What size square tubing for building a blind?

[Buck Roar]

So my dad are debating the size of square tubing to use to build a blind. We plan to build a 5'x6' blind, welded square tubing as structure, welded base on skids for easy relocation. Windows??

Anyway, he tends to build stuff way overkill. he thinks we need 1.5" square tubing for the frame of the blind. I say we need 1/2" square tubing.

How about some GS thoughts?

[ecallarman]

if your are speaking of just the frame for the blind framing (walls, floors, roof) itself I would say 1" X 1" X 10/12gauge. Just my .02

[JP Weld]

I plan on building a couple as well and will be using 1.5"X1.5".

[Texastaxi]

I agree, for something that size, 1.5" is overkill.

I'd use 3/4".

[Skullworks52]

I think 1.5'' 14 ga. would be good. or 1'' 11ga.

[Gummi Bear]

I built a rifle blind with my Dad a few years ago out of 1.5" square tube, 14 ga. We skinned it with Hardiboard, so he'll never have to fiddle with it again. It is 4x8 and a little over 6' tall inside so it is plenty comfy.

The last one I built for myself, I framed out of 1" EMT (thinwall electrical conduit). It is basically a 6' cube, and I bowhunt out of it.

[Palmetto]

1" for the blind frame
1.5" for the tower

What are you going to skin it with?

[Lonestar Angler]

I used 1.5 inch for the base and 1 inch for every thing else. Both 14 gauge.

[EH III]

I agree with the 1.5" base and 1" frame but I would use 1x2 rectangle tubing for the door frame and window frames. It gives you a little more room for the plywood to lay on when your putting two pieces together.

[Problem Child]

I have built several blinds of the years all with 1" 14 gauge square tubing, my oldest blind is more than 15yrs old and still going strong with no sign of any failure.
If you are building a tower blind I would use 1.5" rectangular 14 gauge as the base, everything else in 1" 14 gauge.

[flywise]

1/2" would be plenty
But 1" would probably take screws better if you plan to screw on siding of some sort

[kparker158]

I used 1" tubing with a 1.5" angle iron base

[Gunnyart]

I built a 8' tower blind 5'x5' and used 1/2 for the walls and roof. It's tough as nails. I wouldn't use anything heavier.

[BlackHillRanch]

I used 1" tubing with a 1.5" angle iron base

This is a good suggestion.

My first build I used all 1" and the base could use some more support.. my second build was all 1 1/4" and that sucker was too heavy.

[Todd-ty729]

The base of box out of 11 ga. 2" square


Box frame out of 16 ga. 1" square

Use 1" x 2" around the door frame to allow for hinges and hardware

The tower material depends on height but I tried 1/8" x 2" square and it wanted to bend when raising it off the trailer.

I now only use 1/4" wall 2" square or 2 3/8" drill stem pipe for the tower legs.