Tower Stand Build

[burmjohn]

Well, I'm going to start building my first tower stand this weekend. With some idea's from here, friends, and some online photo's I have a good idea for one. Plus I'll be able to put a my uncle up there hopefully this season because he is sick, and needs a nice stable easy to get into spot.

Wood is ordered, being delivered tomorrow. Friday night I'll pickup some quikcrete, lag bolts, screws, and other odds and ends I need.

Going for a 10x8 platform, then eventually build some shelter on there (more likely next year), plus i figured why the hell not. I went this large so I can sit out side once there is a shelter up there (if there ever is one).

Going to try to draw up some plans, but I suck with these cad programs.

[Lawdwaz]

Sounds like a great project. Good luck!

[dave6x6]

Good for you BJ. Some people don't go for the towers but i tell you what, they are a great place to go with our kids or with the ones we love that are getting up there in age. Can't tell you how many first time hunters we've taken up into the enclosed tower where you can talk and give pointers and see some deer and walk them through that first hunt. They are a great place to make memories while hunting.

[burmjohn]

This one is kind of an experiment.. If it works out well, I'll do another one. Tell you what though, to do it right, it ain't cheap!

[ny hunter]

John good luck.Please take some pics as you go.

[burmjohn]

Will do!

Using:

4x4x12's for the posts (6 of them)

2x8's for the joists

2x4's for the railings / ladder

1x6's for the decking

I just hope the crete dries fast so I can get to work on Sat, says 30-40 min hardening time, then 3hrs before you can put a heavy load on it. Going to get the brackets to sink in the crete to mount the 4x4's to. Hopefully it will last for years and years.

[jr.deerslayer]

Will do!

Using:

4x4x12's for the posts (6 of them)

2x8's for the joists

2x4's for the railings / ladder

1x6's for the decking

How high are you making it? 12ft?

Edited July 18, 2012 by jr.deerslayer

[growalot]

Good luck ...have fun with the project....

[burmjohn]

How high are you making it? 12ft?

Yeah the platform is 12ft, so I guess "Tower" is misleading ? But I think 12 ft is a nice sweet spot for stability, view and easy of construction. Plus I'm going to be overlooking a valley to one side.

[burmjohn]

I'm still debating where to put this thing, 90% sure I'll put it where I'm planning but there is still a 10% chance I'll put it a bit further in the property.

[Fletch]

When I was making mine this spring once I started carrying all the stuff in I went with my closer option!! lol

Good luck and hopefully it is a bit cooler when you start it, and less deer flies!

Edited July 18, 2012 by Fletch

[burmjohn]

Yeah i hear that. But there is a nice spot pretty far back in our lot I would love to have it.

Tonight I picked up my galvanized bolts/nuts and lag screws. Tomorrow I have to pickup some decking nails and the crete.

Can't wait to get started!

[defrazzle]

I like the TOWER STANDS.....don't have one now, but would like to build one too. Post some pictures as you build and finish.

[burmjohn]

I never hunted out of one, so i figured i'd try

[GreeneHunter]

Sounds like fun ... Pics when your done ?

[burmjohn]

Pics will be taken for sure, this is a learning experience so we can build a few more. This wont be perfect and this is just the platform / tower build not the actual hut that will go up eventually

[MuzzyLoader]

And it looks like.... WHAT so far?

[burmjohn]

Wew, so tired. Just got home. What a freaking mess this weekend was. First the tracktor wouldnt start up (and still wont!), then my mini trailer took a dump on me and had to ghetto rig it. Good news is with the awesome help of my brother the platform is 90% done. I just need to lag bolt everything and redo / fix / add some crossbrasing.

Its no where near perfect, but its our first and the deck is level too.

[burmjohn]

The view from up there is amazing, hard to tell in the photos. It sits on the edge of a nice valley, and behind you is some flat land. I have to do the railings still as well, the one up there was just a temp fit to test it.

[landtracdeerhunter]

Great looking job. How did the crete work out?

[burmjohn]

Pretty good other then the rocks everywhere when digging.

Sent from my DROID RAZR

[Gizmo285]

Looks great and good progress in a short time. Keep the pics coming.

[Northerner]

I built a couple stands a few years back and they are great. If I were to do it again I would have goe higher as they are on 8' 4x4's. The one stand is not bad as it is on a bit of a ridge but the one shown overlooks a small corner of a field.

never been busted just the same so I suppose it is indiferrent.

[Cabin Fever]

Nice job John!

[burmjohn]

Hopefully I'll have time to finish this up this season. The hard part is done at least!. I would like to build a ladder, finish the railing and cross supports.