Started my tower stand today

[Tororider]

Robert,
Have you thought about a crossbow? I know with your back it might be easier, they have ones you can crank to draw them. In Michigan they have made crossbow laws less restrictive. In the shotgun zone anyone over 50 can use one during bow season. In the rifle zone anyone can use them during bow season. Just a thought. By the way, I have heard they are not as accurate as regular compounds past about 25 yards.

Looks great. I have been wanting to build one for the past couple years but haven't found the time. Maybe next year.

 

[EddieWalker]

Looks good. I like how the roof brings it to life.

Eddie

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Wow - That is Awesome work - How does a guy with a hurt back build that roof? - I'm guessing you are standing on a ladder with a nail gun. Still, it'd seem difficult to hold boards in place and secure them - Especially when you have a hurt back !

I have been building structures of all sorts for 20 years (almost 2/3's of my life) so I have learned a lot over that time frame. I built that roof from inside the stand using just the 6' step ladder. I didn't have a nail gun as I didn't want to bring the generator and compressor out there so everything has been nailed by hand which is why I am up at 2am as I pushed myself too hard today and am now paying the price.

What I did was build one side of the roof first, set two temporary legs and lifted the peak up onto them. Did the math to know exactly where I had to be and nailed it to the wall plate. The other side was basically the same but was a little more difficult but I still managed. The 16" on center rafters made it a challenge as I am not that skinny anymore so trying to work in between them kept me thinking of easy ways to do things.

Thanks for the compliments

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Robert,
Have you thought about a crossbow? I know with your back it might be easier, they have ones you can crank to draw them. In Michigan they have made crossbow laws less restrictive. In the shotgun zone anyone over 50 can use one during bow season. In the rifle zone anyone can use them during bow season. Just a thought. By the way, I have heard they are not as accurate as regular compounds past about 25 yards.

Looks great. I have been wanting to build one for the past couple years but haven't found the time. Maybe next year.

I am not overly excited about a cross bow. I don't doubt I can pull my current bows back and except for practicing I don't have to pull it back very often while hunting (hopefully only once). My problem is there is no desire right now to go bow hunting. I am sure I will get the bug again sometime but I don't know when.

Currently crossbows are still illegal in New York. I have a couple friends who have them and they both said the same thing about them being inaccurate over 25 yards. The only way you can get a legal permit to use a crossbow here is if your handicapped and it is determined that the only way for you to archery hunt is with one.

Don't put off on building your stand too long, this one has been in the plans for 4-5 years and if I didn't buy the poles and joists when I got the bug again I most likely would have put it off another year but once the poles are laying on the ground out there you kind of have no choice

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Looks good. I like how the roof brings it to life.

Eddie

Thanks. The roof really did make it look so much more "real". I was happy just having it framed up as I could then see the end of the line from that point.

 

[mbohuntr]

Robert. Sorry for all the critical posts, don't let them detract from the project. I injured my back a few years ago, and I know about the pain and cold issues. Luckily my injury was repaired by therapy and I'm pretty much 100%, but I can't tolerate cold or standing still on concrete for long periods like I used to. They said if they couldn't alleviate the pain then surgery would be necessary and I was done working. I remember working for an hour then laying on the couch for two. I remember a supervisor accusing my of faking my injury so I could collect disability??? I was back at work as soon as I could stand without spasms???? I never asked for a dime!!! People who have never had back injuries don't get it. I changed careers so I didn't have to lift and carry steel anymore. I ended up building my own home and many more projects. Keep going as well as your able and don't look back. Nice stand!!!

 

[20 20]

Robert in NY: looks great I'm sure you'll get much use out of it. Don't worry about the negative comments, just people with nothing better to do. I went and got my huntin lic. yesterday{$$$$}, wow paterson as really screwed this state up with his garbage. This state keeps this junk up and no one will hunt or fish. I know of quite a few now that said to heck with it.

 

[mbohuntr]

I Agree, I won't hunt this year in part because of the fee increase. I also sold that log house I built because the state tripled my taxes above what they quoted me before I built.
I've about had it with this state.

Hey Robert, why don't you try placing a tray on each leg of the stand and place a box on each tray that has a small hole in it with Decon in it. The mice will eat it before they start looking in the blind, and grey squirrels won't be able to squeeze in there.???

 

[coobie]

Good read robert!!I just had my amish neighbor build me a 6X6 stand,metal roof about 20 ft. high.He used RV camper windows and door that have worked out pretty slick.I just finished insulating it this past weekend.I can,t wait for michigan s deer season so I can hunt in comfort.coobie

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Robert. Sorry for all the critical posts, don't let them detract from the project. I injured my back a few years ago, and I know about the pain and cold issues. Luckily my injury was repaired by therapy and I'm pretty much 100%, but I can't tolerate cold or standing still on concrete for long periods like I used to. They said if they couldn't alleviate the pain then surgery would be necessary and I was done working. I remember working for an hour then laying on the couch for two. I remember a supervisor accusing my of faking my injury so I could collect disability??? I was back at work as soon as I could stand without spasms???? I never asked for a dime!!! People who have never had back injuries don't get it. I changed careers so I didn't have to lift and carry steel anymore. I ended up building my own home and many more projects. Keep going as well as your able and don't look back. Nice stand!!!

Thanks, I was not letting the negative posts bother me or detract from this thread.

I am better now as far as being able to stand but it still hurts me if I am standing for an hour or more. If I try to work with my arms out in front of me it stresses my back considerably and really causes me problems so I try to do all my cutting and work right close to my body and preferably near my waist as that is the easiest place for me to work without hurting. But reaching out, up or bending over working near my feet is tough and something that wears me out very quickly. I am hoping it is mostly just muscle issues as I keep hoping as I get stronger again I will be able to do these things better but its been 2 years now and I still can't do these things without hurting and getting wore out quick. That is why its taking me so long to work on this stand. Trying to do everything myself allows me to work on it when I want but it wears me out a lot quicker then if I had a helper.

Today I was gone all day and didn't get home till a half hour ago so all I want to do is relax and spend the rest of the evening with my daughter. Hopefully tomorrow I will be home in time to work on the stand some as I want to get the roof finished and put some more OSB up on the walls so I can start sealing things up tight. I won't side it till this winter or next spring though as I will be using the left over siding from my parents house which is another project I have been helping with in my spare time. There should be enough siding to do this stand so I won't have to buy any and I won't have to worry about painting. I like maintance free buildings