Uncatagorized.....things we see....

[Mortenson]

Slap some anti-slip tread grip on any steps that might be sketchy.

 

[Foggy47]

Man I really like the stair treads you have pictured. I could see those being used a lot. Over priced IMO, I wonder if they are patented? Seems like someone could produce them more cheaply and still sell for a good price. Honestly probably wouldn't be too hard for a metal fabrication shop to turn out those pretty easily. You could just tack weld a strip of expanded wire mesh on the surface instead of the raised mini treads.

I doubt there is any patent....and there is always a work=around. If I were a younger guy........ grin.

 

[Telemark]

Man I really like the stair treads you have pictured. I could see those being used a lot. Over priced IMO, I wonder if they are patented? Seems like someone could produce them more cheaply and still sell for a good price. Honestly probably wouldn't be too hard for a metal fabrication shop to turn out those pretty easily. You could just tack weld a strip of expanded wire mesh on the surface instead of the raised mini treads.

Joist hangers and some 2x4 might work.

 

[Electrodigical]

For $25 x 9... I'd buy a ladder.

 

[RGrizzzz]

For $25 x 9... I'd buy a ladder.

Agreed. You can find free ones on FB marketplace if you're quick. I grabbed two 32' extension ladders a year ago for free. Only need half for most stands.

 

[Foggy47]

For $25 x 9... I'd buy a ladder.

Yeah....I decided to build my stairs with wooden treads. I'm planning to hunt in this blind into my 80's (I'm 78 now) so I want an easy to access blind with no more than 9" rise on the steps.....and no more than a 45 degree accent / decent and a decent hand rail. Gotta stay stealthy and safe.

If the stair treads had been ready to ship.....I would have bought em. Big reason is that this stair case will weigh quite a bit when built with 2x4" supports and 2x8x24" treads. Likely over 200 lbs when assembled. I've tried to move staircases like this in the past with my loader....and invariably I damage the staircase trying to horse it into place. It really needs to be hand carried and set in place.

It gets hard to place that assembly tucked in the timber (where I want it) without getting allot of help. A ladder like you suggest is out of the question for me.....in the past it would be ok....but not going forward. There are times when price is not the main consideration. grin.

 

[swat1018]

I'm a little on the fence with these treads. I also wonder how slip resistant they are as compared to a treated wood tread. Dunno, but the guy I spoke with said they were really good. They cost $25 per tread.....and I need 9 of them......so it does add up to perhaps double the price of a wood system. Still I like easy and reliable solutions. If they are not able to ship very soon.....I will build 'em out of wood because I don't want to build stuff when it gets hot later in summer.....and I get impatient.

I do see a good product idea here for someone with the right fabrication equipment. My Banks blinds come with the 4x4' post pockets which simplifies my build. They should add a step kit like this as an accessory. My 2 cents.

I been watching a video of how a guy made a nice wide deck (landing) in front of the door to ease entry and exit. I'm going to do that for sure as I hope to continue to hunt into my 80's......and this chit does not get any easier.....grin.

The tower I build will look allot like this....with a slightly larger (wider) platform at the top of the steps. Then I can put my propane tank off to the right side where its easy to turn on / off. Also I will not have so much rise in my steps. Easier for us old codgers.

I've used cheap ladder stands as stairs to my blinds, and fiberglass or aluminum extension ladder sections.

 

[Foggy47]

I've used cheap ladder stands as stairs to my blinds, and fiberglass or aluminum extension ladder sections.

I don’t think a few of you boys appreciate what happens to your body sometime north of 70. (Tounge in cheek). Put on heavy clothing and insulated boots and carry a backpack and a ten pound rifle through the woods in the dark. Now shinney up a ladder with 12” rungs while carrying that gear. Not many guys this age wanna do that anymore. If you get too steep of an incline and too much gap between the treads….it ain’t gonna happen! Just sayin. Grin.

I have done what you’re suggesting here and more. Just not doing it going forward. Trying to stay out of assisted living. lol

 

[Turkey Creek]

Well I can appreciate anyone that cares enough to try and keep themselves active in the outdoors and realizes there are limitations as life progresses.

 

[T-Max]

Long term I would be looking for one of these at auction or marketplace to cut down.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Foggy47]

Long term I would be looking for one of these at auction or marketplace to cut down.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Been watching for one of those for many months. They are available on marketplace but not on the cheap. Even then, they are a bit steeper and a bit more rise than ideal. It's easier / cheaper to buy those treads I spoke of ^^^^^^ above. But great idea with those rolling steps for most. Even then....wood is a bit more quiet.

TANSTAAFL. (There Aint No Such Thing As A Free Lunch)

 

[Foggy47]

^ One thing I learned from our banter on blind steps above....is that I will pre cut/build my stringers with the step supports.....and pre cut the 2x8x24 treads......then bring them to the stand after its placed in the woods to do final stairs assembly on site. Just too heavy after they are put together to move em.
See....you can teach an old dog new tricks.

 

[Foggy47]

Built my tower for the blind today. Spent 4 hours working by myself and used my tractor and forks as my "helping hand". Was able to position some materials and do some of the heavy lifting with the loader and fork extensions. Really worked out well. I pre-built the stair stringers the other day and still need to assemble the stairs.....but I plan to do that on site.....as that staircase is a heavy mother (2x8x12' stringers). Pics pretty well show how was able to assemble by myself. I used 2x8x8' treated lumber as my deck supports. Everything squared-up and leveled up better than expected. Nice when a plan comes together like this.

Those boards were really heavy as Menards lumber is super wet. Some of the heaviest lumber I have ever gotten. I think this blind is working out really nicely. Happy with the tower build and the Banks blind.....even more as I see how they build things. I need to have one decking board ripped to 6" wide....then the 3'x5' deck extension is good to go. My tail was dragging when I went home. Grin.

 

[Mortenson]

Looks slick!

 

[Catscratch]

Nice work Foggy!

 

[Foggy47]

Golf for today was a no-go due to the weather....so I spent the afternoon with more work on the blind tower. Takes more time than I thought.....expecially when you got heavy wet lumber....and gotta work alone. The tractor did a nice job of positioning some things for me......and I had a level spot to pre-assemble the stairs.

I think I am going to leave it as it stands here and install the other treads when I get it in place. I think I can transport the staircase on those lower 2x4 supports (screw it down to them) and it will be in pretty good place when I set the stand in place. Pics if your interested in this build. It's likely a little overbuilt.....but then it will last a long time. I did order some black RIT Dye (amazon) and will dye the wood using a sponge. Not sure how that will turn out.

In this blind....I'd bet 90% of the shots taken will be out of that longer window in pic number two. Liking the tinted windows for stealth.

 

[Skeeter]

Hope that tornado missed you.

 

[Foggy47]

Just bought a sickle bar cutter like shown in this pic.....and will mount it to a plate similar to the one shown in this pic. My loader is a little heavier duty than this.....and I already have the 3rd function hydraulic lines to the front of my tractor. This should work out pretty well for clearing lanes. Will post some pics of my mounting set up on the Deertopia page as this project materializes. Gonna take a week or so to receive this product. Hope it works out.

 

[Buckly]

That’s something I was wanting to get for 30 years. Lol. Great for trails and ditches. Would have saved me sooooo many hours.

 

[KY wild]

Be super around ponds and ditches while bush hogging at the same time behind the tractor