Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uakari.primate.wisc.edu!doug.cae.wisc.edu!osnome!hunting
From: rigg@osnome.che.wisc.edu (Tim Rigg)
Newsgroups: rec.hunting
Subject: Re: Tree stands
Message-ID: <1991Apr30.072137.13902@doug.cae.wisc.edu>
Date: 30 Apr 91 12:21:36 GMT
Lines: 95
Approved: hunting@osnome.che.wisc.edu

I also made my own tree stand.  Since the comercial ones are around
$100, I figured I couldn't go wrong.  I have also heard that a major
portion of this cost is insurance fees that manufacturers must pay in
order to portect themselves.

Anyway, this is the first one I made and it has a few drawbacks: the
main one is it's weight (~15 to 20 pounds).  However, it is easy to
carry as a backpack and sets up quickly.

Here are the best drawings that ascii characters and my very limited
artistic skills will allow.  I am interested to see what other designs
have been used.  Specifically, has anyone made a climbing tree stand?
I figure that I can make two stands  one climbing and one "loc on"
for the price of a single comercial stand. 


                                |       |
                                |       |
                                |       |<tree
                                |       |
                                |       |
               seat>   |       |
                             o+L|xxxxxxx| <Chain wrapped around tree
                            / + |       |      (hooked with S hooks
                          /   + |       |       and screw eyes to stand)
                        /     + |       |
    1/8" cable(2)>    /       + |< 1" alum. square stock
                    /         + |       |
                  /           + |       |
eyebolt         /             + |       |
through       o            LLLLL|< 2"x2" aluminum angle iron 
outside       |       |
corners of                               The square stock is attached
 24x19plywood                            with one screw so it folds down

            
                        top view
                                                  
                      |<     19" or so >|        
                      |                 |  ^
                      |                 |  |
           eyebolts>  |o===============o|< 2"x3/16 alum. flatbar
                      |                 |  |   for security and support    
               1x4 >  |                 |  |   
         under each   |                 | 24"  
           side       |                 |  |               
                      |        /\       |  |                                  
                      |L     /    \    L|  |                      
                      |L   /  this  \  L|  | 
                      |L / cut not as\ L|  | 
                            deep as        
                             shown     



                           Front View


                            <1'>
                            ________
                 ^          LoLLLLoL
                 |           x    x          KEY
                 |           x    x          L =  2"x2 angle iron
                 18"         x    x         _| =  2"x2 angle iron (reversed)
                 |           x    x          x =  1" square stock
                 |           x    x          o = screw eyes
                 |           x    x         = 3/4" plywood
                 v       o   L    _|   o   ~~~ = 2"x 3/16 aluminum flatbar
                         
                         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
                         <19" or so>    NOTE: the cables are not
                                                  shown in this figure



The cables are about 3 foot long.
The 2"x2" angle iron is about 4 inches long and is held in place with
 two 3/8 inch bolts (2 bolts for each piece of angle iron)
The seat is just held in place with screws with wing nuts.  I am
 currently working on a hinged design.
The chain is also used as a strap to carry the stand like a backpack
Another piece of angle iron is used to hold the screw eyes for the
 chain and to serve as a mount for the seat.
Total cost of aluminum $20
Plywood was scrap (but was 3/4  1 inch thinkness, I am not sure)
Misc Hardware cost ~$3
Total weight ~15  20 pounds


Let me know if anyone wants more detailed plans.  And thanks to Bobby
Anderson for his initial ascii drawings.  And to echo his advise:
Always wear a safety strap!  They say that falling out of a tree stand
is the greatest danger facing deer hunters

tim