New "Mansion" stand

I decided with a child on the way and hopes she will take to hunting I would build a stand big enough. Well I sat down a month ago and started drawing out the plans. I came up with a 5'x8' blind. I also decided I wanted something low maintence and fully bug proof. The stand frame will be 1" square tubing, Sheetmetal skinned, fully insulated, and cedar interior walls stained. I will also add a small removable bed for her. I am going to use Deer View Slider windows. 2-48" and 1-72" the corners will be plexiglass. I found a new camper door with frame and screen on craigslist for $100. I will put it on a 10' tower with stairs leading up to a 3'x8' porch that will hold the propane tank and urinal. The stand will be fully wired with lights and 12 volt plugs to charge phone and ipads. All run off 3 batteries and solar panels.

NOW THE PICTURES

Looking good!!!

A Man after my own heart!!! Not having kids I decided to rais my standards also so I just went 5 X 5 and I will never go back. Make sure you put some upper and lower shelves in it and consider usingadjustable height brackets.

Bholt
BHOoutdoors
512-627-5594

I built one very very similar and thought this thing is going to last forever. Turns out it wasnt tornado proof though! Actually found it 150 yards from where it was originally set up and had tumbled so many times it was almost round.

Very nice

Very nice.

Gotta luv that door. Looking good buddy.

UPDDATE-This week I got windows picked up and fitted in. Got entire frame done and floor structure in. Welded out entire frame. Cut and installed wood for floor. I will get skins cut and installed this week. Should be ready for primer and paint by Saturday.

Looking good, looks like it grew even more.

Wait till I build the 2 piece base for it. 3'x8' porch/landing and the 5'x8' tower on 10' legs!! It will look huge!

MAN I CANT GET OVER HOW NICE THIS BLINDS GONNA BE ONCE DONE

very nice...

Looking good

NICE!

Thanks guys. I think progress will slow now with the wife in hospital

nice

Moved files in Photobucket

wow. thanks for reposting the pics!

For some dumb reason I cant edit my original post and put them there!!!

nice work.

Guys I will get some progress done Sat and Sun morning so look for pics

2 sides cut and fit!!!

Good work. It should last a life time with a good coat of paint.

It will get a automotive paint job. Father in law is paint and body guy!

I rhino line it.

X2 or find the some of the good paint if the EPA still let's them make it "rig gaurd"

The metal one I made is loud... The truck liner should quiet it a bunch

I am going to do the inside with bedliner, dynomat, and 1" foam insulation. Plus I will finish out the inside with 1"x6" cedar and then stain it.

Your progress on this thing is really making me feel like a loser

I still haven't started on the base yet. My wife made me come inside yesterday and take pictures of her opening preesents at the shower which set me back a little.

I finally got out in the garage and got some work done!! Finished getting it skinned and stuck all windows and door in. I need a piece of plexiglass for other side.
I will get base started tomorrow. should get main structure done.

Yes it will come out of the arage once I take it off the car dollies.

What does this weigh?

Not sure yet but I can pick it up and put it on the car dollies by myself. Frame is 1" square 16 gauge and sheet metal is 24 gauge. 3/4" plywood.I think each piece of sheetmetal weighs 30lbs and the 1" weighs close to 1lb a foot.
120' of 1"--------------------------------------120lbs
5 sheets of 24 gauge. (estimate after all cuts)-150lbs
1.75 sheets of 3/4" bc sanded plywood-----------60lbs
Camper door-------------------------------------60lbs (est)
4 windows.--------------------------------------50lbs (est
Total-------440lbs

After it is done close to 600-700lbs total. after I add the paint, undercoating, insulation, shelves, carpet, and cedar. THAT DOESNT INCLUDE THE 10' TALL 8'X8' BASE

Still looking good

Base is officially started!!

Looking good

it will be something to be proud of when it is done. all these metal deer stand builds makes me think one would be good for a walk-in smokehouse.

I blame it all on Ramball!

I blame it all on Ramball!

I wish I had 24 gauge sheet on mine, those 14 gauge sheets weigh 100 lbs a piece! I'll do the figuring on the weight of yours when I get home, I have a neat little cheat book for that.

Let me know when you want some sheet metal.

Looks good Andrew!

Main structure for the tower is built and standing!!

Nice build, very impressive.

Got a couple hours in tonight. Now I need to add x bracing going from top to bottom and the base is done!

wow.. love the old jeep.. im a hobart fan my self i bought a ironman 230 and love it!! great job on building it !

does the base come apart? or how high/wide will it be setting on your trailer to get it to your hunting area? my base is 6 foot at the top and almost 9 foot wide at the bottom and was 7 foot tall. we put it on the trailer up side down and made a midnight run to the lease which was only 15 minutes from the house.

you are doing a great job but just curious.

Nice job!

I will lay it down on the trailer upside down. It is only 9' tall width wise at bottom it is 8' length ways not worried about

Nice!!

Very impressive. Thats gonna be one heck of a blind!

Super nice!!!!!

One and done, that stand will last forever.

I should of taken a welding class...

Come on over. I will show you all I know should take 5 mins

I got the tower laid over and ready to load on the trailer tomorrow so it can make its trip next weekend to the lease. I will get loaded pics tomorrow.

Awesome Blind! Can't wait to see it all up

As promised

Nice!

What's the news Andrew? That kid keepin you too busy?

Yes she is. I am still trying to figure out roof material.

man that thing is a beast! May turn out to be the "8th wonder of the world"! I bet it lasts many generations of your family.

So fine!

How are you gonna get it on the tower? Lay it down?

yeah i will lay it over on the trailer then bolt to tower and pull up with winch.

Got my roof material today!!!! 5x8 16 gauge fits perfect!! Now I will work on it in the am.

Roof is on and windows are buttoned in place. I also got door adjusted and screwed in place. Time to work on it has become very scarce. I am now driving 3hrs roundtrip to work plus deer season is here.

Great looking blind. Nice windows

wow.. thats a nice blind. really looking forward to seeing it when you are able to finish it and post completed pics.

Started laying down just random paint over the primer. Once I get roof sealant on I will cover entire stand in Desert Tan. Then start using browns and greens to camo it. Don't want dark colors to make it a oven.

Base coat of tan is on now!
2 coats of primer and 2 coats of tan!! Next I will pull it outside and camo it.

god gonna be heavy an a bitch to move

It is alot lighter than you guys think. I can move it around my garage myself. 600-700lbs

Started the inside. Got it insulated. Started putting cedar up. Gonna take it all back out and put it back in once it's in the air at the lease.

Picked up the rest of the wood last night should have finished pics this next week

That is outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!

Getting closer. Should be on the trailer ready for its trip to the lease by next weekend.




Trying to figure out what to do on the ceiling.

Great looking blind. I am a beginner welder and I am wanting to build a 5x5. I was wondering what is the best way to start welding your(4)corners. How do you keep them straight and level? I am thinking that once you have the four corners straight, everything else should be square. I know you have to use a level for each corner but I thought you might have some tips. Thanks

Measure corner to corner diagonally. Once measurement is same it is ssquare. Then I use a 90 degree clamp to hold everything in place

Do you use the magnet clamp? Thanks

Combo of the big 90* mag. clamp and the vise style. I built the front and rear wall on the ground then stood them up on the floor base. If you are local I could come by and give you a hand

I sure do appreciate the offer but I live in Rowlett. If I lived in GP, I would sure let you. Hopefully, I will be able to figure it out. Thank you very much for your help.

One more question and I will quit bugging you. What degree of angle do you cut your base legs at? About 22? Thanks

That is looking great. I built a 5x5 this year, but with a 15mo old and another on the way I will be building a similar project in a few years.

Love the idea of the cedar lining.

I think it was 20

Loaded and ready for the trip to the lease.



Also picked up some implements to aid in food plots

Still gonna refine the shelfs and other stuff but it is huntable now

Wow...looks awesome..can't wait to see it perched high in the sky..

pics on in the photo section now high in the air