Started my tower stand today

[Robert_in_NY]

Hey Robert,
I've been watching in silence, but after your last post, with the different angle or maybe I just noticed, the power line poles.
Now I'm thinking... those power poles are what 30' across? soooo. 2 more poles and you have a nice 30'x30' elevated, stress relieving, refreshment CLUB house hunting blind...WITH FREE power.....Sorry just dreaming.. Like your build, I would ask you what you have in it outside of labor, but it wouldn't relate for where I live. I didn't realize that you guys in the east used blinds much, but from looking at yours I see you guys also like more than a "board in a tree" one of those "labor" of love projects for sure..

I use to just hunt off a 5 gallon bucket set on top of a dirt mound on the edge of the woods in this field. In fact all my hunting was off of 5 gallon buckets or tree stumps. It wasn't till I got hurt that I started needing more comfortable hunting spots.

There are more and more tower stands being built up here but mostly in the rifle areas. Our county is one of the few that doesn't allow rifles so the towers are few and far between here.

If I had to guess I would say there is roughly $1k in it. My total cost so far is $700 and that is for all the OSB, roofing, door, two windows and insulation plust the frame work materials. I had half the shingles already which saved me a little money, I also had three windows which saved me about $250 and I did use some plywood I had for the floor and roof. So that is why I figure there is roughly $1k in it if I had to buy everything. I still have to close in the soffits, wrap windows and doors and side it but I have all those materials here. If I was to buy them it would add maybe another $200 plus what ever it is going to cost to build the staircase. I will figure the total out after I am done and let you know as it can give you a rough idea.

I know you were joking about the power lines but I will say this. I am already closer to them then I really want to be. I watched one of the lines arc before and it was a huge flash of electricity. The lineman we talked to later that day (who were just working in the area) said it happened most likely because of the amount of static in the air. Regardless, I was 140 yards away and it was extremely loud and something I didn't want to be any closer to. I did see an old neighbor who put a climbing tree stand on one of these wood poles and climbed over half way up to the power lines to sit and hunt one day.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

here is a pic of what was accomplished last night I hope to get some more done tonight but only time will tell.

 

[dave1949]

here is a pic of what was accomplished last night I hope to get some more done tonight but only time will tell.

Looks very nice Robert. I have neighbors whose houses don't look that well built

Are you concerned about wind load? Once it is all closed up, it will catch a lot in a storm maybe.

Dave.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Looks very nice Robert. I have neighbors whose houses don't look that well built

Are you concerned about wind load? Once it is all closed up, it will catch a lot in a storm maybe.

Dave.

Thanks Dave, I am having fun with this project and am happy about the fact I am doing 99% of it by myself.

Wind is my biggest concern which is why I am building it stout. The 4x6 posts are concreted into the ground, braced and extend through the building to the roof. The walls will be covered with 1/2 inch OSB inside and out which will really stiffen it up a lot more. I am not too worried anymore about wind as it is going to take a real powerful storm to move it.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Well I cut the stops for the windows that don't have built in nail fins and took them out there. Other then that all I did was close up the front gabel wall and put on the F channel while I was there. I only have one more sheet of OSB to put up on the exterior walls then the windows can all be installed. So its getting there.

 

[Western]

Nice Robert, really starting to come together. Wish you where my neighbor, I might have to cut her down for a nice shed..LOL

A friend and I built one on his place 1 time, He wanted a way to "take care of business" so we built a small urinal through the wall, piped it down to a buried 55 gal drum with holes cut all over the bottom. last I heard he hasn't had an "overfill".. But it was nice to have a place to go, so you didn't have to "go".

By the way how in the world did you find such nice 4x4's?? most I've seen lately, all you need is a string and you'd have a bow!

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Nice Robert, really starting to come together. Wish you where my neighbor, I might have to cut her down for a nice shed..LOL

A friend and I built one on his place 1 time, He wanted a way to "take care of business" so we built a small urinal through the wall, piped it down to a buried 55 gal drum with holes cut all over the bottom. last I heard he hasn't had an "overfill".. But it was nice to have a place to go, so you didn't have to "go".

By the way how in the world did you find such nice 4x4's?? most I've seen lately, all you need is a string and you'd have a bow!

It is easy to find good pressure treated material around here. Go to any lumber yard other then Home Depot. The posts are 4x6's as I wanted 18' posts and 4x4's only come in 16' lengths.

I have no plans to put a bathroom in of any sorts currently.

 

[EddieWalker]

With all the time that you've been spending out there working on it, have you seen any deer?

Eddie

 

[Robert_in_NY]

With all the time that you've been spending out there working on it, have you seen any deer?

Eddie

Yes, the deer are all over the place though. The heaviest trails are leading into our corn fields. This area is where the mature bucks tend to travel thru. It has always been a good spot and while you won't see 100 deer here every night there is a good chance you will see something worth while. I shot two wall hangers in this field, hit a monster also but spined him. While I was trying to get off the dirt mound, thru the brush and old grape wires and back into the field I got out just in time to see him pull himself up and take off running with his rear legs stiff. I tracked him into the swamp hoping he fell back down but I heard him bust out. Went back a hour later and never found him in there. A neighbor shot him later that season and he was all infected but was a beautiful non-typical wide racked buck. Last year I saw one nice one but it was too early in the morning and well before legal shooting hours so I had no choice but to let him walk and hope he comes back during legal hours. Never did see him again though but I have heard he is still around.

The deer were out all over yesterday taking advantage of this warm spell.

Also, except for the day I framed up the roof I usually only get to spend an hour or two tops working on this each day

 

[EddieWalker]

Most of the time when somebody mentions a wall hanger, I just smile and figure it could mean anything. With you and from the pics of the deer that you raise, I know that if you say it's a wall hanger, it's gonna be a real nice buck!!! Nice to know that you have deer of that quality on your land. I'm pretty excited about deer season here, but don't know of a single buck that I'd bother to shoot here. I'm going to be out there strictly on hope. With what you have running around, openind day and every day after is going to be amazing!!!!!!!

Eddie

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Most of the time when somebody mentions a wall hanger, I just smile and figure it could mean anything. With you and from the pics of the deer that you raise, I know that if you say it's a wall hanger, it's gonna be a real nice buck!!! Nice to know that you have deer of that quality on your land. I'm pretty excited about deer season here, but don't know of a single buck that I'd bother to shoot here. I'm going to be out there strictly on hope. With what you have running around, openind day and every day after is going to be amazing!!!!!!!

Eddie

I know exactly what you mean. Both my father and I measured for Boone and Crockett, Pope & Young and the NYS Big Buck Club. You have no idea how many times we have measured "new state records" for people only to have them not even meet the minimums for any of the clubs. I have been raised around big deer my whole life and had 3 of the 4 NY states biggest bucks hanging in my parents house while I was a kid as my dad was setting up for a show. I am so use to seeing big bucks it is second nature now which I guess is good as it keeps me calm while hunting.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Well I have been busy helping my friends harvest their grapes so I have not had a lot of free time to work on the stand. Today I helped harvest but left around 2pm as it was too nice a day to be stuck inside a cab tractor and I was just a luxury and wasn't really needed other then to help make things run smoother. So I insulated my ceiling after finishing attaching the ceiling joists then I covered the ceiling with OSB. I also insulated and OSB'ed the wall where the door is. I put the soffit on the one side and set the exterior window trim. I also put the last piece of OSB on the exterior wall. So it was a good day. Tomorrow should be the last day of harvesting my friends grapes then I will be free on weekends again.

 

[Thomas]

No one can't say when you do job Robert you don't give it your all..thumbs up.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Thanks Thomas

 

[Tororider]

Looking good Robert, can't wait to see the finished product. Now that I think about it, you probably can't either. When does deer season start for you?

 

[charlz]

I plan on using a heavy grit sand paper to rough up the steps first then seal them for the weather. Hopefully if I can rough them up enough it will help with traction when they are wet.

Why not just use a "Non Skid" type paint on the stair treads? Most I have seen have 'sand' in the paint but a quick search also turned up this:

SKID-NO-MORE RUBBERIZED NON-SKID COATING 100854 FIBRE GLASS-EVERCOAT CO

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Looking good Robert, can't wait to see the finished product. Now that I think about it, you probably can't either. When does deer season start for you?

It starts a week before thanksgiving. I am tired of hauling the OSB back and forth every night it is suppose to rain so I spent a few hours today trying to finish insulating and installing the OSB. I was doing good and got the inside all insulated and the first sheet on each of the remaining walls. I also cut the top sheets for them too but I decided to just set them inside and insulate the floor and try to put those sheets up myself First sheet I popped my neck trying to get the sheet up. Hurt like crazy but I did get the sheet up and the perimiter screwed. The other sheet is cut but I can't lift it up now So tonight my girlfriend is going to come out and give me a hand hanging the last few sheets and if time permits the door too. I just hope my neck pops back to where its suppose to be soon as I can't stand straight

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Why not just use a "Non Skid" type paint on the stair treads? Most I have seen have 'sand' in the paint but a quick search also turned up this:

SKID-NO-MORE RUBBERIZED NON-SKID COATING 100854 FIBRE GLASS-EVERCOAT CO

It is something I have considered, I just like stain better and with a heavy grit sandpaper I can rough the steps up nice and easy. In the end I may not do either though as I just want to get this project finished right now.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Well Brandee came over tonight and helped put the last sheet of OSB under the floor and hang the last three sheets on the interior walls. We also set one window and the door and installed the handle/deadbolt so it is secured except for the unchained ladders and three open window holes. My neck still hurts but the hard parts are done. Now I just need to set the last 4 windows, wrap them and finish the soffit and wrap the facia. Hopefully I can get a stair case built but I am not sure if I will have the time before season starts. Hopefully.

Thats Brandee in the window opening.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Well today was a crappy day, we had strong winds and a ton of rain again so everything is underwater. I never thought I would have to build a tower stand just so I could hunt above water of course if this keeps up I can hunt ducks out of this stand pretty soon. Might even make a nice ice fishing hut if the water gets up high enough, just cut a hole in the floor I sure do wish it would stop raining for a few weeks so my corn ground can dry up so I can actually get on it to harvest it.

So today I didn't do anything but work on my stand. I finished the soffits and facia, installed the rest of the windows and wrapped three of them (the two new ones I am just going to J around). I caulked the small window on the back as that was the only dry side that I dared caulk. I also put some more nails in the OSB inside as its only tacked. So I guess it was a good day since I did everything on my own and I dislike bending metal by myself.

I am going to design the staircase now and figure out what materials I need. Hopefully I have enough here to save some money. I realized I don't like the ladder to the door and am not going to put up with it any longer now. So all thats left other then the stairs is to bend the metal for the door, finish nailing the interior OSB (I ran out of nails so I had to go back to the barn for more) and finish screwing the OSB to the bottom of the floor joists. Then make some extensions for the windows and trim them and the door off after I insulate around them. I am not sure if I will bother to paint it this year or next spring. Brandee is looking forward to that job but I need to get done with this for this year so I stop driving around out there and let the deer get use to the new setup.

Its looking a lot better now and I am very pleased with how its turning out.