HELP....ideas on how to make a revolving clay bird machine

[jcar315]

Looking for any ideas or help on this. I just got back from the Sawmill shoot and we had a great time. They had (for lack of better name) a revolving platform with two 24" +/- arms on them that you could attach a clay bird to. Turn on the switch and this round platform spins around slowly and the arms (with the clay birds on them) spin too. With hay bales behind them it was great fun to shoot the birds. This sits on the ground and revolves no more than 4 to 6 inches or so off the ground. My question is this: any ideas or source of how to make one of these? Any ideas even for the revolving platform and I can take it from there.
Thanks for your help.

[Mo. Huntin]

I wonder if you could use a sewing machine motor?  I went to garage sales today and saw litteraly 6 sewing machines or more.  That would give you a motor that turns slow and with a little more cord for more extension you could have a foot operated motor that turns slow and I bet you could do it pretty cheap.  Another idea I like is the dueling tree with rubber blunts.  you know what I mean?  6 targets mounted on a pole 3 for one guy 3 for the other you take turns shooting them over to the other guy and he has to shoot them back, and at the end the guy with the most on his side looses.

[Mo. Huntin]

If you decide to go that route let me know and I bet I can find a used sewing machine take it apart and send you the motor and the pedal for whatever I had to pay for it.

[jcar315]

Good thinking. I would not have thought of the sewing machine motor. The slow turning (or being able to control the speed) would be key. If you haven't tried the whole shooting clay birds while they spin it is lots of fun.

[Mo. Huntin]

I am not an electrician but I wonder if one of those switches for diming your lights in your house would work for slowing motors down also.  You know what I meen the dial kind turn it and it gets brighter or dimmer.

[ChuckC]

You can also use different sized pullies or axles to change gearing on a motor that runs "regular speed", like on a ten speed bike.
ChuckC

[jcar315]

Great ideas all around. I am going to dive in and see what I can come up with here. Always open to other ideas. Thanks

[reddogge]

John,
Sewing machine motors by themselves are available on the big auction site at cheap prices.

[jcar315]

I will have to slide on over there and check them out. Was hoping to come up with something that was already "self contained" that I could somehow attach the arm to. My mechanical skills are limited to say the least.....Thanks again!!

[Mo. Huntin]

I will just throw out my thought of an old ceiling fan with a slower downer switch.  Good luck