worked a bit on th blind area...

[growalot]

I cut and knocked down a bunch of trees and I cut two ash brace poles . These will hold the two end sections together so I can attach the  10' x10"x2" top rails...I bought hanger brackets for the floor joist to make it easier. The floor under the blind will be PT plywood I have and then I'll  put planks down for the  deck...It is 12' high to the floor  so a bit more difficult for me to do alone that the last 2 I'm framing all the walls and putting the cardboard siding on and painting it with sealant then assembling it on site. I may make a inset roof frame. lay out and cover the roof in the sheet of rubber roofing material I have and just sliding and dropping it into place...than screwing the roof frame to the blind frame.. Hoping to get it done this year unlike last

[growalot]

Today I hauled over some of the 2x2's I had cut for the blind  I then made my blue print  and measured the pieces for the front wall/door...this  will be on the deck side I have the base set up to be 5 ft out side edge to outside edge and the blind will be 6 ft and the deck 4ft. I cut the front wall to be 7' 3" high with a 6ft high door..the guys can duck to get in it ...the door on this one I think I will make as a split door with a window in the top section that way on hot days I can open it all the way on top  or just open the window in it...

I want your input I was thinking 36 "  windows to the ledge but I will have to measure the ones on the other blind I think they may be 42 What do you have yours set at?.. The side walls will be the 7'3'' in front but tapper down to either 6ft or 6' 3" my son is 6'3" The back wall will be trick for the blind is anchored to an ash tree  this gives me a limited view I think not bad though. I 'm basically looking at corner windows there we'll see. I have all of the front cut and labled so all I need to do is assemble and do al the bracing work...Taking a break and will then measure and cut at least one side wall...I love building stuff feels good to have the circular saw in my hands again...

[ants]

I give ya credit…I took the ATV out for a look around this morning. I was well doused in off but I still got totally assaulted by bugs. I did manage to check on a couple stands and find a couple full hickory trees that I never noticed before but I didn't last more than a 1/2 hour.  DAMN!!!

[grampy]

Wow, the plans you have for this blind are really good! Plenty of room, windows and height. The split door with window is a great idea. If it's going to be heated too, maybe I'll drop by for a vist in November! .......lol

I admire your work ethic grow!

[gunner1]

Pics don't seem to be loading...

 

[growalot]

So I have most of the front and back walls done...and

Mr B picked me up the floor joists and some more 2x2's. I had to figure out how to cut the angles on the side walls in order to have a smooth lay out when connecting the walls and placing the roof section on...now that may change because I was told I can now get roofing panels .Fabral 2ft x 14 foot for a $1.00 a piece...so I'll go Monday and take a look at what they have...for that price I will make a ground blind out of them as siding and just paint them. So tomorrow I will hustle and try to get these walls done and the card board nailed and painted on them...next will be to make the windows and door...windows will not be plexi this year...I will go with a lightly tinted boat window poly..... stretched over frames like they do for canvas paintings much less money. these will hinge up and out but to keep the cold winds out when hunting I will put the same thing on cut down window shade rollers  so I can just pull them up and down.

Now for the floor insulation... What to do with all those dang plastic bags and peanuts I have been saving over the years.. Well I will staple cardboard to the underside of joists and then nail the 1/4 in mess I have to that this to keep mice out...before I lay down the ply wood flooring I will fill each space between the joists with the peanuts and the plastic bags...it will help with sound and keeping the floor warm.if I go with the Fabral for the roof then my rubber sheet roofing will work great as flooring...I have it in the other blind under the oriental rug.   early quit time the back is screaming ...they have me on a new routine at the gym and I'm felling it today....I'm sure the 100 situps with a 10# weight on my chest didn't help either...lol

[growalot]

I Have all four walls framed and squared...the headers done on two and the lower window ledges on two...I will finish the studs and window headers between rains, work and the gym..got all mowing and laundry done Today..once the studs and headers are finished I can take care of the siding...then store them in the barn while I finish the tower..That won't take long..I bought hangers on sale at Runnings last year.

[First-light]

Grow if you have any energy left I need a stand built down in the swail! lol All sounds great!

[growalot]

Dang! I'm so far behind I'm still struggling to get out of 2014!..Lol...won't be doing situps at the gym tomorrow.

[growalot]

Today I'm going down to spread 10 bags of lime in front of the blind area and maybe do a very light discing just to break the ground for today through Wednesdays rains the field is dead except the clover...Depending how the weather is I will work between storms I need to winch(thank you Gator!) up and secure the end section of the tower then install the 2 x10 x10 side rails...I have12 ft blk locust logs to use as center braces under each side and smaller ones cut to do the angle braces on all sides. That is a real money saver...

 

Got to run.... get the lime down and head out to the lumber yard before someone else scoops up those panels...Then back to disc and off to the gym when the rain hits..Phew got a weeks worth of ironing done before 6am.... pack Mr B.s lunch, helped load the pressure washer and had breakfast. Talked to you guys(takes forever for me to type)...lol and It's only 7:21...I'm tired already! Have a great day...

[landtracdeerhunter]

Picks of your progress? Thanks in advance.

[growalot]

I haven't been taking pics but just finished cutting the rest of supports for the side walls...here a pic of one they are a matching pair...just need to frame out the windows... I have more supports and window framing to do on other two ...working be tween rains.free hand cutting angles is a pain!

[growalot]

Well I got the one side wall done and have the first coat rolled on...taking a break then putting second coat on and finishing up 2nd side wall..I just may get this project done this year! Here it is ...decided to do storm flaps over each window port .will attach a stabilizing frame to the inside  so I can pull them down tight in the winter also helps keep snow and rain out  when it's open. the second movable look through windows will be on the inside.

[growalot]

I got the other side and the back framed up.... can't do windows for back until I put it up on the platform to check what the tree blocks...the side will have the card board put on it tomorrow and painted and the 3rd coat will be put on the side in picture...the front will take a bit mire time for I need to figure out framing for split door...bought the hinges but may need to pic up more 2x2's  did find extra window framing wood. I put packing tape on seams before painting that held but shrunk so will do a touch up before 3rd coat. and Mr. B not only brought me home enough roofing rubber for two roofs, but he brought me home a a 230# roller as well ..happy camper..

[growalot]

OK,,,, So 12' is a tad taller than I remember...I was able to get the other end of tower up and both side secured...that is at the half way mark...as high as I could nail...now I have to figure out how I'm going to get the 2 side rails up and nailed to the end rails and post (10' 2"x8" )  Hhhmmmm Nothing to lean a ladder to..looks Like the 12" step ladder is going down there...maybe if I cut a 14 ft ash I could pry the other end up on a support nail and hold it there with the tree while I nail in the other end....thank God bought hangers for the floor joists...did I mention...I'm a tad afraid of heights...yes even though I hunt from some pretty tall stands...I'm anchored to some thing solid.....I'll eat lunch and think on this...lol

Edited August 21, 2015 by growalot

[growalot]

looks like I'm done for the day the 10ft'ers turned out to be 12'x2''x91/2''

....geez I've had this wood for so long I forgot how long it was...must have used the 10' ones on one of the other blinds...thats OK...better too long than too short...the 12 Ft. step ladder is in place and the generator will go on the gator tonite...I'll be down there first thing in the morning..

Mr B has some kind of power "thingy" he's going to put on the gator to run my saws and drills without having to have the generator...too cool!

 

This blind will be great...I will have two long shooting lanes just before the deer step into the lane way...so that means they will travel the woods and stop right in those lanes to check out the lane way before going out in the open...also I have cut a few trees that give me a long view down each side of blind down the lane way...The fence will always keep them 30 ft away at most in the front...and I have lined the woods edge with the trees I cut to keep them coming in close to the blind or one of the stands at either end of the lane way. There is an ash with a wild rose growing up it directly in front of the blind 5 ft out into the lane way...It is where my original ladder stand is...this blocks some view... but is great for the deer coming up out of the neighbors swamp....they won't notice the blind...I got busted a few times because they could see me on their approach up the hill and my stand faced my woods..they would see me peak around the tree... there is a mature oak just  over the fence in front of the blind..drops on us, and I have 5 mature reds. one dropping acorns this year that are lining the edge of lane way on either side of the blind...

Edited August 21, 2015 by growalot

[dbHunterNY]

sounds like an inverter.  don't use it without the gator running though or you'll kill the battery.

[growalot]

Holy Hanna...one side rail is finally up...Really could it have been more difficult? I'm thinking not...I did it though...measure 4x's cut once I brought two long ropes with me Then nailed two of the support nails in either end until they just broke the other side...I then went far enough down each end as to be past where it would go against the 4x4 and nailed in another...this one was to be a stop for the rope...tied the ropes to each end and threw the rest over end rails ...This allowed me to pull the board into place and tie it off so I could drive the nails in...did the one end and realized the other end was falling 4 inches short..WTH! after a bit of fussing... it dawned on me ELEVATION...I knew the west end was near a foot lower than the east...so I gathered my concrete patio blocks and lifted the 4x4 up lifting 3"inches at a time then checking...still short a 1/2-3/4 in..  So I hooked the rope to the winch and pulled her tight.......Not bad by myself and a woman my age if I do say so... ...The other rail will be a breeze and then it's just bracing and the floor joist and decking to do...

 

PS... I drove up got out and there was a fawn feeding on the edge of the lane way..weeds...I went about my business. Dang if it didn't hang around watching me about 50 yards away...crossed the lane way into the wood when I stared working the back side...not a care in the world...so funny

Edited August 22, 2015 by growalot

[growalot]

I got my beans done so worked on blind area... I worked on cutting the shooting lanes...I have one floor joist up  but need to go buy the right nails...mine are too long and go through other side,,,I leveled end posts and nailed in first top corner brace...then nailed in outside (wind) brace...she is actually rock solid and I can get the other extension ladder down there ...this will allow me to put the hangers in on both sides with out fiddling with that 12' step ladder...What a pain that's been...the constant threat of rain has kept me from working on the walls of the blind...can't paint them. Planted a Dunstun chestnut today. Well got to eat lunch ...see ya

[growalot]

Yesterday I got all but the last two floor joist in place... I need to make sure I have the correct measurements for the last one under the front shooting house wall. I need to be able to screw the plywood to it and then have the front of shooting house squared along it. I have more bracing to due but as is, the tower is solid...I do a lot of braces because I never sink the poles..Once sunk and a certain dimension they are considered permanent structures and can be taxed... So the out side bracing is important...Well gots to run have a good day

[growalot]

I'm getting closer...So last steps in tower are the rest of braces...no big deal but the plywood and decking...Can't goof the dimensions on plywood so I decided to pre-assemble the blind on the plywood...used our trailer.I taped it together ...this will also allow me to drill my pilot holes for final assembly also measure up for the drop in roof.... much easier when all the siding isn't on... took some pics.....So close to being done few more pieces to screw into place on walls and then putting on the siding door...painting and getting it into place...if it would just stop threatening to rain...anyways I'll worry about finishing touches...(removable tinted vinyl windows,curtains shelves and such later...

[Jeremy K]

Hope u don't mind if I leak the finished interior pics.

[growalot]

Lol...... not quiet that elaborate...just indoor out door carpet...I'm in taking a break... I have half of the front and the other side panel sided and I pre-fit the door frame and marked for the hinges...the top will swing in and the bottom will swing out...the deck will hide any movement of the bottom door...this way I can have the weather stop on out side of frame for the bottom on the deck...the top I will attach a rubber flap from roofing rubber...I have made the siding over lap the door frame and will swing with door as it opens.

 

thought on roof as I worked and that will have a frame that drops over the.top of building and have a 6" over hang on all sides...maybe wider on front and sides...the back is to a tree so I have to check clearance. I will make it out of 3 in. furring strips and top the frame with 6 of them and add a soffit board on all side of the same...this will make it light and give me something to attach a top layer of card board for sound and insulation and cover the entire thing in the rubber roofing...Then all I have to do is drop it over the building top once assembled and screw it to the frame. If I  ever want to move  or replace this it will be a matter of removing screws and stacking sections...

[growalot]

I got all the sides painted yesterday...I put the 3rd coat on the west wide and 2 coats on the rest...want that to cure a few days and then I will put on the final coat and camo them...I just need to finish the 20ft ladder from last year....so I can switch it out for the 16ft one I'm putting up at the tower. I still need to lay down the plywood but will wait until ladders are switched and rain passes...in the mean time I'll measure and cut decking and build the roof...Dang it will get done this year! It will be call Rivers blind.

[landtracdeerhunter]

That's one of those 300 sq. ft. or smaller houses, seen on them home improvement shows, airs on the tv..