Making an End Grain Knife Throwing Target

Big thank you to Rockler for supporting my channel: goo.gl/TIMgS5
For a written tutorial check out my website: wilkerdos.com/...
For a set of plans, click here: wilkerdos.com/...
Check out this other tutorial on how to make an end grain target:
goo.gl/uaq5fw - Written tutorial
goo.gl/w024m2 - Video
Xolette Throwing Knife Channel: goo.gl/OU4NbB
Patreon: goo.gl/BHrUAS
Instagram: / wilker_dos
Check out my awesome sponsor Triton Tools!: www.tritontools...
Things I Used in This Video:
Miter saw stand: goo.gl/ulFKB8
Miter saw Dust Collector: goo.gl/4apcOL
Folding Outfeed Table: bit.ly/2pyfIbv
Cross Dowels: goo.gl/IITfn3
SuperJaws: goo.gl/AUxxk1
Drill: goo.gl/hcbf8B
Clamps: goo.gl/yK71M6
Multi Tool with sanding head:
Throwing Knives: goo.gl/SxRqx4

[@AdamCeladin]

Also i would recommend use water on your target! Knives will stick better and it target will last much longer ,)

[@sterlingdelong9008]

Adam Celadin hi u are the person who is inspiring me to throw knifes

[@laurakampf]

you gotta teach me knife throwing when your in cologne! cool project and a very funny ending!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Heck yeah! I won't be able to bring my knives though, we'll have to find some there.

[@laurakampf]

April Wilkerson maybe we could make them ;)

[@AprilWilkerson]

And that's why we're friends. #greatidea

[@laurakampf]

April Wilkerson 😘

[@1Height55]

I'm so happy this youtube friendship happened :D

[@bs838]

I had a moment of PTSD from putting together Ikea furniture when I saw those cross dowels

[@jesteris25]

Its all right, they can't hurt yo any more. Unless the wife say lets go to Ikea they you on your own pall. Stay strong!!

[@Xolette]

Thanks for the link in the description! Nice design!! When it comes to replace the blocks, just so you know, the blocks will "broom" and become... bigger. So when I tried mixing old end grain with new end grain, they didn't fit together nicely...which led to gaps and that led to some of my blocks breaking in half rather than brooming. My friend said it might've helped for me to soak the old end grain blocks in water for a day to get them to fit better. Anyways, just to give you a heads up... gaps will not be your friend in an end grain target. Use shims if you have to. Have fun with knife throwing and awesome target!

[@x_ph1l]

Awesome target! It also might be beneficial to pre-cut and pre-drill a bit of replacement blocks while you have that drilling jig, so that you don't need to do extra work when it's time for replacement.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Agreed! Great idea....since you're already going through the effort might as well make more while all the wood, stop blocks, and jig is out. Throw it in a box or on a shelf for the future.

[@demonknight7965]

OMG Love that shop rag

[@WoodByWright]

LOL with the flag. and great day to put it out too. LOL now we can share your pain!

[@idopyrotechnics]

I lust laughed so hard when I realized you were going to throw knives at the packers flag xD, Great video!

[@AprilWilkerson]

; ) hehehe all in good fun.

[@randyreek]

Go! Pack, Go!

[@adam99x2004]

@@AprilWilkerson as a Vikings fan, so nice seeing your accuracy on display :)

[@joshuaphipps6520]

Another thought, run threaded rods instead of dowels. That way you can unbolt one line at a time for replacement, and has the added benefit that you can compress the boards together for a tighter target.

[@YouCanMakeThisToo]

Hahah, now that's the way to lose a bet! Too funny. I like how you made the design your own, definitely a longer lasting target that way, and you can also swap the middle kabobs for the top or bottom kabobs before more need to be made.

[@BradleyWilloughby]

The ending of the video was hilarious.

[@LivefreeanddiyTv]

Very cool... and the Falcons won, Woot! 🤓👍🏼

[@garyfindley3933]

What about cutting the frame about a 1/16" smaller just to have a strong friction fit. Saves the dowel step and you can replace individual pieces easily.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Good thought but it wouldn't work. The friction fit or even a good compression on the frame wouldn't be enough to hold the inside pieces in place when the knife impacted.

[@elncalls]

April Wilkerson take out the 2 upright boards and use full length threaded rods as a binder. I do this with my crossbow target and foam sheets, works great!

[@RealLuckless]

Honestly it is kind of pulling the knives/hatches out of a friction fit blocked target that I've found to be the annoying thing. Even if the blocks are allowed to 'float' and shift a bit on impact, you can still hang the target such that they have no where to go and they are just push against the wall. However, eventually you end up finding the one block that wants to come with you when you go to pull the things out of the target, and then you have to stop and try to wedge things back in place. - Which is not all that fun when you just want to throw things. Straight up friction fits and clamps can be made to work, but they become annoying as soon as they fail. I have seen them done with a sort of keyed fit pattern that you can do a pile of very quickly by passing them over a table saw. (Either cutting them such that they stack in an interlocking pattern, or just hold a strip/biscuit inside to make sure the friction fit can't easily slip forward/back) but then you have even more pieces to handle and deal with. If you have the drill press and clamps, then probably easier and more reliable to go with how April did instead of fiddling with other options. If you don't have a drill press, then maybe consider a biscuit style cut and bar-clamps for a more friction based hold? Or just glue stuff in place and chisel out the bits you want to replace. - My friend just takes a router and framing chisel to the face of his, and glues in 1/2 inch block faces again every now and then, and has a bunch of targets on hand at any given time. Wonderful thing about woodworking is that there are so many different ways to achieve a usable end product.

[@charlier1977]

Actually it does work I have several friends, we throw competitively and compression works great

[@nusretnusret5924]

Gary Findley DUVAR NUMERO EKLE

[@trainfever1]

I was afraid that being from Texas that you would be a Cowboys fan but I'll still watch your channel anyway, love your channel. GO EAGLES!!!! LOL

[@girlspooptoo8567]

Birds till death

[@forestlampcraft472]

Am amazed at your ability not every man is smart enough not to mention to make))))

[@Betina1984]

Hahaha brilliant ending 😄

[@9Venturi9]

I just ordered the Triton Super Jaws based on what I saw in your videos...

[@jonathancook4022]

didn't you already make one of these before, perhaps in a parallel universe or a long forgotten realm of time?

[@KSFWG]

Nice target.... But I think you fired the first shot of The Great Team Flag War.... ;) I'd like to see a video response from Nick Ferry.... lol I know it's all in fun :)

[@jensclemmensen9477]

I love the things you're doing, respect from Denmark, Jens.

[@SteveCarmichael]

Cool project and love the dowel solution April! No worries with that banner - Falcons just eliminated the Packers! I may see you in Kennesaw in February!

[@heavylead1961]

that's a great idea! i glued mine and the glue doesn't hold for very long, especially after you keep pulling the knives from the wood, the glue weakens and eventually gives... so i love the idea of the removable side with the wooden dowels!

[@AprilWilkerson]

Sweet, good to hear. I was wondering if the work up front would be worth it.

[@heavylead1961]

April Wilkerson very much so!

[@marceaton3128]

Now I know why Cody snaps and comes running when you yell for help. That was great, Raven's are out and I can't stand the Cheatriots or Squeelers. Go Pack Go.

[@KoalityofLife]

You must be planning on doing a lot of knife throwing. Just make sure that Packers flag gets covered in some dark stain.. lol :)

[@ericcorse]

I always heard not to mess with those red headed Texican women. It was a good ending.

[@AprilWilkerson]

Texas women in general are pretty tough. ; ) Even our blondes are worth watching out for.

[@زهيرالحكيم-ي3ذ]

Hello I am a follower of the workshops offered on KZbin and admirers of the work Tkdmiha and I am from a country (Iraq / Baghdad) I hope that the rings be translated into Arabic so as to take advantage of the business on a large scale for the Arab world and thank you for the offer of a broad education Trade and I admire very much your

[@PSCThrillSeeker]

Hi April, above Avg knife throwing skills, very cool project! Maybe I'll make myself one! Hysterical ending with the Packers banner! But I was rooting for the Pack! Sending love your way! Be well.

[@HebronGrandpa]

Does Cory know you do this? Great place for a Green Bay Flag.

[@AprilWilkerson]

: ) Cody bought me the knives. He saw them at a garage sale and surprised me with them. He said "I thought you would enjoy learning to throw these". hahah, he knows me well.

[@Mitermikeswoodshop]

nice one April, anyone can throw knives.....can you juggle them.....lol. I really like how you improved the Packers flag.....you can now lay it over your outdoor fire pit.

[@buntayaj2167]

Sorry but I just had to unsubscribed to you after your defacing of the greenbay nation flag :). just kidding I forgive you this time... I'm from Wisconsin, land of the cheese lol.

[@tooljunkie555]

that's pretty clever April the way u inserted the dowels..i have used those metal cross dowels before they work great and come in handy that's funny where you hung in the Green Bay Packers banner😃 looks like ur mitersaw dc works great! ..

[@Thom4123]

Very cool build. And LMAO about Nick's Packers flag.

[@RS-Amsterdam]

or as toilet paper

[@Unclebuddy01]

You prove that no one should mess with our Texas women . . . they know how to protect themselves . . . LOL Nice project and great knife throwing !!!

[@robevans8555]

Great idea, here's a suggestion, if the ends of the long side were planed slightly to give the centers a bow inwards when you tighten the bolts in would act like a clamp and hold the blocks in with friction, save having to drill the blocks. But your solution is perfect too, great use of the flag lol

[@PilchPlays]

Oh the cringe of you reaching with your right hand, under the chop saw blade to grab the board and pull it to the stop block. Not a safe practice. Operate the saw with your right hand and push the piece into the stop block with your left.

[@Vintauri]

Great use of the Packer flag! We use them that way year round here in Minnesota.

[@btrswt35]

If you like knife throwing, consider trying throwing stars too. They aren't as technical but can also be fun.

[@richardwyant3728]

Cross dowel hardware! I am rebuilding a bed frame wanted to use that hardware but did not know what they were called. I have notched an inch into the 4x4 legs to hold new 2x4 cross members. Amazing that you just happened to mention the exact equipment I needed. Now I can order them paint and finish. Awesome. I love your projects and videos April. Great ideas and executions.

[@shermanhofacker4428]

I use French cleats frequently but hadn't thought of using them for hanging targets. Don't know how I got to your video and have no interest in making a target from boards as I just chainsaw a round from a log when I need a new one, but I enjoyed and learned. Thanks

[@Patricksworkshop]

nice target and good looking shop rag at the end Go Patriots !!!!!!

[@MrFirephly]

Great little project. Why dont you cut the top and bottom pieces a little shorter, then when you tighten the right vertical piece up , the screws/bolts will tighten more giving you a better friction fit. then you can slacken of the bolts a little and just pull out from the front the damaged blocks. you would never need to take it down. a few mm on each one should do it.

[@dragonscales4377]

So, first I was amazed at the whole idea of you throwing knives. Then that grin when you pulled out the Packers flag. That was hilarious!

[@Logical.curiosity]

that's a really tight knife-hitting-area! don't know the word ... I think I would have put one in the floor and two in the seeling. And in the foot

[@robertevans6481]

Just rotate them 90 degrees and you should double there life....and great idea on the Packers Flag...lol...sorry Nick..

[@juanjiviris]

Just what I came to say... if the pieces are perfectly square (and they are), you can rotate each one 90 degrees and you can use it 4 times, not just 2 as planned.

[@onecheapgeek]

Only 2 of the sides are end grain

[@floobertuber]

Or, just make the frame hang-able either as shown, or rotated 90 degrees. Instant block-life doubler.

[@eliseochavezjr]

You should build a cover that attaches to it but opens downward like a table. This way, when the knives fall, they fall onto the cover and bang all over your hardware. Just an idea.

[@Lanninglongarmmowing]

How well does your miter saw dust collection work? Great video!!

[@AprilWilkerson]

It works a heck of a lot better with the DustRight hooked up to it but there is still too much dust from the tool for my liking. I think they should have moved the dust port closer to the cutting action.

[@Lanninglongarmmowing]

April Wilkerson It looks like it works rather well. That makes sense having the dust collection closer to the blade. The miter saw and the planer probably create the most air born dust. That ending was hilarious. Lol.

[@jason-ge5nr]

I never thought that hanging rag could come in so handy.

[@ShopTalks]

You should make a recurring joke in the background of your videos where there's a new picture of someone on the target each week.

[@steveskouson9620]

April, remind me to not get you angry! (Well, not angry at me.) As usual, good job! steve

[@DillysADV]

Cool Idea I love it. May have to do the same thing in my shop... Oh and the wood knife target is nice too!

[@Vladviking]

owww that golf training commercial sucks so bad .other than that always enjoy your vids

[@billbaggins]

Very clever design April, well thought out. Lovely big smiles at the start and a good comedy ending. Thanks mate.

[@Massimo68ac]

You are a very beautiful,dangerous ledy! hahahahaha ! Sorry for my inglisch

[@chrisgriego549]

Well played on honoring the bet! 👍

[@MrMann703]

Great build, thank you for putting it out. I was debating on using 4x4's or 2x4's, i have lots of scrap 2x4 pieces so i will be using them. I think I'll go ahead and glue mine though, at the end of its life it'll become firewood lol.

[@muh1h1]

I was about to complain about the too loud music in the background, when i realized it was my spotify still running in the background... i am such an idiot :D Nice build, and great knive throwing abilities :)

[@msdesignru]

haha

[@latherookie]

And by the way, throwing darts at my flag just just lowered a couple notches on that totem!

[@AaronBelknap]

Do you shoot Muzzleloaders? I go to rendezvous and throw knives and throwing hawks. It's a "blast" if you ever shoot black powder. Nice video and great way to replace worn out blocks. Are you married? Just kidding. My wife wouldn't appreciate it. Great video's and you are having fun!

[@iskiokay]

And now that they've lost to the Falcons, the flag can come down! Although, I do like the way it looks after its been hangin' in your shop a while. haha

[@secondwind75]

You're speaking my language here kiddo. Very cool project. Ok, you HAVE to answer this or I'll hound your Texas tail - I like the flag but if you HAD to put up a picture to throw at, who would it be (besides Nick!)? Troy

[@lewienewsom3833]

April I watched this video the other day and stopped short of the video. I just finished the out takes on this one. Now that's what you call thinking outside of the box me and the guys at work loved it GO COWBOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just thought about something how about a cover for the target on a hinge maybe to catch the knives that fall to keep them off the concrete. Can double as a message/ note board on the outside. Hinged on the bottom with some 1x4 boards trimming the outside for a lip on the cover.

[@bobmclean4743]

Hm. Me "Taking a break" usually means coming in here and watching one of your (or someone else's) videos. And then of course....time passes. Probably should just put a dart board in my shop. Probably more productive. And no worries about those Packers. They fell mightily to the Falcons.

[@gac914]

I take it your husband doesn't smart off to you too much, correct??? Is it in your goals to start throwing those knives while spinning around like the person in the video near the end? One good thing is I'll bet you don't get a lot of folk barging in on you in the shop. April Wilkerson -- Ninja Woodworker!!!!!! Lol!!!!

[@toddreimer1158]

OMG! I met you at the meet up in GB, it hurts me to the quick to see the Packers flag defiled! I hope I can recover! Seriously, how did you keep the tubular nuts oriented correctly to allow the bolt to connect? I made a crib for my grandson using the same hardware and found it VERY frustrating. I will bet with you next year.

[@mikemueting7344]

I understand the need to showcase a Rockler product but that wasn't a good application. A simple glue-up would have been far more practical. Even if you needed to replace a worn out section, a trip through the table saw and a new glue-up is easier, quicker, more practical and better quality. The chase for a buck seems to be taking you away from what attracted subscribers. That's sad.

[@BigYooper]

It was a good project, until you used the packer flag as a target.... Then it because a GREAT project! I'm sure Mr. Jay Bates would approve also April!

[@toolsarecool]

That's some knife throwing skills. Remind me to never tick you off! :-) Out of curiosity: Did you live in Germany or where did you get the license plate from Kempten from? ;-)

[@froztikilla]

awesome video, maybe take your router and cut some shallow circles as bulls eyes? or a sharpie

[@DoubleRRestorations]

Very cool. I like the hardware used.The flag deal was funny.

[@bluedevil9mm]

hey april, new subscriber here. I do quite a bit of wood working myself, and love your channel. its awesome to see a female willing to get her hands dirty.keep at it.I wanted to share a good source with you, for shop plans. if you search my name on pinterest, I have quite a few boards on there for wood working. there is full editions of the Shop Notes magazines which are no longer in publication. I have built several fixtures for my shop from those. check them out. can't wait to see what you do with planning and building your new shop. good luck!

[@ianbrodiesmith4085]

I think i will stick with Darts. I must admit not sure if i find a lady throwing knives scary or sexy. LOL. Not showing my better half this video. Great Build though could probably adapt this for a dart board.

[@chrisphillips5346]

April Wilkerson, first off wonderful videos. Question, in a video a year or two ago you wore a RZ Mask. Do you still use those, how well did it hold up, would you recommend the RZ or a different mask? Thanks in advance for the assistance.

[@Bluuplanet]

We tried this idea for a hawk throw so we wouldn't have to replace tree trunk slices all the time. It didn't work for us. Hawks (throwing hatchets) are heavier and blunter than your knives. We found that the butcher block target would reverberate just enough that it would use up the hawk's energy before it was embedded and it would bounce off. Next, you need to make a 6' diameter vertical rotating platform to lash Cody to.

[@AllenBrosowsky]

I had a similar idea for a dart board, but my idea was way too complicated, so I never pursued it. I still think it can be done using your idea. However, that was a bit vindictive. OUCH! And only because you lost a bet? Hate to see what would happen if you're truly scorned.

[@bobberw7322]

April, You had me smiling right up until the GB Packer Flag abuse started... but, I'm a Cheesehead, not a hater; so Rockler on. (pun intended).

[@melaninance5629]

April I love your video and I love the way you use all of your tools to make a fantastic Target. I am a newbie and would like to make a solid panel that I can hang over my back door to the garage. Not going to be near as pretty as yours! Do you think that 1/2 inch wood is deep enough to use so the knife will stick? I would appreciate any help or tips that you have. Thank you, Good throwing.

[@joshuakim5905]

Hi April. After watching this video I think KZbin suggested another channel, Xollete. She is a lady knife thrower. Not sure if you have seen her videos before. I'm going to start knife throwing now too!

[@robertsandra3073]

That's to cool about The green bay packers flag. I'm Robert from San antonio tx. Keep up the good work .Love watching you're videos.

[@markhorstmeier8734]

I like to have a bigger target when I'm practicing my throws at distance, but a larger end grain target gets pretty heavy. The knives you are using look to be a bit different from the ones in your link, but should be about 5 oz. each right? I wonder if you could reduce your thickness to allow for a larger target? It would not be suitable for hatchets or heavy knives but those make a huge mess of dry wall if you miss, so I don't think I would throw those inside. What do you think the practical limit on number of blocks might be? Too many and it might be too big a hassle to assemble and get a tight fit.. I'm also interested in how your target wears. I think the biggest concern for wear and tear is splitting the grain so it seems like shimming the ends to increase the compression would be helpful.

[@MarijnSijbom]

I prefer throwing darts :-) The bolt connection I've seen before at Ikea's famous chair. I think it's cool the way you get new ideas to start making things! Best regards from the Netherlands!

[@davealexander9983]

Firstly, what an amazing young lady, Secondly, what a nice workshop, and thirdly, what an impressive feat of engineering design. Young women should be encouraged to watch this - it will show that engineering is not a 'man's thing', women are as good at engineering as anybody else.

[@daveh777]

Hell yeah! Just make sure there are no Pets in the workshop. I once had a bounce out cause a Vet visit. Not to mention feeling horrible for hurting my Cat. Safety first. Knives only get thrown at outdoor things now.

[@larrybailey711]

Fun project and nice design. I'm planning on building a spice rack with oak that fits between my counter top backsplash and below my wall cabinet in the corner of my counter. Wonder if you might try something like this?

[@RealLuckless]

Countersinking your metal hardware well inside the wood (Or in this case gluing trim on to act as a guard is likely the easier option if you're following all the measurements) is a useful design choice to help save the tips of your knives. Taking that bit of effort helps ensure you never ever throw a knife anywhere near it, but leaving them at all exposed seems to act as some kind of magnet, because why wouldn't the knives choose to hit in the most annoying way possible if they're given the chance? A fun option that a friend did in his shop was to put targets up opposite each other. Saves walking to the target and back to your firing line when you go to get your darts/knives. Walk up to the target to retrieve your things, turn around and there you have another target to throw at! Saves so much useless walking and gets far more time for throwing.

[@vtramell3196]

That is a lot of end cuts but the project came out very nice. That target should last for years. Your pretty good with those knives. I take it your husband does not get on your bad side to often... LOL Just kidding. Keep up the great work.

[@bassburd1]

I cannot wait to see Nicks comments

[@MikeSmith-is1yy]

Do yourself a favor and buy a half face respirator. Judging by the amount of dust on your cloths and around your equipment you will benefit from wearing one. You will thank me in about 30 years.

[@forestlampcraft472]

Am amazed at your ability not every man is smart enough not to mention to make))))

[@paristo]

But you really need few knives on every door, so when they come to get you, you can grab few and send them toward them.... ;) (Don't say their name aloud or they will hear it, and definitely come to get you!)

[@larrybriski4896]

That's OK April, I've been using cowboy t-shirts and flags for rags in my shop for years. And they are excellent rags!

[@donaldtrumpstower7331]

if this is your wife, and she is angry.. you better run.. or Hide...

[@albreit69]

Great Video except for Using our Packer flag for a shop rag, being from Wisconsin we love our Packers. looks like a fun thing to do in my Green and Gold Packer shop

[@clarky23]

you remind me of my granddaughter. She 18 now and obsessed with weapons, especially knifes. She has her own set of throwing knifes and a target I built her a couple of years ago.

[@farges76]

Why aren't women like her more common!? WHY!? I WANT TO MEET A WOMAN LIKE HER! DAMN IT. Nice vid.

[@ReptileNexus]

Every video I watch of yours... You just get cooler

[@pandariceball4793]

is there a way to buy pre cut wood parts like this? i don't have those tools and I don't have a card to buy stuff online sadly :(. does possibly Michael's have wood parts suitable for a good target ? or is there any other good store I can buy pre cut wood? thanks, nice video btw

[@WoodUCreate]

I was thinking to make it a bit tighter, you could have made two the of sides with a very small amount of caul in them, and then with the through bolts, just socked them together. Interesting project. Thanks April

[@JCSalomon]

Very cool. You should probably make up a flatter version of the drilling jig that can be stored with the target, so it’s available for easy prep of replacement bits.