Advice Needed 15' high platform

admin

I'm planning on building a 15' high platform for general wildlife viewing. My son has mobility issues and wants to try bow hunting, my wife does not hunt but likes to hang out. I plan on it being 4'x6' or 4'x8'. I may or may not be able to sink it in the ground (it is on a hill in West Virginia). It will be lagged into a tree for extra stability. It will have multiple cross braces.Questions 1. Steel or wood post/legs?2. I was thinking of making something like this. http://www.e-ztower.com/ or this  http://www.homedepot.com/p/Elevators...E188/202560097 to hold the post3. What angle would you splay the legs to max. stability?Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:For stability I would use cable, turnbuckles, and deadmen (rebar or pipe driven into the ground.If I were going to splay the legs I would do 11º or so (1/4 of 45º angle).GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:GravelThanks the legs? Steel or wood and what size?Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Depends on where it will be, how long it would be there and how heavy it would be.You may want to look into buying scaffolding. That way you could take it down in the off season and store it away from the elements.There are a lot of variables here.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Take a look at some used scaffolding.  Units come in 4', 5' or 6' high depending on style. Units are typically 5' wide and 8' long. The masons scaffolding has built in "ladders" making it easy to climb vs the walk thru style that works better for long runs. On uneven ground you use the leveling legs. For a top blind you just add one more section and either wrap it in tarps or some other covering. Pieces are easy to move and set up and while they may seem a bit shaky, they are very solid. The heavier industrial scaffold not only has the cross braces, but horizontal rails that secure to the same locations. The lighter scaffold typically found on small job sites, it's easy to flatten the ends on some conduit and drill some holes and build your own horizontals for extra stability. The screw connector units are a bit sturdier than the ones with the clip pins or toggles. The construction guys often like the toggles or clip pin ones better because they are easier and faster to assemble. Not sure if those are still "code" since all of my stuff is quite old.I see scaffold on CL semi regularly. Many times guys with a decent size job buy vs rent, and then sell off the scaffold when the job is done to recoup some of the cost and save money. Also big scaffold companies often sell off older scaffold fairly cheap. You can pick up the ugly sections that masons have made a mess of and the rental company is looking to unload so their stuff looks good for rental..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I have always used a moble home auger tie down  attached to the bottom of the center of the viewing platform with cable along with a turn buckle for pulling tight. We always screwed the anchor deep in the ground before attaching the cable and turnbuckle.  We used this system 3 years to hold a wildlife viewing stand 20 ft to top of roof. Had some 50 mph plus gusts on the mt where it was located and it held fine.
Reply:Don't lag to a tree if you are also securing into the ground. Trees grow. Will ruin your stand.MillerMatic 252Miller Xtreme 625Miller Digital Elite
Reply:Or...GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:Originally Posted by DaeyelDon't lag to a tree if you are also securing into the ground. Trees grow. Will ruin your stand.
Reply:Never thought of scaffolding. ThanksDave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:very helpful , nice threat... We used this system 2 years to hold a wildlife viewing stand 15 ft to top of roof.
Reply:crystal I do not see a picture. Can you try again or send to my PM box?Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:Originally Posted by GravelOr...
Reply:Hey any more tips welcome. The scaffolding my be tough to get into the woods.Dave ReberWadsworth Ohio
Reply:http://www.homedepot.com/p/Elevators...E188/202560097Use 4x4 legs and 2x4or6 cross braceing.
Reply:Heavy industrial scaffold breaks down into simple pipe pieces. However I doubt standard scaffold would be all that hard to take into the woods. At least no harder than dragging in 15' lengths of 4x4 material..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:This may be a cheaper option.http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...8604_200578604GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.