Creating my "Over the Top" Deer Blind
- Thread starter EddieWalker
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EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
I'm putting James Hardi siding on. The bottom half will be 4x8 sheets of the Cedar Soffit. Then I am putting 1x4 James Hardi trim every 12 inches to create a Board and Batton finish that I will stain and seal to look like wood.
The top half will also be James Hardi, but the lap siding that will also get the same stain and seal finish. From a distance and even up close, it should look like an old wood tower that you might come across on the Frontier. That's my goal.
Eddie
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I think the Hardi board is a great idea.
You can paint it or whatever and upkeep is very little. Plus it's fire safe.
Are you going to put in a small wood stove and chimney? If you got a couple solar panels you could have coffee brewing and a microwave in there. Even a small air conditioning unit and fridge. It might be worth it if you and the kids are going to spend a lot of time in there? With the kids, it's hard to keep them occupied for a long time before they need to out and stretch their legs. That might scare away unseen but approaching deer or boar. If they had an electronic game, tv or video in there with ear phones, they would be good to go for all day long. Of course they would only be in there for after they stopped hunting.
What about a porta potty? One dividing wall or circular curtain would do it.
I think your generator has a fuel delivery problem.
If it runs and dies, that's usually means fuel isn't getting to it in sufficient quantity... it's starving. Check out the strainer or filter inside the gas tank. Then blow out the gas line to carburetor. It might even be a faulty petcock?
Rob-
You can paint it or whatever and upkeep is very little. Plus it's fire safe.
Are you going to put in a small wood stove and chimney? If you got a couple solar panels you could have coffee brewing and a microwave in there. Even a small air conditioning unit and fridge. It might be worth it if you and the kids are going to spend a lot of time in there? With the kids, it's hard to keep them occupied for a long time before they need to out and stretch their legs. That might scare away unseen but approaching deer or boar. If they had an electronic game, tv or video in there with ear phones, they would be good to go for all day long. Of course they would only be in there for after they stopped hunting.
What about a porta potty? One dividing wall or circular curtain would do it.
I think your generator has a fuel delivery problem.
If it runs and dies, that's usually means fuel isn't getting to it in sufficient quantity... it's starving. Check out the strainer or filter inside the gas tank. Then blow out the gas line to carburetor. It might even be a faulty petcock?
Rob-
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EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Rob,
I was thinking about the fuel being the problem, but never followed through on it. I never thought about blowing out the line, but that's just what I'm going to do. I can't get the petcock to do anything. It's a twisty thing that you turn in to close and unscrew to open. It doesn't move. I might look into bypassing it or putting in something a little more reliable.
Power would sure be nice for installing the Hardi. I'm using a cordless saw with a diamond blade to cut it, which works, but it's not in the same league as my 14 inch Milwaukee metal chop saw with it's massive diamond blade!!!
I know your joking about the stove and bathroom, but we do have a portable DVD player and Steph's laptop. I'm not sure how long they will last on battery power, but it's a given that when we do spend the day out there, we'll bring everything we got to make it as much fun as possible.
Home Depot only had five windows. I need six. I put the five in and finished attaching soffits yesterday. I also installed some of the Hardi, but didn't take any pics and then it started getting dark on me. I really need to find a way to keep the sun in the sky a for a few more hours each day.
In the first picture, you can see the temporary door that I put in. Eventually this will become part of a kids fort, and playground. There will be a set of stairs to it from both sides. For now, I want it closed off and sealed. I'm not going to put allot of money into this temporary door, so it's just studs and OSB on both sides. I'm going to prime and paint the outside to blend in a little, but that's all it's getting. Just painted OSB.
I set the platform at a good height were I could easily install the windows. I have three sides done. I'll pick up another window from a different store. These windows are 2030 single pane aluminum units. No insulation or energy efficiency to them, but they are bug and water proof, so that's all I wanted. They cost $32 each.
I spent allot of time looking online and drawing on graph paper a design for the windows. I wanted something that I could open and close without any sound, that would keep the bugs and weather out when closed and not cost a fortune. Every design that I saw and came up with had flaws. Mostly making them weather tite for a reasonable amount of money. In the end, $32 was very cheap.
Eddie
I was thinking about the fuel being the problem, but never followed through on it. I never thought about blowing out the line, but that's just what I'm going to do. I can't get the petcock to do anything. It's a twisty thing that you turn in to close and unscrew to open. It doesn't move. I might look into bypassing it or putting in something a little more reliable.
Power would sure be nice for installing the Hardi. I'm using a cordless saw with a diamond blade to cut it, which works, but it's not in the same league as my 14 inch Milwaukee metal chop saw with it's massive diamond blade!!!
I know your joking about the stove and bathroom, but we do have a portable DVD player and Steph's laptop. I'm not sure how long they will last on battery power, but it's a given that when we do spend the day out there, we'll bring everything we got to make it as much fun as possible.
Home Depot only had five windows. I need six. I put the five in and finished attaching soffits yesterday. I also installed some of the Hardi, but didn't take any pics and then it started getting dark on me. I really need to find a way to keep the sun in the sky a for a few more hours each day.
In the first picture, you can see the temporary door that I put in. Eventually this will become part of a kids fort, and playground. There will be a set of stairs to it from both sides. For now, I want it closed off and sealed. I'm not going to put allot of money into this temporary door, so it's just studs and OSB on both sides. I'm going to prime and paint the outside to blend in a little, but that's all it's getting. Just painted OSB.
I set the platform at a good height were I could easily install the windows. I have three sides done. I'll pick up another window from a different store. These windows are 2030 single pane aluminum units. No insulation or energy efficiency to them, but they are bug and water proof, so that's all I wanted. They cost $32 each.
I spent allot of time looking online and drawing on graph paper a design for the windows. I wanted something that I could open and close without any sound, that would keep the bugs and weather out when closed and not cost a fortune. Every design that I saw and came up with had flaws. Mostly making them weather tite for a reasonable amount of money. In the end, $32 was very cheap.
Eddie
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Tororider
Veteran Member
Eddie,
Nice choice on the Hardi, too rich for my blood, but if I could afford it I would. But you also have a second future use for yours so I can understand the investment up front as it really isn't just a hunting blind.
If you wanted a toilet you could just get a camp toilet. That is what we have at our pole barn since we don't have a septic. A little temporary curtain would do nicely, and they close up tight so that they don't smell.
Can't wait to see the whole thing done.
Nice choice on the Hardi, too rich for my blood, but if I could afford it I would. But you also have a second future use for yours so I can understand the investment up front as it really isn't just a hunting blind.
If you wanted a toilet you could just get a camp toilet. That is what we have at our pole barn since we don't have a septic. A little temporary curtain would do nicely, and they close up tight so that they don't smell.
Can't wait to see the whole thing done.
Ridgewalker
Platinum Member
OSB w Mossy Oak!!! Gotta get me some of that for my blind! How pricey is it?
TBDonnelly
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Hmmmmmm.....
Eddie, were you unrolling left to right-or-right to left? Though, it is just right for aerial recognition.
BTW, the blind is looking great!!!!
Don
Tororider
Veteran Member
I want to say it was $12 a sheet and I think it was 3/4" thickness. The laminate was put on nicely as far as I could tell, looked to seal it and make it waterproof.
weldingisfun
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Got ya' covered, Eddie. It may take a few months for me to get it done, but I'll git' er' done.
Hey, I can use the same thing.
AlanB
Elite Member
Love the Blind Eddie, I don't think anything of mine will be that nice.
On the generator, one thing we have done too a couple is to get rid of the fuel line and tank etc. and used a plastic boat tank and boat line fittings. The plastic 6 gallon or so kind you can buy at Wal-mart.
You have to set the tank higher then the generator but that is usually not that big of a deal.
It makes fill ups and change out's of tanks easier and is much easier to get clean when you get a bad load of fuel.
Fairly cheap to try (especially if you already have an outboard) and does make refueling more convienient in my mind at least.
Only bad thing about seeing your projects posted is how pathetic it makes mine
On the generator, one thing we have done too a couple is to get rid of the fuel line and tank etc. and used a plastic boat tank and boat line fittings. The plastic 6 gallon or so kind you can buy at Wal-mart.
You have to set the tank higher then the generator but that is usually not that big of a deal.
It makes fill ups and change out's of tanks easier and is much easier to get clean when you get a bad load of fuel.
Fairly cheap to try (especially if you already have an outboard) and does make refueling more convienient in my mind at least.
Only bad thing about seeing your projects posted is how pathetic it makes mine
OP
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
I'm really in no rush to finish this except for the fact that I absolutely refuse to start another project until this one is done. I'm really wanting to get on the dozer and move some dirt or add insulation to me shop. The list is growing, but I need to finish this project first.
Last weekend, I put the door in. Then Steph came out and started caulking the inside so that she can paint it.
While she was doing that, I installed some of the trim for the windows. I used what I had on hand and now have a shopping list to finish it off.
Today, I started putting up some of the Hardi trim.
It's cold out in the mornings, so I use just about every excuse there is to stay inside where it's nice and cozy instead of going outside and suffering. I try to never work outside when it's under 50 degrees outside. I will if I can avoid it, I will.
The door went in pretty easily. I made it from 2x4's with 3/8 exterior plywood. I have never made a door like this before and really didn't think about the thickness and the door knob. Luckily, it worked out. Another 1/8'th of an inch and I'm not sure if I could have started those threads. Unlike a conventional door, I built the door to install onto the jack studs of my framing. No door frame at all. The width was good, but I wasn't sure about the height of the door until I put the threshold in. After that, I cut about half an inch off of the door. Then I put a weatherstrip onto the bottom of the door to keep bugs and the wind out. The jams are pieces of 5/4 PT decking. It has a very solid feel to it. I like it.
The markings on the door are from painting the letters for the sign. I'll prime it and then paint it dark brown, so those markings will disappear.
Eddie
Last weekend, I put the door in. Then Steph came out and started caulking the inside so that she can paint it.
While she was doing that, I installed some of the trim for the windows. I used what I had on hand and now have a shopping list to finish it off.
Today, I started putting up some of the Hardi trim.
It's cold out in the mornings, so I use just about every excuse there is to stay inside where it's nice and cozy instead of going outside and suffering. I try to never work outside when it's under 50 degrees outside. I will if I can avoid it, I will.
The door went in pretty easily. I made it from 2x4's with 3/8 exterior plywood. I have never made a door like this before and really didn't think about the thickness and the door knob. Luckily, it worked out. Another 1/8'th of an inch and I'm not sure if I could have started those threads. Unlike a conventional door, I built the door to install onto the jack studs of my framing. No door frame at all. The width was good, but I wasn't sure about the height of the door until I put the threshold in. After that, I cut about half an inch off of the door. Then I put a weatherstrip onto the bottom of the door to keep bugs and the wind out. The jams are pieces of 5/4 PT decking. It has a very solid feel to it. I like it.
The markings on the door are from painting the letters for the sign. I'll prime it and then paint it dark brown, so those markings will disappear.
Eddie
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Tororider
Veteran Member
Looking good. You know, if you only worked in weather above 50 degrees you wouldn't be able to work for half the year in Michigan.
WayneB
Elite Member
Hey Eddie and I thought the door was some sort-of art deco design you came up with??
As I see it the next thing to do is extend the deck for the hot tub shooting position LOL
As I see it the next thing to do is extend the deck for the hot tub shooting position LOL
dynasim
Platinum Member
I recently fininshed siding the remodel of our house with hardiboard(prefinished 8" lap siding). I used to make all the cuts in cement board with a skill saw(with either carbide, or diamond). For this project, though, I just scored the pieces on both sides with a normal utility knife, and snapped them. I was amazed at how well it works. It does not work on bits and pieces less than say 3".
I hate that dust!
Chris
I hate that dust!
Chris
PAGUY
Gold Member
Eddie - Enjoyed reading this thread as a deer hunter myself. I know you have plans for it beside a deer stand but if I were to copy your effort the only thing I would change is putting the steps inside wrapping around interior walls with a trap door that would be part of the floor once inside. That way the steps would be weather protected and access would be protected by double doors. One for the ground entrance and then a locked trap door inside.
OP
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Here's some pics of my latest progress. I did some of the siding last week, but didn't take any pictures until today. I was going to buy more siding to finish it off this week, but the forecast has been for rain this weekend all week. Like a dummy, I got suckered in and fell for it again. Of course it didn't rain all weekend.
On the siding, I have one wall done and part of another. I didn't have a clue on how much siding to buy, so I just bout a dozen and saw how much that got done. Looks like I need 14 more. On the bottom half, I'm trying something new. I've never done this, but I want it to look like board and batton. I used 4x8 sheets of cedar grained Hardi and then 1x4 trim for the battons. It's pricey, but I think the look will be worth it. The fact that it will never rot is a big plus!!!! Another big factor in the look is that I wanted to separate the upstairs part from the bottom part. The two different types of siding should do this. At least, I'm hopeing it will when it's all said and done.
The interior trip is mostly scrap wood that I had in my wood pile. Some is 5/4 decking, others are 3/4 pine. It's going to be painted dark brown, so I wasn't concerned with making it all the same. The trim is 1x3 furring strips that I bought from Home Depot with 2x4 studs cut to length at the bottom.
The food plot never really did anything. I'm thinking that the soil needs amendments pretty bad. You can see the feeder in the background. On Tuesday, Peyton and I shot a hog that was feeding on the corn. It's an easy shot, so the blind is working out nicely.
Eddie
On the siding, I have one wall done and part of another. I didn't have a clue on how much siding to buy, so I just bout a dozen and saw how much that got done. Looks like I need 14 more. On the bottom half, I'm trying something new. I've never done this, but I want it to look like board and batton. I used 4x8 sheets of cedar grained Hardi and then 1x4 trim for the battons. It's pricey, but I think the look will be worth it. The fact that it will never rot is a big plus!!!! Another big factor in the look is that I wanted to separate the upstairs part from the bottom part. The two different types of siding should do this. At least, I'm hopeing it will when it's all said and done.
The interior trip is mostly scrap wood that I had in my wood pile. Some is 5/4 decking, others are 3/4 pine. It's going to be painted dark brown, so I wasn't concerned with making it all the same. The trim is 1x3 furring strips that I bought from Home Depot with 2x4 studs cut to length at the bottom.
The food plot never really did anything. I'm thinking that the soil needs amendments pretty bad. You can see the feeder in the background. On Tuesday, Peyton and I shot a hog that was feeding on the corn. It's an easy shot, so the blind is working out nicely.
Eddie
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weldingisfun
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Looking good, Eddie. I'll be interested to see how that OSB takes the paint. Just assuming you are going to paint it since you filled all the nail holes and caulked.
hunterridgefarm
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Dang Eddie thats a nice deer blind/small apartment.
I always enjoy your projects.
Thanks
David
. I always enjoy your projects.
Thanks
David
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EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
Yes, we've (Steph) decided to paint the OSB a shade of green. We're not sure what shade of gree she wants just yet, but she has picked up several dozen samples from the stores. The idea is to bring the outside in. My part on the interior is done for now. After Steph finishes the painting, I'll finish it off with a few suprises that came to me while looking through some catalogs.
Eddie
Eddie
CurlyDave
Elite Member
In many parts of the world you would have an entire family living in there by now.
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