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Steppladder Platform Board DIY

Side loading on an irregular shaped tree held up fairly well could have been better. Works better on round trees I'm finding


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I cut one up today. I consider it a failed effort for me. I am 275 lbs and can get the stepps solid on the trees. When I tried this platform on a stepp, neither running the rope under the holes or over the holes allowed for the solid cam lock on the tree. I did get it to have a "weak" cam lock, but the top standoffs would pull away from the tree.

If you look at a stepp solidly set on the tree, the rope goes where the plywood sits. Either over or below the plywood, it is just not getting the proper cam lock for me. Maybe for you light guys, it'll be acceptable, but it doesn't work for me.

Andrew @SteppsbyWildEdge, please let us all know when you have a platform!

I use the stepps w/ a guidos web, and sit without needing a comfortable platform (sitter, not a leaner). Waiting on the kestrel and looking to enhance the platform to be comfortable for a leaner.

That is my 2 cents. Don't let my outcome dissuade you from trying this. Just be forewarned if you are on the bigger side weight wise.
 
sojourner said:
I cut one up today. I consider it a failed effort for me. I am 275 lbs and can get the stepps solid on the trees. When I tried this platform on a stepp, neither running the rope under the holes or over the holes allowed for the solid cam lock on the tree. I did get it to have a "weak" cam lock, but the top standoffs would pull away from the tree.

If you look at a stepp solidly set on the tree, the rope goes where the plywood sits. Either over or below the plywood, it is just not getting the proper cam lock for me. Maybe for you light guys, it'll be acceptable, but it doesn't work for me.

Andrew @SteppsbyWildEdge, please let us all know when you have a platform!

I use the stepps w/ a guidos web, and sit without needing a comfortable platform (sitter, not a leaner). Waiting on the kestrel and looking to enhance the platform to be comfortable for a leaner.

That is my 2 cents. Don't let my outcome dissuade you from trying this. Just be forewarned if you are on the bigger side weight wise.
Click to expand...
Even better would be a time frame! If it is soon, I will wait. If not, I may have to chop up a board and hope for the best. I started using the stepps for platforms because they are comfortable and I had them. Now they are all used up and only have the bolt system to climb. It is fine on presets but saw a new area and have no stepps...
 
Anybody have an update on how their Stepp Ladder platform is working? I know that @steppsbywildedge are working on one and can't wait to see how it compares. Right now I am using 2 or 3 stepps to move around the tree for shots. I am wanting to do this with 1 or 2 stepps on larger trees.
 
It will not work for me. I cut one out today. It would work in the sitting position with knees on the tree but I don't need a platform to sit. And it isn't tight enough. The platform is leaning downhill toward the tree. I made the holes bigger in an attempt to get it level. It wasn't the size of the holes that prevented the platform from being level but the thickness of the plywood. Not enough clearance between the crossbar and the standoffs. You could probably take a router and cut a groove for the crossbar to recess into or grooves for the standoffs but you would still have the problem of it not being tight enough. I really wanted it to work for me. It would have fell into the everything fits inside my backpack plan I had for this year.
 
I've had some luck using it to practice from. Still have yet to make a hunt this year


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I finally got to cut one up this weekend and was hoping to use it but I couldn't get the step into the holes! I think the reason is the two holes should be 7" on center vs the 6.5" on the pictured diagram! I did cut the holes 1" round. Any thoughts on using 1/2" plywood to adjust for the slight upward slant users are experiencing or if this wouldn't be strong enough using a different material all together like plastic or aluminum? I wont be able to cut another one up until next weekend so any other input is appreciated!
 

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I think depending on your weight 1/2 inch ply may work fine. You could always laminate a skeletonized piece of plywood to the bottom adding strength where you need it and leaving clearance for the stepp itself. That still leaves you lacking tension. Another thought is to lengthen the part that goes toward the tree and allowing the plywood to become the standoffs against the tree. That should allow you get the rope tighter also. Once you figure the right length you could always reinforce the contact points with a metal corner brace or something. I wish @SteppsbyWildEdgeInc would go ahead and give us a sneak peak at his platform and it would be good enough we could scrap the plywood idea. That way we could focus on other important issues like how to climb 30 feet with a paper clip two rubber bands and some paracord. Without breaking a sweat.
 
Thedevine said:
I finally got to cut one up this weekend and was hoping to use it but I couldn't get the step into the holes! I think the reason is the two holes should be 7" on center vs the 6.5" on the pictured diagram! I did cut the holes 1" round. Any thoughts on using 1/2" plywood to adjust for the slight upward slant users are experiencing or if this wouldn't be strong enough using a different material all together like plastic or aluminum? I wont be able to cut another one up until next weekend so any other input is appreciated!
Click to expand...

I personally plan to stick with 3/4". I think any smaller and I'll crack it. I'm ~180lbs.

Yes the holes needed to be reamed out to fit the step into the board.


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Also the length measurement that is 3.75" in the illustration can be cut down slightly to keep from pushing the step away from the tree.

Still playing with it when I have time in the weekends. I still see potential in this setup and just have make some mods to work on.


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Swampfox said:
I personally plan to stick with 3/4". I think any smaller and I'll crack it. I'm ~180lbs.

Yes the holes needed to be reamed out to fit the step into the board.


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Click to expand...
@Swampfox thanks for taking the reins on this as you seem to be making it work for yourself. I am also like yourself around the 180lb mark so hoping this will work out. Unfortunately i do not see wildedge releasing there platform in time for this season so until then I will be trying to make this work for this year.... and also because i have a bunch of plywood lying around. Are you able to do video of your platform?
 
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EricS said:
...That way we could focus on other important issues like how to climb 30 feet with a paper clip two rubber bands and some paracord. Without breaking a sweat.
Click to expand...

Don't forget rappel down with dental floss too!
 
Thedevine said:
@Swampfox thanks for taking to reins on this as you seem to be making it work for yourself. I like yourself am also around the 180lb mark so hoping this will work out. Unfortunately i do not see wildedge releasing there platform this season so until then I will be trying to make this work for this year and also because i have a bunch of plywood lying around. Are you able to do video of your platform?
Click to expand...

I made a video but it does not show up in the low light. I'm working out of town this week, when I get home I'll make another one. What's the best platform to upload videos nowadays(YouTube?).


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Swampfox said:
I made a video but it does not show up in the low light. I'm working out of town this week, when I get home I'll make another one. What's the best platform to upload videos nowadays(YouTube?).


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Click to expand...
Yes, youtube.
 
Hi guys,

Please do not make a platform with the SteppLadder out of plywood! You are all scaring me! I know you are very excited to see our platform and I cannot wait to show you! I have created the final prototype and I couldn't be happier. Just a few more minor improvements to work on today and then I will be making the jigs so that we can manufacture these. This platform will be made out of steel! NOT PLYWOOD or elmers glue! The theory of using a platform like the one above is proven to fail with the way the stepp cams over. We have developed a platform that works by effortlessly attaching to an existing stepp that is already on the tree.

Stay with me guys!
All my best,
Andrew
 
EricS said:
I think depending on your weight 1/2 inch ply may work fine. You could always laminate a skeletonized piece of plywood to the bottom adding strength where you need it and leaving clearance for the stepp itself. That still leaves you lacking tension. Another thought is to lengthen the part that goes toward the tree and allowing the plywood to become the standoffs against the tree. That should allow you get the rope tighter also. Once you figure the right length you could always reinforce the contact points with a metal corner brace or something. I wish @SteppsbyWildEdgeInc would go ahead and give us a sneak peak at his platform and it would be good enough we could scrap the plywood idea. That way we could focus on other important issues like how to climb 30 feet with a paper clip two rubber bands and some paracord. Without breaking a sweat.
Click to expand...

Eric this last sentence made my morning!
 
To add to the plywood idea I want you guys to know that we have made over 28 prototypes out of 2 different types of steel, 5 different types of plastic and every thickness and composition of metal and plastic you could ever imagine. And the only material I will ever trust is Steel. You cannot and will not beat steel. Our platform will be tested to the limits and I will only sell it when we have proven that the platform can hold atleast 400 pounds. We are working as fast as we can without rushing this! This has been a bigger challenge than I ever thought it would be!


All my best,
Andrew
 
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