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Advice on building a box blind???
#6340690
06/19/16 08:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,015
TurkeyWhisperer
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OP
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I've sat in a ton of box blinds through the years, but never built one. My son and I are wanting to build one as father/son project. Wanted to get some advice, tips, things not to do, etc. Here is what we are looking to build:
1. 2-man wooden box blind 2. 3-4 foot off the ground 3. Light enough to transport hopefully
Thank in advance!
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6340694
06/19/16 08:34 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,663
CRAnderson52
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Posts: 2,663 |
My one bit of advice... Always build it bigger then you think you want.
You can run but you can't hide...
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6340717
06/19/16 08:56 PM
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Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287
scalebuster
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 6,287 |
What kind of advice do you want. Figure out what size you want it to be and build it.
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6340727
06/19/16 09:02 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,796
dogcatcher
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 110,796 |
Read some of the "build-a-longs" on this link. http://tnttt.com/viewforum.php?f=55&sid=e3d2f284f545152d71c3ccc2d9bb436c This link is a truck camper build, most of the basics are included in this thread. http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=55&t=64361These guys build small travel trailers using building foam, canvas, Titebond, Gorilla glue and paint. The structures are strong enough to take highway travel and last outdoors. I have never seen a deer blind made this way, but in my opinion it can be done and it will last as long or maybe longer than plywood. It will be light enough that 3 or 4 people should be able to move it. If you are on Facebook, do a search for a poster that uses "Rowerwet" as his screen name. He builds kayaks using the same process. https://www.facebook.com/Rowerwet/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1112141905468256Back to the blind, the one I had when my son was growing up was 4x6 with 7' on the front wall and 6' on the back wall. I welded up a stand that was 6' high, using square tubing and angle iron, with angled legs it was pretty sturdy and fit in the bed of the pickup. Took 2 trips to haul it, one for the box and one for the stand. Don't forget to make a ladder, one that you can remove, to restrict access.
Combat Infantryman, the ultimate hunter where the prey shoots back. _____________"Illegitimus non carborundum est"_______________
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6340815
06/19/16 10:41 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 265
ELKMTB
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 265 |
make the sides out of hardi board. Will last forever.
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6340833
06/19/16 10:54 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,185
Stratgolfer
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I built a 4x6. treated lumber and hardiboard. it is a little heavy but easy to work with and has weather well 3 years in.
"I was called by the Yorkers a outlaw, and later by the english a rebel" Ethan Allen
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6340848
06/19/16 11:12 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,685
txbobcat
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Posts: 2,685 |
Get good Windows and seal up good.
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: Stratgolfer]
#6340849
06/19/16 11:12 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 306
WNPHNTR
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 306 |
Make it at home so you know you have everything and is how you want it, then take it out to your place either in sections or intact if possible. It's a pain being out away from supplies and needing something.
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6340867
06/19/16 11:28 PM
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,140
Dalee7892
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,140 |
I made mine at home. First I set up chair, Bach pack, heater, whatever else I thought I might have on concrete and made marks. Decided the size. Construct a platform (base), made walls in sections. Sat in chair I would use with rifle to get comfortable height to bottom of window height of window 12" higher, width of widow about 24". Flip up, flip down, slider your choice. Door at least 24" wide. Wall height, I'm 6'. Low wall 6'-4" high wall 7', slope towards door. Made mine with 2x2 and 1/2" exterior plywood. Painted inside and out hunter green, at least 2 coats good exterior paint. Roof 3/4" plywood with roll roofing with metal drip around the edges, also painted. Make sure not to use to long of roofing nails, you get poked in the head.
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6342325
06/21/16 02:06 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,115
Ranch Dawg
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 6,115 |
5x8 or your gonna regret it !
THE ROAD GOES ON FOREVER AND THE PARTY NEVER ENDS.
F##K YOU JOE BIDEN !!!!!
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6343907
06/22/16 04:16 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,335
onlysmith&wesson
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,335 |
There's a lot of good advice posted. Build at home, 2" x 2"s, 1/2 plywood, etc.
Build your walls independent, so that you can take one wall at a time up on your elevated platform. Using 2" x 2"'s will also allow you to assemble the walls with a cordless screw gun and long deck screws. Just build your front and back walls with your 2 x 2's flush with the edge of your plywood, and your side walls framed with the end 2 x 2's set inside your plywood. This will allow your walls to fit together, assembled one at a time. I use a finish nailer and glue. I take it to my tower in six pieces: the floor deck, four walls and a roof on a 2 x 4 frame that is corner braced with metal screwed down. I can put this thing together alone in 30 minutes or less. I'm going on eight years and three locations with this set up. Send me a pm if you want pictures or any other advice.
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6343915
06/22/16 04:23 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,335
onlysmith&wesson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,335 |
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6343965
06/22/16 05:44 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,866
PMK
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,866 |
where did that camo siding come from?
"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."
~PMK~
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6344001
06/22/16 06:21 PM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,335
onlysmith&wesson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,335 |
Lowes. I just happened to see it sitting on a pallet outside, left over from deer season. It's 3/8" OSB with this weather proof film applied to one side. Those pic's are several years old. The weather has 0 effect on it and it sheds water. I didn't even know they made this stuff. It can be ordered, but they don't stock it any more. I paid like eight bucks per sheet, they couldn't get rid of it.
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6344165
06/22/16 09:36 PM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,866
PMK
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12,866 |
thanks! I went to Lowes and Home Depot on line but didn't find anything like that shown even to order. after further searching found Mossy Oak 7/16 OSB but states no longer available at Lowes.com ... will keep looking
"everyone that lives dies but not everyone who dies lived..."
~PMK~
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6344464
06/23/16 01:51 AM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 317
Bradgrace
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 317 |
My advice is spend the money on good a good door and Windows. Keep the wasps, owls and buzzards out and it's nice to be able to keep the heat in and not have drafts. A comfortable blind makes a hunt so much more enjoyable especially in adverse conditions.
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6344694
06/23/16 11:10 AM
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Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,335
onlysmith&wesson
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,335 |
Something else, put shelves on the outside with metal brackets. These work great for shooting rests with sand bags. You won't give up any interior space and you can make them 6-7" wide and have a great shooting rest shooting off of bags.
An unethical shot is one you take, that you know you shouldn't.
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6345096
06/23/16 04:54 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,015
TurkeyWhisperer
OP
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OP
Pro Tracker
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,015 |
Thank guys! Lots of great info!
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6345491
06/23/16 10:24 PM
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,140
Dalee7892
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,140 |
Don't worry about the fancy camo. I just used a good real good green exterior paint, use a good primer first. No fancy camo. Paint inside dark color, I used the forest green in and out. Did put some window tint on.
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6345806
06/24/16 03:05 AM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,753
Nathan Nelson
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
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Posts: 4,753 |
Figure out what chairs you are going to uses before you cut out the windows.
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6346060
06/24/16 02:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,811
TxAg
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,811 |
Many good tips listed already. My advice is to:
a) use real glass windows from Deerview of similar. They will seal up better and last much longer than wood or plexi. Put a drip edge over them for the rainy hunting mornings.
b) To avoid problems down the road, you can use a weather-stripped pre-hung door, or one of the aluminum doors from Deer View. These will not swell or rot like a plywood/2x2 door (no sticking or gapping), and will also seal better.
c) Caulk every seam! Moisture is the enemy, and critters will use any gaps left open to infest your blind.
d) I would go 4x6 at a minimum. If you want to routinely hunt more than 2 go 4x8, or even better 5x8. That extra foot of depth sure makes it more comfortable.
e) As said above, don't cut your windows too high. You can adjust for a window that's a little low, but a window that is too high makes it hard to get a solid shooting position.
f) Use treated lumber for the floor frame. It will be the first to rot.
g) Think about maintenance ahead of time when you choose your skin. Painting a plywood stand is easy when it is on the ground. Not so easy when it is 6 ft up in the air. Plywood will need to be painted every few years, while siding can go many years with no maintenance.
I think it's great that y'all are doing this as a project together. I'm sure you'll both learn alot, and have some fun too.
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Re: Advice on building a box blind???
[Re: TurkeyWhisperer]
#6348072
06/26/16 02:45 PM
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,710
603Country
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 15,710 |
TxAg has good advice and said most things I'd have thought of. But a few more things to mention:
- extend the roof on all sides to keep rain from finding its way into the blind. - I buy a bicycle inner tube and split it longways and tack it over where the door joins the blind on hinge side. - I use T11 (T111?) siding for the walls. Years pass and I have no rot. - treated plywood floor and floor level 2x4's, and around Windows. - I use the bug resistant foam that Home Depot sells. - corner shelves above window level are nice to have.
Not my monkeys, not my circus...
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