Author Topic: Building a 4'x6' Mini Shack (Read 11764 times)

Beeler · « **on:** Dec 14, 2015, 07:56 AM »

Hi Everyone, the weather is way to nice in Green Bay. It's been in the mid 40's and few days of 50's it's record breaking and it sucks for ice fishing. To keep my spirits up I decided to build a 4'x6' hardside shack. The plan is to have the 2 holes on the 4 foot end of the shack and 1 doors on each side of the 6 foot sides. That way it will be easy for each guy to check their tip-ups. I built a ammo can wood burner for heat. 2 years ago after a good day of fishing I was driving off the ice I stopped to see a guy that had a hardside with smoke coming out of his smoke stack. Man, the heat that came off that wood burner was awesome and plus the smell. My first thought was I have to build a shack with a wood burner, so here I go.
I dadoed all the 2x4's and used constructon adhesive and galv.rink shank nails to nail the 2x4's together and also glued down and nailed the 1/2" plywood. The runners will make the shack clear 8 inches of snow. I'm hoping to keep the shack around 200-250 pounds. More infor and pic to follow.

Beeler

Bout-Time · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 14, 2015, 08:12 AM »

Good start Beeler!

gamefisher · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 14, 2015, 08:25 AM »

I like the concept, might do something similar out of boredom myself.

What are you thinking for siding?

Bout-Time · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 14, 2015, 08:40 AM »

Actually, I need to upgrade the skis on my traveling shack to something similar to this design.

mr musky · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 14, 2015, 09:17 AM »

look like a good start

Beeler · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 15, 2015, 05:10 AM »

Added 2x2's to the sides of the skids to make them wider and then glued & screwed UHMW plastic on the bottom. I use construction adhesive on everything. Also added blocks of wood at the top of the legs. I was trying to save weight on this design of the skids. Don't know if I did compared to a treated 2x10.

Beeler · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 15, 2015, 05:18 AM »

Quote from: gamefisher on Dec 14, 2015, 08:25 AM

I like the concept, might do something similar out of boredom myself. What are you thinking for siding?

I plan on using 1/2" foam and boat shrink wrap. Trying to make it light.

Clear_Ice · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 15, 2015, 10:00 AM »

That thing is gonna be a featherweight if you side it with foam and shrink wrap!

Theres just something that makes fishing out of a tiny, cramped fish house with a wood stove fun. Sometime fishing out of a 8x16 ice castle isn't all it is cracked up to be

nicjohnsrud · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 15, 2015, 10:23 AM »

I've always wanted a tiny hardside. Really looking forward to this build!

Bout-Time · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 15, 2015, 02:23 PM »

Those runners have to be lighter than a 2x10 Beeler.

I likey!

Baetis62 · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 15, 2015, 02:48 PM »

I like it Beeler. Are you running with a sled/atv? Also will you be loading in and out of the bed of your truck or on a trailer when traveling to/from the water? I'd also like to see the heating system when she's done. I feel for you guys back there. I grew up on Poygan but moved to CO 30 years ago. I have missed your ice fishing ever since -at least until this year.

Today here in Boulder mid teens and about 10" snow since midnight. It's not great for our ice but at least we are having a taste of Winter and things are capping in the high country. Keep posting your progress on this.

Beeler · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 15, 2015, 06:30 PM »

The walls are 5'-10" and the ceiling is 6'-10". I need to install some corner braces and make a shelf for the wood burner. Don't know if I should build a bench or mount some boat chairs. I'm planning on keeping it near shore when I'm not fishing, but I do have a sled to move it.

Arctic Addict · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 15, 2015, 06:40 PM »

Great start Beeler, keep the pics coming.

prospector · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 15, 2015, 06:46 PM »

Great build!

legend · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 15, 2015, 06:55 PM »

Looking great so far !

SectionA · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 15, 2015, 07:33 PM »

This looks awesome. With it being a 4x6 do you think you would be able to move it by hand just dragging it across the ice?

Great work.

Beeler · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 15, 2015, 09:11 PM »

Quote from: SectionA on Dec 15, 2015, 07:33 PM

This looks awesome. With it being a 4x6 do you think you would be able to move it by hand just dragging it across the ice?

Great work.

That is my plan. From the shore to where I fish is about 100-150 yards, I can always use my sled to pull it.

mukluk · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 16, 2015, 10:56 PM »

Looking nice beeler, keep the pics coming would like to build one similar as I am the same as you fish maybe 70 yards offshore when I fish at home. I like the boat seat idea as well.

Beeler · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 17, 2015, 06:46 AM »

I need to hang some metal heat shield on the studs behind the wood burner and pipe. Hopefully I don't cook myself out being such a small shack. I fired it up twice outside to burn some of the old paint off and then repainted it with high temp paint. On one side of the shelf I'll have a Marcum and the other side will be a Vexilar. A 5 gallon pail will fit under the wood burner to hold some wood.

Bout-Time · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 17, 2015, 07:00 AM »

Oh it will cook you out if you stoke it up. LOL

Hope you test burned after you painted it too, the new paint will smoke a little too.

Raquettedacker · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 17, 2015, 07:09 AM »

Very nice..

But I wouldn't waste the space, hassle and time with a wood stove in something that small...
I hope you have good ventilation.... But that's just my opinion... $:-\$

Arctic Addict · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 17, 2015, 07:33 AM »

I love the wood stove. For a heat shield, I'd use aluminum to keep it light. I should be I talked with an air space between the heat shield and the wall. I used cheap conduit cut into 2" lengths and then used 3" screws to create the shielded air gap. Also, if you raise the heat shield up from the shelf a little bit; you can create a natural convection air current behind the shield. The warm air will simply rise and suck cooler air in from the bottom and sides. Just make sure you have a good deal on the door and burn good fuel. Something like that size won't take much.

Beeler · « **Reply #22 on:** Dec 17, 2015, 08:13 AM »

The 1/2 inch foam board will be on the outside of the studs and the metal will be on the face of studs on the inside. So their will be an air gap between the metal and foam. I was thinking the same thing not running the metal all the way to the bottom of the shelf and leave a gap on the bottom and top. I didn't know I could use aluminum for a heat shield, I'll do that instead of a galv. metal sheet.

Beeler · « **Reply #23 on:** Dec 17, 2015, 08:24 AM »

Quote from: Raquettedacker on Dec 17, 2015, 07:09 AM

Very nice..
But I wouldn't wast the space, hassle and time with a wood stove in something that small...
I hope you have good ventilation.... But that's just my opinion... $:-\$

I used propane buddy Heaters for many years and I want to try this for one season, I know it's going to be more work but I like the heat you get from wood. I design the shelf for the wood burner so I can remove it very quickly and I'll be able to patch the hole where the stove pipe goes out with foam board. Maybe 30 minutes worth of work.

Raquettedacker · « **Reply #24 on:** Dec 17, 2015, 08:44 AM »

I'm sorry. Now my comment looks rude after I read it...
But now that I think of it it would only take 2 five gallon buckets of good dry wood and it should last all day.. Then you wouldn't have to worry about propane tanks for the buddy heater... I like it...

Lobes · « **Reply #25 on:** Dec 17, 2015, 08:58 AM »

Very nice! Excellent carpentry skills! Everything looks square and plumb. You won't need to add much heat for most days but you clearly have that covered too. Can't wait for pictures of it finished and in use.

Lobes

Beeler · « **Reply #26 on:** Dec 17, 2015, 09:12 AM »

Quote from: Raquettedacker on Dec 17, 2015, 08:44 AM

I'm sorry. Now my comment looks rude after I read it...
But now that I think of it it would only take 2 five gallon buckets of good dry wood and it should last all day.. Then you wouldn't have to worry about propane tanks for the buddy heater... I like it...

No, I didn't think that was rude I like everyone's input. I was on the fence for along time between propane and a wood burner. But that's why I designed it so if I change my mind I can make a quick change over.

Osage · « **Reply #27 on:** Dec 17, 2015, 09:32 AM »

Looks great,if you insulate it well,you will need to open a window for thermostat control

I am not fortunate enough to live in an area with good enough ice for a shanty,but if I did,a small one like yours would be more to my liking.I did build a 4x6 deer shanty on wheels,it has a fold down bunk for those long waits during the hunt,and I heat it during the cold with a propane heater.Post pics of the process and completed shanty,it may give me ideas for a new shooting shanty.

gamefisher · « **Reply #28 on:** Dec 17, 2015, 09:42 AM »

I like it. No big deal to crack the door when it gets a little too toasty. Not sure what you are doing for a roof but not much effort to incorporate a camper style roof vent into plans either / also.

WildMN · « **Reply #29 on:** Dec 17, 2015, 10:06 AM »

You could actually use 3 or 4 kingsford briquets in there to heat a shack that size. Looks great.

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Author Topic: Building a 4'x6' Mini Shack (Read 11764 times)