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Customize your SitDrag - What to purchase.

crb

crb

Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2016
Messages
88
My SitDrag Customization

Things to purchase:

[ 1 ] Basic SitDrag Saddle
http://www.sitdrag.com

You will remove the 2in and 1in green webbing from the SitDrag Saddle. The 2in webbing is connected to the D loops so you will need to cut where the thread connects the strap together. The 1in is tied to the 2in webbing. Remove the knot and cut the loops on the 1in webbing. These webbing straps will be used for your belt strap and molle loops.

[ 1 ] Speedy Stitcher Sewing Awl
https://smile.amazon.com/Speedy-Sti...=1&*entries*=0&pldnCmp=rcol&pldnCrt=my-impact

This is super easy to use and will allow you to overlap and sew the end loops on the SitDrag Saddle so carabiners are easier to clip on.

[ 1 ] Electrical Tape - Black, Green or Brown
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B003ZWN6FQ/ref=twister_B003ZWHSKK?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

This will be used to wrap the end loops once you've sewed them.

[ 1 ] Spool of Thread - Black, Green or Brown
http://www.joann.com/coats-clark-outdoor-200yd-thread/zprd_11744323a.html#q=outdoor+thread&start=1

I went to JoAnn fabrics to purchase the thread for my SitDrag project. Another good resource for thread that @redsquirrel provided
http://www.thethreadexchange.com/mi...TE&Category_Code=polyester-Thread-Information


This thread will be used on your sewing machine and stitching the webbing straps to your SitDrag Saddle. If you plan on having a professional sew your webbing to your SitDrag Saddle than you will not need this thread.

[ 1 ] Seam Ripper
https://smile.amazon.com/FunnyToday...rd_wg=QIacC&psc=1&refRID=7NFC4HYQPPVX1YKGM7RP

Used to remove any thread from the loops you cut on the 2in and 1in green straps that come with the SitDrag Saddle.

[ 1 ] Mini Spring Clamp
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01KAIYGFG?psc=1

I overlapped the end loops into thirds and used spring clamp to hold the fold while I used the Speedy Stitcher to sew the fabric together.

[ 20ft ] Yale Bandit 11mm Climbing Rope
http://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?item=1901

This green/black rope is the same stuff used for the Aero Evolution Tree Saddle. You will need 12 to 14 ft for tree tether and the rest for adjustable bridge if you decide to go that route. I went with cheaper 9mm rope (http://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/koc...d-braid-polypropylene-rope-camo/0000000228208) for lineman's belt and prusik knot on tree tether.

[ 2 ] Hunter Safety Carabiners
https://smile.amazon.com/Hunter-Saf...2937&sr=8-1&keywords=Hunter+Safety+Carabiners

These are ones I used but you can go with a couple of others at the same price point that may be lighter yet. I have points at Cabelas and got my carabiners for free which is why I went with the ones above. If I ordered through Amazon I would have purchased the ones below.
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01A5DXN96?psc=1

[ 2 to 4 ] Wild Country Ropeman MK1
http://www.backcountrygear.com/wild...luminum.html?gclid=CI2N-sLtq88CFYSFaQod2ecEjw

I put a Ropeman 1 on two different lineman's ropes. I put one on my bridge so I could have adjustable. Once you figure out the length of your bridge you could remove the ropeman 1 and two carabiners and go with a fixed bridge (1in climbing rated webbing) The last ropeman 1 went on my tree tether.

[ 1 ] Safety Harness
https://smile.amazon.com/Climbing-H...e=UTF8&qid=1474852579&sr=8-1&keywords=harness

There are plenty of other harnesses that are much more expensive, but this one was adjustable to my size (5'11'' and 240lbs) and was cheap. I actually went to REI Climbing Store and they did not have anything that was big enough for my legs and waist, which is why I purchased this one through Amazon.

[ 1 ] Cobra Buckle - Male and Female Dual Adjustable
http://milspecmonkey.com/store/hardware-diy/339-austrialpin-cobra-buckle.html

This is the best buckle you can buy. I went with this buckle because I wanted to use the SitDrag Saddle as my climbing belt as well. If you use a plastic parachute buckle they could break or come apart.

[ 1 ] Tool Pouches
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-h...452496715-c-9186.htm?tid=-7717115170877862715

I connected these to my molle loops for storage.

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I will try to provide more How To information along with pictures.

Hope this helps!

Charles
 
Good thread!

Caution to newbs buying polypro rope! Go ahead and spring for real climbing rated rope. Life's too short to save money on your lifeline.

Also note that the Hunters safety carabiners are boat anchors.
 
Just want to confirm y'all are using a rock climbing harness in conjunction with the sit drag. Walk in with harness climb and attach sit drag once up the tree. Maintain points on the tree with linesman belt to harness and tether to bridge of sit drag or take linesman off and sit drag to tether only? I've been looking at doing one of these but don't know how much safer I'd feel over my aerohunter.


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I can't speak for others but I am assembling my sit drag harness as we speak. I will be using a climbing harness because I figure $50 is worth a better chance at another 70 years of life. That's like $0.71 a year life insurance.
 
Last edited:
romadrome said:
Just want to confirm y'all are using a rock climbing harness in conjunction with the sit drag. Walk in with harness climb and attach sit drag once up the tree. Maintain points on the tree with linesman belt to harness and tether to bridge of sit drag or take linesman off and sit drag to tether only? I've been looking at doing one of these but don't know how much safer I'd feel over my aerohunter.


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Click to expand...
Yes it is recommended to use a RC harness with the sit and drag. The sit and drag is only rated for use at ground level. What you can do is attach the sit and drag to your tether, and then tie in the bottom of your tether to your RC harness. This way if the sit and drag fails you have the harness as a backup. Then you can take your lineman's belt off.
 
C thanks for clarifying. I didn't see a way to safely move around with just the sit drag hooked up


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I haven't started using a harness with my SD yet. I can move around the tree just fine. I'm leaning more and more towards adding the harness in as a safety. It doesn't take that much more effort to put it on at the tree. Being hooked up to the belay would add an extra layer of protection for sure.
 
g2outdoors said:
I haven't started using a harness with my SD yet. I can move around the tree just fine. I'm leaning more and more towards adding the harness in as a safety. It doesn't take that much more effort to put it on at the tree. Being hooked up to the belay would add an extra layer of protection for sure.
Click to expand...
IMO the concern with the sit and drag is that there is no redundancy built in. Most of the other saddles have at least 2 separate pieces of webbing supporting you. With the sit and drag, there is only that one piece of webbing. If that goes, you're going down. I don't think its likely that it is going to fail, but I don't want to see it happen to anyone when they are 20 foot up. I saw a post on AT the other day about a guy who didn't replace his ratchet strap on his practice stand in his backyard, and he had it up for 6 years. The stand gave out and he is lucky that he only broke a few ribs and a vertebrae.

Anyways, point being I want everyone on here to come home safe to their families!
 
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