Ax Throwing Dimensions- How to Make a DIY Axe Throwing Target

If you’re an ax-throwing enthusiast, there’s no better place to hone your skills than in your backyard. But for a start, you must have an ax-throwing target that you will aim at. Some people will opt to buy one from the local store, but if you’re operating on a lean purse, the DIY option is more viable. So what should be the ax-throwing dimensions for your target? Let me explain. 

Axe Throwing Target Dimensions

An Ax throwing target

Fig 1: An Ax throwing target

The World Axe Throwing League recommends an ax throwing target comprising 2×10 wood planks of 4ft in length. Further, the target should measure 1-½ inches in thickness, 4 feet in length, and 9-1/4 inches in width. 

It should also feature a header and footer protection area, each measuring 1 foot. 

Bullseye Dimensions

You should also set the central bullseye point at approximately 63’’ from the ground level. Further, the following should be the respective bullseye dimensions. 

  • The bullseye’s diameter should be 7”. 
  • Next, the first and second ring diameters should measure 17 and 27 inches, respectively. 

Best Wood for Axe-Throwing Targets

Pinewood makes a good axe-throwing target

Fig 2: Pinewood makes a good axe-throwing target

Choosing suitable wood is critical as it affects the quality of the ax-throwing target. Here are vital titbits on the best wood qualities. 

  1. First, choose a softwood such as pine, willow, poplar, cottonwood, or spruce. Softwood is easy to penetrate, making it ideal for ax throwing. 
  2. Also, don’t go for wood with knots. A target featuring knots, especially in the central part, will have the ax bouncing off the bullseye after a throw. 
  3. Further, avoid dark wood, which has dense threads or is relatively heavy. Such a target will be hard to stick with your axe and thus makes a low-grade target. 
  4. The wood should measure approximately 4 feet in length and breadth. 

How To Make A Homemade Axe Throwing Target

An Ax on an unmarked target

Fig 3: An Ax on an unmarked target

Here are the primary steps to make a DIY ax-throwing target with simple tools and materials. 

Choose the suitable wood.

We’ve highlighted the qualities of wood that best fit an ax-throwing target above. Remember, you don’t have to use planks of timber necessarily. A tree trunk will also work well if it features the qualities above. 

Assemble the Parts

Ensure you have the following parts and tools. 

  • A drill and screw
  • Tape measure
  • Four colors Paint Markers (featuring 15-millimeter tips). You can also use permanent markers. 
  • A 15” piece of string
  • A beer or soda can

Locate the Board’s Center

We assume that you have a board measuring 4 feet by 4 feet. Now, place your tape measure on the board’s length and measure 2 feet from its top to the bottom. It will be the height of the ax throwing area. 

Next, you need to locate your board’s center across its width. So place the tape measure across the width and find the center. Ideally, the center should measure approximately 4.5 inches. 

Now, place a screw on your identified point to mark the center. Ensure the screw sticks temporarily, so you will need to drive it about two inches into the wood. 

Ax Throwing Dimensions: Prepare your String

Your string should guide you in accurately drawing the concentric rings from the screw at the board’s center.

Again as we mentioned earlier, an axe-throwing target should feature two rings and the bull’s eye. Their dimensions are as follows: 

  • The bullseyes should have a 3.5-inch radius (7” diameter)
  • Next, the primary ring (The ring next to the bull’s eye) should have an 8.5-inch radius (17” diameter)
  • The secondary ring should measure a 13.5-inch radius (27” diameter). 

Now mark the respective radii of the rings from the center of the board and on the string. Tie the string to the center and measure where the respective rings should pass through using different inks (colors).

Ax Throwing Dimensions: Draw the Bullseye and rings 

Place the marker/sharpie first on the 3.5” mark with your string still tied to the center. Now move the sharpie and the string around the board to make the first circle ( the bullseye). Repeat this procedure for the primary and the secondary circles. 

Ax Throwing Dimensions: Draw the Clutch

Use a beer can to trace the clutch

Fig 4: Use a beer can to trace the clutch

The soda/beer can will be handy in helping you draw the clutch. The standard clutch diameter is 2”. You should also situate its bases at a distance of approximately 39 ½” from the board’s bottom. 

Now to draw the clutch, place the can approximately 4.5” from the board’s side edge and about 15” from the bullseye center (board center). Using the can’s external diameter, trace its circumference using a marker. 

Professional boards will feature at least two clutches, so you need to repeat the procedure on the other end of the board. But you can also make as many as possible, especially if you’d like the increase the board’s lifetime. 

Also, you’ll find clutches on professional boards with a light green color. You may opt to paint yours similarly or leave it as just a circular outline. 

Ax Throwing Dimensions: Place your Target

Now your board is ready for use. But remember that you still need to mount it at a distance of at least 63 inches from the ground. 

So, first, choose where you want to set it up. Next, affix the board using nails on a tree or any other convenient object. The rule of thumb is to place the board in a security where you don’t risk hitting other people or objects. 

Conclusion

Thanks for reading our ax-throwing dimensions tutorial to the end. We hope that we have solved all your questions regarding this topic. Also, contact us for clarifications, and we’ll come to your aid immediately.