Ladder Tree Stand Advice

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I want to build some ladder stands and leave them out year round. The commercial stands are great but the squirrels and weather destroy the fabric/mess. The metal is thin and rust will compromise strength. I don't have the room to store them inside. Thinking the planform to be 3x3 with an expanded metal floor. I plan to put short walls round the hunter for concealment and safety. My son is a special needs kid and wants to hunt in his own stand by himself next year. It has to be easy for him to get in and out of. I will help him get in and out of the stand so a temporary load of 400lbs.  I can purchase cheaper than making it but who cares. Points/Questions/Ideas:1. What Gauge and size steel would you recommend for the legs?2. Platform 16-17' feet.3. Heavy is good. 4. Ratchet strap at base of platform.5. Not sure how I want to design the seat. Advice please6. I will bolt the base/platform to the legs and use angle iron at a 45 degree angle from the legs to the base near the interface of the tree,. 7. What gauge and size steel for the base/planformSimilar to the images


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Reply:I applaud the effort - my son has special needs too so I hunted in a "ground blind" with him (converted fish house).  Got his first deer that way

Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Thank you. He is a great kid, has his license and a job he likes to hunt. I have made 4 of these and scattered them on about the place.

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Reply:Silo style ladder , 1-1/2"x1/4" thick Hot rolled steel with 1" schedule 40 steel pipe for rungs. Platform 1-1/2 x 1/4" thick Hot rolled steel . 1-1/2" steel angle with rebar(it has some traction on it).  !-1/2" flat stock for a frame with expanded metal for a floor. If you have a lot of extra tube or even Uni-strut material, really what ever you can get the best deal on or have surplus in house.

best of luckAirco 250 ac/dc Heliwelder Square waveMiller Synchrowave 180 sdMiller Econo Twin HFLincoln 210 MPDayton 225 ac/dcVictor torchesSnap-On YA-212Lotos Cut60D
Reply:

Originally Posted by Reebz

Thank you. He is a great kid, has his license and a job he likes to hunt. I have made 4 of these and scattered them on about the place.
Reply:Thank you. I like to build them but they are only 13" at the floor. I box them in a little but not too much. I like sitting in them when I'm done working on the place. Hell I sleep more than anything.
Reply:A few things I have found with building stands. Stands on the edge of a field can be any height but in the woods 10 foot seems to be a good height due to leaves and branches.  Went with 3x3 bases at first found them to be to small, 3x4 or 4x4 were much more comfortable. The  angle of the ladder should where you can walk up rather then climb . In the pics the ladder in the left pic is much safer then the steep ladder on the right. When spacing the ladder rungs in cold weather heavy boots and layered clothing make climbing wide spaced rungs difficult.
Reply:Agree on all points.When I used to use a climber I have been so cold I really had a hard time getting down the tree. I'm older and smarter now. The top picture of the one I made is perfect for 2 people its 6x4. When sheeted its very comfortable.
Reply:

Originally Posted by albrightree

Silo style ladder , 1-1/2"x1/4" thick Hot rolled steel with 1" schedule 40 steel pipe for rungs. Platform 1-1/2 x 1/4" thick Hot rolled steel . 1-1/2" steel angle with rebar(it has some traction on it).  !-1/2" flat stock for a frame with expanded metal for a floor. If you have a lot of extra tube or even Uni-strut material, really what ever you can get the best deal on or have surplus in house."1-1/2" steel angle with rebar(it has some traction on it" I'm not sure what you mean.

best of luck
Reply:

Originally Posted by Reebz

Think angle iron would be better for the platform?1-1/2" steel angle with rebar(it has some traction on it" I'm not sure what you mean. Sorry I'm slow
Reply:this reminds me of a job i had in bad part of town.     the bums ripped  out and took a lengthy section of a businesses guard/hand rail that had stout vertical pickets.      the drug addicts/bums, took it less than half block away, and leaned it against outside of fence to  2nd story slum window, so they could escape/entrance window to alley.      anyway, i fixed/reinstalled it for the biz.also grabbed a few pieces of remenant pieces large rebar for rungs for a step on side of my flatbed.   i was working in the port where segments of sf/ bay bridge being built.    i figured it would be like having part of bridge on my truck.    its been 15 yrs, and there still laying in my yard - no step yetLast edited by 123weld; 04-20-2021 at 04:48 PM.
Reply:Broccoli I think you are correct
Reply:I have been lucky. I build and make stuff for mom and dads place all the time so far only a few things "have walked off". If I make it heavy the local jack off may not take it. someone would have to be damn desperate to take these ladder stands from there intended location.
Reply:Yes , that was the idea of the rebar. Its often easier to drill the holes in the flat stock angle channel,or tube, and then assemble the pipe or rebar into the holes, and then weld together. Flat stock, and angle are often available  as left overs from other jobs.Airco 250 ac/dc Heliwelder Square waveMiller Synchrowave 180 sdMiller Econo Twin HFLincoln 210 MPDayton 225 ac/dcVictor torchesSnap-On YA-212Lotos Cut60D
Reply:Thanks man