otter lodge put together?

[Mueller]

I just purchased the Otter Lodge combo and have free time to put it together. Problem is no one is home to help me in case it's a two person job. Is it possible to set it up yourself or should I wait for help. Also, how long is the process?

Thanks

Mueller

[huntingislife]

It's really simple. I did mine by myself in about a half hour. Good luck.

[SomethingFishy*]

You can do it yourself, but I would put the hyfax on first as it gets heavy after the canvas is on.

[schweady]

Best advice I got when I put together my Otter Cabin last fall was to do it in an area where the poles stay clean, free of sand or grit, expecially the ones that slide inside the others. No chemicals or lubricants, just maybe a touch of steel wool or emery cloth on possible burrs. A pretty easy job. Enjoy your Lodge!

[Northlander]

Put your hyfax on 1st.

[LMITOUT]

Install the hyfax first as mentioned. I'd also run water or blow compressed air through all the poles to clean them out of any metal burrs from the manufacturing process. Even before doing that it's a good idea to inspect the ends of the poles to make sure they have a nice, clean edge on the inside of the tube. Touch them up as necessary and clean thoroughly. A little silicon spray doesn't hurt either to make them really slide.

I've assembled two by myself now. Takes a little more effort to get the canvas over the frame, but it's not too bad after you figure out where the front and back is.

[fishinalot]

Yes, put on the hyfax first! Then plan on about an hour to put it together if it is your first otter.

[Sandmannd]

Hey kids, I don't wanna sound like a total newbe, butt..... What is a hyfax? I have an Otter II that I bought new last year and this sounds like something I should know about.

[Captain B.R.K]

HYFAX is a product you can buy and mount on the bottom of your sled. It gets your sled off the ice and saves on the life span of the sled- keeps it more durable.

Cost from $29.95 to $75.95 depending on the size of your sled. Worth the investment when you are talking about doubling that cost to replace a sled.

[Borch]

I'll be doing it the hard way. Assembled my sled last fall. Adding Hyfax this fall.

So way they said...put the Hyfax on first.

You'll love your new Otter!

[toughguy]

I just got a new lodge Monday and tried to put it together last night. It took me 2 hrs to get the hyfax on. It can be a pain putting those runners on by yourself. (got to be pretty flexable) I'm sure it would have gone much faster with some help. I'll be finishing the rest on Thursday.

[LMITOUT]

Yeah, putting on the hyfax is the hardest part IMO when you do it solo. The middle strip is the worst when trying to hold the nut on from the inside and turn the screw. If I remember right the screws aren't quite as long as they should be which adds to the fun.

If you start at the front of the sled and work your way back putting screws in it makes it easier to manipulate the stiff hyfax runners.

It's worth it when you're all done and sitting in the garage pretending to jig up a big one. Everyone does that.....right? It's normal isn't it?

[SomethingFishy*]

Quote:

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It's worth it when you're all done and sitting in the garage pretending to jig up a big one. Everyone does that.....right? It's normal isn't it?

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I have never done such a thing. *cough* *cough*

who am I kidding, heater sitting in place, LX-5 on "demo" mode, trying to find perfect placement for all the gadgets.

Oh and the infamous waking up in the middle of the night because the rattle reel is going off, and trying to pretend the next morning that my girlfriend is full of it when she asks about it

[toughguy]

Quote:

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It's worth it when you're all done and sitting in the garage pretending to jig up a big one. Everyone does that.....right? It's normal isn't it?

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I would call it normal behavior. Problem is I did the same except I fired up the auger and now I need a new set of blades. Turns out they dont't like concrete. I wonder how far north I need to go to find a frozen lake I could walk on? Problem is now that the election is over I couldn't afford the gas $$ to get me that far anymore. The day after it goes up $.20. What a bunch of dump!

[LMITOUT]

Ouch on the concrete....I usually leave my blade cover on until all my holes are drilled.

I noticed that gas went up today also. Hmmm...and I thought that everyone said it was the Republicans fault?? That's for another discussion in another place.

Time to check the tip-ups again...