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Hunting & Fishing Box Blind Build lots of pics **UPDATE 8/27/12**

khall540

khall540

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 20, 2011
610
13
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Beaver Dam, WI
I wanted to share some photos I took along the way while I have been constructing my first box blind build. It will sit on a floor frame 6'X6' built out of treated 2"X6"s with 3/4" OSB for the subfloor. I still need to add the carpet.
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Walls were built out of 2"X3"s and the sheating is treated 1/2" plywood. 6'2" high on the back side and 6'6" high walls on the front end.
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I bolted a set out elevators on the bottom of the floor frame and when it is all done I plan on having it sit 10' off the ground on treated 12' 4X4s that are placed 2' into the ground.
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I'm still working on the plexiglass sliding windows and will build the roof once the weather is nice enough to move this thing out of my garage. (garage ceiling is only 8')
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Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

Tonight I just finished the zebra stripe paint. I didnt like the spray painted stripes I had orginally put on it so I just re did it.
Before:
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After:
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I will be sure to add some photos of assembly in the field and of course a final product. Let me know what you think or any questions or suggestions. This is my first time building a deer stand of this caliber. I'm sick of freezing my ass off on a metal hang-on stand during gun season and pussin' out and leaving the woods early.
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

I also have to be sure to give credit to "tikka'd" here on the hide. I saw a box blind he has and fell in love with zebra pattern once I saw the photo of the blind in the snow.
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

Love it!
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

I think Uncle Ted Nugent would love that tiger stripe box blind..looks good!!
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

Thanks for all the replies. I will be happy once it is complete and I can enjoy sitting in it out in the field. I just went to the land today to survey the area where I plan on placing it.
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

Damn, you beat me to it. Been constructing my own and should be finished today. Yours looks awesome. Mine will be an elevated platform this year until I can afford to enclose it but, for now my ground blind will sit on top. Keep up the good work.
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

How did you do your plexi glass windows? I see you have them sliding up but how are you attaching them? I really like that idea
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

A couple of suggestions. 1) Bury your posts a little deeeper, to get dowm below the frost line. 2) Run cross braces (in an X pattern) between the posts. This will stiffen them up and prevent the wind from moving and twisting the blind. At 10' elevation, a small wind will give you hell.
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: sutton1311</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How did you do your plexi glass windows? I see you have them sliding up but how are you attaching them? I really like that idea </div></div>

Im still trying to figure out the windows. I mounted some metal channeling in the sides to guide and slide the plexiglass in. Then I just drilled a hole through the plexiglass and into the wood and use a nail as a peg to hold the window up and be able to adjust the height it opens with several different hole heights. I think the plexiglass I got is too thin and may bow and rattle in the metal channel with some wind...
(in the photo of the window you can see the nail and 2 holes drilled into the stud directly above it. This way the window doesnt need to be fully opened everytime.)
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: dt66</div><div class="ubbcode-body">A couple of suggestions. 1) Bury your posts a little deeeper, to get dowm below the frost line. 2) Run cross braces (in an X pattern) between the posts. This will stiffen them up and prevent the wind from moving and twisting the blind. At 10' elevation, a small wind will give you hell. </div></div>

Thanks for the info. I did plan on using cross braces between the 4X4 posts for support. I wasn't sure how deep to go with the posts and still wondering if I should go 10' or 12' for the height...? I don't want/need to be at a crazy dangerous height. Just high enough to see down into some of the marsh grass to the West of me.
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

After playing around with the 2 windows and channeling I installed for a vertical slide, I'm seriously reconsidering going with a horizontal channel track mount to slide with plexiglass in. I really like the link you have added above but I think the "counterweight" window system is a bit out of my building "league"....
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

Had the day off of work and beautiful weather so I talked a buddy into helping me stand the tower and platform up. I had already hauled all the lumber and tools out to the field and stood up the legs and cross pieces on my own, which I don't suggest trying by yourself. I was quite diffucult and unsafe.

2012-03-16123248.jpg


Next with a buddy to help, we hooked a tow strap to each corner of the platform which we flipped onto its side. Then hooked the middle of the tow strap to the winch of the Kubota. I had an uneasy feeling as it started to go up but once we got 1/2 way I knew it would go.

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Then it came to some real manual labor and we dug a hole next to each leg approx 3' deep which is where we hit water. The 4x4s are 14' so it sits about 11' to the platform. We were able to level it and placed some bricks in the bottom of the holes to help keep the post from sinking deeper into the hole.

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Then we did two legs at a time and slid them into the holes. I did not fill in the holes... figured I would give it some time to settle and make sure it doesnt get off balance.

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What a view!

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Next the walls will have to be transported out and slid up to the platform with a ladder on each side. Stay tuned!
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

Put some sort of carpet on the floor, you will be surprised how loud the chair with wheels will be.
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

Yes carpet is a must. Especially with a swivel chair with wheels. I have the carpet cut and ready to go. Still waiting to get the walls up. I will be sure to add the pics once the walls are up.
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

So I was finally able to get the walls up. I will attempt to finish with the roof in the next week.

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Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

Looking good. I like the idea of the blue/gray color to help blend in with the sky.
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

Yeah I didnt know how it would work out but I feel good about it now after seeing the darker clouds we had that day. On a completely overcast day it should disappear.
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

I know it's too late but I think the same camo pattern would be more effective if done horizontally being that its against the sky. Looks good! Make sure you put a few degree slope on the roof.
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics)

Yes I believe the horizontal lines would be effective. Honestly, when I was painting it in the garage I was just wanting it to look cool. Didnt really care about how effective it was. Thats why I put it up so early in the season to try to give the deer as much time as possible to get comfortable around it before November rolls around. As far as the roof goes the back end is 6" lower than the front.
 
Re: Box Blind Build (lots of pics) **UPDATE 5/9/12**

Looks good
 
Re: Box Blind Build lots of pics UPDATE 8/27/12

I got the roof on last weekend. I forgot to take some photos. I will be adding shingles hopefully this weekend if the winds stay calm enough for my nerves to shimmy up the ladder and get on top. I will be sure to snap some photos for an update.
 
Re: Box Blind Build lots of pics UPDATE 8/27/12

Ok, so I know it has been awhile but I finally got some pics of the completed project. I also added a winter food plot about 100 yards out with some turnips and beats that is coming in real nice. I also added a deck to have easier access in and out of the door.

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If you look closely you can see the blind just to the right of the UTV.
 
Re: Box Blind Build lots of pics UPDATE 8/27/12

my father in law has a very similar setup. he added a natural gas / propane "Blue Flame" wall heater to it. I think he got it at Lowes or Homedepot. He mounted it to the back wall in the blind, and plumbed flexible propane hosing down to a 100lb propane tank that sits below the blind. he has a shutoff valve up in the blind, that way he can turn the heater on and off as needed. it saved our ass a few times over the past few years, with temps in Nov - Dec steady at 5-10*. Just an idea for you to think about.

I just remembered another nice touch he added. Not really needed, but its a nice way to keep noise down, especially in archery. He plumbed some PVC piping through the back wall, and it runs straight down one of the supports. He dug a hole in the ground, placed a 5gallon bucket upside down in the hole, and ran the PVC pipe into the bucket. he then back filled over the bucket. Now when you have to take a piss in the stand, instead of pissing out the door and making a lot of noise, you can piss down the pipe and it goes below ground and helps keep the scent away. Kinda stupid, but I swear it helps when sitting in the woods all day long during archery
 
Re: Box Blind Build lots of pics UPDATE 8/27/12

I had seriously considered installing the "piss pipe" I had the exact same plans of doing it that way too. I will see how this year goes and I can always add it on for the next year. I have a 20lb propane tank , like the kind on a gas grill, with a mr. heater attached to it. It just sits in the corner for now. The wall heater sounds like a nice touch and I bet it would save on space. It is filling up fast inside there with the propane tank, 2 swivel chairs and a tripod for my sony handycam...
 
Re: Box Blind Build lots of pics **UPDATE 8/27/12**

one thing we just switched to this year for the plexi glass - instead of using sliders, we're using self closing cabinet door hinges. they actually hold the window open on the inside of the blind AND closed so that it doesnt blow open on windy days.

this is the style of hinge we're using

(pics are before protective coating was removed from the acrylic sheet)




one of our 5'x5's while in process - the first one we did the flip up windows in. the other 21 are currently being retrofitted to the new hinges.
 
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