RE: Low Cost Tree Stands for Bow Hunting and Deer Hunting
 

Minimum cost of your suggested setup is $80 for each stand. From 1 sheet of plywood of $30 and 600 feet of rope for $60 I get 5 stands. You move your's around or have folk steal them. I leave them in year around and have nobody steal them. They are some work, true. But not a lot. I you have the money, please go a head and buy your stand. They are not for everyone in every situation for hunting. For the >>>person<<<< who
1) hunts alot 20 or 30 days a year
2) has a lot of places to hunt, is a tree stand hunter, not a stalker or still hunter,
3) doesn't have a lot of money
4) has some time
5) has minimal tools (circural saw and a drill).

I am saying hey give this a try. Is it for you? No. Why? You got money and you have not got time. You must have all the above criteria before you will consider these stands.
Chap Gleason

RE: Low Cost Tree Stands for Bow Hunting and Deer Hunting
 

The plywood does not split like oak, it is 7 layers thick. I think pressure treated plywood is best. Oak, never used it for these stands. Water proof it, well pressure treated is water proof, they last for over 10 years easy. These stands are rock solid see the criteria I suggested for the "ideal user of these stands".
Chap

RE: Low Cost Tree Stands for Bow Hunting and Deer Hunting
 

I was referring to the stability of the oak , even 3/4 ply is a bit flexible for my taste , and oak won't split if you add underside braces crosswise to the grain . Besides , I can get 2" thick oak for free ... ;):D I'd hunt from those Y boards of yours anytime , and have .

RE: Low Cost Tree Stands for Bow Hunting and Deer Hunting
 

The plywood is doubled so 1.5 inches thick. 14 layers. Thanks for being willing to try something new.
Chap

RE: Low Cost Tree Stands for Bow Hunting and Deer Hunting
 

That is your choice. One does not make long term risk assessments based on a $4,000/mo risk model. One makes them based on the factors that are present in the situation, which are:

1) very very strong stand double thickness of 3/4 plywood screwed together
2) 1000 weight limit poly prop rope, no rotting, no shrinking, no mice eating
3) strong steps of 4x4 and reinforced with 3/4" plywood, pressure treated blocks adn 3/4. If you fearful of spliting, make them all of 3/4 pressure treated plywood and put a coupld of screws thru them, drill them like I show and that is VERY, VERY rock solid, more so than mine that I put online. I didn't do that because I believe the single 3/4 attached to a block is enough.

So the risk model is do "I trust my life now and in the future in going up this tree with this design", not do I fear $4,000/mo. The risk isbefore you, not the fear of tomorrow. In my mind the risk is worth it, because the design is ROCK SOLID, and I am 58 years old, not 32 and I have huntedover 40 years. So I know what is rock solid. Bottom lineyou don't trust anything that is not commercial or that you didn't make yourself, because you have never stepped into a stand like I have designed, if you did I know you would feel comfortable. There is no FLEXING in ANYTHING, and I weight 250.
Chap Gleason

RE: Low Cost Tree Stands for Bow Hunting and Deer Hunting
 

I found the site it has an S at the end of PLAN.

http://www.deerhuntingstandplans.com

Sure, several good designs here. Thanks

Chap Gleason