• 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

DIY Treesuit user. Tree Climbing method

Bwhana said:
I had a good chat this morning with the owner of a stand company in Charlotte, NC, about his aluminum foot piece for the Ultra-Lite Cadillac stand. I have hunted out of the steel version for over 25 years and tried the foot piece for saddle use, but it is too heavy. His aluminum foot piece weighs less than 5 lbs and would meet your need and replace the lone wolf. $75 for the foot climber on his site... http://www.austintreestands.com/. I will likely have one very soon.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
That Ultra-Lite Cadillac foot piece does look like it would work! Don't see Ultra-Lite Cadillac parts listed for sell yet.
 
Sheldon said:
Bob, here is my first attempt at the suit. Used 400d Pack Cloth and a belt/tree strap I had laying around. Haven't added the pockets yet and will be making a lineman's belt using 1" tubular webbing. Gave it a test sit last nite, may add a little closed cell foam padding as I suffer from NBS (no butt syndrome) and look at some type of back support for sitting, but otherwise comfortable and like the support.

One more question, did the original come with a plywood seat or some type of poly/plastic? Thinking about giving it a go with 1/2" ply (at ground level of course) from a weight saving perspective. Thanks again for the build instructions. Super easy, took less than an hour.

View attachment 10019
Click to expand...
Dang Sheldon, that looks great. As far as the original seat. it appears to be 1/2" thick. I would have to cut stitching to see what it is made of and I cannot bring myself to do it. I did try 1/2" HDPE as a seat. It seemed like it was going to work. It ended up breaking on me (I weigh about 200lbs.). So be careful with that.
 
BobinTN said:
Dang Sheldon, that looks great. As far as the original seat. it appears to be 1/2" thick. I would have to cut stitching to see what it is made of and I cannot bring myself to do it. I did try 1/2" HDPE as a seat. It seemed like it was going to work. It ended up breaking on me (I weigh about 200lbs.). So be careful with that.
Click to expand...

Thanks again and appreciate the heads up on the HDPE. was hoping since it was backed up by the strap it would work. When it broke was it a quick catastrophic snap or happen over time?

Also looking a way to flip the seat up for transport. Thinking a buckle might work, flip seat up and buckle to riggers belt.

Enjoy it so far and have a back support I made for a SD that I am going to try and figure a way to attach to the bridge. Worry that it might lead to an all day snooze vice hunt though.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
BobinTN said:
Dang Sheldon, that looks great. As far as the original seat. it appears to be 1/2" thick. I would have to cut stitching to see what it is made of and I cannot bring myself to do it. I did try 1/2" HDPE as a seat. It seemed like it was going to work. It ended up breaking on me (I weigh about 200lbs.). So be careful with that.
Click to expand...

Pay attention to the EXACT material I specified in the link to my build. The plastic is stress relieved, and better suited to the purpose. Out of curiosity, how did it break?
 
Sheldon said:
Thanks again and appreciate the heads up on the HDPE. was hoping since it was backed up by the strap it would work. When it broke was it a quick catastrophic snap or happen over time?

Also looking a way to flip the seat up for transport. Thinking a buckle might work, flip seat up and buckle to riggers belt.

Enjoy it so far and have a back support I made for a SD that I am going to try and figure a way to attach to the bridge. Worry that it might lead to an all day snooze vice hunt though.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
It was a quick break (about 3 seconds -- bend...Bend...BEND...break). HDPE melts at a fairly low temperature. I always wondered if my body heat softened the HDPE after 15 minutes or so.
 
Sheldon said:
Thanks again and appreciate the heads up on the HDPE. was hoping since it was backed up by the strap it would work. When it broke was it a quick catastrophic snap or happen over time?

Also looking a way to flip the seat up for transport. Thinking a buckle might work, flip seat up and buckle to riggers belt.

Enjoy it so far and have a back support I made for a SD that I am going to try and figure a way to attach to the bridge. Worry that it might lead to an all day snooze vice hunt though.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

The commercial tree suit had the user wrap the 12' or so of webbing around the waist of the wearer with the seat tucked underneath the wrap to hold the seat against the small of the back. I've always used a climber with pack straps so I just bungied the treesuit to that.
I am currently revisiting different climbing methods, so I might have to come up with a different carry method. Havne't thought about it much. I am curious to see what you come up with.
 
BobinTN said:
The commercial tree suit had the user wrap the 12' or so of webbing around the waist of the wearer with the seat tucked underneath the wrap to hold the seat against the small of the back. I've always used a climber with pack straps so I just bungied the treesuit to that.
I am currently revisiting different climbing methods, so I might have to come up with a different carry method. Havne't thought about it much. I am curious to see what you come up with.
Click to expand...
I pack mine in. It tends to be floppy no matter how you "wear it" when walk with it. I tuck all the straps too the inside, brint the waist band over the trop of the straps and throw 1 bungee over it. Slides right in the back on my pack nice.
 
BobinTN said:
The commercial tree suit had the user wrap the 12' or so of webbing around the waist of the wearer with the seat tucked underneath the wrap to hold the seat against the small of the back. I've always used a climber with pack straps so I just bungied the treesuit to that.
I am currently revisiting different climbing methods, so I might have to come up with a different carry method. Havne't thought about it much. I am curious to see what you come up with.
Click to expand...
Was messing with it last nite. Am hoping to find a way to keep it out of my pack as I carry my stepps and platform in it. For safety sake am backing it up with an old harness that already has linesman loops for climbing and giving a second point for connecting to the tether. Sewed a buckle on "back" just above where the seat ends in the pocket. Found I could lift the seat "straight up" instead of "folding" it under and attach the buckle in the back to hold it. Next took the bridge and tightened it just above the riggers belt. Seems to be snug and doesn't flop, of course this is just walking around the house.

Also added a bit of closed cell foam for padding. Looking around I found an old ground seat pad and it fit perfectly into the pocket. Now that my friend is comfortable and warm!pad.JPGBuckle.JPG
 
I like this thread and hope it's reviving the treesuit. I do really like mine and used it a bunch this year. I prefer a ring of steps(screw in cranford t's) so I always have plenty of room in my pack, but here is how I pack it with the climber base when I do(I ued it twice I Think this year?) still all fits in my pack. Theres a pick of the ROS for comparison.
2018-06-24 14.24.14.jpg
2018-06-24 14.19.03.jpg
2018-10-06 07.43.53.jpg
 
Vtbow said:
I like this thread and hope it's reviving the treesuit. I do really like mine and used it a bunch this year. I prefer a ring of steps(screw in cranford t's) so I always have plenty of room in my pack, but here is how I pack it with the climber base when I do(I ued it twice I Think this year?) still all fits in my pack. Theres a pick of the ROS for comparison.
View attachment 10088
View attachment 10089
View attachment 10090
Click to expand...
Thanks for the pics...things make more sense now in terms of the long strap Bob was mentioning. Those climbers are very interesting. Being new I am going thru all the various climbing/saddle methods to find what works for me. Most of the trees I hunt here would be conducive to the small climbers, would be great if I could ditch the platform. Have built 3 different platforms (2 x diff scooter variants and a ply insert for a stepp-actually like this one the best so far) as I couldn't bring myself to spend a bunch of $$$ and not like it. Have tried a SD, a Kestrel clone, a fleece, and a ultra light made of 400d pack cloth of these I really like the comfort of the tree suit in my very limited experience with it. the TS was also one of the easier to make. Suppose everything has it's place. Really wanting to try a ROS guess that will be my next effort. Hunt public so screw ins aren't an option and again don't want to spend $$$ for something I don't like. Does look like the Squirrel steps would hold their value though, maybe the Ameristeps will go down in price with them on the market.

A question, what if anything, would you change about the tree suit? Thinking back band would be a great addition. Based on my brief experience I am on board with you on the tree suit: VIVE LES TREE SUIT!!! Going to give it a go during Turkey season.
 
If I could change anything the small changes I would make would be based upon materials. I would use 2" seatbelt style webbing(more pliable than what is on it, and probably quieter on the tree), replace the waist belt buckle with a cobra buckle(it is a simple follow through, not a click buckle, so you have to either thread it each time, or step through it), and replace any of the "chrome" hardware with black or something different. Some people would argue it need lineman's loops. I"m actually ok with the single anchor point when climbing--just takes a little getting used to and you are more prone to a little swinging.

I just came up with a second gen 2 treesuit and will probably make these adjustments to try at some point, I just want to have a stock one as well, because my issues are really just minimal.
 
Vtbow said:
If I could change anything the small changes I would make would be based upon materials. I would use 2" seatbelt style webbing(more pliable than what is on it, and probably quieter on the tree), replace the waist belt buckle with a cobra buckle(it is a simple follow through, not a click buckle, so you have to either thread it each time, or step through it), and replace any of the "chrome" hardware with black or something different. Some people would argue it need lineman's loops. I"m actually ok with the single anchor point when climbing--just takes a little getting used to and you are more prone to a little swinging.

I just came up with a second gen 2 treesuit and will probably make these adjustments to try at some point, I just want to have a stock one as well, because my issues are really just minimal.
Click to expand...

Thanks much!
 
"What would you change....? " I like the built one in this thread better than all of the straps on the original. The best method of climbing the tree is still what I spend thinking about the most. The lonewolf seat does limit the trees one can climb. I have ordered the Wild Edge steps (before Christmas) and they have not come in yet. I plan on making a knaider and aider when they do. I have never used sticks. I am currently humoring the idea of climbing with minimal equipment ( don't know what that is yet, one stick and tether, 3 WE steppes...) and descending by rappelling down. Do not have the equipment yet to play with.
I have toyed with the idea of doing away with anything metal and just using webbing/amsteel/soft shackles..... But my number one is KISS.
 
BobinTN said:
"What would you change....? " I like the built one in this thread better than all of the straps on the original. The best method of climbing the tree is still what I spend thinking about the most. The lonewolf seat does limit the trees one can climb. I have ordered the Wild Edge steps (before Christmas) and they have not come in yet. I plan on making a knaider and aider when they do. I have never used sticks. I am currently humoring the idea of climbing with minimal equipment ( don't know what that is yet, one stick and tether, 3 WE steppes...) and descending by rappelling down. Do not have the equipment yet to play with.
I have toyed with the idea of doing away with anything metal and just using webbing/amsteel/soft shackles..... But my number one is KISS.
Click to expand...

Being a noob been trying everything. Got some sticks, don’t like the bulk, cut them down and added single aider but haven’t tried yet. Got some primal steps, messing with them with knaider/swaider, 5 step aider and the “Cain” method. So far the Cain wins is surprisingly easy even for an old outta shape guy like me. Your videos with the hand climber are intriguing just hate to spend the $$ and not like it.....gotta enough “invested” already. At least the wife thinks so.

Glad you posted the tree suit build, really liking it so far. Added the pocket and with the buckle on back snugs up to carry but doesn’t get in the way of my pack. Can’t wait for turkey season to give it an extended test at ground level.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
Bringing this topic back up. Was wondering if any of you guys have some new mods for the TreeSuit or any new pictures of the mods you have made?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top