My tower blind build method

[Camp 2 Dukes]

I have seen a number of tower blind threads thought would share how I have built the last few. I build the platforms as most here I've seen here do with elevator brackets. One thing I do different from what I've seen is to box out the bottom for additional strength when lifting and I lift it using a piece of unistrut strapped between 2 of the elevator brackets. Then block and tackle up in a near by tree and winch it up with my UTV. After building a few in place with lumber I felt I was spending entirely too much time at site and too far from amenities of the shop. I also felt the wood structures seemed a little heavy especially if I want to use 16' 4x4's. What I have been doing now is panelizing the enclosure with 1 5/8" steel studs. Insulating with closed cell foam sheets or any panel insulation I can get a deal on. Then skinning and trimming with steel sheets and trim.

 

[Camp 2 Dukes]

Insualted panel.

 

[Camp 2 Dukes]

This unit I took a kull door cut it in half so I could do 2 units.

 

[Camp 2 Dukes]

I build a latter that goes right up to the door and just climb right in. The roof on this one I built in 2 pieces as I wanted it light. It has an overhang on all sides and just lap the 2 steel siding panels to keep water out.

 

[Camp 2 Dukes]

After the panels are built I load them on the trailer and off to the property. This is really the same way many companies build garages houses etc. Building panels and siding them in a controlled environment then assembling on site.

 

[Camp 2 Dukes]

Once up. Didn't have the ladder up to the door yet. These panels way 50 to 60 lbs and are relatively easy to hoist up to the platform. I some cases I just stick my arm in through the window and carry them up on my back. If you have a helper having them hoist from the platform while the other pushes from the bottom really works easy.

 

[Camp 2 Dukes]

A pic from the window. This is one of the 1st hinge cuts I did. I cut them a little low but the deer do use it.

 

[Camp 2 Dukes]

We have started hanging bird feeders now that the kids are along they get a kick out of having birds right i the window. In fact if the windows are open they'll fly right in.

 

[nwmn]

Great build! Thanks for sharing! Wish I could do something like this, looks super slick! Very practical too. When all said and done, how much does each box blind cost? Let's not include 4x4 legs or elevators.

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[UP Powers]

if you can please provide pics of your roof. you know what you are doing! looks great. love the crimped metal roof for the overhang. That had to suck! :) looks awesome.

 

[Camp 2 Dukes]

Great build! Thanks for sharing! Wish I could do something like this, looks super slick! Very practical too. When all said and done, how much does each box blind cost? Let's not include 4x4 legs or elevators.

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Thanks. Im not sure of the total cost. 10' 1 5/8" steel studs run $3.79 ea. The windows were on sale I paid $28 ea. The platform was probably one of the more expensive parts. Treated ply wood is expensive. Now the external steel believe it or not I have $20 in all of it. I have a friend in the steel building business. They almost always have steel laying in the scrap yard. The recycle price is so low right now I can buy that cheap. The insulation sheets can be expensive I found these on Craigslist they were being sold cheap by a machine shop. They are 1" fiberglass panels with cloth on side and foil on the other. Another nice feature of the steel studs is they fit right in them.

 

[Camp 2 Dukes]

if you can please provide pics of your roof. you know what you are doing! looks great. love the crimped metal roof for the overhang. That had to suck! :) looks awesome.

I will see if I have more pics of the roof. It is a steel stud frame including the over hang. I left the steel long on the ends and a duck billed pliers and rubber mallet folded those over. The sides hung over about 10 inches over the frame, Those I laid on the platform for strength and pounded them over with the rubber mallet. The under side of the over hang got soffit just like a house. It extends into the interior some but didn't matter. The way the steel roofing is ribbed I left one full rib (about a foot) over lap. when I lay those in I lay some steel roofing sealant on the bottom one then lay the top one over it. On the inside I use a 2 1/2" steel stud to tie the 2 together. I use angle iron or scrap steel studs around the rest of the roof interior and to attach the walls to the platform. I screw the panels together at the corners. One other thing I do that adds strength is I leave the steel siding hang down on the bottom about 4". Then that lap gets screwed to the platform.

 

[Camp 2 Dukes]

You'll notice the sides I leave a lap on one end of each panel that also ties the panels together,

 

[Camp 2 Dukes]

if you can please provide pics of your roof. you know what you are doing! looks great. love the crimped metal roof for the overhang. That had to suck! :) looks awesome.

The best pic of the roof I have right now is the one where it is loaded on the trailer. The 2 top panels are the roof.

 

[pointer]

That is slick as heck! And about 10X past my mechanical capabilities. :D Well done.