My attempts at a Brass Catcher

[ghh3rd]

Please note that I have not used this yet, but thought I'd post pics of my prototype.

I scoured the internet for ideas and found someone who used the removeable mesh liner from a $9.99 cloths hamper from Walmart. The opening in his looks to be twice the size of mine, but I think it may be large enough (13x18)... we'll see.

The sides are taller than I am for now, and I'll trim them once I determine that maximum height needed for the net. I drilled holes 6" apart down the length of the sides so I could fasten it with two 1/4" bolts with wingnuts, and then adjust height as necessary. I scrapped that idea after deciding that the "temporary" helping hands (Irwin Quick Grip Handi-Clamps) that I used to temporarily hold things together are going to be my permanent method to assemble at the range -- it makes sense for a number of reasons.

The two clamps hold this together well with a strong enough grip to provide plenty of stability. I can easily adjust the net to any height quickly and easily. I can tilt the opening of the net to match the angle of the flying brass, and I can easily turn the net 90 degrees to make the opening narrower and taller, depending on which way works best for a particular firearm.

I made 'pockets' in the feet that the sides to fit into snugly. This turned out to be surprisingy stable.

All I have to do to make a table top version of this is to cut two short sides, perhaps 24" long, insert them into the feet, and clamp on the net.

Remember, I haven't tried this out yet, and may come back and lament about how bad it worked, but here it is... for now.

Randy


http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/ghh3rd11/IMG_4360_zps547fb0d7.jpg (http://s450.photobucket.com/user/ghh3rd11/media/IMG_4360_zps547fb0d7.jpg.html)

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/ghh3rd11/IMG_4355_zps1d93d8bf.jpg (http://s450.photobucket.com/user/ghh3rd11/media/IMG_4355_zps1d93d8bf.jpg.html)

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/ghh3rd11/IMG_4354_zps4ee568aa.jpg (http://s450.photobucket.com/user/ghh3rd11/media/IMG_4354_zps4ee568aa.jpg.html)

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq226/ghh3rd11/IMG_4356_zps4aeb476d.jpg (http://s450.photobucket.com/user/ghh3rd11/media/IMG_4356_zps4aeb476d.jpg.html)

[Walter Laich]

put a tarp down first to catch the flyers that will miss the netting while you're adjusting it

[Just Duke]

I wish I could shoot from my sidewalk. I guess that's easier than trying to find them in the grass.
Looking good.

[freebullet]

9$ will get you one for rifles. Interesting idea fer pistols though.

[geargnasher]

"What I did today instead of wasting time pampering my lawn like my sheeple neighbors" would be an apt thread title! :drinks:

Looking forward to a range report.

I really need to make something similar and have been thinking along the lines of a loosely-stapled fiberglass window screen net and trough at the bottom rather than actually catching the brass in the net. I've seen one on utube or somewhere that was a more permanent setup about three feet by five feet (horizontal) that actually funneled brass into the middle where it fell through a hole into a bucket. The trick is getting the correct slack in the fiberglass screen material so it soaks up all the energy and doesn't bounce the brass back out. You want the brass to just fall straight down.

Gear

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

I seen this image somewhere (maybe even here?), it's a "pop open" clothes hamper...I think it's the $5 one in the Amazon Link, modified where one side is cut out, stuck in a 50 cal ammo can, with the bottom of the Hamper is up.

http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/brasscathers_zpsb3fd2ed4.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/JonB_in_Glencoe/media/brasscathers_zpsb3fd2ed4.jpg.html)

http://www.amazon.com/Bajer-Deisgn-Pop-Open-Laundry-Hamper/dp/B000MIREPO/ref=pd_sim_hg_8?ie=UTF8&refRID=1Z95DHR6NHESV0HK6QV5

[ghh3rd]

Duke Nukem - I have a feeling that if you had built this thing it would resemble a work of art! Somehow one thread led to another today, and I wound up spending about 1/2 hour admiring your work.

[Just Duke]

Duke Nukem - I have a feeling that if you had built this thing it would resemble a work of art! Somehow one thread led to another today, and I wound up spending about 1/2 hour admiring your work.

Thank you sir but your catcher looks just fine.

[wallenba]

I seen this image somewhere (maybe even here?), it's a "pop open" clothes hamper...I think it's the $5 one in the Amazon Link, modified where one side is cut out, stuck in a 50 cal ammo can, with the bottom of the Hamper is up.

http://i640.photobucket.com/albums/uu127/JonB_in_Glencoe/brasscathers_zpsb3fd2ed4.jpg (http://s640.photobucket.com/user/JonB_in_Glencoe/media/brasscathers_zpsb3fd2ed4.jpg.html)

http://www.amazon.com/Bajer-Deisgn-Pop-Open-Laundry-Hamper/dp/B000MIREPO/ref=pd_sim_hg_8?ie=UTF8&refRID=1Z95DHR6NHESV0HK6QV5

Caldwell makes one that looks eerily similar to that. Maybe they are just re-purposing that.

[DRNurse1]

Very neat. I spent about $60 (after about $100 on my rube goldberg versions) for a purpose built brass catcher or bullseye but it is ineffective for IDPA and Steel plate.

[MrWolf]

Here is one I built over a year ago. Works for both pistol and rifle and catches about 90% + of the brass. People next to me love it as they are not hit with flying brass. I tried to get the range to install them but no luck. Wont post my picture - will fight with it when I get home from work tonight.

[Pb2au]

Very cool, watching this thread with interest......
Chasing brass from my friends M-10 (full auto) is a royal pain.

[Doc Highwall]

Remember form follows function, it is not how pretty it looks, but how well it works.

[Just Duke]

Here is one I built over a year ago. Works for both pistol and rifle and catches about 90% + of the brass. People next to me love it as they are not hit with flying brass. I tried to get the range to install them but no luck. Wont post my picture - will fight with it when I get home from work tonight.

OOPS! -y

[MrWolf]

Ok lets try that picture again. 100416
Made with pvc pipe. Everything comes apart and I carry it in the bucket. People to the right of me love it and seem to come next to me when shooting :Fire:

[ghh3rd]

MrWolf -

Works for both pistol and rifle and catches about 90% + of the brass
That catcher looks nice, but I'm wondering why 10% get away.

[Artful]

I'd guess forward ejection look at end of net compared to table

[Garyshome]

I paid $13.00 for the one for my ar. For the rest of the semis I use a tarp.

[Zacf16]

Here's one I put together a few months ago...resembles the Bubca:

100540

I used an old mosquito net, ammo can, black ribbon from wal mart, and 4 foot wood dowels. Everything goes in the ammo can...I just have to remember to put the dowels (with the can) in the car when I go to the range.

Here's a link for the one I copied:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVeAyK7FjtM

[Just Duke]

Duke Nukem - I have a feeling that if you had built this thing it would resemble a work of art!



I have finished my brass catcher and it quite possibly be considered a work of art but I'll let you be the judge.
http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/92/31/e3/9231e35b49aca51b7b8f2687186ab9ee.jpg

[NavyVet1959]

I spent $8 on my brass catcher.

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/small_image/160x/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_21312.jpg
11'4"x11'6" tarp from Harbor Freight

Actually, I spent *nothing* on it since I already had the tarp for camping. :)

Works great for when I'm out at the local abandoned gravel pit with either handguns or rifles. It probably wouldn't be that great for the indoor shooting ranges, since it would not allow you to more easily come home with more brass than you started with. :)

[MrWolf]

I'd guess forward ejection look at end of net compared to table

That is exactly the reason. Basically it catches everything else and pretty much drops it in the bucket. The base legs are sand weighted for stability. If it gets windy, I put my range bag on the base. There is a problem with to much wind - if it was permanent I would just support the top with bungee cords to the ceiling or something.

[MrWolf]

Also people ask about it and gives me a chance to ask them to drop their brass in the bucket to help support the cause :lol:

[ghh3rd]

Yes'r, Mr. Nukem, I would say that is definitely a work of art! Does that catcher have brass balls?

[Smoke4320]

MrWolf -

That catcher looks nice, but I'm wondering why 10% get away.

10% to the brass gods :)