Started my tower stand today

[Robert_in_NY]

Its been a while but I am finally finishing the tower. I decided against enclosing the bottom section since it would have been limited to only parking a small atv under there. A utv is in my immediate future and there would not have been enough room for it. So I started siding the other day. I ran out of j channel so I didn't finish but it is looking better. Still need to stain the steps and install a storm door.

 

[forgeblast]

Very Nice Stand!!!

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Very Nice Stand!!!

Thanks

Started staining the stairs and posts tonight. Ava was helping for a while but lost interest. Will try to finish staining tomorrow.



Closer view

 

[bullbreaker]

Thanks

Started staining the stairs and posts tonight. Ava was helping for a while but lost interest. Will try to finish staining tomorrow.

View attachment 278733

Closer view
View attachment 278734

Yes no doubt about it, like others have stated very nice indeed. :thumbsup:
But once again don't forget to install doorbell for the "Chinese and Pizza delievery man" since your going to be roughen it !

:thumbsup:


Boone

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Yes no doubt about it, like others have stated very nice indeed. :thumbsup:
But once again don't forget to install doorbell for the "Chinese and Pizza delievery man" since your going to be roughen it !

:thumbsup:


Boone

I'm still trying to decide on a power system for the tower. Solar seems to be the most logical option but the battery is what bothers me. Its just going to sit unused for 10-11 months out of the year and I would want to build an isulated box to store the battery in outside of the main room. I would love to just be able to tap into the high tension lines running almost over head but I don't think National Grid would be willing to allow that. Definitley could run a microwave off of that system and even a mini fridge. Nothing says roughing it like opening the mini fridge for a cold drink (mountain dew) while the frozen pizza cooks in the mic.

 

[dave1949]

I'm still trying to decide on a power system for the tower. Solar seems to be the most logical option but the battery is what bothers me. Its just going to sit unused for 10-11 months out of the year and I would want to build an isulated box to store the battery in outside of the main room. I would love to just be able to tap into the high tension lines running almost over head but I don't think National Grid would be willing to allow that. Definitley could run a microwave off of that system and even a mini fridge. Nothing says roughing it like opening the mini fridge for a cold drink (mountain dew) while the frozen pizza cooks in the mic.

Robert, Maybe National Grid is giving you enough flux to excite a generator! Try waving a coil of wire around with a 12 volt bulb attached. :laughing:

Looks nice. I will be driving past there in October, I always think of you when I pass the Silver Creek exit on the NY Thru-way.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Robert, Maybe National Grid is giving you enough flux to excite a generator! Try waving a coil of wire around with a 12 volt bulb attached. :laughing:

Looks nice. I will be driving past there in October, I always think of you when I pass the Silver Creek exit on the NY Thru-way.

I have actually considered that. You can hear the lines buzzing when the weather is right and all I can think of is trying to capture the static electricity (excuse me if that isn't the proper term) somehow and turn it into the power source for the tower. You can easily see my tower from the 90, of course I am hoping it blends in more with the green siding but I am sure it will still be noticeable if you look out the window of your car

 

[Western]

Robert, sure turned out nice!!! You could "rent out" that condo!!!!

 

[EddieWalker]

Looks awesome. Did you stain the steps green?

When I stained mine, I mixed several almost empty stain cans together. Different brands, sheens and colors to get something dark that looked pretty good.

I was looking into the solar set up. There are all sorts of things you can get that plug into a cigarette lighter. I thing Overtons, the boat people had the best selection that last time I looked. The idea of making a fresh pot of coffee while in the blind really had the wheels spinning!!!!

Eddie

 

[Robert_in_NY]

I used all my extra stains up on my hay wagons and other wood decked trailers. So for this I needed to buy stain and decided to go with the green tinted stain from Home Depot by Behr. I have never used this type before but it seemed to cover well and hopefully it will hold up well. I do like the green look though as it really makes the tower blend in.

My big desire for power is actually to be able to charge my phone and run a small fan. Maybe even be able to charge my laptop if I really decide to move out there. So it won't be a huge draw.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Robert, sure turned out nice!!! You could "rent out" that condo!!!!

Thanks, I am still waiting for the last few pieces of J channel so I can finally finish it. Tuesday they will be delivered hopefully so by next weekend I hope to be all done with it (well, except for the storm door and carpeting).

 

[Robert_in_NY]

1 piece of siding short :-(

 

[lockhaven]

no cable or broad bad internet?

 

[Robert_in_NY]

no cable or broad bad internet?

Yes, all through my cell phone.

 

[Robert_in_NY]

The nfl app is great on sundays.

 

[Davidgm]

Robert,

I love the looks of your tower stand. I started mine last week and it's sure not going to be as nice as yours. But I was wondering if you had any tips on how high off of the floor that you put your windows? And maybe what the minimum height of the window itself that you would suggest after using your stand for a while now? Thanks!

David

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Robert,

I love the looks of your tower stand. I started mine last week and it's sure not going to be as nice as yours. But I was wondering if you had any tips on how high off of the floor that you put your windows? And maybe what the minimum height of the window itself that you would suggest after using your stand for a while now? Thanks!

David

Thanks David, the windows are set at 3' off the floor and for me I found this to be ideal.

The windows themselves though depend on the area your building. My next tower will have all single hung units in the 3' width and between 3-4' high. You don't need much opening to shoot from. You just want to make sure the solid cross bar where the upper and lower sash meet is high enough to not be in your line of sight while you wait.

 

[The kid]

Kinda reminds me of New Orleans outhouses. :laughing: <jk>

 

[Davidgm]

Thanks David, the windows are set at 3' off the floor and for me I found this to be ideal.

The windows themselves though depend on the area your building. My next tower will have all single hung units in the 3' width and between 3-4' high. You don't need much opening to shoot from. You just want to make sure the solid cross bar where the upper and lower sash meet is high enough to not be in your line of sight while you wait.

Robert,

Thanks for the reply! I am trying to build my stand on the cheap. I used old telephone poles for the uprights & put up leftover 2x8's from a deck (that I put on my house) for the floor joist. I bought some treated plywood for the floor & was thinking about trying to use some leftover metal siding/rooofing for the roof & sides. The only thing I hadn't really figured out was the windows. I was thinking about leaving like a 2' opening across the entire sides for better visiblity (& then rigging up some kind of plexiglass for the windows), but if I can find some cheap windows I might put them in instead. Do you think one window the size you suggested per side is sufficient or are you talking about two windows on each side? The floor space will be approx. 8' square, the floor will be about 7-8' off of the ground. Thanks again for your input!!

David

 

[Robert_in_NY]

Robert,

Thanks for the reply! I am trying to build my stand on the cheap. I used old telephone poles for the uprights & put up leftover 2x8's from a deck (that I put on my house) for the floor joist. I bought some treated plywood for the floor & was thinking about trying to use some leftover metal siding/rooofing for the roof & sides. The only thing I hadn't really figured out was the windows. I was thinking about leaving like a 2' opening across the entire sides for better visiblity (& then rigging up some kind of plexiglass for the windows), but if I can find some cheap windows I might put them in instead. Do you think one window the size you suggested per side is sufficient or are you talking about two windows on each side? The floor space will be approx. 8' square, the floor will be about 7-8' off of the ground. Thanks again for your input!!

David

I was thinking of two per side. The cheapest place I found locally for single hung windows was Mr. 2nds. Their new units and work fine.

I understand building on the cheap. When I built mine I used all the leftover windows we had laying around (screw ups from job sites) but I still had to buy two windows for the one wall. The door was a special Home Depot had for $99. The shingles were leftover from jobs as was the siding, soffit and metal.