DIY climbing platform

[Mitchellfarmer1982]

So decided to take the chore of making a good climbing platform on myself. Started with a piece of 3/4 thick billet of aluminum that was warped on a robot at work and was being thrown away. I layed things out best I could and started maching. I then cut down an old lone wolf stick I had to make then sides. Drilled holes like @FayetteKong shows to use the summit cables that I already had. Still have to weld in the braces then will get final weight. Base was 5.6lbs so I figure 7ish.

 

[Topdog]

15 pages of stuff in the new gear for 2023 thread and so far I’m most impressed by yours, looks good!

 

[Red Beard]

And so how did the optest go?

 

[Mitchellfarmer1982]

And so how did the optest go?

I haven't climbed with it yet. I set it up and when I stood in it I noticed the arms bowing in. Now I have to weld in the braces so I can start testing.

 

[BTaylor]

15 pages of stuff in the new gear for 2023 thread and so far I’m most impressed by yours, looks good!

Aint that the truth.

 

[AttackMode]

Very cool

 

[Mitchellfarmer1982]

Well I'm a little disappointed with weighing 8.5lbs I could probably shed some more weight but the work is not worth the reward at this point. Will be trying it this weekend with some with testing. Only plus is only having around $15 in it bc the rest was scrape or something I already had lol.

 

[Cajunyankee]

Looks great

 

[BTaylor]

Well I'm a little disappointed with weighing 8.5lbs I could probably shed some more weight but the work is not worth the reward at this point. Will be trying it this weekend with some with testing. Only plus is only having around $15 in it bc the rest was scrape or something I already had lol.

Did you have a target weight in mind? 8.5 is not what I would consider heavy for a climbing stand.

 

[Blacksmith]

So decided to take the chore of making a good climbing platform on myself. Started with a piece of 3/4 thick billet of aluminum that was warped on a robot at work and was being thrown away. I layed things out best I could and started maching. I then cut down an old lone wolf stick I had to make then sides. Drilled holes like @FayetteKong shows to use the summit cables that I already had. Still have to weld in the braces then will get final weight. Base was 5.6lbs so I figure 7ish.View attachment 79555View attachment 79556View attachment 79557View attachment 79558

Real Nice, I'll Take Two For Next Fall......

 

[Plebe]

Did you have a target weight in mind? 8.5 is not what I would consider heavy for a climbing stand.

I agree. Mine is 10lb 3oz with 2 stabilizer straps and a cam strap and similar footroom. I'd take 8.5 all day and it would save me hundreds of dollars over half of a machined LWCG or XOP climber.

You won't get that kind of footroom at that weight from a platform and sticks, at the moment anyway.

@Mitchellfarmer1982, nice work.

 

[SILhunter]

Keep us posted, I'd be happy with an 8.5 lbs climbing stand.

 

[Plebe]

Care to share the measurements?

 

[Mitchellfarmer1982]

It is 19 3/4 wide by 15 1/2 deep usable and 19 3/4 over depth to the end of the "V"

 

[Plebe]

It is 19 3/4 wide by 15 1/2 deep usable and 19 3/4 over depth to the end of the "V"

You're going to love it.

Mine is 22" to the V, 19" wide, and 15.5" to the cross-arm support. I have some usable space under the bar , but it's basically the same footspace as yours and it's about perfect imo.

 

[Mitchellfarmer1982]

I realised it would be handy as I am finding new areas to hunt that have more mature trees that don't necessarily need sticks to climb. Just another tool.

 

[Mitchellfarmer1982]

Ok first impressions tons of room (maybe shorten a little bit..undecided) and not heavy at all. It is harder to hold yourself off the tree than I anticipated but doable (honestly I could lose a few lbs or 50). I need to sharpen the teeth a little bit for better bite on the tree. Currently still 3/4 thick same as the plate not the best bite. I think it'll be good.

 

[Brokefarmer]

From one farmer to another, excellent job!

 

[Slabzilla73]

Very nice work.

 

[Skunkworkx]

Looks good...I think you may need to patent it before design is stolen