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Feb 12th, 2024
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 Metal deer blind base
#4908835
01/14/14 03:41 AM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
golfer610
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7 |
Looking into building a 4x6 blind on top of a 8' to 10' metal stand.
Is 1/8" angle iron good to use for the legs or should we jump to 3/16"? Is angle iron even strong enough to hold 500 - 700 lbs? (weight of blind plus person(s)?
Would it be unsafe to use angle iron at 1/8 or 3/16?
What would be more cost effective and reliable? Round/square tubing or angle iron?
I haven't found much information on the forum about metal based deer stands...
Thanks!
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#4908854
01/14/14 03:46 AM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 262
Karnis
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 262 |
Square tubing is the way to go. Built many that way.
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#4908866
01/14/14 03:50 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,534
JustWingem
Gentleman Jack
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Gentleman Jack
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,534 |
We pick up used Pallet racks for less than $250 depending on height and cross braces. This one is 16' with the blind sitting about 12'. Had a welder make the stairs with hand rails. 
DON'T GET CONFUSED BETWEEN MY PERSONALITY AND MY ATTITUDE. MY PERSONALITY IS WHO I AM...MY ATTITUDE DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ARE 
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#4908971
01/14/14 04:47 AM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
golfer610
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7 |
With that height, and a 4' base with that much weight up top, are you concerned about it being top heavy and easily blown over?
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#4908977
01/14/14 04:53 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,534
JustWingem
Gentleman Jack
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Gentleman Jack
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,534 |
Cable tied at all 4 corners. We have about a dozen like this and taller. West Texas so wind is always blowing with no issues.
DON'T GET CONFUSED BETWEEN MY PERSONALITY AND MY ATTITUDE. MY PERSONALITY IS WHO I AM...MY ATTITUDE DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ARE
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#4909293
01/14/14 02:12 PM
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 262
Karnis
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 262 |
Very nice and a damn good ideer on the racks.......
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: JustWingem]
#4909391
01/14/14 02:55 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,590
Pope&Young
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 11,590 |
We pick up used Pallet racks for less than $250 depending on height and cross braces. This one is 16' with the blind sitting about 12'. Had a welder make the stairs with hand rails. Something tells me that you spent a lot of time building erector sets in your younger days 
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: Pope&Young]
#4910251
01/14/14 09:18 PM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,534
JustWingem
Gentleman Jack
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Gentleman Jack
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,534 |
We pick up used Pallet racks for less than $250 depending on height and cross braces. This one is 16' with the blind sitting about 12'. Had a welder make the stairs with hand rails. Something tells me that you spent a lot of time building erector sets in your younger days Nope! Just had a warehouse job and helped the company move back in high school. Got the idea when they set them up in the parking lot. Climbing up and checking out inventory.
DON'T GET CONFUSED BETWEEN MY PERSONALITY AND MY ATTITUDE. MY PERSONALITY IS WHO I AM...MY ATTITUDE DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ARE
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#4910407
01/14/14 10:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7
golfer610
OP
Green Horn
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OP
Green Horn
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 7 |
How long have you been using those? Have they been used for years out in the sun and rain and whatnot?
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#4910711
01/15/14 12:42 AM
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,534
JustWingem
Gentleman Jack
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Gentleman Jack
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,534 |
Some are over 25 years old. A little surface rust but nothing structural.
DON'T GET CONFUSED BETWEEN MY PERSONALITY AND MY ATTITUDE. MY PERSONALITY IS WHO I AM...MY ATTITUDE DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ARE
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#4910752
01/15/14 12:53 AM
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Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 400
Weegs
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 400 |
I can second the pallet rack idea. We bolted treated lumber across the legs to give it a bigger stance and you can see the gravel we used to make sure everything was level. Added a couple of pounds of rocks to the bottom shelf to help ballast the things just for fun. This has been rock solid for a couple of years now. 
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#4912015
01/15/14 06:00 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,817
TxAg
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,817 |
2" 14ga square tubing works well for towers. Then use 1" square to weld in some horizontal bracing near bottom, and some diagonal bracing. It will be solid.
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#4912905
01/16/14 01:07 AM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,726
Lazyman
Extreme Tracker
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Extreme Tracker
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 4,726 |
1 1/2 square tubing is fine...That's what I build all mine out of..Just make sure there is some bracing and you should be fine... 
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#4956040
02/05/14 10:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 48
gusman
Light Foot
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Light Foot
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 48 |
Last two I built used 2" angle for the frame and 2"pipe on legs in the corners welded plate on the frame with 2 1/2 " leg sockets. WITH 12' legs need no cross bracing, just drive t post next to legs and tie with wire..
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#4960271
02/07/14 05:30 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 251
9toes
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 251 |
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#4960646
02/07/14 08:07 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,856
30378
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,856 |
Looks nice but if it started lightning I think I'd be back at camp.
NRA Benefactor Life Member - Free men should not be subjected to permits, paperwork and taxation in order to carry a firearm.
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: 30378]
#4960873
02/07/14 10:14 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,272
redchevy
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 40,272 |
Looks nice but if it started lightning I think I'd be back at camp. Never really thought about it before... but that comment makes me thing twice about hunting in lightning! 
It's hell eatin em live
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#4991653
02/25/14 04:00 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 162
RifleDude
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 162 |
I've started using the steel "Unistrut" channel pieces you can buy from any big hardware store for my blind towers. Not only is it plenty strong, but it's super easy to use, because it comes with plenty of convenient pre-cut slots over the full length, so you have plenty of holes available to bolt pieces together. You simply cut the pieces to the length you want with a hacksaw or 'Sawz-All" and bolt together through the existing slots. It literally takes me about 1 hour to completely build a sturdy tower from this stuff by myself, and I can put it together on-site. I use the 1-5/8 X 1-5/8 X 10' pieces for the 4 legs and main cross members at top and bottom, and the 1-5/8 X 7/8 for the ladder and cross-brace pieces. They come already plated or painted, so they last a long time without rusting, but I always camo paint the platform anyway.
Ted
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: RifleDude]
#5006725
03/05/14 08:18 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6
Tyler99Mess
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 6 |
That's a great idea. Do you have any pics by chance?
Kick his a$$ Seabass!
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: RifleDude]
#5010729
03/08/14 02:00 AM
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,211
skinnerback
THF Celebrity Chef
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THF Celebrity Chef
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 28,211 |
I've started using the steel "Unistrut" channel pieces you can buy from any big hardware store for my blind towers. Not only is it plenty strong, but it's super easy to use, because it comes with plenty of convenient pre-cut slots over the full length, so you have plenty of holes available to bolt pieces together. You simply cut the pieces to the length you want with a hacksaw or 'Sawz-All" and bolt together through the existing slots. It literally takes me about 1 hour to completely build a sturdy tower from this stuff by myself, and I can put it together on-site. I use the 1-5/8 X 1-5/8 X 10' pieces for the 4 legs and main cross members at top and bottom, and the 1-5/8 X 7/8 for the ladder and cross-brace pieces. They come already plated or painted, so they last a long time without rusting, but I always camo paint the platform anyway. You can do a lot of things with Unistrut.
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: Tyler99Mess]
#5012501
03/09/14 01:35 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 162
RifleDude
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 162 |
Do you have any pics by chance? Don't have any pics at the moment, but I'm planning to go out to my lease next weekend, and I'll take some pics and post.
Ted
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: RifleDude]
#5025203
03/17/14 05:34 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 162
RifleDude
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 162 |
Hi, Tyler --
I intended to get some pics as promised, but it started raining cats and dogs and flooded the area where this blind is located (my lease borders the Sabine River), so I couldn't get to it.
Ted
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: RifleDude]
#5356405
10/13/14 01:22 AM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 162
RifleDude
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 162 |
Do you have any pics by chance? Don't have any pics at the moment, but I'm planning to go out to my lease next weekend, and I'll take some pics and post. Tyler99Mess -- You may have forgotten about this thread at this point, and I hate to revive an old thread, but you requested pics of my tower blind base made of unistrut. I apologize for taking so long; I kept forgetting. I was out at my lease this weekend and remembered to take a pic. This is my favorite blind; the one I hunt out of the most...  And, here's another blind tower we made out of unistrut that we haven't setup yet...  The beauty of unistrut is it already has slots cut along its entire length, making it easy to bolt pieces together, and the "U" shape provides strength without a lot of weight. Again, sorry it took me so long to post the pics.
Ted
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#5358829
10/14/14 03:27 AM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,286
jetdad
THF Trophy Hunter
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THF Trophy Hunter
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,286 |
Just curious, what's your approximate cost on a tower like above? I've used it before to run conduit but it's been awhile and don't recall how much a foot it runs.
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: jetdad]
#5360929
10/15/14 03:58 AM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 162
RifleDude
Woodsman
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Woodsman
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 162 |
Just curious, what's your approximate cost on a tower like above? I've used it before to run conduit but it's been awhile and don't recall how much a foot it runs. For the tower only (no blind), about $300.
Ted
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: RifleDude]
#5363432
10/16/14 02:58 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 18,966
HuntingTexas
THF Celebrity
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THF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 18,966 |
Just curious, what's your approximate cost on a tower like above? I've used it before to run conduit but it's been awhile and don't recall how much a foot it runs. For the tower only (no blind), about $300. Great idea and great pics !!
" In God We Trust "
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: RifleDude]
#5438792
11/23/14 09:12 PM
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2
MSGamekeeper
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 2 |
I've started using the steel "Unistrut" channel pieces you can buy from any big hardware store for my blind towers. Not only is it plenty strong, but it's super easy to use, because it comes with plenty of convenient pre-cut slots over the full length, so you have plenty of holes available to bolt pieces together. You simply cut the pieces to the length you want with a hacksaw or 'Sawz-All" and bolt together through the existing slots. It literally takes me about 1 hour to completely build a sturdy tower from this stuff by myself, and I can put it together on-site. I use the 1-5/8 X 1-5/8 X 10' pieces for the 4 legs and main cross members at top and bottom, and the 1-5/8 X 7/8 for the ladder and cross-brace pieces. They come already plated or painted, so they last a long time without rusting, but I always camo paint the platform anyway. I don't have any experience using it but this Unistrut material sounds great. I greatly appreciate the information. I do have a couple of questions: 1) Do you think you could possible go higher than 10 ft by putting two pieces together? 2) How heavy are the box blinds you're putting on these Unistrut towers? 3) What type bolts are you using? Thanks for the information.
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#5448799
11/29/14 11:32 PM
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 251
charliet
Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 251 |
You can buy it in 20 foot lengths . I would use 3/8 inch hardware .
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#5458850
12/05/14 03:53 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 953
Nate C.
Tracker
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Tracker
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 953 |
Does the unistrut give (sway, twist, yaw) at all, or is the platform completely locked down?
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Re: Metal deer blind base
[Re: golfer610]
#5459540
12/05/14 04:33 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,072
cabosandinh
Veteran Tracker
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Veteran Tracker
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,072 |
where's a good place to buy unistrut channels and accessories in north Texas / Dallas ?
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