Enclosed Deer Stand

oaktree · #1 08-10-2003, 06:39 PM

I'm making a deer stand using the brown or green tarps like are sold by Home depot or Lowes. I need to customize it to fit my construction. To do this I will need to cut and paste pieces. I need to know if anyone knows what "glue" will work. Also has anyone had experience "sewing" the re-enforced edges with a standard sewing machine. Lastly do you know where I can get water proof camo tarps. Thanks Oaktree

Dom · #2 08-11-2003, 01:48 AM

Welcome to HuntChat Oaktree. I think I see what you're trying to do, but your going to need some kind of frame, maybe slats or 1x2s. We've always just stapled the tarp to the frame, never glued or sewed it, and used Duct tape (which will last a season before it peals off).

For glue, the only one I can think of that "might" work is hot glue sticks. Good luck, Waidmannsheil, Dom.

blacktail · #3 08-11-2003, 03:04 AM

not too much will to a tarp
Duct tape works real well and if it is weight you are worried about try a fram out of PVC piping

oaktree · #4 08-11-2003, 07:57 AM

Thanks to "Dom" & "Blacktail" for your response. I have already made the frame out of electrical conduit. Works like a charm but getting tarps to fit over it is another story. I'll try the hot glue idea. I know sewing will work but don't know whether I need a industrial type sewing machine to handle the heavy duty fabric.

DogYeller · #5 08-11-2003, 10:30 AM

You could use Grommets and lace it on or Pop-rivets with backup washers.

tooldummy · #6 08-11-2003, 11:33 AM

There is a canvas company in an area town that could probably supply you with canvas. Dog Yeller has some good ideas. I think either one would work. The canvas place could supply the grommets also, and I have seen them in hardware stores before in the form of kits. If you want the places phone number for the canvas, drop me an e-mail at xxxTooldummy@yahoo.com (leave of the x's).

Jack · #7 08-11-2003, 12:20 PM

Have you considered using camouflage netting instead of tarps?
You can get camo nets from surplus places, like www.cheaperthandirt.com
Either way, I think you may have problems with the tarps or netting flapping in the wind.

oaktree · #8 08-11-2003, 02:48 PM

Jack ... thanks for the web site. I'll check it out. As for flapping tarps I plan to bungie or tie it down all around. Infact my current design just uses bungies which pulls the tarp tight in horizontal layers. I'll also look into chamo but I want something that is water proof as I plan to leave it out for the hunting season.

Sand Burr · #9 08-19-2003, 04:44 PM

Oak tree,
I have used a product called I think "Tear Mender" to replace holes in my ice house with canvas chunks. Which as you know that canvas gets stretched over poles. It worked fabulous! I purchased it at my local hardware store off of a recomendation from a friend. I would give it a shot. If I remember right it was pretty cheap also.

oaktree · #10 08-20-2003, 08:02 AM

Thanks Sand Burr. I'll be at the hardware store tomorow. Will try on a piece of tarp and confirm the value.

Where are you located in MN???? I'm over near Moose Lake.

Sand Burr · #11 08-20-2003, 12:25 PM

The big town of Grasston! (Est POP. 199) It is about 17 miles north of Cambridge. That stuff work great for me!

12ga · #12 09-01-2003, 02:01 PM

The glue used for PVC pipe works well to re-shape the cheap tarps sold by the various China-Marts. Paint it on with the brush in the can and put some weight on it for a few hours. Heavy weight isn't required, maybe just an old board or two.

Made up some in a trapezoid shape with glued-in rope edges and extra grommets about three years ago. They've held up well and are used often to enclose a booth used for flea market sales.

12ga

oaktree · #13 09-01-2003, 03:33 PM

12 ga you have just made my day. I'm headed out to the garage to try the pvc pipe glue. If it works it will solve allmy problems. Then allI have to do it get a gromet kit and get to work. Thanks and happy hunting.

12ga · #14 09-06-2003, 08:16 PM

Hope this worked for you, Oaktree. Haven't checked back on the thread for several days.

Hate to write long, envolved, detailed and sort of windy posts but I should have maybe warned you I ruined one tarp before getting it down right. The tarp was stout enough, OK, but was ugly and wrinkled as the backside of a mud fence.

I'd have also commented that the seams I made had to be wider than a commercial seam, about two inches. BTW, I used the adhesive for the gray PVC.

It's a wrestling match, to get it flat and right. It took me, my wife and some sandbags to hold down the loose corners of each tarp and the best we ever won was two falls out of three!

Good Luck!

12ga

oaktree · #15 09-07-2003, 01:07 PM

12 Ga ... I can see where it would be a match. Here is where I'm at. I tried a "blue" PVC glue and found it had reasonable shear strength but not much togetherness of the parts. The 2nd try I sanded both surfaces and WOW what a beautiful glue job I got. I think I will fold the tarp and iron it to form the glue line. Then a few weights should finish the job if I hold it taught end-to-end. If I have a problem I plan to sew the pieces together after I glue them. Thanks again 12 ga ... you made my day. Oaktree