Building a hut for the first time.

do you have building experience?if not i can make a floor plan for you,ive built 9 8x8 huts exactly the same

If your willing to send me a floor plan that would be great. I have taken construction courses and am confident in my ability to put it together, but id still definitely be interested in a floor plan. I was thinking 2 benches running along each side. This would allow for 2 people to sleep over in it, while also allowing lots of room. Definitely nothing set in stone, if you've got a plan that works Id love to take a look.

A vented propane heater won't add any moisture to the shack, an unvented heater will.

I use a small woostove and love it. It gives me a lot of heat when I need it (first fire of the day), and is great for cooking and drying clothes.

When using a stove in an ice shack you have to change your concept of how much wood it really needs. Those who complain that the heat is too much or uncontrollable are feeding the stove too much wood. My 6X8 shack only needs about one pound of wood per hour, throwing in a 10 pound log will be a big problem.

The floor plan is critical. Nail that down first and then go from there. Make sure your windows are eye height, so you can see your tip ups without getting up, you can sleep more than two in it if you make folding benches that fold out over the holes (use ply hole covers), if its 8' wide then you can sleep 3-4 guys. Two feet for each guy is enough, although a bit tight - most thermarests etc are only 20" wide. You can make a nice wood stove out of an ammo can. I have made two and there are awesome. You can get used ammo cans at Princess Auto. Lots of info on the web about making them (check out wintertrekking.com for more info). Remember to add hooks on the walls for mitts etc, as well as shelving for speakers, odds and ends etc. LED lighting is now cheap and good on batteries.

Seriously consider using 3/8 exterior plywood for the walls. only 8.00 a sheet more than OSB, so since you need 8 panels for a 8 x 8 hut, thats only 64. dollars. A good can of paint for the osb will cost that much. Also, you can easily go a year or two without painting the plywood. I have a rabbitt trap I made out of unpainted 3/8 exterior ply sitting in the backyard for 5 years now straight, through rain, snow everything, and it is perfectly fine. Also, 3/8" plywood is much lighter than OSB. Much much lighter...again, a lot of those weights are listed.

Speaking of weight, you will definitely be heavier than you think. We all are when we first make something like this. The best advise on that front is to actually calculate weights before you build. All weights of conventional lumber are published. Also remember some individual pieces are lighter than others. Add all the boards and 2x4 stock etc up, and calculate total weight. You will most likely be surprised at how heavy it will be. Most huts are overbuilt...I would seriously consider 1' x 2" for the wall studs. Maybe doubled in some areas. if you calculate weights beforehand then you can easily determine if the weight savings are worth it strength wise etc. It will really stiffen up when you add the 3/8" ply or osb if you go that route.

No matter what, you will be happy with the end result. You will finally have your place on the ice, and, the best way to learn something is to just go ahead and do it. The next one will be better, but this one will be great as well.

Moonman.

Not trying to hijack your thread here, just curious, has anyone tried using vinyl siding to help keep the weight down? That with Tyvek on 2x2's would be good wouldn't it?

not enough ridgigity imo

weighing wood?lol
thats a new one!,some wood is wet,some dry,if you built 10 huts identical they would probably all weigh different,waste of time to weigh wood imo....just think "lighter" when you are planning the build....

make the exterior frame for walls 2x2,and studs 1x2,roof studs can be 1x2 as well,1/4" spruce ply for walls,id go 3/8 on roof,1/2" floor,2x2 door frame

how big will the stove be?

Wood weight does vary with the moisture content but as a rule, air dried spruce comes in at about 30 pounds per cubic foot and plywood is usually slightly more at 32 pounds per cubic foot. A 2X4 is roughly one pound per linear foot, and a 3/8"X4'X8'sheet of plywood is exactly one cubic foot,so 32 pounds.

i just dont see the sense in weighing wood is all

i just dont see the sense in weighing wood is all

It just gives him something to play with when he is trying to determine his materials list.
Incidentally, the wood dimensions that you posted are bang on. That's how I made my shack, except I used 1/4" plywood for the roof and thin wood paneling for the outside walls.
The walls were then covered with UV resistant Fabrene, keeping it completely dry.
Total weight of the 6X8 shack is 465 pounds - less than 10 pounds per square foot.

i always estimated my 8x8 at about 550-600 lbs....frickin things are heavy and im old!lol

i used to be able to move my 8x8 myself when i was 20 with little snow on the ice

here is a crude drawing of the hut im about to build

info not on:5' high walls
4/12 roof pitch,on wide side

i have not decided on windows yet,floor will be 1/2 ply,on 2x3's,notched into 2x12 runners

Your not gonna like this but it 100% true. I built my ice hut 6 years ago. 6.5' x9'. Wood is all cedar from trees i cut down and had milled for next to nothing. And wrapped it in aluminum pipe jacket. I used to take it out on scugog where i grew up and now have to trailer it north. I am so thankful i used cedar and aluminum. If you use the amount of lumber you are mentioning your gonna have 1 heavy beas to tow and transport. I would try to find some yellow or orange gas pipe for skis. Absolute best option but its hard to come by. Slant your walls on a 2/12 pitch. Makes a huge difference for comfort and space. Also think about your hitch and how you will tow this thing. For heat i have always used mr. Heater buddy or big buddy. Ceramic element propane heat with low oxygen shut off. Have spent countless nights in my hut with it running. 12v battery for radio and led marine lights with 4" computer fans for ventilation. Basically make it light plan ahead!!

Agree with bigc , building a hut right now completely out of cedar from our own trees on our property wrapped in trim coil and it weighs enough for its size (4x8) i couldnt imagine how heavy it would be if i made it out of pine/regular materials. think light!

you guys are completely right,but i doubt this kid can afford cedar,or aluminum