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Used 5 gallon pails cut down and siliconed as well as screwed to the floor. Storage under the seat provides ample storage for necessities and gear. Total weight worth gear is about 85lbs. Once on my Smitty it should be a breeze to pull as I'm a walker.
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Very very nice job... Envious that you threw that together in such a short time..... Now seriously I would like to order one so please pm a price if interested and maybe we could work something out... Once again it's a beauty.
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QUOTE (onthehook @ Feb 16, 2017 - 09:18 pm)
That looks great. What do you think your overall time invested in this project is?
That's a bit of a hard one to answer because I had a couple of unforseen setbacks like 1. the pvc heavy duty tarp I originally bought was a tad too heavy for the 3/8 plywood so I replaced it with a poly heavy duty tarp 14 x 14 weave which is ideal. 2. I also mounted the piano hinge on the outside of the box and inside the wall first but it caused a very slight problem closing it. When I mounted the hinge on the outside of the box and outside of the wall it worked perfect. But through all that it went together fairly quickly. I could put one together fairly quick now but you can't rush drying times of sealers, paint and adhesives.
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Well done it looks awesome! And thank you for the thanks extended to me but really I didn't help much. And I am still waiting for updates on that motorized build you were talking about!
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Nice design, only thing I would have done was spend more money and buy a canvas tarp. On those windy days you will need ear plugs because of the plastic tarp. I learned this the hard way.
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QUOTE (Ljas @ Feb 17, 2017 - 06:58 am)
Nice design, only thing I would have done was spend more money and buy a canvas tarp. On those windy days you will need ear plugs because of the plastic tarp. I learned this the hard way.
Hmmm. I never thought about the noise from the wind on the tarp. It's pretty taut so I hope it isn't an issue. The PVC one I originally tried would have been a non issue but the weight and bulk of it had a real effect on the thin plywood. If I wasn't a walker I'd step up to 1/2 or 5/8 and be done with it but unfortunately weight is an issue. At the moment the poles are solid but will be adjustable tension wise this coming week. No time to weld on the nuts before the weekend.
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Mr Vampire here with my two cent's worth.
I have to commend you on the excellent job you have done. What some comments here say about buying a flip up on sale are correct but don't address all the factors of building this. The biggest difference as I see it is that you now have a hut that is absolutely customized the way that you want it, all the details and features that make your fishing trip as convenient and enjoyable as possible.
It is not possible to put a value on the many things you learn working out the ideas and methods of building a project like this. I can promise from my own experience that these learning points and lessons that you work out will always be with you and almost certainly will come into play at some time in the future on another project, paying back the time spent now with time saved later.
In my opinion there is infinite value in the satisfaction you feel after building something with your own hands that simply can't be found in a store bought "anything". The many projects I have completed over the years have reinforced this belief over and over again. As a side benefit I have also observed that many times being able to build it myself has been the difference between having something or not. I have not always had the pocket change to buy something but always found that time to build something is a resource I was able to find.
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have the tools, space or abilities to build projects like this but if you do, take advantage of it at every opportunity
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QUOTE (Vampire With Freckles @ Feb 17, 2017 - 09:31 am)
Mr Vampire here with my two cent's worth.
I have to commend you on the excellent job you have done. What some comments here say about buying a flip up on sale are correct but don't address all the factors of building this. The biggest difference as I see it is that you now have a hut that is absolutely customized the way that you want it, all the details and features that make your fishing trip as convenient and enjoyable as possible.
It is not possible to put a value on the many things you learn working out the ideas and methods of building a project like this. I can promise from my own experience that these learning points and lessons that you work out will always be with you and almost certainly will come into play at some time in the future on another project, paying back the time spent now with time saved later.
In my opinion there is infinite value in the satisfaction you feel after building something with your own hands that simply can't be found in a store bought "anything". The many projects I have completed over the years have reinforced this belief over and over again. As a side benefit I have also observed that many times being able to build it myself has been the difference between having something or not. I have not always had the pocket change to buy something but always found that time to build something is a resource I was able to find.
Not everyone is fortunate enough to have the tools, space or abilities to build projects like this but if you do, take advantage of it at every opportunity
+1. I couldn't agree with this more. One thing you see in threads like these are people saying things like its easier to get a flip etc etc. Which of course is true, but not the point! 😊
For many people, myself included, building things is absolutely, incredible fun. Its not about the money, at least for me. If I was suddenly given 10 million dollars, I would actually spend MORE time and thought building all kinds of outdoor projects. I tie flies, build canoes and paddles, make muskie lures etc etc. As a walker like the OP, it is a challenge thinking about how you will transport a hut to the ice, will it fit in the car, how heavy as you are pulling it, how many people can you fit inside, etc etc. And how can you make the next one better. Its actually loads of fun thinking about it, coming up with a solution, and then building it. For any of you guys who do an annual spring fishing trip or fall hunting trip, you know that planning the trip, the gear, the food, is half the fun. So it is With building things like ice huts.
This makes me feel like posting the last one I built two years ago. There are a few pictures of it on the big ice fishing forum down south, but maybe I will post build pics etc of it here. It might help out some guys with an idea or two, as it fits inside my car, sets up fast and easy, built in bench seating, has a full floor, windows and vents, heated with a my buddy heater OR mini wood stove, and weighs less than 65 pounds. Not for everyone of course but I ove it when out with my son. I have a 6man pop up which sets up fast and easy too, but man I love that little homemade hut!
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Wow well done. Nice job!
That is one sweet hut..
Exactly what others have said, nothing compares to the satisfaction of building something yourself as well as the customizations you can do for a better fishing experience.
Folding Ice shanty
