Fishnwire

If there is snow and slush and the shack has been sitting in the same place long enough for the holes under it to freeze...that's a good time to move it and re-block it. I have 2x8s with one inch HD foam board on the bottom (I'm hoping this will idiot them sinking/freezing into ice...worth a try anyway) for when the shack is being used, and am planning on making bigger blocks to get it a good eight inches to a foot off the ice when I'm not there. I've got a two ton "jack-all" so lifting/shifting it a foot or two shouldn't (?) be too hard, and worth the effort if it minimizes the risk of freeze-in. That's good to know about the Jiffy blades. I might be less of a "re-drill Nazi" learning that. I know it does my hand auger no favours...especially when I get to the uneven ice at the bottom and resort to backing the blade up and ramming it repeatedly to get it through. I've seen a hand auger advertized as being made to re-drill holes, but that's not the kind I have.

They are a little over ten inches, and my auger is eight. It's funny you mention it because right before I was about to cut the first one I had a "brain-fart" and became unsure whether the Jiffy is eight or ten inch. I had to dig it out to be sure. I'll probably just shift it over a few feet and drill fresh holes when the old ones freeze up. I have a "no re-drills" policy I've enforced on that Jiffy since I got it and the blades cut as well as they did when I bought it three years ago. It has those "stealth" blades, but I still don't take any chances. I noticed that my Dad and I had identical hand augers that he would sharpen at the start of each year and his would cut better for longer than mine. He drilled more holes than me but only fresh ones, so now that's what I do...hand or power auger.

A little update...Jan 8 I had only one day off this week, Thursday. I had a few other things to do so didn't get to the build until after noon. We started paneling the walls with 1/4 inch OSB. I had previously planned on using something a lot nicer, like the "Alpine White Oak" interior paneling I saw at Lowe's...but it's $20 a sheet and 1/4 OSB is about $6. If I was making this decision near the beginning of the build instead of near the end, I'd almost certainly have gone with the more expensive option, but with the budget beginning to stretch thin, I decided to "cheap out". I think it looks OK. Pretty good even. Here's the first wall two-thirds completed... And here it is finished. There's a quartz light on in the shack...just in case you think it's on fire. One down, three to go. By the time we finished that one the Old Man wanted to call it a day so I had a beer with him inside and then went back out and put the hole covers in. They are 3/4 plywood with two inch wide strips for the hinges. They lay flat and flush and hinge up out of the way. I still need to put deadbolts on but I don't won't to be tripping over them and their saddles while I'm still working in there. I think I'll glue some circles made out of my left-over insulation to the bottoms too. I've got at least two more days of high voltage construction underground, so the shack will have to wait. I should be able to finish the paneling on my next days off, depending on how many of them I get. Thanks for checking in.

I won't be doing any fishing until my shack is finished. How are your carpentry skills? Seriously though...I'll have you out once it's on the ice. If you're interested, or just desperately bored, you can come help or just hang out at the build before that. My work schedule is basically 5 on 4 off 4 on 5 off...so in the summer I go to camp on the off days...if you have (or can get) the time off, I'd bring you there. The camp is somewhat "rustic", so you have to be prepared to rough it a little. But the fishing is pretty good. In the early spring between the time you can no longer safely ice fish and before the road into my camp is clear, I'd like to find some places to shore fish for pike or trout, but don't know very many. If you want to go trying out some spots together, I've got a Jeep and a quad...but no sense of direction. PM me if you like.

When I was a little kid, I also thought it was "windshield" factor. No kidding. I just wanted to mention that before the thread gets locked down.

Update...Jan 1 We finished paneling the roof. It went well and I'm happy with how it looks. The seams are perfect. I was planning on using something other than OSB to panel the walls but after seeing it on the ceiling I'm going to use it on the walls. We went and picked up what we'll need and put it in the shack. You may notice in that pic that we also foamed the gaps around the two sliding windows today. I had bought two cans but only needed part of one so I used the rest in the corners between the nailers. The place is nicely insulated and (with the hole covers temporarily screwed down) draft free. I've got this heater... ...and ran it on high for about 20 minutes. I had to turn it down to low after a while because it was getting too hot in there. I've got one of those wireless outside/inside temperature gauges set up on the shack and noticed this... A thirty degree difference in temperature between the outside and inside. I'm thinking I'll be happy I've got those sliding windows once the wood stove is rockin'. I might need the door open too. That'll be it for a couple of days. There's a ton of work at the mine my boss is panicking to get done so he's letting us work as much OT as we want. With Christmas just over and a few things such as metal roofing yet to purchase, I can't turn down the opportunity to work. Building a switchroom 5000 feet underground isn't as much fun as building an ice shack, but it pays a little better.

He was feeling good enough today to finish off the ceiling with me. Update to follow. I can't begin to describe the enjoyment I've got from this little project. Lots of fun...I hope that comes through in the thread.

I'm always looking for pointers... I've got a two-ton "jack-all" that I plan on using to get my blocks in and out. I might look at installing trailer jacks in the future, but not this year. I'd like to get a look at those pics if you find them.

Thanks for checking the thread out. I wouldn't count on seeing much progress since I started my last rotation at work. It's nearly impossible for one person to put up ceiling panels alone, plus he said he was feeling crappy for a couple of days. Hopefully he's better today because I just got off work and will be heading over when the sun comes up.

Yeah...the build (and the thread) have gone on a little longer and become more involved than I had anticipated. There's not sufficient ice to accommodate a tow vehicle yet so in that sense there's no big rush. More importantly, I'm enjoying every minute of it. I'm WAY past the point of no return now...so a completed shack is only a matter of time. Anyone who bothers reading even the first six pages of this thread deserves seeing pics of a finished shack on the ice. They're coming...I promise.

I've got one more nightshift to do this evening and then have four days off. We put the first of three 1/4" OSB panels up on the ceiling a couple of days ago but haven't done anything since. We'll finish that and do the walls over the next few days. Bob...I just got your decals in the mail. They look like they'll do the trick. Thanks again.

Apparently, you care what it weighs. Why else are you questioning how much someone else thinks it does?

I've seen similar videos of people rescuing stuck deer and have also been left with the suspicion that the animals were too exhausted to fend for themselves afterwards. It's still nice to see and I'd probably attempt the same thing. Exhausted or not, the deer has a much better chance of survival on solid ground, than flaying on the ice endlessly. Apparently, in this instance the deer eventually walked off into the bush...good stuff.

You're right Bob...In fact if you look back a couple of posts you'll see where I said... "Thanks skeeter. I have numerous times encouraged all forms of feedback, but could do without the "Good luck buddy, you'll need it" type comments. I suppose in more ways than one, I'm asking for them." I guess I'm getting a little tired of repeatedly going over "What am I thinking!?!" having explained my particular situation many times. Also, while everyone appreciates helpful advise, most don't appreciate it so much when the giver comes off like they're saying, "You're an idiot, and here's why..." There haven't been too many comments like that, but on both the forums I've posted the thread there have been a few. I guess I was just in a bad mood and decided to respond to what I saw (rightfully or wrongfully)as one such comment. No decals in the mail yet, Bob. The X-mas rush must be holding them up. I'll let you know though. Thanks again.

Thanks skeeter. I have numerous times encouraged all forms of feedback, but could do without the "Good luck buddy, you'll need it" type comments. I suppose in more ways than one, I'm asking for them. I don't plan on leaving anything I can't afford to lose in the shack when I'm not there. We'll drive our vehicles right there so it's not a big hassle to pack stuff in and out. I will say though that you and I have not had similar experiences with ice hut security. Last year I forgot my camera in an unlocked hut very close to where I plan on putting mine and it was still there a week later. My buddy left his rods and a few tackle boxes there pretty much all season and had no problems. I don't plan on taking any chances though...your advise is sound. Thanks again...I'll be happy to show the end results when I get there.

Yeah, but when you build a house, don't you cover that chipboard with tar paper, and then expect that to be covered with some kind of siding? I can't remember seeing too many houses with nothing but painted OSB as an exterior. I've seen a few sheds like that, but not old ones that still look good. By "a little TLC", what do you mean? If the chipboard has taken on water, swelled or started to break down...another coat or two of paint isn't going to help. You'll be looking at ripping off the bad stuff and replacing it with new. If you use OSB again, you'll just be doing it again in a few years. Why not take it off now, salvage it for your shelves or interior paneling, and use something that will last a lot longer? It might not be a "permanent residence", but there's no reason you can't build something that will last a darn near a lifetime. Also, just because it's "[only] an ice hut", there's no reason it has to be a piece of junk.

Quick update... I hope everyone had as merry a Christmas as I did. Lots of family around and too much to eat and drink. That's what I'm talkin' about. So the shack is now FULLY INSULATED!!! I did the floor with 3 inch HD foam before I flipped it over. We finished the walls with 2 inch a couple days ago. North wall... West wall... South wall... And the east wall with the door hung... We made the door when we built the wall so only had to hang it. I had to touch up one spot with the belt sander but now have a snug fit that doesn't stick. I put a hasp on so we can leave our stuff in there at the end of the day and lock it up. I did the ceiling with the same 3 inch stuff I used for the floor. I've got 1/4 OSB I'm going to panel it with but want to cut the hole for the stove pipe first. The problem is that it's 20 below with a windchill of minus 33, so I'm not eager to get on the roof of that thing with a sabre saw, or start playing with stove pipe. I did just get off work, so a warm bed appeals to me more. We'll see how the Old Man is feeling and go from there... Thanks for checking in.

If the stove weighs at least 300 Lbs, then I'm impressed that my 79 year old Father-in-law was able to lift his end up to his waist when we put it in the truck. I guess the old guy's pacemaker hasn't zapped him of all his strength. Although another buddy I know owns an old Bombardier which I could borrow, I have a Jeep Rubicon with 6 inches of after-market lift, good winter tires, and a winch. It also has a holder for the two ton jackall I go no where with out. If that won't do the trick, my buddy on the river has a 3/4 ton diesel with a plow. If you check out the thread, I've mentioned this about a million times. I've also mentioned that nobody said it would be easy, and further stated if it was easy, then everyone would do it. If you want a shack you can pull out by hand, and never be able to take you boots off in...that's the shack YOU should build. I want one I can close the door to and feel like I'm inside. I know the building, transport, and maneuvering of such a shack requires a lot of (what some might consider unnecessary) effort, but I'm OK with that. As I've also stated more than once, I promise that regardless of whether the shack is a huge success or great disaster, you'll all know about it. Any huge mistakes (or minor) I made I'll cop to, as I wouldn't want others to make them same. I'm off to do guess what?...

The roof is made of 1/2 ply which will be covered in metal roofing....the paneling for the ceiling will be 1/4 OSB.

If it was just me, I probably would have done that, saved a few bucks and been fine. My Father-in-law in old school though and has a hate-on for OSB. I'm going to use it for the ceiling paneling and maybe for my shelving and bunks though. I'd use it for the wall paneling but I don't want to look at it all day (on those rare occasions) when the fish aren't biting.

I seriously considered chipboard for mine...its so much cheaper than ply. I was worried about it not holding up though. That stuff really doesn't like getting wet. Are you going to cover it with anything or treat it?

I'm going to clad it with metal roofing which I may put a slight pitch to. Even if I don't, most of the snow is going to blow off...it standing out in the open on the lake. And if a little water pools on the metal roofing...well, that's what metal roofing is for. If I'd have pitched it, it would have meant sloping the east and west walls, instead of making simple square ones. Plus eight foot sheets of plywood, insulation and paneling wouldn't have been big enough for the roof/ceiling. Basically sloping the roof would have been a huge hassle. What is your concern? Snow load, water run-off, or esthetics?

Merry Christmas! Just a little update. I was supposed to be off work on Friday but my boss offered my the shift so I went in. I did a bit of work in the morning and then went to surface for a free Chinese-food lunch, then I performed a magic trick...making myself disappear...so it was an easy day. The only problem was that when I called my Father-in-law on Thursday night to tell him I couldn't work on the shack, he told me my Mother-in-law ordered it moved from the driveway and onto the lawn, so X-mas visitors would have somewhere to park. I wasn't really looking forward to it. We had to move it down the driveway about 10 feet and then over another 20 feet or so onto the lawn. The driveway is gravel and there's a recently poured curb and all the dirt excavated when forming it between the driveway and lawn. The thing is, it went really well. I was thinking about Billy Bob and his eagerness to see video of the shack "on the move", but was concentrating on what I had to do and didn't take any pics. Sorry Bob. Next time. We just jacked up the front and took the milk crates out from the corners, then slid 2x10 sixteen foot planks under the skis, then jacked up the back and took out those milk crates. Then we put lanyards around the hut and using the winch on my jeep, skidded the shack along the planks. When the shack got far enough down the driveway to where we could move it laterally (there was a tree in the way) we jacked up the hut, pulled the planks, put the crates back, and put the planks going the other way. Using my winch with my Jeep parked on the neighbour's driveway, we slid the hut down those planks and onto two others, until it was where we wanted it. Then we jacked it up, pulled the planks, put the crates in and dropped 'er down. Easy-peasy, lemon-squeezy, George and Weezy. Here it is resting on the new site just before I took the planks out. I was a little ticked off about having to waste part of my day moving the hut, knowing when I was done I'd be no closer to having a finished shack. However, when I got there I was amazed to see the Old Man had finished the roof by himself. He said he just plugged away at it a couple hours at a time throughout the week. It's awesome. Check it... Now I've got four walls and a roof. It's a shack now, and not just a pile of materials waiting to be a shack. I'm pumped. I had thought if I was lucky my Father-in-law would have done a little of the wall insulation that still needs doing, but when I saw he'd finished the whole roof I was blown away. He was up and down on a ladder who knows how many times, and getting the 1/2 ply sheets almost nine feet up by himself must have been no easy task. Like all good partners...the times he does stuff like that make up for the times he does stuff that makes me want to choke him. Here's a pic of the stove I got from my Brother-in-law for free... It's pretty heavy, but shouldn't burn out any time soon. The fire bricks on the sides are mostly intact but the ones on the bottom are missing. I'll replace them. I found an old road sign my Father-in-law "acquired" behind his shed which I think I'll use to rest the stove on. Then after the paneling is up I'll put roofing metal in the corner behind where the stove and pipe will go. I'll screw it down with spacers between the wall and metal, so a little air gets back there. A final pic for the update which I'm happy to show is this... Just after we finished moving the shack it started to snow in Sudbury and hasn't stopped since. We're going to have a white X-mas after all. Considering the ice is still very thin, the weight of the snow is probably going to cause some major slush...the forecast is for mild weather so that slush won't be stiffening up anytime soon. Still, I'm happy I'll get to see the white stuff on X-mas day. Merry Christmas to everyone, and thanks again for checking out my build thread.

I'm a bass/walleye/pike guy primarily. I've used spinning and baitcast reels...and like many learned to throw plugs on a simple closed-face spin-cast reel. I once owned a very cheap fly reel for ice fishing. What I know nothing about are things like centre-pin, float and mooching reels. They look like fly reels to me...how are they different from one and from one another? Does a guy who doesn't fish for salmon or trout, always from a boat, and rarely in any real current have any use for such setups? Am I missing something? I just want to know the basics...thanks to anyone who can educate my dumb

Yeah...I'm not crazy about revealing the exact location on an open public forum. At least not this one. I'm only PMing a somewhat vague location too. You never know, right? I'd definitely extend an invitation to anyone who has access to a tilt and load tow truck. There are a couple of trailers I've been offered use of, but both would be a VERY tight squeeze, and getting the shack on and off of either of them would be a lot bigger hassle than just having it winched up a tilted bed and dropped easily where I please. I may hire one when the time comes. Tell you what folks...I've got a good chunk of this coming February off. If anyone is seriously interested in coming out for a couple days, PM me. If more than one person wants in, I'll take whomever lives furthest away. We can work out details later, but if someone is serious...I am too.