Wild edge step platform

[TNSTAAFL]

Perhaps. I think if you compare the weight and price to the Predator platform, you'll find that doing much beyond the plywood insert isn't worth it (you also might compare the new Out on a Limb saddle platform).

The Predator is about 3.5 lbs and about the same surface area as the Primal plywood platform which typically weighs in at around 3 lbs (including the step). The Predator is $180 while the Primal plywood is $10-$50 depending on what you have to pay for the step, your access to quality plywood, and any surfacing you choose to do (rubber tread, paint, etc.).

These realities leave you only 0.5 pounds and just over $100 of wiggle room to try and beat it out. Granted, that can be a lot of savings and worth it for some. The Out on a Limb platform is less expensive and lighter and shrinks this wiggle room even further.

This leads me to the conclusion that the Primal plywood platform is a great option if you keep the expense/mods to a minimum. It doesn't take long before you might feel that you might as well have bought the commercially available platform.

Related but separate, I think the PPP makes the most sense if you are already using WEs or Primal steps as your climbing method since the platform step can travel in the bag with the others (not the plywood, which goes in or on your backpack). With sticks or other climbing methods you now have this bulky non-foldable platform to carry/store.

My 2 cents.

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[fbwguy]

Perhaps. I think if you compare the weight and price to the Predator platform, you'll find that doing much beyond the plywood insert isn't worth it (you also might compare the new Out on a Limb saddle platform).

The Predator is about 3.5 lbs and about the same surface area as the Primal plywood platform which typically weighs in at around 3 lbs (including the step). The Predator is $180 while the Primal plywood is $10-$50 depending on what you have to pay for the step, your access to quality plywood, and any surfacing you choose to do (rubber tread, paint, etc.).

These realities leave you only 0.5 pounds and just over $100 of wiggle room to try and beat it out. Granted, that can be a lot of savings and worth it for some. The Out on a Limb platform is less expensive and lighter and shrinks this wiggle room even further.

This leads me to the conclusion that the Primal plywood platform is a great option if you keep the expense/mods to a minimum. It doesn't take long before you might feel that you might as well have bought the commercially available platform.

Related but separate, I think the PPP makes the most sense if you are already using WEs or Primal steps as your climbing method since the platform step can travel in the bag with the others (not the plywood, which goes in or on your backpack). With sticks or other climbing methods you now have this bulky non-foldable platform to carry/store.

My 2 cents.

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Excellent summary! I’m in agreement. I looked at it initially as a cheap DIY since I already had bought the Primal steps for cheap and I had the plywood on hand. Convenience at its finest. Today with the lack of Primals available and wait time on WE, not sure I would have taken the same path. Too many other feasible options available. Take the Carbon insert I’m working on. If I had to purchase the carbon fiber and purchase a step for $30 then do the work, I’d opt to purchase a platform or ring of steps, hands down a wiser and possibly safer choice. I’d never discourage the DIY guy, because in fact that’s what I am, but there are easier and cheaper ways to skin this cat.

 

[justin.dunn.77377]

Excellent summary! I’m in agreement. I looked at it initially as a cheap DIY since I already had bought the Primal steps for cheap and I had the plywood on hand. Convenience at its finest. Today with the lack of Primals available and wait time on WE, not sure I would have taken the same path. Too many other feasible options available. Take the Carbon insert I’m working on. If I had to purchase the carbon fiber and purchase a step for $30 then do the work, I’d opt to purchase a platform or ring of steps, hands down a wiser and possibly safer choice. I’d never discourage the DIY guy, because in fact that’s what I am, but there are easier and cheaper ways to skin this cat.

I wanted a couple primal steps anyways for my platform and have 1/4” aluminum plate and plywood laying around the house. I bought two primal steps for $35 and I’ll have to buy a few rivets to hold everything together. Maybe $50 all together. I’m thinking of drilling some holes to lighten the weight too. I think the adding aluminum to the plywood will add strength to it and cutting holes may not hurt.


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[fbwguy]

I wanted a couple primal steps anyways for my platform and have 1/4” aluminum plate and plywood laying around the house. I bought two primal steps for $35 and I’ll have to buy a few rivets to hold everything together. Maybe $50 all together. I’m thinking of drilling some holes to lighten the weight too. I think the adding aluminum to the plywood will add strength to it and cutting holes may not hurt.


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Make sure you post pictures and keep us updated

 

[donnieballgame]

I need to put this on my off season to do list, i have 2 primal steps that i bought last year, i like the idea of cutting out a little to lighten the platform but its not too bad now anyway, keep it up fellas!

Oh and if you have any extra carbon fiber I'll take it lol

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[justin.dunn.77377]

I need to put this on my off season to do list, i have 2 primal steps that i bought last year, i like the idea of cutting out a little to lighten the platform but its not too bad now anyway, keep it up fellas!

Oh and if you have any extra carbon fiber I'll take it lol

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Yeah no kidding!!!! I’ll take some spare carbon fiber too. Ha


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[justin.dunn.77377]

Make sure you post pictures and keep us updated

Yes I will. The steps I ordered for a member won’t be here till Tuesday and I have to go out of town Wednesday. Maybe next weekend I can get it built.


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[Bwhana]

I tried the wood platform again this morning by camming over tight with the rope and adding an ocb strap. Even with the strap, one or both of the points of the step came away from the tree a bit, especially with side pressure. Not worth the effort to me, ordering a Predator.

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[justin.dunn.77377]

I tried the wood platform again this morning by camming over tight with the rope and adding an ocb strap. Even with the strap, one or both of the points of the step came away from the tree a bit, especially with side pressure. Not worth the effort to me, ordering a Predator.

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Did you take any pictures of how you did it? I’m just curious.


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[Bwhana]

No pics, just cammed it over like normal, made sure it was very tight. Then I attached the ocb strap beside the rope attachment points and made it very tight. The board seems to create too much leverage and pulls the 2 prongs away from the tree some. It may be usable for some people (it is not moving more than 1/2 inch), but after testing the Predator and seeing how rock solid it is, I won't settle for less.

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[Bwhana]

Sorry to open an old post, but have a relevant update to this one. I took off the factory WE rope today and replaced it with 1/4" amsteel. This took the step to a new level of solid for me and it will work with the Perch or plywood just fine now. Even though I tried stretching out the WE ropes for over a week on a tree, they still have give in them when more weight is applied. Zero issue with the amsteel!

 

[CZMark]

Thanks for the update.

 

[Red Beard]

Sorry to open an old post, but have a relevant update to this one. I took off the factory WE rope today and replaced it with 1/4" amsteel. This took the step to a new level of solid for me and it will work with the Perch or plywood just fine now. Even though I tried stretching out the WE ropes for over a week on a tree, they still have give in them when more weight is applied. Zero issue with the amsteel!

@Bwhana Did you splice the amsteel onto your WE? Guessing you used a 6ft length to match the original WE rope?

 

[Bwhana]

I did a locked brummel around the bar on the WE just like you would on a saddle loop. I started with 6 ft total and let it end up as is and put a 2 inch bury on the loose end.

John H.

 

[Crockett Hollow]

My plywood platform is a piece of scrap I had leftover in garage, but I think it was an expensive hardwood plywood. It is stiff and heavy. No flex at all by itself. I weigh 215 and it feels solid to me. Hunted all archery on it with no issues. I'm never on it unless I'm tethered so the death defying aspect of it doesn't bother me too much.

Don't take my previous jesting too seriously. The guys on this forum are in the right to express caution and safety first. Don't do anything you can't accept the risk for and extensively test everything you think you can handle at ground level before trusting it at hunting height.

Also, the Primal v-step is far superior to the WE step for this application, simply because the cross bar is mounted lower on the V so a 3/4" board fits in between them level. WE stepps force an upward angle which is akward (but they are great to climb with and Andrew from Wild Edge rocks!). Not sure if/when the Primals will come back available for purchase.

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What's that? Like8 oz?

 

[duckingwork]

Is this safe and will it work? I’m thinking about doing this but adding a aluminum plate backer to the plywood or ever making it out of a solid piece of aluminum.


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So we did this we followed the directions to the tee my son is 180 lbs it broke in 2 uses new 3/4 plywood it was finished ply but do not think it will matter broke where it rear on cross bar

 

[Razorbak66]

Did you add a metal brace underneath? I did that and slightly rounded the edges when I used mine

 

[duckingwork]

No we did not

 

[TommyDee]

@fbwguy , wrapping up my first bow hunting season, used lone wolfs and a Hangon, found myself standing a lot, wishing I had a saddle....joined here, just went in on a latitude setup....

Have a georgeuos piece of maple plywood scrap, so I'm going to politely borrow your design, and practice away on a 2-3 ft platform, I have size 13, so I might go a bit bigger. I don't see the risk factor if I'm using lonewolfs to get up the tree. If the thing fails, I'm swinging over to my steps, right? I guess the issue is you can't side load, but I might get a strap with ROS if I find that a problem, plus I have my lone wolf on one side.

Any reason not to do this to get started/scout/hunt on fair weather winter bow days? I've bought my bow, and now the latitude setup this year, can't afford to buy a commercial platform til next season.

 

[fbwguy]

Go for it, this has been a successful step for several of the old timers on here. I have had no issues on side load. I push off hard from both directions with no movement of the insert. I’m 3 seasons into the same piece of plywood.