To attach my wood ladder stands I use 8" lags and 6"ardox, I agree I feel more satisfied when I take a deer out of one of my home made stands. Its a chore to put them all out but worth it in the end. None of my hunting companions have stands and they all use mine........ I tell them its at thier own risk(they are all bigger than me) If you are going to build your own----overbuild for safety. I'm 170lbs soaking wet and my broth-in-law is 280lbs on a good day, I build them for him so they are most definately safe for me.
I don't like to use any plywood it turns to ice after it snows.I use pt fence boards (1x6 or smaller) sitting on top of either 2x6 or 2x8's the ladder is 2x4's. Very few nails,I used screws for almost everything. Thesestandsare like rocks.... heavy and solid. I don't like heights but feel pretty safe at 16' in one of these. I've got one that I leave on a friends farm (permanent placement) and will take a pic next time I'm out, need to check it anyways maybe a little scouting/maintenance trip is in order.