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If you’re really up for throwing axes at a target out your backyard, then this post is for you. I know that feeling when you just need to do something fun in your free time. A perfect way to getting down that lane is to start off by building an axe throwing target.

Apart from the whole idea of getting so much fun out of this, there are other cool things that should pique your interest in making an axe throwing target. There’s that bit that makes this an opportunity to learn a couple of new skills as you start to build. You’d also learn how to use tools you never imagined holding before.

There’s more―I wasn’t kidding when I said you’re going to love this. The amount of knowledge you’ll gain as you learn to build this target is going to be significant. Lastly, you will have one more item on your list of hobbies―building an axe target!

Is there anything stopping you from taking on this interesting project? I bet you’ll want to nip that in the bud before you miss out on the loads of excitement I and other outdoor lovers are getting from this.

These axe throwing target plans offers detailed instructions, visual guides and a practical step-by-step process for getting the best results the first time around.

Before we begin, I want to stress out one thing: Action without preparation is the recipe for failure. Before cutting, chopping or gluing any piece of material, triple-check to make sure you have the correct measurements and dimensions.

Ultimate Guide to Building an Axe Throwing Target

Before you dive into gathering pieces of wood and nails, you need to be aware of some important things.

To start with, you’re going to be doing a lot of physical work, so you might want to get a helping hand from a family or friend. Another thing about building a great target to be used for an axe throwing range is that you’ve got to go with the specific requirements.

What Materials and Tools Do You Need to Build a Tomahawk Target?

In order to build a standard axe target, you’ll need to get the following materials and tools listed below. You can find these at your local retailer, hardware store or supermarket. These axe throwing target plans have minimal instructions and requirements, as you can see:

The saw can be used for making wide-grooved cuts in the wood so that the edge of another piece of wood will fit into the groove to make a joint.

Safety goggles are forms of protective eyewear that protect the surroundings of the eye in other to prevent particles from striking your eyes. For this kind of project, they will be very important for your safety.

The paintbrush is a brush used to apply paints, they are available in different sizes, shapes, and materials. The use of this is to make it attractive and add more worth to your work.

The tape measure is a common measuring tool. It is used to measure distance. For there to be an accurate result on the size of tomahawk target, it will be important to make use of it.

A sharpie is a form of paint; it offers an oil-based paint pen which can be used on woods.

What Are The Axe Throwing Target Dimensions?

It is important for you to know that axe throwing has existed for a long time. Axes and hatchets have been around in different shapes and forms for over a million years and they have served many uses. Even chimps have been known to use tools to gather food. Prehistoric hatchets consisted of sharpened bones and rocks, but they were essential survival tools.

Axe throwing as a sport was invented by the ancient Celts in Europe and has been popular ever since. You need to know that the sport is very interesting and axe throwing has been reintroduced in the Boy-scouts.

For you to build a standard axe throwing target you must know its standard size. The regulation-sized targets are constructed from 5 vertically aligned 2″ by 10″ boards that are 4 feet long. With the dimension above makes your axe throwing target standard. In addition to the above dimension, the bottom of the target should be two feet off the ground.

This may seem hard to visualize at first, but things will become much clearer. Our axe throwing target plans will offer you the easiest instructions and the best guidance towards nailing your first success.

Steps To Building The Tomahawk Target

If you want to become good at throwing an axe, you must practice consistently. However, training your throws should be done in a large enough and safe place.

I remember how frustrated I felt when I trained on my first make-shift panel. Whenever I succeeded to land a nice, on-the-spot throw, the axe wouldn’t stick in the wood – rather just fell to the floor. It is important for you to use a good, soft wood for building an axe throwing target – so that the tomahawk can penetrate easily and stick without damaging the blade or falling.

I understand the steps in making an axe throwing target and I’d love to teach you. The following are the steps for the making of an axe throwing target:

Step 1. The first step is to cut in half the 3 pieces of plywood of the 2×10’s planks. In cutting these, you have to make use of the saw and measure tape. Six pieces will be left after cutting in half. Building an axe throwing target will teach you the basics of carpentry.

Step 2. Lay out the wood you have cut. You will lay 2×10s 5 plywood planks and 1 at the top. Let the one lying atop. After that has been done, you have to cut out the plywood the match the dimensions of the laid out 2×10s. Now the next thing for you to do is to screw them together with two screws on each board. Make sure they are screwed properly. As soon as they screwed properly, we are good to go!

If these axe throwing target instructions and plans appear hard to follow, pay close attention to our images. We visually outlined the process to make these lessons easy on you.

Step 3. After getting step 2 accurately, you must find the middle/center of the board by measuring across diagonally, with the tape measure. Based on reports, WATL prescribed that the distance from the floor to the center of the board should be 63 inches. You have to find the center of the board and to achieve that you have to use the necessary tools.

Step 4. After you have found the center of the board, you then must screw in your 2×6s side supports to both ends of the throwing board. You will secure the side planks to your board with lag-screws. These must be fixed to both sides.

For the lag screws to push through, you’ll need to drill a hole. For this to be done, you have to drill a pilot-hole first. These are small holes drilled into a piece of construction material, with the purpose of guiding a larger drill to the appropriate location or easing the insertion of a larger drill. You might need to do this process for your lag screws.

Who would have thought that building an axe throwing target would involve so many technicalities? When I first read the process, I thought this was supposed to be a break from my Engineering job, not a deeper dive!

Step 5. After you have drilled a pilot hole and fixed your lag-screws, you have to cut your 1 2×4 in half. These will serve as the base post. The other 2×4s will also be cut in half, but the cut will be at a 45-degree angle.

The measurements must be accurate. That is the major reason they must employ the use of measure tape. I remember this lesson from my grandfather: ”Measure three times, cut only once”. Building an axe throwing target is a meticulous job, but even if you screw up at your first attempt, you will learn the valuable lesson of cautious, preemptive, double-checking measurement.

Step 6. The next step is to cut your 1 2×4s at the exact center of the 2×6.  Attach it together so that they can create a triangle.

After the target has been made, it won’t be reasonable if you leave it without painting the Bull’s eye. The following are the guidelines in painting the Bull’s eye.

How to Paint the Tomahawk Target Bull’s Eye?

The purpose of the project is to build a platform for improving your combat survival skill. You need to be able to measure how well you aim, how much you score.

These axe throwing target plans contain instructions not about for building the panel, but also for making a bull’s eye.

Step 1. Mark the center.

The first thing on your list is to find the center of the board. Draw a vertical 36-inch line from top to bottom. Draw a horizontal 36-inch line from to side. Make sure both lines cross through the middle of the board. At the center is where your two lines will meet.

Step 2. Outline three (or more) concentric circles.

Pin a nail or a needle through the center of the board, where the lines meet. Take a piece of string or measuring tape. Anchor the string to the central nail, and at the other end, tie a crayon / brush. The string should stretch about 3 inches (7.5 cm). Now you can draw a perfect circle with a 3-inch radius.

Repeat process several more times, increasing the string length to 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18 inches. That makes 5 circles, not 3 – in the ends, it’s a personal choice.

Here is another run-down of this step: With the use of measuring tape, mark the string at 3-inch-intervals. You have to hold the end of the string on the center of the target and hold the pencil at the first marking, with the string stretched between them. Repeat the process again and see any deviations, to correct them. Building an axe throwing target requires a steady hand and a keen eye.

Step 3. Paint the rings.

Colorize each ring with a different color using the paint and paintbrush. Apply at least two coats to each ring to differentiate it with a saturated, vibrant nuance.

The bull’s eye is always red, but you can use any color for the other rings. I prefer using warm reds and oranges close to the center, and then moving out to colder blues, all the way up to dark purple. You can even use the same color for all your circles, but it’s a bit boring.

In a situation where you don’t have enough paints for the three rings then, you can paint the first and third ring, for better contrast.

Following all the above steps, your axe target is now ready. It is important to know that if you rest it against a tree, be sure to stabilize it with more planks, below and behind.

Alternative Axe Throwing Target Plans

An alternative design plan is the tomahawk target. It is easy to build but it needs to follow some guidelines. One of the most important aspects is choosing the right wood. It is not easy to split wooden planks by throwing axes at them, but over time your target will fall apart if you start out with improper materials.

These alternative axe throwing target plans and instructions are somewhat simpler. But the type of wood you choose will make a big difference between a sturdy practice board and a failed experiment.

It can be of great help if you choose the right wood for the job. For hardwoods, red or white oak will be the best options. For soft-woods, cypress and redwood are more suitable for building the axe throwing target. So, to achieve the best results, you must pick the best log splitters. To make the tomahawk throwing range, you need a rounded stump, wide enough to fit the bull’s eye.

You will need to use your saw to cut it to an appropriate depth, to get the size you need. After you have done that, get a tripod to stabilize and hold the big log. Find 3 to 6 planks and build a tripod or attach them directly to the log.

Use an electric screwdriver to firmly root them in place. It is very important to know that this kind of target can easily fall or tip over because the flying tomahawk can know it out of balance. So, make sure you place it in a safe area, where it can’t cause any accidents. These should always be of primary concern when throwing axes. You can now train with your throws. ENJOY!

How to Take Care Of a Wooden Target

Seeing that you now have ample knowledge on how to make the throwing target, based on the steps I listed, it is equally important to know how to take care of it!

For the target to withstand arduous training, the choice of wood is very important. It should have good resistance against splitting, so its fiber needs specific properties that give it strength. My favorite type is red or white oak (hardwoods). Or you can go for softwoods like cypress. These should endure a lot of physical stress. Depending on where you live, you can buy these from a carpenter’s shop.

If you opted for the plank design, then feel free to add an extra column of planks to buttress the board.

In addition, most wooden objects generally detest rain because it rots and weakens them. Therefore, the axe throwing target plan should be sheltered as much as possible.

Where To Place It For Safety and Security

For every sport, there are safety rules and security measures to prevent accidents and reduce injuries. You need to place your target in a safe spot, where people don’t pass by or move around.

Avoid putting it near corners, doors, walkways where somebody might appear unexpectedly. You don’t want a mess on your hands! Stay clear of schools, fences, playgrounds, or similar locations where children hang out because it is highly hazardous.

An axe is a heavy, sharp object, that can cause severe trauma even when you accidentally hit a person with the blunted side.

To prevent accidents, avoid placing your axe throwing target plans near a compound where people walk by. So, nowhere near doors, building or streets. Also, make sure there is strong support behind the target so that it stretches beyond the sides and over the top part. In case your throw misses, you don’t the tomahawk to whiz past the target and strike something or someone far behind it.

In a professional setting, fences or walls block this area from the rest of the facility to keep the trainees and their axes in a safe environment. But make sure the wall is tall enough! This is for safety reasons.

In addition to that, a beginner must undergo training on how to hold the axe, where to place it, how to throw it – to avoid injuries.

Final Thoughts

So far, you have learned how to build a tomahawk board. Building your first axe throwing target requires good plans and detailed instructions.

There are various specifications on throwing distances and target dimensions (for axes as well) that are of great importance if the game is to be rewarded.

We glossed over some basic safety requirements and even a care-guide. This sport is becoming ever more popular. A fizzling interest that sparked during the Colonial era, has become a world-wide recreational activity after the Vietnam war. If you want to enjoy the game, it is important you follow the rules. With all the steps mentioned above on building an axe throwing target, you will be able to comfortably make your own model.