Best Deer Stand Blind Elevator Bracket of 2021 Reviews
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Building that perfect elevated deer stand blind for the new season huh? We salute you, though have you got everything you need for the build? One little piece of kit that people forget or don’t even consider when elevating a blind, is a special elevation bracket.
These brackets are very simple to use and take a lot of the hassle and stress out of angling a blind. Instead of messing about, trying to cut the perfect angle with the wood, these brackets are commonly used to do the job. They’re also very safe and ensure structural soundness.
Now it’s your turn to raise your game, as we present our reviews of the 5 best deer stand blind elevator brackets to buy.
Top 5 Rated Models Comparison Table
Image | Brackets | Beam Size | Angle | Weight Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Editors Choice | 4x4’s | Compound Angle | 500 pounds | |
 | 4x4’s | Compound Angle | 1000 Pounds | ||
 | 4x4’s | Straight Angle | 500 pounds | ||
 | 2x4’s | Compound Angle | 1000 Pounds | ||
 | 2x4’s, 2x6’s, 2x8’s | Multi-Angle | N/A |
Reviews of The Best Deer Stand Blind Elevator Brackets
The E1088 Elevator Brackets from Summit Outdoors are a solid, reliable pair of elevator brackets, made from heavy-duty 14-gauge high-strength steel, with gusseted corners and welded joints. It’s built to support structures up to 8 feet tall and weighing up to 500 pounds, using 4x4 wooden beams, and they have double pre-set angles to maximize side-to-side stability.
A few complaints; some people have found them a bit too tight for 4x4’s, making them hard to fit and leaving the whole structure wobbling. Others have pointed out that the bracket is open on top, which allows rain to get in, leading to possible rotting wood and unstable, unsafe hunting stands.
But, the majority of the reviews are positive, and these are considered sturdy, quality deer stand elevator brackets for a wide variety of uses – and perfect for deer blind stands.
Pros
- Sturdy Design
- Heavy-duty, 14-gauge steel
- Welded Joints
- Holds up to 500 pounds
- Compound Angle
Cons
- Tight on 4x4 beams
- Open design lets water in
Verdict: Best Overall
Spend a little bit more money, and you can get these durable deer stand brackets from Elevators, made with heavy 12-gauge steel and designed to hold platforms up to 12 feet high and weighing 1000 pounds – twice the capacity of the Summit Elevator Brackets. Likewise, they are cut to work with 4x4 wooden beams used to build treehouses, large platforms, etc.
Like the Summit 1088’s above, they have a built-in compound angle, which gives them serious strength and stability for large, heavy platforms – hence the 1000-pound weight capacity. They area also covered with a coated, plated finish that gives them extra resistance to weather conditions, water and corrosion.
Really, there are no complaints about these brackets. They’re solid, high quality and built to support a ton (or literally, a half ton of weight) – making them totally worth the asking price.
Pros
- Solid and hefty
- 12-Gauge Steel
- Support up to 1000 Pounds
- Corrosion-Resistant
Cons
- Expensive
The Summit Outdoor E1000 is another heavy-duty set of elevator brackets, just like the Summit E1088 and Elevators brackets. They’re made from the same 14-gauge steel, have the same corrosion-resistant finish, and all the pre-drilled holes you need. And they’re designed to use with 4x4 wooden beams.
The E1000, unlike previous models, have a straight angle, as opposed to a single angle or a compound angle. They are rated to hold up to 500 pounds and structures up to 8 feet tall.
However, straight angles are not as sturdy as compound angles, and thus are not nearly as stable when putting together tall platforms – say, above 5 or 6 feet. A hunting blind taller than that will start to wobble and sacrifice stability.
For shorter platforms, however, these are a solid pair of elevator brackets and well worth their price.
Pros
- Straight Angle
- 14-gauge steel
- Corrosion-Resistant
- 500 Pound Weight Limit
Cons
- Platforms above 5-6 feet become wobbly
What’s different about this set of Elevator Brackets? At first glance, not much – same corrosion-resistant, 14-gauge steel body, pre-drilled holes and hardware. This time, however, the E2488 model are meant for use with 2x4 wooden beams, as opposed to 4x4’s. They also use a pre-set compound angle - like the 1088 – and hold up to 1000 pounds on a single structure. Not a bad weight limit and more than any deer blind needs to be able to handle.
Double compound angles also help improve side-to-side stability. You’ll find that, compared to straight angles, a platform made with compound angles does not wobble nearly as much and feels much more stable at height, and especially under heavier loads.
Again, some complaints about this model include that they can be a bit tight around the wood, and not all 2x4’s will fit comfortably in – requiring some hammering and maybe some smacking to get them to fit properly.
But, there is no question about their build quality. They’re tough, stable, secure and built to last, and with a hefty weight capacity.
Pros
- Corrosion-resistant
- 1000 Pound Capacity
- Double compound angle for side-to-side stability
Cons
- Too tight for some beams
These multi-use brackets from HME are bit different. They, like the other deer stand brackets on our list, have a high-strength, welded, 12-gauge steel construction, with a black powder coated finish that can and will withstand any weather conditions that your hunting blind will be subjected to.
What sets them apart, however, is that they are designed to accommodate almost any lumber size, from 2x4’s to 2x6’s to 2x8’s – not just 2x4’s or 4x4’s – thanks to their multi-angle design. The multi-angle allows for taller structures than a single or straight angle and helps them hold more weight; they have a weight capacity of 600 pounds. They’re pre-drilled to accommodate both carriage bolts and lag screws.
We do wish, however, that the sleeve part of the build was taller. They’re a little bit shorter than other elevator beams, leading to less wood-to-metal contact, and possible sacrificing some strength and support for weight.
Overall, there isn’t a whole lot not to like about the HME Brackets. They’re tough, solid, built-to-last and ready to support a good amount of weight on tall structures.
Pros
- Welded, 12-gauge steel build
- Black powder-coated finish for corrosion-resistance
- Pre-drilled for carriage bolts, lag screws
- Work with multiple size beams – 2x4, 2x6, 2x8, etc.
Cons
- Could be taller
What Are Elevator Brackets? And What Am I Looking For In Them?
Elevator brackets are an easy, reliable way to build wooden structures and platforms – such as treehouses and swingsets, or in this case, deer blind stands. They save you a ton of work in measuring and cutting angles and connecting the platforms with brackets and bolts, by providing a solid, convenience way to get your angles perfect every time. You can then fasten the wooden together easily, thanks to the pre-drilled holes for bolts and screws.
They also boost the overall stability and weight capacity of the platform, reinforcing joints and adding the strength of welded steel to the mix – taking some of the weight of the wooden beams themselves.
Here’s a few things you need to look for when choosing a set of elevator brackets.
Material
First, what are they made of? Elevator brackets will almost always be made of solid, heavy-gauge steel – usually 12 or 14-gauge – that is of utmost strength and built to withstand heavy loads. They will also usually be coated with some kind of powder-coating or corrosion-resistant finish to protect them against rain and rust.
Angle
Second, look at the angle the elevator bracket is designed with. Compound angles, also called double-present angles – usually have an 8-degree angle and are the strongest, providing the best protection against side-to-side swaying and rocking. They’re best for taller, heavier projects, like treehouses and
Single angles, on the other hand, have only one pre-set angle. This makes them somewhat less sturdy than compound angles, with a bit more sway and a lesser weight capacity. They shouldn’t be used for large structures - such as treehouses - as you might do with compound angles. Instead, they are better for shorter platforms, such as porch swings, canoe racks, and of course, hunting stands.
Straight angles are the least sturdy of elevator bracket angles and have the lowest weight capacity. For that reason, they are best for shorter platforms – such as storage platforms and bunk beds – that need to hold less weight.
Compatible Beam Size
Last, make sure you choose the right size bracket for the beams you’re planning on using. Most elevator brackets are designed for 4x4’s, but many work with 2x4’s, instead. They just have half the weight capacity. Some models – compound angles, usually - even work with multiple sizes of beams, such 2x4’s and 2x6’s.
Final Thoughts
Which deer stand bracket work best for you will ultimately depend on what size beams you decide to go with – you’ll need the right size for 2x4’s or 4x4’s. But, Our Top Pick is the Summit Outdoor E1088 4 x 4 Compound Angle brackets. They fit 4x4 beams – the best choice for building a hunting blind stand – and have a weight limit of 500 pounds, as well as a height limit of 6 feet, which should be enough for a basic hunting blind stand. And they use a compound angle, which offers increased stability over single or straight angles.
