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Platform opptions

FWIW I used the plastic ameristep strap on steps I got a few weeks ago the other day with a ratchet strap and was really impressed with them. Setup wasn't nearly as loud as I thought it would be. As long as you pull your webbing as tight as you can get it you don't have to tighten the ratchet too much. Breaking it down was pretty quiet, as you can release a ratchet strap without making any noise at all. Bigger problem was preventing the steps themselves from knocking together, but they don't sound completely artificial in the woods - almost like a hollow log. I wasn't so much worried about the noise as I wasn't near bedding and it was mid-day.

As suspected, a wider step for the platform VS a metal tree step makes a HUGE different in foot comfort.

I think I might have to look into making some custom shank inserts for my boots for trees that I have metal tree steps in.
 
g2outdoors said:
It sounds like the OTC buckle is in between the cam and ratchet straps. Tighter than the cam straps (which don't get tight enough), but not quite as snug as the ratchets (which are too loud)? Does that sound fair?
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If the OCB is not quite as tight as a ratchet strap, it is darn close. On trees around a foot and diameter or more, I set it and forget it, it is that good. It is the smaller ones that I have to fool around a bit more now. Again, it works and works well, I just have to make sure I pull every little bit of strap through that I can get. I'm pretty sure it is due to the size of the buckle. It is about 8 inches long, so it is approaching the size of the tree it is trying to cinch. I have a smaller OCB that I wasn't impressed with at first but now that I have more experience I'm going to fool around and see if I can get that to work with smaller trees.

Knowing the current limitations of the OCB, I still would NOT use a ratchet strap. The OCB is light, silent and tight.
 
d_rek said:
Bigger problem was preventing the steps themselves from knocking together, but they don't sound completely artificial in the woods - almost like a hollow log.
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When I pull my straps out of the bag, I make sure they are all seated together already so they don't clank, and do the same thing putting them back in. They don't really make noise when they are next to each other and touch, it is only when they really slide down and hit.
 
g2outdoors said:
Thanks redsquirrel - I'm going to invest in a few and give them a try.
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Let me know how they work for you!
 
I got my hands on ten brand new Timber Tread step attachments . I bought them to test out, so I'll do a product review on them later . Probably sell them afterwards, just because I like my setup now.
I think they can be a viable option for those who use screw in steps
 
I got a chance to test out a plywood step I made on a ratchet strap. It is awesome! So solid! One I stepped on it once it didn't move.

I have 8 sketched out on plywood right now. Just need a few minutes to drill holes, glue, let them sit, and cut them out. I'll post a thread up when I get a chance.
 
Interesting find today ,
6 ameristep platform weighs about 2lbs less than an Assassin platform.
I find that to be a hard decision on which one to choose
 
Hunting saddle aluminum angle base

See post #2 and #6 at (http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1321690). I followed jigga's general design and made four of these. Two per ratchet strap. My wife and I use them with our Guido's web's for a base. We use Jim Stepp's to climb (10 Jim Stepp's weigh aprox 8.75lbs) and the top most Jim Stepp is used in conjunction with the aluminum angle bases. The top most Jim Stepp is placed at 6 o'clock and the aluminum angle bases are placed roughly at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock depending on circumference of the tree at height. I have tried using three per strap but found that the third wasn't needed...it might be needed if the tree was really big (two and a Jim Stepp work fine for a tree I can get both arms around).

Aluminum angle is sold (in varying lengths and widths) at any big box hardware store or Farm and Fleet. I weigh 230 lbs and used 2"X 2" & 3/16" thickness aluminum angle. The dimensions are 5" high (the part that goes up against the tree) X 7" long (which gives me about 5 3/4" inches to rest my foot on). One foot of 2"X2"X3/16" aluminum angle weighs aprox 0.860 lbs.

I followed jigga's design with a few exceptions: I didn't put stabilizing screws through the back as I found that they are not necessary when used with a decent ratchet strap. I also didn't screw a rubber mat onto them but instead I coated them with plasti-dip (to deaden the noise) and than applied camo tape all over and finally applied self adhesive no slip grit tape on the part your foot rests on.

They serve my purpose and are comfortable to rest on for long periods of time. Putting one foot on the Jim Stepp and the other on a base gives just enough clearance from the tree so that my center of gravity is aligned allowing me to stand up, which puts slack in the main line which is helpful when I need to re-position the prussic. They also are light and pack down compactly. When I climb I create a loop with the strap and throw them over my head and shoulder sling style. I am always connected to the tree, by two safety lines, and never use this aluminum angle base as a mode of climbing or descending a tree.

I used a drill, jigsaw and dremmel tool (aluminum oxide grinding bit to take the rough edges off the slot cut) to make the slots that the strap runs through and the other cuts. A grinding wheel worked well to round off the corners.

This works for me but I do not recommend it for anyone else as there are not any performance specifications as they are not tested or verified.
 
Those look great DXD. Just bought a set of the Ameristeps but am interested in making a set of these as well. It looks like your just joining the 2 pieces of angle with a couple bolts?
 
Thanks for posting that. If you could go into a little more detail on how you assembled them, that might be helpful to a lot of people.

Welcome to the site! :D
 
JWS (& red),

You got it, just two nuts, washers and bolts per base. Other than cutting the slots, two simple straight line cuts, rounding off the edges and doing the finishing work that's all there was to it. Pretty straightforward. I placed the two pieces of angle (5" and 7") perpendicular to each other (i.e., as they would be positioned upon assembly) in a jawhorse and then drilled the bolt holes through both pieces of angle at the same time.

I used aluminum bolts, washers and nuts. They're pricey but I wanted to minimize weight and galvanic corrosion (see, https://www.fastenal.com/content/feds/p ... rosion.pdf).
 
Hey guys, first of all I wanna say this is an awesome site! I've been hunting out of a treesaddle for about 5 seasons now and love it, I won't ever go back to a regular treestand, don't know if anyone else has tried this for a platform option but I use the tree hopper bolts, I use them to climb,then when I get to the height I want to hunt I drill 4 to 5 holes depending on the diameter of the tree around the tree all on the same level, that serves as my platform, when I leave, I take all the bolts back out, when I come back to hunt the same tree again,for those of you that are familiar with the tree hopper system, all I have to do is climb and slide all my bolts back in quietly and I'm ready to hunt,this system has worked great for me,hope this helps.
 
Gray hunter said:
Hey guys, first of all I wanna say this is an awesome site! I've been hunting out of a treesaddle for about 5 seasons now and love it, I won't ever go back to a regular treestand, don't know if anyone else has tried this for a platform option but I use the tree hopper bolts, I use them to climb,then when I get to the height I want to hunt I drill 4 to 5 holes depending on the diameter of the tree around the tree all on the same level, that serves as my platform, when I leave, I take all the bolts back out, when I come back to hunt the same tree again,for those of you that are familiar with the tree hopper system, all I have to do is climb and slide all my bolts back in quietly and I'm ready to hunt,this system has worked great for me,hope this helps.
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Welcome to the site! :cool:

There are a few other threads on tree hopper bolts and that style. I started using them last year and I like them as well. The only thing I don't like is that you need to drill fresh holes from year to year.
 
Bigburner said:
Muddy made a new camera arm that used a similar strap and the second I saw it I've been trying to track one down. A 1" version would be saddle hunters dream.
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I found this 1" strap on Muddy's website. It is the one used on the camera arm. It is called the Silent Strap and sells for a very reasonable $7.49. It looks perfect for an Ameristep platform set-up IF it will support enough weight. I bet it will but will call Muddy and ask.
 
This camera arm strap is sold separately by muddy at a very reasonable $7.49. It is called the silent strap however I don't know it's weight limitations. I ordered one today on the chance it will work with my Ameristeps. I will post my thoughts when I receive it and have a first-hand look at it.
 
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