoors.
World's Biggest Texas Star Target
During the recent COVID-19 pandemic, my father and I decided to build the world’s biggest Texas star target for shotgun.
The idea was to build a Texas Star target roughly 18 to 20 feet in height. We decided to build it mainly out of wood. We fastened five 6-foot 2x2 arms to a five-sided piece of half-inch plywood. We reinforced the middle with 2x4s and then drilled a large hole. Into this, we fixed a 3-inch piece of PVC pipe.
I painted the star black to make it stick out against the sky.
On a 24-foot high cedar post, we fastened a few 2x4s at one end and drilled a hole. Into this, we fixed a 2.75-inch PVC pipe. The larger piece of PVC pipe on the star section would fit over the smaller pipe. This would act as our 'rotor'.
I dug a 5-foot hole and we set the cedar pole in it. We lubed up the PVC pipe with some grease and then my father hoisted me in his tractor's bucket and I put the star onto the post. A bolt kept the wheel from spinning off the rotor. The star spun freely and it worked great. The Texas star target was just under 17-feet tall.
It should be noted that the backdrop of the target was just under 4-miles of fields and forests. We would only be shooting with a shotgun and low power rounds.
As you probably know, traditional Texas star targets are gravity operated. They use heavy metal targets at the ends of the arms and, when they're shot off, the weight change causes the star to spin. I planned to use half-gallon plastic water containers taped to the ends of each arm. When shot, they would explode. However, I was not convinced that the weight loss would cause the star to turn, and if it did, it would be slow and gradual. This would make shooting the remaining targets too easy.
We did a test and our suspicions were confirmed. We had to motorize the star not only to turn it but also because we didn't want anyone down range turning it when we went "hot."
The search began for a machine that could turn the star. My father came up with the first idea -- an electric drill. He fastened it next to the PVC pipe, inserted a long bolt into the drill, and wrapped a rubber belt around one of the PVC pipes. Running the drill turned the pipe; however, the drill turned too fast, faster than the belt, which eventually began to smoke and caught on fire. So the power drill was a no-go.
We kept looking around and I spotted my father's old garden tiller in the barn. My father had been tilling the garden recently so we knew it ran. It was very heavy and had a function where it would drive by itself in a straight line. I got to thinking that if we wound a string around a spindle on the back of the star and pulled it with the tiller, the star would turn. All tests suggested this could be a viable option.
So we constructed a spindle out of the wood and attached it to the back of the star. We wound a length of string and attached it to the tiller. We lined it up and set it off in motion. It drove away and pulled the string and rotated the star. Success! It was perfect. We had our solution.
It was then time to load up my trusty shotgun. I used my Mossberg 500 SPX Tactical 12-gauge shotgun. I've owned it for over seven years and I love this shotgun. It has operated flawlessly and I can run it fast. I loaded up some cheap Winchester #8 birdshot. I can fit five 2.75-inch shells in the tube and one in the chamber. That gives me six rounds.
Upon my signal, my father set the garden tiller in motion and I waited for him to get safe and the star to start spinning. I then let loose. The spinning star was challenging to hit and a ton of fun to shoot. Check out the video at the top of the page. The only issue we had was when I shot the first water bottle, the weight change affected the momentum of the star. For a moment, it slowed down, allowing me to pick off a few water bottles. Other than that, the Texas star target was a huge success and my Mossberg functioned perfectly.
If you enjoyed this, you might like the DIY shotgun course I put together a few months ago. You can see the video of it below.
The idea was to build a Texas Star target roughly 18 to 20 feet in height. We decided to build it mainly out of wood. We fastened five 6-foot 2x2 arms to a five-sided piece of half-inch plywood. We reinforced the middle with 2x4s and then drilled a large hole. Into this, we fixed a 3-inch piece of PVC pipe.
I painted the star black to make it stick out against the sky.
On a 24-foot high cedar post, we fastened a few 2x4s at one end and drilled a hole. Into this, we fixed a 2.75-inch PVC pipe. The larger piece of PVC pipe on the star section would fit over the smaller pipe. This would act as our 'rotor'.
I dug a 5-foot hole and we set the cedar pole in it. We lubed up the PVC pipe with some grease and then my father hoisted me in his tractor's bucket and I put the star onto the post. A bolt kept the wheel from spinning off the rotor. The star spun freely and it worked great. The Texas star target was just under 17-feet tall.
It should be noted that the backdrop of the target was just under 4-miles of fields and forests. We would only be shooting with a shotgun and low power rounds.
As you probably know, traditional Texas star targets are gravity operated. They use heavy metal targets at the ends of the arms and, when they're shot off, the weight change causes the star to spin. I planned to use half-gallon plastic water containers taped to the ends of each arm. When shot, they would explode. However, I was not convinced that the weight loss would cause the star to turn, and if it did, it would be slow and gradual. This would make shooting the remaining targets too easy.
We did a test and our suspicions were confirmed. We had to motorize the star not only to turn it but also because we didn't want anyone down range turning it when we went "hot."
The search began for a machine that could turn the star. My father came up with the first idea -- an electric drill. He fastened it next to the PVC pipe, inserted a long bolt into the drill, and wrapped a rubber belt around one of the PVC pipes. Running the drill turned the pipe; however, the drill turned too fast, faster than the belt, which eventually began to smoke and caught on fire. So the power drill was a no-go.
We kept looking around and I spotted my father's old garden tiller in the barn. My father had been tilling the garden recently so we knew it ran. It was very heavy and had a function where it would drive by itself in a straight line. I got to thinking that if we wound a string around a spindle on the back of the star and pulled it with the tiller, the star would turn. All tests suggested this could be a viable option.
So we constructed a spindle out of the wood and attached it to the back of the star. We wound a length of string and attached it to the tiller. We lined it up and set it off in motion. It drove away and pulled the string and rotated the star. Success! It was perfect. We had our solution.
It was then time to load up my trusty shotgun. I used my Mossberg 500 SPX Tactical 12-gauge shotgun. I've owned it for over seven years and I love this shotgun. It has operated flawlessly and I can run it fast. I loaded up some cheap Winchester #8 birdshot. I can fit five 2.75-inch shells in the tube and one in the chamber. That gives me six rounds.
Upon my signal, my father set the garden tiller in motion and I waited for him to get safe and the star to start spinning. I then let loose. The spinning star was challenging to hit and a ton of fun to shoot. Check out the video at the top of the page. The only issue we had was when I shot the first water bottle, the weight change affected the momentum of the star. For a moment, it slowed down, allowing me to pick off a few water bottles. Other than that, the Texas star target was a huge success and my Mossberg functioned perfectly.
If you enjoyed this, you might like the DIY shotgun course I put together a few months ago. You can see the video of it below.
มุมมอง: 39
วีดีโอ
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Starring: Adrian Burhop and Julia Borsellino Written by Adrian Burhop and Ben Philippi Directed and edited by Ben Philippi Camera and 4K drone by Ben Philippi Hair, makeup and production design by Cecile Lebec Big thanks to Pierre Héroux and Marie-Josée Labreque for the Mustang GT Music: Animals by Martin Garrix and Audiojungle
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Be honest, Tywin Lennister, when you lost the second nose piece you condemned the glasses to death by wooden stick or drowning in the river.
Good to see he’s buried near his beloved father. He probably never got over the death of his father. Leonard was 9 years old when his father passed away.
the question is , are they also good in sun/cloud days too ? or in the late afternoon ? Because I consider buying prizm sapphire Sutro right now ....
I will buy one from you for 100
Great review - perfect for cycling and driving they also look cool off the bike just walking around outside. I’m sold on the half frame version just need to decide on the lens as I’m in cloudy U.K.
Thanks.
Its legit, i saw it happen
You nailed it with this review! thank you for putting all the work into this video for us.
Got em and love em thanks
What was the lense of ur S2 that ur saying that they were dark for the woods ?
Super helpful in trying to pick between the three road lenses. Thanks!
Is road biking not more dangerous than mountain biking? ie cars
Putrid.
Merci pour cette visite à Léonard Cohen que j'ai connu en Grèce
Which glasses are you wearing on this vid
Great idea to make up your own names for the lenses…
Which glasses are those please
This video is literally perfect for me. Had a few pairs of S2's, been loving em. But I'm concerned the Sutros will scratch too easy, as my pair of Holbrooks scratch very easy. Guess we'll see! The S2's don't scratch very easily at all
Have you considered pit vipers
My huge respect.
Please keep that positive, self sufficient mindset, but without wearing a mask in the future, which is actually damaging your health. People never wondered the size of a virus particle relative to the size between fibers in a mask: basic science. Be aware of blind compliance people, think. Nevertheless a nice bike, keep on riding. Hope it’s not too small. How does it hold up after two years?
Thank you is all I can say to a great talented man. I listen to your songs and love dance me to the end of time. Arohanui from Aotearoa NZD.❤❤❤
Thank you for a great review! I ordered Oakley Sutro Matte Carbon glasses with Clear to Black Photochromic lens, looking forward to use them :)
Just Curious why you said that it is not good for climbing as much, I was actually considering getting the boon or canyon endurance! I ride a 2012 trek madone currently!
That was beautiful. I shall be paying my respects when I visit his home in Hydra in a few weeks 🇬🇷💙
What is your take of the bike after two years? TIA.
How much did this cost?
Hi Ben, great video. It helped me with respect to sizing. I have long legs, with shorter hands...so short reach. And everytime I bought an XL, i was streched. So I will sell my XL Orbea and looking at Canyon. For the Endurace I am just in the middle. For the Grizl, I am at the top of L and need to raise my saddle. Feel it is a bit small. When I ride out of saddle, when tested a GriL in size L, i felt I was going over the bars, but what can I say. An XL would be streched and don.t want to change stems all the way again 🙂
He was a wonderful man
I was lucky to see him "Live" in New Zealand in his later years. Such a humbling beautiful experience. He walked on stage and said "Hello friends" ❤ I'll never forget that night. So special
kool to see a review from AZ. I'm 5'10'". canyon suggest small......does sound about right. Thanks for the review.
How fast do you ride on this bike?.. (mph?)
Are they polarized
No
Dude I loved the bike videos glad you’re back haha
I produce videos on almost a daily basis for my job. I wish I had more time to publish my own videos. Thanks for the nice comment.
Thank you Ben for the video, I’ll have to go to Montreal and visit Mr. Cohen. Cheers!
I guess a size S is too big for a height of 168cm? Maybe XS?
The wheels are to heavy (2kg!!!). That's why you don't climb well. Change that and you are good to go.
Thank you for paying respects for yourself snd me as well
Give an update review!
My god what are you doing with those hoods oh lawd they're pointing up
As of 1/5/23, looks like we gotta wait until fall until we can get this model. Spoke with Canyon and no reserve/deposit available. I've been looking at the Giant Defy but this one has way better components for the $$. Would love to see a video in how the bike is holding up. Cheers from North Phoenix.
Defenitely the wrong size.
wtf are you talking about? these guys and those guys don't help anyone. dude at least do the review knowing what fucking lens is which.
Merci Ben , pour tous ceux qui ne peuvent pas y aller ! La prochaine fois, mettez une pierre pour moi SVP !
hi friend. have the exact same bike and love it as well. Have you connected it to a trainer? just curious how that worked or if there is anything you need to be cautious of. thanks,
So the canyon size chart is good considering im 6 foot also and they match me with a medium...i wasn't sure at first.
Thank you so much for posting this! I plan on visiting his grave tomorrow. Such a beautiful soul he had - touched all our lives (proud to be from his city). I bet you cycle past my place all the time!
Thanks Ben for this video. Always Leonard Cohen. Ander, from the Basque Country.
What color of prism is this?
Prizm Road Prizm Jade Prizm Road Black
*Looked at a lot of options for getting my **Latest.Bike** . Great find in SAVA. Super light, nice components, really good value as it comes with many options only found in much higher priced bikes.*