Homemade Stands
 

Okay, I realize that this topic was just up not too long ago, but the idea to build one just struck me today. I remember seein some of you guys post up your blinds/standswtih some instructionsand I was just wonderin if you didnt mind puttin those up again? Sorry for my lateness and thanks in advance.

RE: Homemade Stands
 

You can build a stand on almost any tree that has a "v" in it or two trees that are fairly close side by side. Just nail in some 2x4's across both of the trees until you get to your desired height. You then nail in two 2x4's on either side of the trees, parallel from each other. You then make a "top" to those two parallel 2x4's, forming the bottom of your treestand. All you need then is a little fold out chair to sit down on, or you can make a make shift chair from some of the scrapwood. I used to build alot them with my buddy.

This is kind of like it:

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RE: Homemade Stands
 

Be careful building stands. I try not to ever nail a support board into a tree. Nails like to pull out of trees sometimes. You can build a "lean too" that is totally self supported (for just a few more $'s). Just chain around the tree, use long bolts & wrench tight. Either way, be carefull.

Or you could get out the drill & skill saw & get a little more diligent...

RE: Homemade Stands
 

or instead of building the Eiffel Tower above, you could just cut some branches off that tree to the right and hang a stand........

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Lol! That was hilarious. Thanks for the info./pictures everyone.

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GUYS GREAT PICTURES. I wish everyone that passes this post, that has pictures of their own home-made stands/houses will post them here. Never gets old looking at some simple DYI projects as well as some really well-built ones.. like the eifiel tower. bring a porta potty in that thing, and a propane heater and you can live there for days on end!

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TCB - Taking Care of Business

RE: Homemade Stands
 

Well, if you hang a stand on the tree to the right... You will cut your shooting zone by over 70% (the trees beside it would block the majority of the field). The box is outset of the treeline and you can shoot every direction.
Anyway, the Eiffel tower was built (by me) for my 9 year old son. He safely killed his first deer out of it. We sat together many joyous hours in it this year. Yes, with our propane heater:D. The stand overlooks a field with 300+ yard shot opportunity. The box offers rifle support. Which was even very helpful for my sons 50yard shot. The smile on his face was worth every minute spent on the box. And I didn't have to worry about him (or me) falling out. Iwould imaginesquirrels & coons are afraid to climb the stand in the second pic... Surely you posted it as a joke?

Some people drive corvettes, somechevetts. Some even ride motorcycles. But I wouldn’t put my kid on a bicycle in the middle of the interstate.

RE: Homemade Stands
 

Coleridge:

I would like some more stats on your tower:
What did you have in lumber $$$ ?
How long did it take to construct ?
Were you near a power supply, use a generator, or do it with hand tools?
what are the dimensions of the shelter?
did you encounter any problems?


I built a 4x8 blind (2005) so I could take my 2 & 3 year old boys deer hunting. It cost me about $300 because I was able to use lumber left over from another project. I built it in managable sizes at home and put it togeather on top of a 20 foot mound of dirt. The biggest problem I had was getting the material and tools up the mound. I had to borrow a generator to get the job done, because it was nowhere near a power supply.

It will last a lifetime, but it was hard work for a couple of weekends.

for those who maybe concerned that I take a 2 & 3 year old hunting, I do it Barney Fife style! unloaded gun with a bullet in my pocket. And the only deer I'll take would have to be deaf and blind to come anywhere near us. But its about being out with my kids, not shooting a deer.

RE: Homemade Stands
 

I actually built the tower part for a box I had made as a ground-blind from scrap lumber a few years ago. It was just shy of being 4’x6’. I had ~$170 in the tower part. Used 16’ 4x4’s with ripped 2x6’s for the braces (saved a little money & meet load requirements). After I got the base built, I realized there would be no way short of heavy equipment I’d be able to stand it; with the box bolted to it.
I then decided to build a new box in pieces, similar to a modular home. The front, sides, back (including full sized door), and top were all built separate, framed similar to what you would your house, and veneered.
I borrowed two buddies (you “could” get by with one) one Sat. We stood the base with a 4-wheeler & rope. Two of us were able to pick up the base & move it back into the limbs slightly. I attached the ladder & climbed up top. One guy through pre-cut 2X6’s & I screwed them down (made the floor). Then two of us got on top & pulled the front up with a rope. We screwed it to the floor. Then pulled up the two sides & screwed them to the box front (so the side-backs would “wing”). Pulled the top up next & balanced it on the front & sides (out of the way). Then we pulled up the back (by far the heaviest but manageable). Screwed the sides to the back. Squared everything & screwed each to the floor. The roof was built as a reverse cap. It slipped inside the squared box & the lip was screwed to the frames (from the inside). Then we screwed everything OVERBORE!
I have just less of $400 in the whole thing. That’s counting screws (used over 3lb), siding nails, hinges, roofing material, and all the treated lumber & siding (only thing I had laying around was stuff short enough for ladder rungs). It took me several 2-3hr sessions off & on to build everything. Now I’ve done it & worked out the kinks, it would go much faster. It also took us about 2.5 hours (with breaks) to stand & assemble.
The only problem I ran into was the BIG base. The bottom is close to 12’X10’ (not to mention nearly 16’ tall). I had to borrow a fairly large trailer to transport it. Then had to be careful around telephone/power lines once it was on the trailer (laid flat of course).
I built everything at my house using a table saw, drill, & skill saw. The only tools used in the field were cordless drills (bring plenty of batteries), a hammer (persuading tool), and 2 - 25’ pieces of good rope.
The 4X6 box is big enough for two adults. We hunted once with a friend, my son & me; it got a little tight. I built mine 6.5’ tall in the front. I would recommend that for standing & stretching. It really helps packing a ML also.
If you want to build something similar I can go into more detail & better pics. PM me & I’ll be glad to help.
I think everyone should have something like this. It’s great for taking someone your introducing to hunting. The box helps conceal movement & sound from those that CAN’T sit still. It supplies a good rest for nervous 1st time shooters & you are right beside them coaching the whole way. Plus I was able to keep my son warm on the coldest of days when otherwise I wouldn’t have wanted to take him.
Don’t get me wrong, this is the only stand I have like this. I hunt lots of lock-on’s, ladders, and hop around mostly with my climber. But on days I’ve got a shadow… This can’t be beat.

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Mine cost around $450 for a 4'x6'. WORTH EVERY PENNY! I call it my powerline palace. Solid rests all the way around, not scared to move, and shots 340 yds one way, and 450 the other. I cant make a shot like that sitting on a limb! Never had a shot over 350 yds, but I am confident that if big boy steps out at 425, I can make a clean kill. Its hard for me to make a150 yd shot in climbing or ladder stand.

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use scres and lag bolts not nails

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"Yes, with our propane heater. The stand overlooks a field with 300+ yard shot opportunity. The box offers rifle support."

I am not looking at a 300 yard shot opportunity or to sit inside a propane filled blind....no offense.

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ya no offense to but the propane in a closed space might kill you

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some more pictures... please.. i lovem!

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Well, It's not really a closed space (although MANY people cook & heat their house with propane). 3 sides have a 15" full length opening & the back is 1/2 open. There is plenty of fresh air flowing in the box (at head height). The heater also has a "oxygen shut-off" sensor that will turn the heater off if levels are dangerous. It's not really like a sauna, but will keep ones hands warm.

Let's see somemore pictures!

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i am not getting on you for it
If i get my land i will build some ground blinds
And i have nerve damage from having cancer as a kid
which causes my right hand to go num after 5 to 10 mins of sub freezing temps.
So i will have a heater in them
The problem caused me to stop hunting in the middle of DEC

Yes people heat with propane i have in the past might in the future never know
Home furnace are vented just like with a gas furnace in-fact there the same furnace just jetted for either natural gas or propane.
Thats why if you have say a tent heat it says not to use in a closed space the fumes can and will kill you.
If it has a sensor you should be good. and since it is open

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Build it and you WILL Fall ;)

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Nice stand but did you haveany difficulties getting the young'in up the ladder? When my boys were small the climb up and down was where I was most worried, for once they wereup, they were harnessed in. Just a pic of one of my homemade stands. I've 14 of them up but still also still rotate 3 hang on stands (when ever I have some extra lumber around, Iput up another stand).

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hey coleridge,what is the window height in that tower blind? also, what did you use for seating?

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Back in the day we used limbs,about 1 1/2 in diameter to make stand with seat and all. They lasted a year or 2 if you were lucky.They weren't very comfortable but almost invisible.

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OH, sent you a pm. The bottom seal is 34" and window is 15" tall.

I have some old adjustable office chairs in the box.

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I use tv antenna towers and cut them to the length i want them at the top i put a coushinand put 1 rachet strap towards the top and one towards the bottom.Works very well.

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ogg, can you explain or put up a picture?
thanks

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texas8point does TCB mean that you take Kenpo ?

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make you could find a old windmill and make a box on top of that, theres one sitting out where we hunt still standing just the tower part, every time i see it makes me wanna put a box on top

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a tv antenna tower that holds the antenna up thats usually by the side of your house.cut it to what ever length you want the use rachet straps to hold it to a tree then put a board or cushin at the top of it to sit on.i have mine on big trees where i can get up in thegaps of the big tress for better cover and it works really well.

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OGG-
YOu got a picture of that? id love to see it..
thnx

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i dont have a pic but ill take one tommorow.

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the only problem i see with a TV antenna is
since there made to hold a antenna only surely there is not much weight cap. to them

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The TV antennae in reference would be the self standing style with three of four poles connected every 12" or so with braces. I used to have one on the side of my house and would use it to get on the roof. They are quite strong and durable. After all, consider the force the wind exerts on the antennae during storms.

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they may hold the weight
sure they hold you to get to the roof but hold you for 10 to 12 hours or so

now i know there are some that will get the job done
but just seems like the throw a peice of plywood on a y of a tree

I did see one that i thought would work laying out by a radio station
but it had a 4x4 platform would make a good two man tower

but i would have to drag it through the woods

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i am currently working on my own home made deer stand i'll post some pics soon i hope.

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That's a tower stand alright! I'd like to one day build one, need some land first, and then cut some trees etc...

Lag bolts might be a wiser choice than a nail, just don't go overboard, don't kill the tree.

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Very Entertaining...

Do you have the plans for this stand?

i built a tree stand out of bed rail by cutting slots and bending it in a rectangle then i bolted boards to it. i made one big one and one small one then i put two pc of sqaure stock between them with bolts fallowed by two chains from back pc to floor pc .i used a 4 inch ratchet strap to hang it to the tree.. one pc of board under the seat to hold it up and you have a nice little hang on stand,,,it even folds up to carry it,,it is quite heavy but it dont cost 350 dollars ..i bought ladder sticks to climb it and just hid em in a brush pile it worked great i belive its still on dads farm..and it dont use nails or screws

Kamikaze Treestands
 

That one tree stand brought back old memories. Never built one, but the fellas used them without even a safety harness.

Now, you see people in the suburbs using second floor wooden decks of questionable vintage.

Here is a box stand we built using the elevators that they sell in bass pro. I would recommend using these products. The pic on the right was when we finished the platform, the one on the left is when the walls and roof went up. We have added plexiglass windows that open up.