Elevator brackets? Any reviews?

[Ben.MN/WI]

I've never used them and I've built a couple permanent stands that have made it close to a decade on locations that are pounded with wind. They look really convenient, but I doubt that the stands with those braces can take significantly higher wind loads than a standard design that copies the standard deck design (sunk 6x6's or 4x4's attached with stainless steel bolts and washers attached to 2x12"'s with a deck built on the 2x12's). The braces do add strength to the weak link and makes that area stronger, but it just moves the weakest link to a different point which is still wood. Kind of like using a 100 pound steel leader on the end of 8 point test mono.

I've spent $100 on far worse things, but it would probably take some convincing to make me a believer in these. That said, the stands shown in the pictures look really nice and I certainly can't say anything bad about them other than I'm probably too cheap to buy the supports.

 

[buckdeer1]

works great,I bought mine from sportsmans guide

 

[dipper]

2x12?s now that is serious business! Haha
Lag bolts and washers would be stronger, if u needed to over compensate. If cutting bottom brace wider than the platform is challenging to get an angle on the legs, so be it.
I can make a fully enclosed shack for $70. It's not my money and the company appreciates it. So that's great!

 

[Jim Timber]

I can make a fully enclosed shack for $70. It's not my money and the company appreciates it. So that's great!

Please, show us one of those $70 shacks. o_O

 

[dipper]

I have, but I don't generally keep pictures of my tree stands. Some people weld, some people pound nails, some people fix vehicles, some people write checks. Some people do a little of everything to avoid the check part. I'm on of those.
I couldn't build the things you do, but I can pound nails. The nice thing for me is I have those skills and a expensive education, that pays the expensive land bills.

 

[Jim Timber]

I have, but I don't generally keep pictures of my tree stands. Some people weld, some people pound nails, some people fix vehicles, some people write checks. Some people do a little of everything to avoid the check part. I'm on of those.
I couldn't build the things you do, but I can pound nails.

I priced out an elevated 6x12' blind last year and it came in around $250 for the framing, floor, and sides. Roof might have been another $50 depending how it was done (steel or just membrane).

The nice thing for me is I have those skills and a expensive education, that pays the expensive land bills.

Your expensive education didn't teach you tact.

 

[dipper]

dog eat dog

 

[Jim Timber]

Dogs lick their asses too. ;)

 

[tooln]

And in this corner.

 

[Jim Timber]

And other dog's asses. Sniff people's balls. Eat their own poop...

Never really understood why anyone would call themselves one or make the association.

I shoot dogs. :D

 

[j-bird]

Ok, OK - can we please get back on track here!

It isn't a stencil - they are the actual brackets (at least what I am looking at). Yes you really only need one and you would have enough to be able to build your own IF you had the proper skill set - I don't. You could use straight legs sunken into the ground as well - I do not plan on doing that, so a wide base will add significant stability to the stand. I have built some "shacks" on the cheap by re-purposing various materials myself, but to purchase materials for one of these does significantly increase the costs from what I have seen. Hell a 8' 2x4 is $2 and a 4x8 sheet of OSB is roughly $15 so it doesn't take much to add up.

These may not be for everyone - similar to BOB seed, which many of us don't do. It's a matter of what the need and skill level is. Maybe I'm just being a tool by getting these, but for what I need and my situation, they seem to be perfect.

Thanks everyone for their input.

 

[BJE80]

Ok, OK - can we please get back on track here!

It isn't a stencil - they are the actual brackets (at least what I am looking at). Yes you really only need one and you would have enough to be able to build your own IF you had the proper skill set - I don't. You could use straight legs sunken into the ground as well - I do not plan on doing that, so a wide base will add significant stability to the stand. I have built some "shacks" on the cheap by re-purposing various materials myself, but to purchase materials for one of these does significantly increase the costs from what I have seen. Hell a 8' 2x4 is $2 and a 4x8 sheet of OSB is roughly $15 so it doesn't take much to add up.

These may not be for everyone - similar to BOB seed, which many of us don't do. It's a matter of what the need and skill level is. Maybe I'm just being a tool by getting these, but for what I need and my situation, they seem to be perfect.

Thanks everyone for their input.

At least some other people's threads turn into a sh!t sandwich and not just mine. ;)

 

[Satchmo]

J-bird,
You are in no way a "tool" for purchasing a good product that does exactly what it says it will do. I have only used one set so far, but will definately use more. I look at it this way. I don't sit in the bar (much), I refuse to go into the casinos, I don't pour money into expensive boats, and I don't own effing hay burners. I build my box stands to outlive me, with treated floors, vinyl single hung windows, pole barn steel exteriors and roofs, and propane heaters. I have 25 days to hang out in them with my boys during rifle and muzzy season, and that extra 70 bucks and $500 stands are still way cheaper than treatment OR salmon fishing. ;)

 

[j-bird]

J-bird,
You are in no way a "tool" for purchasing a good product that does exactly what it says it will do. I have only used one set so far, but will definately use more. I look at it this way. I don't sit in the bar (much), I refuse to go into the casinos, I don't pour money into expensive boats, and I don't own effing hay burners. I build my box stands to outlive me, with treated floors, vinyl single hung windows, pole barn steel exteriors and roofs, and propane heaters. I have 25 days to hang out in them with my boys during rifle and muzzy season, and that extra 70 bucks and $500 stands are still way cheaper than treatment OR salmon fishing. ;)

Oh - I won't feel bad over my choice at this point.

What amazes me is the lack of the use of the "Delete" or "Backspace" button on a key board - I use both frequently, or at least I try to.

 

[BJE80]

What amazes me is the lack of the use of the "Delete" or "Backspace" button on a key board - I use both frequently, or at least I try to.

Right there^^^^. I have plenty of things to say right now but I'm not going there.

 

[bueller]

I'm easily in a couple hundred dollars on my elevated blind just in treated 2x's, treated plywood, and stainless steel screws. Had I not had old telephone poles already set in place I would have used the elevator brackets.

 

[dipper]

It's all good. U guys love them, that's great!
If 16 penny nails are good enough to hold your house together but not good enough for a tree stand, better yet!
I offended jims ego someway and I'm sorry. it's kinda funny how sensitive guys get if u cut a product they buy. It's like u are attacking their manly hood.

 

[Satchmo]

It's all good. U guys love them, great!
If 16 penny nails are good enough to hold your house together but not good enough for a tree stand, better yet!
I offended jims ego someway and I'm sorry. it's kinda funny how sensitive guys get if u cut a product they buy. It's like u are attacking their manly hood.

This thread asked for reviews of a product, which would entail first hand knowledge of said product. None of which you have, because you would never buy said product. You just seem compelled by an overactive sense of duty to point out other people's faults and to criticize their choices when they don't align with your own. You really are just making the big dog look SMALL.

 

[dipper]

That's right I bet these things are up there with sliced bread.
Haha you guys are crazy man. These conversations remind me of A woman planning for a wedding. don't get in the way when a bride has her mind set on something!

 

[BJE80]

Dipper I assume you don' have kids where time is an extreme commodity. Sometimes easy and fast (with piece of mind) is worth it. I almost always will pay money to make things easier and faster. Time is very important because I don't have time to screw with stuff.