• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

DaveT1963 platform

I have been so busy scouting I have not had time to do much updating. What I finally did was have the platform come to rest on the bolt head on the bottom bracket. I drilled the hole out on my old LW tree bracket to take a large headed hardened bolt. What this does is it leverages the weight against the bolt head which then transfers it to the bracket and tree. This takes it off the aluminum tubing to some degree. I also use a large 1 inch hardened washer in front by the bolt head and a second one in between the aluminum stick and tree bracket. I sandwhiched this one with two nylon washers to stop any squeaking. I wax all my nylone washers before putting them on with bow string wax. I then snugged all this down.

I also drilled out the seat bolt and used a larger hardened steel bolt there with nylon washers. I filled my aluminum tube with a mix of polyester resign, bondo and chopped fiberglass - did not add much weigh to it and stopped the flexing of the tube. last thing, I added a versa button near the top and use a second strap to cinch the top against the tree before I cam it over. My post is now about 10 inches long and I strap this platform to my daypack. all these mods added just over a pound to the platform as best I can tell. I need to weigh it again to see the final weight but I am sure it is pretty close to 3 pounds and just a little more then my old ratchet strap and 5-6 steps.

I have another seat and some more tubing and I am going to make a couple more of these. Anyone got any tips on painting aluminum?
 
So, with the platform further down on the riser, is it kinda like the little platform Lone Wolf used to make? And, with a VersaButton and second strap, do you still feel the caming action is still needed?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I like the caming action. It still is not like the old lone wolf stands though. It still uses two tree brackets and the platform can be leveled with the bolt head. The top strap just keeps the stick from trying to pull from the tree. I really am not counting on it for the support of the platform to the tree although it will be a backup in the event the bottom strap or platform ears break (which I highly doubt). What I like about it is the freedom it gives me over the traditional steps to rotate 360... for this fat boy it just makes it easier to get that shot when needed.... especially with trad gear.
 
I am looking forward to pictures.
I ordered the riser yesterday and hope to get the brackets, strap, and versa button soon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
The trick to painting aluminum is to acid wash it. It's porous and holds oils. That's why paint doesn't stick to it easily. Wash it with soap and water then spray it with Alumibrite or other acid for cleaning aluminum, check at Napa. You mix with water. Directions on jug. Let sit for a minute or so then rinse with water. After it drys you can prime and paint. I've done a few boats with good results. But for a lil stick, I'd just wrap with camo form.
 
Dave

Can you post some pics of your latest and greatest? I recently bought the aluminum stock to make a second platform and I haven't quite decided how I'm going to do it.
 
I would but it is up at the lake house so it may be a few weeks. You can give ma a call if you like and I can talk you through what I did probably better then I can type it. Just shoot me a PM and I will give you my cell #
 
I attached a very simple drawing of the basic layout. Hopefully that will help. I also fill my tube with bondo to add lightweight rigidity. I run the top strap around tree just over the tree bracket and cinch it down first. To get it the tightest, I tilt the top of stick towards tree and cinch it down as tight as I can. I then push the bottom against the tree and put second strap on while platform is up (45 degree angle). I tighten the strap and then cam over the platform. Sometimes you might have to loosen or tighten the strap to get the proper tension on the cam over.

The picture above shows the platform disconnected so I could show the bolt/washer below it. I also drilled out my platform holes and used a larger bolt (hardened) for the platform attachment. I may use one of the detachable hardened pins at some point but right now I don't see the need to unless I get different LW seat options to use as a platform (I am thinking about getting an elite but may not due to the weight).
 

Attachments

  • Platform.png
    Platform.png
    17 KB · Views: 87
Are the versa button and the top tree bracket now on the same bolt? The assault seat I have doesn't have the ears like yours does. Would you trust this platform with just the versa button attachment (I see a lot of people using only 1 strap on their lone wolfs) or does it really need the caming action for stability?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Yes on the same bolt to save weight.

for your platform I would use some 1 inch tubular webbing or amsteel for bottom strap and use a jim stepp friction knot on the platform. I believe you will want to cam over the platform. If you do this make sure your round off all the sharp edges on your platform so they don't cut them.
 
That is why I went back to the Klemz design. I liked having the cam over action on the bottom with the versa button on top. It cam locks just like a tree stand. I like the above option better for the larger platforms though but with the bat wings instead of the v brackets. The v brackets haven't been holding up really well when the platform is cam locked using a Jim Stepp knot
 
DaveT1963 said:
I attached a very simple drawing of the basic layout. Hopefully that will help. I also fill my tube with bondo to add lightweight rigidity. I run the top strap around tree just over the tree bracket and cinch it down first. To get it the tightest, I tilt the top of stick towards tree and cinch it down as tight as I can. I then push the bottom against the tree and put second strap on while platform is up (45 degree angle). I tighten the strap and then cam over the platform. Sometimes you might have to loosen or tighten the strap to get the proper tension on the cam over.

The picture above shows the platform disconnected so I could show the bolt/washer below it. I also drilled out my platform holes and used a larger bolt (hardened) for the platform attachment. I may use one of the detachable hardened pins at some point but right now I don't see the need to unless I get different LW seat options to use as a platform (I am thinking about getting an elite but may not due to the weight).
Click to expand...

Great illustration. That explains it very well. Thanks!!!
 
Dave and BassBoys are right - the cam action is very important. I made a small whoopie sling out of 7/64 amsteel to use on the wings/tabs of the seat platform. It works very well if you don't want to mess with the Jim Stepp knot.
 
I think a Jim Stepp knot will probably be my best bet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Re: RE: Re: DaveT1963 platform

g2outdoors said:
Dave and BassBoys are right - the cam action is very important. I made a small whoopie sling out of 7/64 amsteel to use on the wings/tabs of the seat platform. It works very well if you don't want to mess with the Jim Stepp knot.
Click to expand...
Just to be clear, the Klemz design only requires one strap. The older LW seats had teeth, eliminating the need for the secondary attachment on the bottom. The biggest disadvantage is the lack of platform leveling unless you add a threaded bushing and adjust your point of penetration
 
Anyone ever try the hawk ground tree seat as a platform? Looks like it would work. It's not made anymore though.

Sent from my SM-G900R7 using Tapatalk
 
Sent from my SM-G900R7 using Tapatalk
 

Attachments

  • uploadfromtaptalk1456535699488.png
    uploadfromtaptalk1456535699488.png
    639.2 KB · Views: 55
It works. But it's loud, heavy, and bulky. Its better with a versa button but far from ideal..
 
What bout having something made out of aluminum like it

Sent from my SM-G900R7 using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top