Tree Stand Blind

This is my Deer stand blind which is approx. 6' x 6'. It took about 100 hrs. to complete and total cost was about $1500. All the painting was done with spray paint.

List of materials:

6- 8ft 2x8 (Treated)

15- 8ft 2x4

12- Decking boards

6- 12ft 2x6 (Treated)

8- Plywood panels

4- 3'x7' corrugated red asphalt roof panels

4- 6 inch lag screws

4 - Metal hanger brackets

3- Boxes of 3" screws

1- box of 16d nails

8- window hinges

2- door hinges

2- 10ft 1inch pvc pipe

8- window latches

Various cans of spray paint for camo

The first board is always the hardest. I started with a 6ft 2x8 and a 6in 3x4 lag screw. I drill a small pilot then fixed the board to the tree. You may need to use a shim to maker sure the board is level and parallel.

After 2 boards are attached to the tree and level the next step would be to lag another set of two 2x6's on top and perpendicular to the other two creating a tic-tac-toe pattern.

Build the outside of the deck frame with 4 2x6's screwing the ends to the brace. The trick here is the more level it is now the more level the stand will be overall.

Once platform brace is done you can now add your tree braces to each corner of the platform and lag to the tree using the knee braces. The 2x6's should be attached to the tree at a 45 degree angle or close to that to be at its strongest.

Once the platform brace and finished you can not bear weight on your stand and start to add your deck boards. When installing your deck boards you will need to measure where the main tree trunk will come through the floor and any limbs to add some space. You will need to leave about a 1-2 inch gap around the tree for growth and movement.

I started by adding 2x4's to each corner to build the walls. Then used more 2x4's to finish building the frame.

I left 78in x 28in gab for the door and a 60in x 14in gab for windows.

Once the frame was built I added 2 more rows of 2x4s on the front of the treehouse to create some slope for rain runoff. I then added the roof panels to and attached them to the 2x4's of the roof frame. I also used some left over pieces of roof panels on the frame around the tree to prevent any leaking, this will help all rain to stay on the tree as it passes through.

I bought 2 60in by 36in plexiglass and cut them to 14x60 and used old scrap cedar ceiling boards to create the frame. For the windows I installed hinges and a latch to open or close. For the door I simply used 2x4's for frame and plywood. I also installed a deer antler for the door handle.

I added the plywood piece by piece after I painted them (painting steps are later in this instructable). I used 1 inch nails to attach plywood to the frame.

For the ladder I used two 12ft 2x6's and attached the top to the treehouse platform with smaller lag screws. I cut 2in blocks and screwed them to the 2x6 approx 16in apart up the ladder creating a brace for the steps. I then used left over decking boards to create the steps. I then attached the pvc pipe for railings.

I first covered the walls with spray paint using greens, grey, rust colors, and browns. I then grabbed some leaves and held them against the wall and sprayed whites and greys to appear as light is passing through the trees losing its leaves. For the tree trunk, I drew and paint brown then added some tan and green lines with a chip brush to create that textured look.