September 25, 2022
Step 2 New Craig's Stand
Construction
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| The base is 48" by 48" and framed with 2x6s. The floor is 48" by 60" 7/16 plywood sheeting. |
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| Base with 'risers' which are steel brackets screwed to 2x6 framing made for attaching 4" by 4" posts. |
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| Base setup for attaching legs. |
It's been raining for the past few days -- not that I'm complaining. I've wished for rain for weeks. I was out working on this stand in the mists and under moody-looking clouds a couple hours a day. When it rained steadily I stayed indoors. I hadn't planned on building this stand this year, so things like tools and materials are in disarray, not that anyone who knows me would notice. I tend to operate like this until I get all my ducks in a row -- usually by the end of the project, but truly, I enjoy doing it and figuring how to make things work to my satisfaction -- I ain't building china cabinets.That being said, I think this project is my most accurate by far for some reason. Then I could just be delusional too; I'm old.
All the deer stands are named after family members -- except for The Privy Stand. It is so named because it looks like an outhouse on stilts, not that any of the other deer stands resemble their namesakes. The names just identify locations. "John's Stand" does not resemble a john either, nor its namesake our eldest son. It would've been just as easy to call it No. 2 as it was the second stand I built after mine then moved, remodeled, and rebuilt again. Adding additional numerical designations on it would've just been annoying: '2B', '2C', '2Ca' ... Nah.
Marty's Stand is in a good place too, but requires modifications as the years go by; usage creates critical thinking "What can I do to improve this experience? Hmmmm, I need to widen that shooting lane 'there,' lengthen it beyond that point, take out that window and add another 'here'. Put a curtain up. Add a shelf. A cushion for this hard old stool." Stuff like that. All these deer stands are works in progress.
Craig's Stand is built out of a wood pier that came from Lindstrom, MN that someone was replacing with a new aluminum model. It came in handy in its second life as a thrown-together deer stand that was laughable to look at -- but delivered deer to the hunters for the past six years. That's why I undertook the project so late in the year. It just had to be done.
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| I've been lucky working on deer stands of the past; I try to be careful. I don't work fast, never have, but still things happen. This 'wound' was hastily wrapped with tissue and electrical tape to stave the bleeding and keep it clean so I could keep working. The throbbing went away after awhile. When I got home I cut it away the bandage using an Exacto knife, poured hydrogen peroxide into it, then put a real band aid around it. "Coulda been worse." |
Stay tuned.
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