IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Ice Shack Tips => Topic started by: propaganda on Nov 07, 2011, 03:05 PM
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Long time here lurking, wanted to share some of my shack build this winter. I own a company that builds custom buildings for oil and gas industry in Canada, and thought what if I took some of the materials to build a shack, so started with all aluminum frame and skid, I thought of doing it on flip down axle but way too much snow up here to pull a trailer around, so did 6 inch wide skis with puckboard skin, fold up and down removable tow hitch. Building is double clad aluminum insulated to R12 and floor is R12 as well. Put in loft and cast iron wood stove, commercial grade carpet, RV smoked sliding windows, some cabinets. Still need to finish the maple shelves and custom fold out benches and cushions, corner jacks and put in the catch cover holes. Also 120 VAC and 12 v wiring, TV and sound system hope to have it ready by freezup. It's super light and super tough should get a lifetime out of it.
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/shack.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/shack1.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/shack2.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/shack3.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/shack4.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/shack5.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/shack6.jpg)
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That is one sweet looking shack. Hope to see some pictures once you get it on the ice.
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I am thinking you might have found a new side business.
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WOW, That is as nice if not nicer then the commercially available fishing trailers on the market today ! Fantastic Job !!
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All you need now is DirecTV hooked up
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Don't think you missed anything. Awesome build man! ;D
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Nice job that thing is sweet. How big is it?
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a lot of very good craftsmanship there. nice to have the talent to do such a nice job.
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Very IMPRESSIVE WOW!!! ;D You're a true craftsman
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awsome job nice going
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Very cool, great craftsmanship and attention to detail. :tipup:
Its actually very similar to the 8x12 im currently building though I decided to frame mine with wood(as im just learning how to weld aluminium) but its pretty much the exact same concept/style.. right down to the loft and diamond plate behind the stove.
Who do you work for in alberta? I work for a CNC/fabrication shop out of Regina.
Cheers
Layne
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Thanks for the positive feedback everyone.
Nice job that thing is sweet. How big is it?
The unit is 8 x 12 with 8 foot walls and a 4:12 pitch roof, there is lots of vertical space and the loft is 40" wide. The foldout benches will go 40" wide as well so it will sleep 3 comfortably. Generally when we go out we like to stay on the lake for a couple days because it's usually a long trip to get to some of the better lakes in Northern Alberta. The ski width is set so it fits on a standard car hauler and I pulled it around a bit on my 20' deck trailer with no issues so will try it on a 14' car hauler. The corner jacks will be good to jack it up on the lake and block the skis up so it doesn't freeze in. Also going to do a fold up table on the back outside for cleaning fish or putting stuff on when it's warm and a guy wants to fish outside. I don't even want to say what it cost to build but the way I see it it will last me a long time and I will get more use of it than the $40000 I spent on a crappy paper walled holiday trailer that sits in my yard most the summer :-\
Who do you work for in alberta?
@Layne I own the company and we build specialty buildings much like you see on well sites for separators and motor buildings.
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Totally awesome. I'm jealous.
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very nice :o :o :o
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We got so excited lookin at the cool shack, we plumb forgot to Welcome ya to the shanty propaganda, glad to have ya aboard ! Have you got a finished weight you can share with us ?
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That thing is AWSOME!! What size sq. tube did you use? Also, approx what was the finished weight? (without the stove)
Nick.
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Nice job
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I estimate the finished weight at 1300 lbs with the stove and jacks. The tubing size is 2".
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Hypothetically speaking of course, what would some one have to get for a unit like this to make it worth while for them ? :whistle:
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Welcome to the sit Propaganda
Beautiful shack! well done. :thumbsup:
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So what do you get for rent on that fortress I could move right into that for the winter. :woot:
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So what do you get for rent on that fortress I could move right into that for the winter. :woot:
If you get out to Alberta Cat let me know I will give you the combo and coordinates go ahead and help yourself but any stays longer than 3 days will get eviction notice ;)
I got the stereo and TV in, the stereo is a dvd and ipod multi function thing, I will wire the video out to tv so it can play dvd's and the speakers are Exile marine they sound pretty decent. The TV is 1080p 24". Also had the corner jacks come in.
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/shack7.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/shack8.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/shack9.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/shack10.jpg)
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Damn Prop, that is gonna be one Premo Shack ! :thumbsup: :clap:
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I like where your going with this I have a satellite dish on mine and all I need is to find a quite generator to run it. Also I'm looking to run LED lights in my shack any ideas on this?
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Quiet inverter genset should go atleat 1600 watts, can get some pretty inexpensive ones. As far as LED's there are 2 ways to do this. You can run straight 120 VAC LED's off a genset or the better way is to run as much as you can off of 12V, use 2 6V batteries in series, then a charge converter off the genset, like they do in some RV's. That way while the genset runs the batteries are charging. You can further tie in a small solar panel to trickle charge and prevent battery freezing or a larger solar panel system to power the unit. In fact a large solar system with 120 VAC inverter can run a small TV and reciever. I mean a guy can get pretty high end on that but it get's expensive. Then there's small wind turbines as well, which I am looking at. Again it gets pretty expensive. In my opinion the best policy is run as much as you can off 12V and charge convert. Then in the evenings if you sleep in your shack you can shut the genset down, even if you run a propane forced air furnace.
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Wow! Great setup propaganda
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We put men on the moon and they didn't have the half the technology as you have in this shack.
Actually I don't think the word shack could be used when referring to your build.
It's anything but a shack
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Force of habit lightningz, "shack" is the common term in Alberta. "Hey you get your shack out yet" or "did so and so get their shack finished". And no one says "what shack", everyone knows it refers to an ice house lol.
Well if I don't get it out much can always stay in there if the wife boots me out I suppose can just burn old pallets laying around the yard to keep warm ;D
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
We put men on the moon and they didn't have the half the technology as you have in this shack.
Actually I don't think the word shack could be used when referring to your build.
It's anything but a shack
Well put!! I agree!
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If my lottery Ticket ship ever comes in, I'm on the next flight to Alberta to get me one of these Units !! :thumbsup:
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Here are some build photos. You will note the early skis were 2" tubing but I didn't like them because they weren't wide enough to get on top of the snow.
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/build1.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/build2.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/build3.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/build4.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/build5.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/build6.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/build7.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/build8.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/build9.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/build10.jpg)
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Oh Boy, what I wouldn't give to have a set up like your Propaganda !!
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That right there is one nice looking shack. I would love to see some more pictures of the inside with the tv and radio installed. Nice build and very good attention to detail. I would love to have a shack half that nice. For now I have to deal with my flip over frabill.
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wow...i just built my 2nd shack....and now i wanna sell it and start over.....lol ;D
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thats one mean looking shanty ;D
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Wow Very sexy shack!! ;D
saying hello and welcome to the forum from a fellow albertan.
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Propaganda- If I had a shack like that I would purposely pick a fight with my wife with hopes that she would make me sleep in the shack. I would make sure it had a lock on the inside so she couldn't find me. LOL
You better be careful or FEMA will want to contract you to build the temporary living quarters for the next disaster.
All kidding aside I have to say that your so called shack is the nicest, best built I have ever seen.
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OMG! I am so jealous. Way nice!
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do you have an approx weight?
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Propaganda,
What are your walls made of? Is that just foam board, or did you buy them prefinished like that?
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Holy snikees! I have a hard enough time calling it a day with a flip over. With that baby I'd need to have my mail forwarded.
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I feel like Charley Brown at Holloween when he cut all the holes in his ghost costum. I was all proud of my ontario, blue tarp, left over purple paint castle I just built, until I came across this piece of heaven you call a shack, I might call it a small home!!!
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You looking for a roommate?
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What are your walls made of? Is that just foam board, or did you buy them prefinished like that?
The walls are made out of double clad aluminum sheeting over high density foam, they are manufactured as a continuous process and cut to length depending on requirements. The aluminum is bonded to the foam using a heating process.
do you have an approx weight?
Stout, all finished with the benches installed I expect roughly 1300 lbs give or take, but I will be taking it to a truck scale to see.
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Amazing shanty there, like a small with skis and holes and a woodstove camper.
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That shack is sweeeet!!! Excellent build, that baby will get passed down through generations I bet.
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Well have the custom benches almost done, they are 80" and fold out to a bed 40" wide, have the custom upholstry guys making cushions for it, will post more pics after I get them installed.
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/bench1.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/bench2.jpg)
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When I first glanced at the last pic I thought...OMG levitation!!! :o...then I seen the lift ::)................ ;D
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:bow: I am totally awestruck by your build!! :thumbsup: That said, I'm curious as to how much that would cost if you were to build something like that for sale. As someone else has said, that would be a great sideline and I'm willing to bet that you would sell every one that you built!! And one more question, is R12 insulation enough for up where you live ???
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Well Sailor R12 is reasonable, the thing is airtight, you won't see daylight anywhere. That being said the wood stove will have to be run accordingly to maintain temperatures, but I expect to be able to fish in my speedos ;D
As far as selling them as a sideline, that's being considered, I am looking at sponsoring the Alberta portion of the board I just need to get a website up. Cost? Well I think if a guy started with a base shell then add options depending on what people wanted. I haven't really looked at it yet. A guy could pimp them out or just do the shell and let people equip them to suit themselves.
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IM-PRESS-IVE........thats all I have to say
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WOW, what a ice house, there is no way it can be called a shack! There are a couple of ice house companies that should be trembling in fear should you decide to start building them commercially.
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Propaganda
I tip my hat to you Sir, your fabrication is Impeccable, the fit and finish on the whole project from start to finish is Truly Amazing !! :thumbsup:
Surf
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This is my first post as i had to join to find out more info on your shack! It is super nice and well built. Im from MN and own a motel in WY. I would love to see you make it. I get some sled decks out of Canada and freight is a killer. I would love to just buy the skid from you and finish them here and in WY. We could get many skids on a truck were it could keep shipping cost down. Are your wall panels made in canada or usa ? I would love to be a dealer for you if you do build them.
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Great shanty there, you have a HD tv and a nice stereo system, i have no tv and no need for one. ;) And music and old radio.
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I forgot one thing in my first post. I have never seen such a clean and neat metal shop in my whole life. That shows im sure on any thing you do. It sure shows in your shack build ! Would have no problem buying anything from you. Im sure one would not even have to dust a shack after you were done with it . I hate dusting but do it anyhow.
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only 1 word for it UNBELIEVABLE. never ceases to amaze me what some people can do.
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Well have the custom benches almost done, they are 80" and fold out to a bed 40" wide, have the custom upholstry guys making cushions for it, will post more pics after I get them installed.
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/bench1.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/bench2.jpg)
Could you show more pictures of the benches? VERY NICE SHACK!!!!!!
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I love the shack, but I'm pretty sure that I couldn't even afford the lockset on the door.
Nice work.
Adam
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You and me both Adam, but we can dream!!! And play the lottery!!! :thumbsup: You just have to admire fantastic craftmanship like that!!! That is one SWEETLY built shack!! :bow: I've always called them shacks also! A house is what you leave to go to your shack!! ;D
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WOW, I would never leave the ice if I had that. Great job on the build
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Snopro I will post more pics of the benches when they get installed.
Burr to do it properly everything would have to be pre-cut and fitted.
Thanks for all the positive comments everyone.
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Looking at your hut makes jealous...plain and simple. It's possible you have the best hut in the world...I've never seen one better, that's for sure. Factor in how mobile it is and you're in a class by yourself. I don't know how much it cost you, but I'm sure there are fishermen with money that would line up to pay between 10 and 15 thousand to have one of their very own.
I have to stop looking at it...or I may lose interest in finishing mine.
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Propaganda
Thanks for getting back to me. I have worked with sip panels on my house,shop and my outdoor threater. They can be made to work when things are not perfect. So if you wanted to do me some frames would be great if you dont i understand. Just trying to keep freight cost down. I have talked to two panel companys that i have worked with and the said no problem with them doing a one or two inch thick panels any size up to 8x24 just like there house panels. We would not use plywood to keep weight down. We are going to start renting sleds in wy and would love to get some fishing shacks to rent to people also. Started to look for a small groomer or a larger work type sled to pull them on to lake. What you built is what we would like to have as a rental . We want something that will last and yours meets that type.
Thank again.
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I officially hate you. Bar none the finest shanty I have ever seen. Will you adopt me? I'm 40 but I can still call you dad if you like.
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I officially hate you. Bar none the finest shanty I have ever seen. Will you adopt me? I'm 40 but I can still call you dad if you like.
Bahahaha!!!
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I officially hate you. Bar none the finest shanty I have ever seen. Will you adopt me? I'm 40 but I can still call you dad if you like.
:thumbsup:
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One heck of a shanty! Looks like you know how to get ahold of the finner things in the shanty life too! Good luck this season. Hope all goes well!
P.S. You could ship it my way so I can make sure she's safe to use. ;D
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sweeeeeeeeet shack
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Awesome shack. If you've never used a wood oven before, my recommendation is to run it at least once "outside" to let all of the chemicals finish drying. I have heard of many people heading out to a camp site with them never been heated before and the fumes can be unreal if all contained in a little space. Anyways, thanks for sharing some amazing craftsmanship.
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absolutely amazing!! Job well done!
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Well put the benches in and installed the corner jacks, they are just hand crank jacks but should be plenty good enough to get the skis up. I am still waiting for the custom bench cushions. Also cut the floors in and installed the catch covers, it's a 4 hole unit and will be very comfortable for 4 guys. Bought a dual 6 volt leak proof battery container and batteries should be here today so will start wiring the charger and inverter system, lights, stereo and tv. Also looking at installing a winch on the back end to self load it up the car hauler ramps.
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/benches2.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/benches3.jpg)
(http://www.albertasportsman.com/pics/jacks.jpg)
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It does not get any better then that right there Prop, Outstanding Job !!
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Will you take 5 easy payments of $29.95? :whistle:..................... ;D
Nice... :thumbsup:
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Gets better every time
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Prop - your not going to let anyone fish in that are you? ???
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I'm jelious of the benches alone! They are nicer than the furnature in my house!
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Hey prop, are you going to use each jack 1 at a time to pop the shack up come late season, or are you going to get 3 friends. I could be wrong but using each jack 1 at a time could put strain on the shacks structure and walls. Just a thought. ???
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I hear what you are saying Goat. That actual design is based on the same building I use for prime movers. A prime mover is a 5.9 cummins or 350 chev on natural gas driving a hydraulic pump. Its a very solid and engineered design. Now, that being said, those buildings use a heavy HSS skid, not aluminum. So we did some testing in the shop. We elevated a corner at a time and then looked at the deflection, its well within tolerance. The design is sound. The purpose of the jacks is not to jack up the shack and use it while its resting on the jacks, the jacks are merely for getting the skis up and blocking up the shack so it doesn't freeze in. Damaging the skis would, for lack of a better term, suck immensely. The best way to do it is with 2 guys and jack up an end at a time then block the skis. The jacks can still be left in contact with the ice on top of bloacks to add to the stability, but for the most part its unnecessary. I am not a "thin" guy and I can dance in there and it's stable and solid.
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with the power you have, you could install four electric jacks like on a cabover camper. they would run off a 12 volt battery.
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I had considered electric jacks Tracker. For the amount they would be used it's not really worth the extra money although it would certainly be more convenient. It's relatively quick to crank the jacks down and get it blocked up.
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Hey Prop
I don't know if anyone asked already or not, what are you moving the Unit on the ice with, Truck, sled, wheeler ?
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If anyone has ever seen a nicer "shack"...I'd love to see pics or at least get a description, but I doubt I will. This may very well take the cake as nicest non-commercial ice fishing abode in the history of the sport. I guess it can't really be called "home-made"...the resources of an industrial fabrication facility having been (apparently fully) utilized...but it is a "one-off" and made by the end user, that's close enough. Impressive does not begin to describe it. There are no words that do.
I'm really happy with the progress of my own 8x12 and have spared little expense and cut fewer corners. I set out to have a shack that is a fair bit "nicer" than the average, and (if I don't mind sayin') I'll certainly accomplish that. That being said, when I look at your "spaceship" (you should call it that) I almost feel like putting a match to mine. It reminds me of a story I heard about when Eric Clapton first saw and heard Jimi Page play. He later admitted he went home and considered never picking up his his guitar again, because he knew he'd never be nearly as good. He thought he was something special...and then he encountered something truly special.
I'm confident I'll be more than satisfied and have many great times in my hut. But it's conceivable I'll be sitting in it one day and wonder how much nicer it would be to be in yours. It's unlikely you'll have "greener grass" to ponder over.
I'd like to nominate you as "Ice Hut King"...if anyone can suggest a reason why you shouldn't hold the title (pics or it didn't happen) I can't wait to see the challenger.
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Hey Prop
I don't know if anyone asked already or not, what are you moving the Unit on the ice with, Truck, sled, wheeler ?
Well Lizard I really need to do some testing with it. I think it's light enough that a good snowmobile or side by side can pull it depending on how deep the snow is here. Thus far we don't have a lot of snow this year.
...the resources of an industrial fabrication facility having been (apparently fully) utilized
I'm confident I'll be more than satisfied and have many great times in my hut.
Fishnwire, you hit the nail on the head. It really doesn't matter if you are sitting on a bucket, or in a plywood hut, or in the best shack ever, as long as you are having fun, catching fish and are in good company. The fact is that I have resources available that most guys do not, if I didn't I wouldn't be able to do this sort of thing. I have spent many a day sitting on a bucket in -20 C or sitting in a flimsy home made shack, and I have nothing but great memories of fishing with my dad and my good friends.
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ok that is just perfect
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WOW..........that thing is awsome. Great work man!!!
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what size is it and what does it weigh thanks Jeard
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what size is it and what does it weigh thanks Jeard
8 x 12 with 8 foot walls. 4:12 pitch roof. I am thinking around 1200-1300 lbs but still need to weigh it.
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That is an awesome shanty
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i am not robbing this tread but i think my shanty is equally well built. if you ever come out to alberta i would love to show my shack of to another skillful craftsman like myself
If anyone has ever seen a nicer "shack"...I'd love to see pics or at least get a description, but I doubt I will. This may very well take the cake as nicest non-commercial ice fishing abode in the history of the sport. I guess it can't really be called "home-made"...the resources of an industrial fabrication facility having been (apparently fully) utilized...but it is a "one-off" and made by the end user, that's close enough. Impressive does not begin to describe it. There are no words that do.
I'm really happy with the progress of my own 8x12 and have spared little expense and cut fewer corners. I set out to have a shack that is a fair bit "nicer" than the average, and (if I don't mind sayin') I'll certainly accomplish that. That being said, when I look at your "spaceship" (you should call it that) I almost feel like putting a match to mine. It reminds me of a story I heard about when Eric Clapton first saw and heard Jimi Page play. He later admitted he went home and considered never picking up his his guitar again, because he knew he'd never be nearly as good. He thought he was something special...and then he encountered something truly special.
I'm confident I'll be more than satisfied and have many great times in my hut. But it's conceivable I'll be sitting in it one day and wonder how much nicer it would be to be in yours. It's unlikely you'll have "greener grass" to ponder over.
I'd like to nominate you as "Ice Hut King"...if anyone can suggest a reason why you shouldn't hold the title (pics or it didn't happen) I can't wait to see the challenger.
i wanna shot at the tittle. i am just finishing my shack in the next week or so.
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Nice shack it looks like a work of art lol
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Well pretty much have this wrapped up, going to get it out next weekend. Some of the options.
30 amp samlex smart charger
1500 watt samlex inverter with controller
4 wall receptacles
dual 6 volt deep cycle marine batteries in series
inside and outside lights
dvd stereo pioneer with exile marine speakers
24" led hdtv
cast wood stove
all r12 insulated including floor
all aluminum skid and building with drop down tow hitch
fits on car hauler
pics of the end product
PS: If anyone knows a simple way to override the park brake wire on an in dash dvd player let m eknow
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack1.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack2.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack3.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack4.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack5.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack6.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack7.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack8.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack9.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack10.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack11.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack12.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack13.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack14.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack15.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack16.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack17.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack18.jpg)
(http://albertasportsman.com/pics/breshack19.jpg)
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You ain"t really going to use that beatifull thing to fish out of??? VERY NICE JOB!!!!! ;D
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Prop excellent job!, where we going to fish? ;D
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Prop excellent job!, where we going to fish? ;D
Meet me at Tobin Lake SK ;)
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I'm amazed every time I come back to this post, the electronics are fantastic, Ultimate User Friendly Design and Completely Bullet proof, Well Done Propaganda !! :thumbsup:
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It's about -8 C here right now (17 degrees for our American friends) and I have a small fire going in the stove, the damper and intake pinched right off, all the windows open, the air makeup vent wide open and it's unbearably hot in there, should have done a smaller stove maybe :-\
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good job on that fish house that thing is cool ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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My birthday is October 8th, you can deliver mine then ;D
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Bravo. Truely remarkable craftsmanship. Glad you have more ice than we do in where I am in NY. Just make sure you take enough time off of work to break it in ;)
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propaganda now thats a nice job! stove too big might as well put on a addition! LOL!:)
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Wow ! All I can say is WoW !
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Excellent work! Did I miss the kitchen and latrine, or are these your next builds? ;-)
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Wow.. :o...Unreal..Super job!
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Nice to see the finished product prop awesome shack.
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WoW.... Nice! :o
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Two words "Professional Grade"
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thats a pretty sweet build.. im thinking of doing that also i work for two diffrent companies Global Foundries as a pipe welder and my father brother and i owned a remolding group so i have plenty of building materials between the two plan on doing this once so its gonna be a goodin'
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Went away this morning, guy saw it on facebook and cried to have it lol didn't even use it. I want to make some changes anyway, maybe go to propane instead of wood stove, big wood stove burns up a lot of space.
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Well Done Propaganda, ya gotta love Ice shacks that sell themselves !! :thumbsup:
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Just means more fun money for the next one ! Congrats !
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Beautiful shack!
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Wow, just wow. Great job on the build!
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Fantastic build!