PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

Here is a picture of the bow stand I'm building out of PVC (Posted from 'Somebody Stop Me')
It is built upside down so use some imagination. I still have to attach the last 2 support segments in the center (shown as short pieces only attached on 1 side.) Also, there will be a carpeted plywood sheet attached to the top and steel guide wires at the 4 corners.
I should have it glued and screwed tonight and ready for paint - I'll update photos later.

Total cost of this project so far including all harware $273

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

Here are my original plans



I've got the ladder area screwed together with 1/4" self tappers and its already strong enough to climb. Should be sturdy!

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

Looks pretty good!Atleast you know it won't rust.:D How much does it weigh?

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

Haven't weighed it yet but 2 people pick it up with ease!
I won't have glue (just screws) in the corners to allow disassembly.
It should fit in the back of a pickup truck fully assembled.

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

You've got the best of two worlds. A deer stand and a weekend project. Are you happy with the results so far?


It looks great:)

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

So far I am extremely happy with the results.
Sunday when I tried to move it and it crumbled (before glueing or screwing) I nearly chalked it up to a failure, but last night I put it back together after fitting a couple of screws in I saw how sturdy it was going to be.
I can't wait to get er done and get er set up!

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

I don 't want to be the one to throw a wrench into the mix but have you thought about cold cold days? Will the PVC hold up or might it shatter if you put too much tension on it (ie slipped, fell dropped something hard in the right spot or even twisted the wrong way)? If one shatters then it could be a domino affect.

Let me know. I know it's strong stuff when temps are above freezing. I have also seen it shatter when struck right in freezing temps.

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

I'll let you know this winter!
Most of my hunting is done in Oct - Nov and it doesn't normally get that cold in Central IL until Jan-Feb.

This is half project half experiment anyhow - If it works for opening day then I'll be happy with it. If it crumbles then the next one will be welded from tube steel.

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

I know you said you're gonna paint it but one other thing is that PVC deteriorates/weakens in sunlight. I'd put an extra coat on or you may have to build another next year!

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

pretty cool dude! don't forget to tie er down!

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

Just curious as to why not buy a tripod with a net around it?

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

I'll be putting this stand/blind in a flat wide open area between 2 fields with no trees - I need to be completely hidden inside the blind therefore I don't think a net would work. I was going to just buy a tripod but the dimensions on all the ones I saw, and in my price range, were too small and would still require that I "build" something for a larger deck. This way I get to say I built something nobody has ever seen before (at least that I know of - I've done extensive internet searches and haven't found anything close.)

I know that PVC is very susceptable to UV rays - Lots of paint will solve this.

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

It looks nice, but I don't think you'd see me in it.

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

That's the whole:D point of a blind.

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

Cool project but here is my concern. I have built quite a few 'small' things with PVC and the one constant I can see is the loud annoying "creaking" noise they make when you shift them one way or another. Not to mention I don't think it is all that strong.

I hope I'm wrong and you fill your tag from it though.

Good luck.

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

Hazcon - Not trying to burst your bubble, but be extremely careful!!! PVC exposed to the elements for extended periods of time will become very brittle. PVC is also noisy.......it will squeak and creek with the slightest of movement.

Looks cool.

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

Maybe you can use moleskin at the connecting points to quiet it down. Good luck.

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

hey if all else fails...
you throw a tent on top of it and your kids have a pretty cool fort for teh next couple of years!!! :)

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

Definitely paint with a UV inhibiting paint.

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

WOW PVC Kinda scary. very noisy.

Remideies are sand first then prime and paint 2 coats then put clear coat over.

Option: fill the tubes with concrete and put vasoline at the seams then screw them together. only thing is it will be heavier. It could be permanent then.

Dude you better find a new place to put the blind after you fall on your arse when the pvc is damp or cold and breaks.;)

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

Daystalker - I like your attitude !!! :)

Welcome Aboard to you and Hill Hopper

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

Very nice, especially since you are building it yourself. What type of camo pattern you going to spray on there? Also I like this:

Depleted Uranium torpedo broadheads in 3 blade 125 g
Handmade Scent Free Guillie Suit with matching handbag
GPS Strobing Homing Nocks
Tachyon Anti-Matter Telekinetic Release
2" Plasma H/Up Display w Holographic Target
#2 Pencil

Depleted Uranium torpedo broadheads, GPS Strobing Homing Nocks. HA HA, is this for real?

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

Maybe it is just me but this really doesn't seem like a sound idea. I watched some silly tv show where they built bunk beds out of 4" PVC for kids. It wasn't very sturdy even after it had all been glued together. Would you be better off just building it out of wood? Certainly cheaper. Heck even Cabelas sells a complete tower kit (made of metal) with ladder and everything for only $299. You are going to have that much into that PVC thing before you are done. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to bash you for your idea. I just don't think I would trust my safety to PVC. Falling doesn't hurt but hitting the ground sure does. Be safe.

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

Hazcon, this is a morbidly bad idea - save your money, stay off the slippery PVC, don't bust ur arse, its too small, its too sensative to UV, its too big, it'll be too noisy, PVC is too sensative to full moons, it won't taste like candy, its not tall enough, and its too white! [&:] Figured since most others were throwing their monkey wrenches in I'd add a few of my own ;) That should cover all the bases.

... now that thats out of the way...

Everything that has been posted so far I've already thought about and gone over and over in my mind so noone is bursting my bubbles - no worries. At this point the money is already spent and all I can do is proceed to building and testing. It will be a great experiment that will hopefully surprise us all!

Stay tuned boys and girls for more photoadventures as the PVC saga unfolds more tomorrow - same deer channel, same deer time!

By the way - glass is also brittle but put 2 drinking glasses from your cabinet on the floor upside down and you can stand on them! As for painting patterns - I'll take suggestions


But of course, 2043 Jan/Feb edition of Soldier of Fortune magazine - Right BOWFANATIC??

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

You better watch for leeks because I know that most of our plumbing that has PVC leeks. You should put a septic on that stand, and maybe some water hook up. Man just thought I would add to your list. I hope you can take a joke. I really do like your idea.

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

That stand wont look anything like mine, but same concept. Me and Jimbob built this stand

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

You must have some kind of death wish.

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

there is no doupt its a cool design and looks good:D

But I can't imagine strapping that thing to my back....LOL

I do hope hope it holds up - as an engineer though, I do have some real doubts.................[:o]...hope your a little guy;)

Good luck:)

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

i have built stands out of wood but out of pvc? never tried it might work and one last thing have u been atop of it ? see if it creaks and so on and so forth. Good Luck

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

No haven't been on top yet, building it upside down and haven't got it all glued up yet.

Not sure how I'll get that thing strapped to my back, question is, how do I climb a tree with it? ;)

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

Lean a couple big ole tractor tires or something up against it and the deer will think it's just a piece of equipment.[&:]

I'm with the ones that think the $300 would have been better spent on a tripod or something you could make look like a tree.[8D] I'd worry about the snap ...crackle and pop of the thing too. When you glue that puppy do it up big time.

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

Ok, I'll be the one to say it....

Dude, you're out of your ever-lovin' mind if you spend more than 2 minutes up on that thing!


Hey, hold my beer and watch this....

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

My thoughts exactly. UV light works on PVC. Be careful!!

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

On my way through Engineering School, I had the pleasure of being President of SORE. It was a great responsibility but every now and then I would get to offer lifetime memberships. Haz if this does work for you I offer you such a membership in SORE. SORE is better known as Society Of Redneck Engineers. Our motto is "It might be an eyesore but it'll work".

Can't wait to see it in the woods. Good luck!

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

I salute you.....Mr. PVC tree stand builder...........

Hope it works out for you, I got my money on you making it work!!!

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

Have your hunting partner take pictures from the hospital.

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

*in best singing voice* mr. pvc tree stand buil-l-l-l-der-r-r-r-r... :)

you will definately be guying this thing, right?

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

I have already ordered 2.....If HAZCON7 was smart he would also design a hospital bed blind....that way when I when I leave mine in the sun to long in frigid temps and bust my a$$ when the whole thing comes crashing down, he will have another gadget I can buy....great marketing strategy there. This thing reminds me of my wife.....makes alot of noise, doesnt do well in cold weather, gets cranky when I leave her in the sun to long.....she hasnt killed me yet.....so I doubt the PVC treestand will either.

RE: PVC Bow Hunting Stand
 

I don't have much of an update today:

Installed the 2 center supports and cleaned/primed/glued some more joints (decided to go with overkill I'll glue and screw the pipe together.) It is strong enough for me to climb the ladder without much movement from the stand and very little noise .
Right now the only noise is coming from the areas that I haven't glued yet - the more I glue the less noise/movement hopefully, plus I have a carpeted deck to bolt to the top, should add more strength and noise reduction (plus the steel guidewire staking it down.)
I've decided to hand paint the entire stand rather than spray paint it. I'll mix a couple of pounds of sand to a gallon of paint to provide traction (old boating trick.)

I'm looking forward to my lifetime membership to SORE :D So gotta make sure Fieldmouse approves!!!

I know I'll have that song stuck in my head all day now - Thanks Lefty