Metal fabricator gurus... need advice on deer stand build

[Huntindad]

For you guys that build cool stuff outta metal. I need to bounce some ideas off of ya for a deer stand.

I want to build a 2' by 4' platform that will hold 2 seats(my son & I). I would like to build it so as it has 2 legs on the back splayed apart like a tripod set up & the front will just have the ladder... which I thought I could put a little wider bottom piece to give it a wider foot print.

Kinda like a free standing 2 man ladder stand.

I am thinking about 7 to 8 foot legs.

Would 1 1/4" square tubing be good to use for the platform frame?

1 1/2" tubing for the legs and 1 3/4" leg brackets.

I would put expanded metal on the platform. I figured 2 pedestal type seats.

do y'all think that is a plausible creation? It needs to be portable.

Ideas ? advice... any comments welcome.

[Ramball36]

36"x72" platform with 8' legs

[lexingtontexas]

Almost finished with this one. Will break down down and fit in the bed of a pick up.... 2 inch square tubing for the legs[ATTACH]720133[ATTACH]720134

[Huntindad]

what size is the platform & what size tubing did you use for the platform? I am looking to stay real simple... no hand rails.

[lexingtontexas]

4x6 platform with 1 inch tubing. 7 foot legs

[Huntindad]

what angle is your legs from the platform?

[lexingtontexas]

20

[Huntindad]

thanx,

[lexingtontexas]

No problem!

[Huntindad]

bump for the morning folks

[SB09]

How much weight would you estimate this platform needs to hold at any given time?

Any of those materials would be sufficient with bracing between the legs. Do you plan to put braces on the legs? If you want to go without bracing then you're going to have to make sure you go with a pretty heavy tube thickness. As well as pay special attention to where the leg brackets are put onto the platform base.

I would put a gusset plate at the leg bracket to platform connection to ensure the leg bracket doesn't try to rip away from the platform when you put a load on it. With only three legs you are increasing the load amount to each. In my opinion for the size platform you're wanting I would probably put 4 legs instead of 3. 3 legs is possible, you just sacrifice stability and increase weight distribution on each leg.. Especially on each of the front corners of the platform.

[Huntindad]

Good points on the stability issue...

Will be about 350 pounds total on platform at the most.

[bowhuntntxn]

Two foot by four foot is awfully small for a platform. Especially when you put seats and gear on it. A standard pallet is 4x4 and that isn't even really enough room for one person, let alone two.

I suggest 4x6 minimum or 4x8 to add a little extra wiggle room.

[Huntindad]

I am trying to have a small foot print...like the 2 man ladder stand it will replace(tree blew over).
may even just put one seat centered.

2x4 plat form is huge compared to the tripod I put up as a temp solution

[SB09]

I don't blame you. A lot of portability lost when you double the size of that platform.