TREE STAND

[j.krug]

I wanted to make my own tree stand so I made a little sketch, cut up some steel and took my welder over to my brothers garage.
Before long the basic frame came together nicely.
A couple days later I took it to work so I could paint it and attach the seat and platform.

The platform is 30" x 36" and the seat is 20" high from the platform.
It's all 1/8" angle iron and preasure treated deck planking so it is really solid...which is good cause I'm a big fella!
It weighs 50 lbs which is a bit heavy but I plan on putting it in the tree and leaving it there for the year so that's okay.

Here it is before welding.



The welding has begun.







A trial run....looks like it should work!!



And here it is painted,







I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out and I have the steel cut already to make a second one.
The first one is made from steel and wood scraps I had laying around already so it only cost me $6 for a can of paint,
Now I just have to wait patiently for spring to hang it.

[vixenmaster]

Looks like a stand to me, so when you going to hang it in the tree ?

[onebigskittle]

I like it because its big enough for a gear bag packed with everything you need to stay all day

[munch]

looks good jim lots of room

[Normous]

Looks good! It gives you time to find a good butt pad.

[Cossack]

Sorry after not one, not two but three falls from elevated stands I'm a confirmed ground weasel. My hunting partner fell 20-something feet from a stand this fall, shattered both femurs and spent the better part of TWO MONTHS in hospital of nursing home rehabbing. Be careful out there, hear?

[j.krug]

Terry & onebigskittle, I like to have a little room to move around and have a pack up in the tree with me as well.

Norm, I do have a nice thick comfy butt pad ready to go. I made the seat just the right size to fit it.

Vixenmaster, I'm not gonna put it up till next march. Deer season ends here December 31st so I won't bother this year.

Cossak, I've been fortunate to never fall or have a close call but I am SUPER careful when using tree stands. I'm a little leary of hieghts so I'm always on my toes!!

[the elf]

Looks real good---I would add some non slip material to your foot platform as pressure treated wood is SUPER SLIPPERY WHEN WET---or even damp--Concrete floor paint with non slip stuff in it----or porch and deck enamel with a little sand sprinkled into the top coat
works well. Hope this helps.

[j.krug]

That might not be a bad idea elf.

[Normous]

Another safe idea is to purchase a good roll of the industrial non slip tape from Princess Auto the next time it goes on sale. I see it comes up regularly in the sale flyers I noticed. You can use a generous amount on your platform. Clean it well for a good adhesion. The elf is right about being slippery.

[Hoss]

That will work..looks good..

[dutchhunter]

very nice . i would add some extended pieces tht grip the tree at the seat and the foot platform . about 6 inches long fourming a V that would sit against the tree trunk .are you ging to us chain or straps to hold it in place DUTCH

[j.krug]

very nice . i would add some extended pieces tht grip the tree at the seat and the foot platform . about 6 inches long fourming a V that would sit against the tree trunk .are you ging to us chain or straps to hold it in place DUTCH

I will be fastening it to the tree with three 5/8" lag bolts through the three holes in the upright that goes up to the seat. You can see the holes in one of the finished tailgate pics. Will also be putting a chain or strap on it just in case.

[Normous]

+1 on the chain for safety.

[R.J.]

Nice job ... looks great !