home made ladder stands

[xbowkidd]

i was thinking of welding up a few ladder stands for this year. i threw a rough design together last night, wondering if any of you veterans have any input. feel free to criticize, like i say i just threw it together.

[Boo]

You'll want to incorporate a foot rest. Any stand I've been in without was hard on my back. An arm rest/side rails are good too!

[cspot]

I have looked at doing this, but unless you can get the materials really cheap, it is hard to make them for what you can buy a cheap ladderstand for.

[TPM]

Judging by your drawings you may want to also incorperate a tree. It may fall over without one.

[VixChix]

Judging by your drawings you want to also incorperate a tree. It may fall over without one.

The trash talking isn't limited to the 3D course apparently....

[Boo]

Judging by your drawings you want to also incorperate a tree. It may fall over without one.

What about eyes, nose and mouth?

[TPM]

In all seriousness you may want to add a support between the ladder and the tree about half way up the ladder. This will keep the ladder from flexing inward when climbing.

[foofoo]

most ladder stands have a mid section support that is a simple bar that goes about half way up the rungs from the foot rung to the tree. helps by preventing bowing of the ladder as you climb and is another tie off so the ladder doesnt slip off or pop back on you as you climb to put the platform ratchets or tie downs on. the 2 diagnol supports under the seat are usually bolted through intead of welded. probly can get ladder stands on end of the season clearance from 30-80$. dont know if id make one.

[onebigskittle]

Get you a Treestand cable lock to lock it to the tree ...or a bike cable lock or two

[xbowkidd]

Judging by your drawings you may want to also incorperate a tree. It may fall over without one.

i picked up a sky hook on sale at tsc, so no worries there...

[Bullzeye]

Like Don said, a back rest, also some teeth on the v part that contacts the tree.

As a side note, I am not sure where your town is in Ont. but a 2 man Ameristep ladder stand with a back rest is $98 online at Walmart USA , though making your own is more fun

[Fatboyxc]

Just a thought, I would add a couple of legs at the bottom of the ladder to prevent it from sinking in the ground. I would think 6"x6" plate that is able to pivot with the ground would work pretty well. I added larger wood base to the wood stands I've built.

Your design looks pretty solid, the only other thing I would think of is possibly a shooting rail & arm rests for comfort & security.

[rayman]

I have been getting the 2-seater ladder stands from Walmart for $117. They have a wrap around rail. The seat could be a little more comfortable, but I still love them.

[Galgo]

I strongly recommend arm rests. not just cuz they will rest your arms (duh) but because they help you stay "locked in" in case you happen to fall asleep and do a death lean to one side. Not that I have any experience with that!

F

[mr meat]

shooting rail would be nice!