I just got my first bow a few weeks back in hopes to start hunting with it. I wont get out this year due to my lack of equipment and knowledge. Ive decided to build my own hang up stands so i can design them how i want. My question is, has anyone ever built their own stands out of aluminum? Is it strong enough? Does an aluminum stand have any downsides? I would be grateful of any input on this. thanks all
I've never built an aluminum stand but I plan on giving this a try this winter. I've been building my own hang on stands for 20 years but mine are made out of steel and are a bit on the heavy side. I'm thinking mine are In that 20 pound range.
I work at a hardware store and can get aluminum fairly cheap, so i figured i would give it a shot. My biggest issue is strength.
I could get steel. I was thinking weight-wise though. Im sure ill have to use some steel in the design for the parts that bare the most weight. For the rest though, I plan on using aluminum. A few extra pounds off a long hike would be nice. As long as its still safe, of course.
Musik117 I have about 15 that I use and just got rid of one this year due to the thin aluminum I chose to use. I got 8 years out of it before it started to creak in the cold weather. Now my heavier set aluminum stands are awesome,just ask Will. I have about 11 of them that are 30'' platform and 22'' high to the seat and weigh 18 pounds made out of 1 1/2 tube aluminum. Paid $100.00 for 10, 17 years ago. They'll out last any steel stand out there and they don't rust and weigh 2/3rd's less than steel. You won't be unhappy at all if you pursue the aluminum way. Rocky
Rocky... thanks for the incite. Do you know what wall thickness your aluminum tubing is? also is it round or square tubing?
Is this really worth it, in the long run ? How much money will you have in material, devoted to each stand ? How much time will be required to build each stand ? You can get hang-ons for under $50. I've bought some hang-ons at $30, and, have had the SAME stands in the same trees for years, with no issues.
I wanna see some pics of these home brew stands. I have a few stands i would love to copy, and i have friends with tig welders....
I think it will be worth it cost wise. With my discount at work building materials such as aluminum and steel i can get for about 50% off retail price. As of now i have 12 ft of 1in aluminum square tubing and 12ft of 3/4in aluminum angle. For about $18. Also, building something myself is more fun. I gain knowledge along the way and experience. And live2draw, be sure your friends welders are set up for aluminum before you try it. its not the same as welding on steel, as im sure you know.
Musick17 It's round tubing and 1/16 thickness, one thing about aluminum,it's pricey,like Droptine249 said,is it really worth it ? The only thing I know about it being worth it is I haven't had to repaint or replace one of my aluminum stands,where as I have fixed and repainted all my steel stands and had to re-weld some steel stands as the steel meshing came un welded at the weld and became creeky. This year I also bought 2 of the stands from Sportsman Warehouse for $36.00 and am really happy with them. Time will tell Rocky
mine is going to be made out of square tubing instead. and i know aluminum is expensive, but at work i can get it for a fair price. hopefully it all works out. I'll be sure to post up some pictures as i go.
