Free Standing Treehouse

[Knight9]

That is unbelievably impressive! Can't wait to see the bridge!

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

Wow, awesome build for starting with no plans. Looks like you are a "Jack of all trades". And seeing how cute your daughter is, I can see where you get your motivation. Thanks for sharing.

 

[EddieWalker]

Awesome project!!! Fun to see your helper up there too!!!!

How long are those posts? At 16 feet above grade, they must have been pretty heavy. I've done 16 footers by myself, walking them into the hole and lifting a little as the end slides in and that's about the max of what I can do by myself. I wouldn't dream of trying to get longer ones into the ground on my own.

 

[buggyman1]

Thanks everyone.

 

[buggyman1]

Awesome project!!! Fun to see your helper up there too!!!!

How long are those posts? At 16 feet above grade, they must have been pretty heavy. I've done 16 footers by myself, walking them into the hole and lifting a little as the end slides in and that's about the max of what I can do by myself. I wouldn't dream of trying to get longer ones into the ground on my own.

Eddie, the posts are 20 footers, I used a boom pole on the first one then switched to my FEL for the rest. They are heavy.

 

[ishiboo]

This looks awesome! The craftsmanship is top notch. Few people that can work that nicely with wood can also do that nice of steel work

I would make one change though - I wouldn't use eyebolts for the tree. There is going to be a TON of pull-out force on those cables if there are a few adults, someone jumps, etc... and being holes in a tree there is the possibility for rot and wood imperfections to cause major issues over time, even with the fact they're quite large. And it would be difficult to detect.

If possible, I would drill straight through and use 3/4 or larger high strength hot dipped all thread to make the connection.

 

[buggyman1]

This looks awesome! The craftsmanship is top notch. Few people that can work that nicely with wood can also do that nice of steel work

I would make one change though - I wouldn't use eyebolts for the tree. There is going to be a TON of pull-out force on those cables if there are a few adults, someone jumps, etc... and being holes in a tree there is the possibility for rot and wood imperfections to cause major issues over time, even with the fact they're quite large. And it would be difficult to detect.

If possible, I would drill straight through and use 3/4 or larger high strength hot dipped all thread to make the connection.

Thanks. I'm still researching it but from what I've read so far, a through hole is harder on the tree than bolting it on. I've been thinking of looping it all the way around the tree, maybe running it through a few eyebolts to keep it off the bark.

 

[buggyman1]

I also got to use the trailer to haul some of the wood.

 

[jack707]

You can always use that to shoot deer from also.

 

[Baby Grand]

Amazing build. Great design and really nice execution & detail.
More of a tree fortress or tree castle than the tree house that I imagined you were going to build from the first post work.
Your daughter is going to get years of enjoyment from that and keep some great memories of seeing & helping her dad build something meaningful.
Not many kids get that experience and it's worth more than any amount of money can buy.
- Jim

 

[kj3]

Good looking play place for sure, and I'm thinking hunting might also be in mind there.

For the other end of the bridge you might google "TAB treehouse attachment bolts" there are a couple of engineers who have gotten together and exchanged notes on bolt designs that worked well and did not work well. Accounting for how the tree is going to grow and so on. Pricey for sure but you are planning a very long bridge and might consider their advice. Start here: Treehouse Attachment Bolts (TABs) | Attached Limb Systems

Again, kudos on your good work.

 

[buggyman1]

Good looking play place for sure, and I'm thinking hunting might also be in mind there.

For the other end of the bridge you might google "TAB treehouse attachment bolts" there are a couple of engineers who have gotten together and exchanged notes on bolt designs that worked well and did not work well. Accounting for how the tree is going to grow and so on. Pricey for sure but you are planning a very long bridge and might consider their advice. Start here: Treehouse Attachment Bolts (TABs) | Attached Limb Systems

Again, kudos on your good work.

Thanks. I have that site bookmarked, lots of good ideas on there but $200.00 for a 12" bolt is kinda crazy. I think I can come-up with something more cost effective and still be safe, if need be i'll make my own T.A.B.'s, I have a lathe and ain't afraid to use it...lol. There is also some good ideas on the site for support brackets which i'll need for the landing (tree side) of the bridge. I'll probably try and make my own there also.

 

[buggyman1]

It's raining and nasty here, haven't gotten much done. I did manage to make a spreader-bar for the cable on the tree side of the bridge.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Can you share your rough budget? I too want to temper the families expectations.

 

[buggyman1]

Can you share your rough budget? I too want to temper the families expectations.

I really didn't set a budget. There are really just three main costs, the wood (the 6x6's are pricey, esp.20'er's), the concrete, and the hardware. I'd say I've spent $400 alone on bolts and deck screws. I already had all of the metal I used left over from various projects, and I didn't have to buy any tools. The wood is the main cost, not sure how much I have in it, I bought it a little at a time as I needed it. If not for the over engineered back concrete pad for my brace, the cost wouldn't be bad for the concrete. If I were guessing i'd say I have close to 3 grand in mine so far, keep in mind it's just a guess.