Hunting platform
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Hunting platform
I bought a 38 acre lot earlier this yr and finally got time to put up a platform. It's the first one I've ever done so if someone has comment's, I'm listening. It is 8'x8' on top and on 10' 4x4s. It's very stable but for some reason I'd like to add some more to it for long term stability. I was thinking about using 3/4" plywood triangles and my buddy seems to think I should just remove the lower 2x4s at the bottom and move them up. I plan on putting a 5 hub ground blind this year and if I have the time and this place is productive, I'll put up a solid structure on the platform. I put a ladder made from 2x4s on the backside after the picture.
Opinions?
Opinions?
Some people just like stepping on rakes
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Re: Hunting platform
Looks good Don . Maybe a pipe for when nature calls .
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Re: Hunting platform
Looks great Don, I think the only other thing I might do is to add another crossmember to form an x on each side but use cable with turnbuckles to adjust for changing ground conditions in the future.
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Re: Hunting platform
A pee pipe? You guys being serious? With a funnel in case of bad aim?
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Re: Hunting platform
Bcxbow has the right idea. All I will add is to half-lap the 2x4s where they cross and overlap each other. That will achieve two things, by half-lapping the 2x4s it will make the joints more secure and it will solidify and increase the longevity of the entire structure.
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Re: Hunting platform
Yes, make all your bracing "X"s by adding another member. Also if you can fasten them to each other where they cross it will stiffen it up even more.
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Re: Hunting platform
Don I like the above suggestion. I believe that if you use 3/4 plywood, the size (on a triangle) that you might need might just be enough to catch wind where you lose stability.
I would also add abs pipe both inside and outside, most on the outside to add fresh cut branches throughout the season for natural camo.
Not sure how far the stand is for you to travel to but it looks like a nice garage for your atv ....... but remember that your "nature's call" pipe is pointing away from your atv. I have found that deer down in southern Ontario are not on alert from atvs.
Tom
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Re: Hunting platform
How far will the bear bait pile be?
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Re: Hunting platform
I no nothing but I think the x would be a smart idea! Another thought would be to plant apple trees around the base to add some cover
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Re: Hunting platform
You know as we age the initial spurt is a bit fanned out, just saying! The funnel might be a good upgrade!
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Re: Hunting platform
I agree X out the sides and since your not going to enclose it right away I’d waterproof the floor area. Other than that looks great.
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Re: Hunting platform
Don, what you are looking to achieve is triangulation. The theory works that the load is always taken from one point and dispersed between the other two connection point. Consider that every connection is a small roof. The peak directs the weight outside to both walls and down. Contrary to popular belief, a right angle triangle it nearly indestructible.
I'm simplfying this considerably, but the theory works throught the whole structure.
Your idea of plywood gussets is exactly the correct way,
However with 4x4's your be considerably better off to replicate the gusset with a 2x4 's increasing the above of the triangle to feet instead of inches. Leverage works on your side if the connecting materials are stranger and further apart.
Consider this. If you had two 10' 4x4's connected at 45° angle to one and other suppoerted by a 12" gusset and two people pulled the legs apart... How easy would that be to break apart? Replace that with a 2x4 place 48" down each 4x4 and try to pull that apart. Not happening.
X bracing creates the exact same scenario.
The other piece of the puzzle is the connection methods. Two solid BOLTED connections will stop the braces from rotating. Which completely eliminates any structural integrity you may have created. Screws are NOT structural components and will not hold. But people sure buy a lot of them.
Moving the bottom boards up do nothing for structural integrity.
I'm simplfying this considerably, but the theory works throught the whole structure.
Your idea of plywood gussets is exactly the correct way,
However with 4x4's your be considerably better off to replicate the gusset with a 2x4 's increasing the above of the triangle to feet instead of inches. Leverage works on your side if the connecting materials are stranger and further apart.
Consider this. If you had two 10' 4x4's connected at 45° angle to one and other suppoerted by a 12" gusset and two people pulled the legs apart... How easy would that be to break apart? Replace that with a 2x4 place 48" down each 4x4 and try to pull that apart. Not happening.
X bracing creates the exact same scenario.
The other piece of the puzzle is the connection methods. Two solid BOLTED connections will stop the braces from rotating. Which completely eliminates any structural integrity you may have created. Screws are NOT structural components and will not hold. But people sure buy a lot of them.
Moving the bottom boards up do nothing for structural integrity.
Boo wrote: ↑Sat Aug 24, 2019 3:30 pmI bought a 38 acre lot earlier this yr and finally got time to put up a platform. It's the first one I've ever done so if someone has comment's, I'm listening. It is 8'x8' on top and on 10' 4x4s. It's very stable but for some reason I'd like to add some more to it for long term stability. I was thinking about using 3/4" plywood triangles and my buddy seems to think I should just remove the lower 2x4s at the bottom and move them up. I plan on putting a 5 hub ground blind this year and if I have the time and this place is productive, I'll put up a solid structure on the platform. I put a ladder made from 2x4s on the backside after the picture.
Opinions?
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