Tip-Back Target Base for Craft Stick Targets for Toy Darts (1 & 2 Arm)

This is a tipping backward falling target base, designed to be activated by the minimal force of a toy dart striking it. There are options that work with single or dual (2 glued together, for greater strength) Craft Sticks (6' x 3/4" or `152mm x 19mm). These bases provide a way to display an upright target, that when hit by a toy dart, tips over backwards. There is an option to have two craft stick arms so that as the main target tips back, the secondary target lifts up (see photos of the Ghost and Pumpkins version -- when the ghosts are hit and fall back, the smaller pumpkins rise up).

A drill hole guide/template is included for marking the correct location to drill on the craft Stick(s) -- after gIuing up a bunch of dual craft sticks, I taped them together, then marked the drill position and drilled through all of them in one shot. I used a 1/4" drill bit. A removeable locking pin is provided to hold in place the craft stick after it is inserted in the arm body; this pin works for a 1/4" hole. Different backer brackets have also been provided to accommodate single or dual craft stick arms, and which help adhere the target to the arm (see photos).

The shooting galleries were designed for a neighborhood carnival and a Halloween party. All of the photos are taken of dual arm bases and targets (they were more practical for my needs).

The designed assembly can be used in many situations, and can be mounted in many locations and in whatever quantity that is desired. I decided that 5 targets were enough. I decided on using craft sticks, rather than 3D printing the arms, because I already had a box of them, and they are inherently stiffer (for the same thickness, especially if you glue two together), and it would have added a considerable quantity of filament usage and printing time. I guess a fully 3D printable version could reduce some assembly time and reduce the quantity of components -- that might be a revision for the future. :)

Note 1: for durability, I recommend printing the objects in the orientation that the .stl / object files are oriented.

Note 2: to make the targets (in the photos), I inkjet printed the desired pictures on card stock, then double laminated them (for stiffness), and then adhered them to the craft stick arms and backers with hot glue (for better adhesion, rough up with sand paper the laminated plastic surface attachment areas on the back of the actual target).

Note 3: I recommend printing with supports on all pieces except for the Lock Pins and Drill template. For most small, mechanical parts, I print with 100% infill.

Note 4: clean up is fairly easy, the support material is easy to remove (the body arm cavities and lock pin holes have through holes to aid in pushing out the supports). However some minor clean up may be required. Minor sanding on the body pivot posts will help the mechanism flip more freely.

Note 5 (This is very important):  Assemble together the base and pivot arm prior to mounting the base on a surface. The pivot arm installs in the base by flexing or bending the base so that there is a wider gap between the two receiving pockets on the base. THIS MUST BE DONE PRIOR TO MOUNTING THE BASE, BECAUSE IF THE BASE IS MOUNTED, YOU CAN'T BEND IT TO FIT IN THE PIVOT ARM POSTS.

There are various parts (object files), some with multiple options, as follows:

a. 1 Arm - 1 Stick : a single arm body for targets using a single craft stick.

b. 1 Arm - 2 Sticks: a single arm body for targets using dual craft sticks.

c. 2 Arms - 1x1 Sticks: a two-arm body for targets using single sticks.

d. 2 Arms - 1x2 Sticks: a two-arm body, dual main stick, single secondary stick.

e. 2 Arms - 2x2 Sticks: a two-arm body, for dual sticks in both arms (see photos).

f. Base: this is the part that the arm body fits into (before attaching to whatever material/base you are using; you flex the base to insert the arm body).

g. Drill Template: this fits onto the rounded end of a craft stick to mark the drill hole.

h. Tip Bracket - 1 Stick: a backer bracket that goes on a single rounded craft stick tip, and is used to help adhere a target to the craft stick arm.

i. Tip Bracket - 2 Sticks: a backer bracket that goes on a single rounded craft stick tip, and is used to help adhere a target to the craft stick arm.

j. Bracket - 1 Stick: a backer bracket that goes on a single craft stick at any location, and is used to help adhere a target to the craft stick arm.

k. Bracket - 2 Sticks: a backer bracket that goes on dual craft sticks at any location, and is used to help adhere a target to the craft stick arm.

l. Locking Pin: this is an easily removeable pin that fits through the hole in the body and snaps in place, to keep the target secured in the body. This makes it so that it is easy to change targets without needing to unscrew the target base. Simply push out the lock pin, remove the target, replace it with a different target, and re-insert the lock pin.

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

Creality

Printer:

Ender 5

Rafts:

No

Supports:

Yes

Resolution:

.16mm

Infill:

100%

Filament: Overture PETG

Black

Category: Games