this I can tell you will crumble. I wouldn't go up in this for NOTHING!!! 20ft 4x4 that is not structural span and it's literally just stud lumber. I am thinking this is under 600 pounds of strength. I will bet anything that there is a crack someplace on those 4x4's. I would highly advise that you seek someone with construction and engineering experience to do some weight bearing calculations on this structure. I am saying these things to help you. that is it. I really feel that this is not safe.
My elevator bracket experience
- Thread starter bueller
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- box blind tower stand
bueller
Moderator
It is the pentagon one from Menards. Very roomy inside. I've never stepped foot in anything like it so I don't know how it compares to others. Some of the window latches are a tight fit right now. They may be adjustable, I didn't take the time to look yet.
Tree Spud
5 year old buck +
I have a couple Pentagons also, how did you like assembling it? I tried to put it together myself and no way, needed the wife's help ...o_O
I went ahead and caulked the base to the wood platform to keep rain water from seeping in and used spray foam to fill any gaps inside to keep the bugs & bees out.
bueller
Moderator
I'm sure glad I had a friend with me. No way I could have done it myself, especially 12' in the air standing on the edge of the platform. I like the caulking and spray foam idea. Might have to consider that next year.
Right now it's only secured to the 3/4" plywood floor with 10 wood screws, 2 on the bottom of each side panel. We are thinking of running a 1"x2" along the bottom of each side panel and then running bolts/nuts through the 1"x2", the bottom of the blind, and the plywood floor. Maybe overkill but we get some nasty winds from thunderstorms every year.
bueller
Moderator
Did you hit any joists or just the plywood?
Thanks for that info. I'm wanting a blind for me and my two young boys (6 & 9) and the price of these has me considering them vs. building one. Because of their activities, I'm usually short on time and this looks like a good alternative. Right now we all squeeze into a ground blind, but I'd like something more permanent in one certain spot. I'd probably elevate it, but not as high as you, and would only need to get it 4' off the ground to get around the orange requirement here.
bueller
Moderator
I only went up that high because Pop's insisted on it. He originally wanted to go with 16' 4x4's :eek:. I personally would've used 8's or 10's but now that it's up I must admit that 12' is nice.
bueller
Moderator
Not sure how cheap you are looking to get them but they are on Amazon for $74.99 right now.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002MFF5Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_bAZrybS5B65KF
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002MFF5Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_bAZrybS5B65KF
Tree Spud
5 year old buck +
Some have asked about these stands and the wind. On opening weekend we had constant west winds of 30 mph with regular gusts to 40 mph. Both of these stands were fully exposed to the west winds and held very well. The double clips on the windows kept them from rattling. The 1st is the pentagon and the 2nd is the 4x4.
B
BJE80
Guest
How are the sight lines and window height in those things? Seem very huntable?
Camp 2 Dukes
5 year old buck +
1st time poster. Lots of good information here. Thought I would share my experience with elevator brackets. My platform was 6' X 6' Built with 2 x 6 frame. I actually used 2 x 4 stringers. 3/4 ply wood floor. I insulated the floor cavity and covered the bottom with 1/2" plywood. All material was treated. The platform was quite heavy in the end. Part of the reason I used the 2 x 4 stringers was it allowed the bottom to be inset so the elevators had a place to sit. I used 16' 4x4 posts as I wanted it pretty high. I also did cross members. One thing I did that maybe different from what I've seen posted was I also boxed out the bottom. This IMO added quite a bit of strength. Then to lift it in place I actually took a piece of Unistrut and tied it to the 2 elevator brackets so I was lifting steel on steel. The I put up a choker in a nearby tree to use as a block and tackle. Then I was actually lifting rather than pulling. It went pretty smooth and seems rock solid.
Bill
Administrator
Can't answer the question but where the heck you been all season?
You started the longest running thread around here and haven't posted to it all year. Welcome back.
B
