Homemade tree stands.
 

I want to make myself some home made tree stand. What I really need is some Ideas on materials to use. I have access to a Mig welder But I do not have to parts & gas to weld aluminum (to bad). I want to build something fairly light. I don't want to make something that folds or comes apart as all the stands will be on places about 2 minutes from home. Does anyone have any Blue prints or anything of the sort? Any Ideas are welcome!

(i know I could just buy some at Cabelas but I want to build something fairly inexpensive.)

RE: Homemade tree stands.
 

are you talking permanent or portable?

RE: Homemade tree stands.
 

Well I wouldn't hang/remove it every time I go hunting. So I guess permanent.

RE: Homemade tree stands.
 

I admire your desire for self sufficiency but...

With the current price of steel, it is impossible to make something for less than you can buy it.

Here's an acceptablealuminum hang-on for less than $40. It will be lighter, safer and more proven:

http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=450120

RE: Homemade tree stands.
 

unless you have access to free scrap metal it isn't worth it in the long run. cheaper and safer to just buy one

RE: Homemade tree stands.
 

I would strongly recommend not making your own stands... I work in proto-type and design and have helped with some treestand related development.. When you buy a stand at the store you are buying a stand that has been tested. They test them with computers and they actually destroy stands to find out exactly how much weight and shock weight they can take. Trust me they generally find flaws in the 1st proto-types ans have to tweak the design until the stands are safe enough for sale... Also, god forbid you do somehow get hurt, your covered by the stand manufactures insurance policy. Most are covered up to 2 million dollars.
You can buy a stand for around $40... As mentioned above. You will pay $15 to $20 per stand in material, and thats if you bulk buy from a steel distributor.... My suggestion would be BUY A STAND OR TWO...

RE: Homemade tree stands.
 

I dont have a pattern per say for one but we used to make our own. The only problem is it didn't have a seat on it. The up side to it is that the platform is a wood platform and most of the framing is farely simple to manufacturer with no actual welding required.

RE: Homemade tree stands.
 

I've made my own for years and will keep doing so. I can't stand the stands they make, way to bulky and not nearly as solid enough as what I'm use to. Like a few have said though you have got to keep a very close eye on your welds, bolts, chains, etc on your home made stuff. But then again I've seen store boughten stands with weld cracks in them as well.

I don't have no blue prints either on my stands.

RE: Homemade tree stands.
 

I've designed alot of treestands over the years. My opinion on this is to buy something that is required to be strong and safe. You can get stands pretty cheap. If it's a project you're looking for - you can build all kinds of other stuff that doesn't carry the risk!

RE: Homemade tree stands.
 

Hey Schultzy, can you at least post a pic of one of your stands?
My brother is a welder and can get the metal for nothing where he works. He just doesn't hunt much, so he doesn't know much about how to make a good stand.

For you guys that are buying the cheap stands, D*ck's usually has a sale a couple times a year where they put the basic comfort zone stand on sale for 29.99. I have bought about 6 so far.

RE: Homemade tree stands.
 

When I lived in Georgia we made some ladder stands out of conduit, but they were mainly for gun hunting and weren't more than 12 feet to the platform. As someone has said, you're better off just buying some cheap ones that will hold you. Cheaper, more portable and all that. You'll use a zillion welding rods and cut andpound conduit until your blue making a stand. Just buy 'em on sale.

RE: Homemade tree stands.
 

I have a couple of the Comfort Zone stands from Dick's. A little small but hard to beat for 29.99, they are also pretty quiet with minimal squeaks.

RE: Homemade tree stands.
 

I agree, unless you have the material laying around and you want the satisfaction of building your own, you can't build one cheaper than you can buy one.

RE: Homemade tree stands.
 

My cousin builttwo, I will geta pic of one either tonight or tomorrow and post it on here. Its pretty nice, a little on the heavy side but sturdy and strong!

RE: Homemade tree stands.
 

Here is one style of hang ons that I make. I call it a leg stand being its got a longer leg on the bottom that I use to adjust to crooked trees so the stand is still in a level position.

Over all picture of the stand.


You can see how the chain set up is and how I connect the chain.


Here's the spike that goes into the tree on the leg part of the stand.


Here you can see how the leg of the stand is able to swing to adjust to the leaning of the tree if it was growing at an angle. Where the leg connects to each side of the stand is a small rod that is wleded in between the frame. The leg part is a pipe shaft a tad bigger then the rod so it can swing freely when I move it.


You can see the spikes that hold it in the tree. These are grade 8 bolts that I sharpened the ends on and welded to the back frame of the stand.



Pictures really don't do justice here. Its one thing to explain it and post a picture and another to see it 1st hand. Some of these stands are 20 years old, I've had a few welds come loose but hardly any. Always keep a close eye on your portable stands whether they are store bought or homemade.