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Xop platform

OK, here is the platform using amsteel. I spliced both ends for the platform, so only adjustment is the notches in the platform itself. I spliced the cam over rope to the platform and use a Jim Stepp style knot on the far side.



I ran into my first issue with this platform. Im not sure why I tried to put my knees against the tree, but luckily I did. The I-beam is too long to allow your knees to rest against the tree. Im 6'2", so most people will have this problem. Not sure Im gonna be happy about that on long sits.

 
If you have to have your knees on tree, cut the ibeam to your desired length, ditch the adjustable section part, use a whoopee sling, run it through any of the openings you want on I beam to make platform adjustments instead...... just try to keep a 45 degree angle. This one's free I'll have to charge ya next time :)
 
Thanks but it probably cost half of a new one just to ship it and xop has free shipping.
Ive got the youth hunt with my son this weekend so all my modifying is on hold.
 
Platform worked great. I found that I could rest one knee on it without much trouble. Only problem i had was a brain fart at 20ft up the tree. For the life of me i couldn't remember the darn Stepp knot. I finally got it, but boy was I frustrated. I wasnt hunting, so can't comment on really "using" it.
 
kenn1320 said:
Platform worked great. I found that I could rest one knee on it without much trouble. Only problem i had was a brain fart at 20ft up the tree. For the life of me i couldn't remember the darn Stepp knot. I finally got it, but boy was I frustrated. I wasnt hunting, so can't comment on really "using" it.
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You were like Harry in the Jim Stepp video on Youtube:)
 
Waymore said:
You were like Harry in the Jim Stepp video on Youtube:)
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Likely 10x worse. I couldn't believe how many trys it took on 2 separate days. Funny once you watch their video on it, piece of cake.
 
I had posted this in another thread, felt it should also go with this thread.

Let me say this isnt exact as I am standing on digital scale and subtracting from my original weight. I checked my weight several times, then checked with the platform. I checked my weight 2 more times and lost .4lbs so again, not exact.
Platform with LW buckle/strap and amsteel rope ready to hunt was 5.4lbs
Sticks with 8 or 9mm rope(76" long) sticks cut down to 21" between steps with 2 bungees ready to hunt was 7.6lbs
Platform & Sticks held at same time was 12.4lbs (using weights above should of been 13lbs even, so again not exact)
Shoulder straps and the raptor strap will add a little more weight, but make carrying it effortless.
 
kenn1320 said:
Platform worked great. I found that I could rest one knee on it without much trouble. Only problem i had was a brain fart at 20ft up the tree. For the life of me i couldn't remember the darn Stepp knot. I finally got it, but boy was I frustrated. I wasnt hunting, so can't comment on really "using" it.
Click to expand...


I've got my platform assembled but with just accessory cord for the leveling rope and an xop strap for the cam over. Seems pretty sturdy but I'm getting a lot of wiggle between the platform and I-beam. The wiggle is causing my cam over strap to work itself loose. I don't want to tighten the bolt much more because it's gonna start crushing the washers
 
Wlog said:
I've got my platform assembled but with just accessory cord for the leveling rope and an xop strap for the cam over. Seems pretty sturdy but I'm getting a lot of wiggle between the platform and I-beam. The wiggle is causing my cam over strap to work itself loose. I don't want to tighten the bolt much more because it's gonna start crushing the washers
Click to expand...

Yep the hole in the beam is larger than the bolt, but the ears on the seat fit the bolt perfect. Im out of time, or Id fix mine. I dont think we could drill it to 5/16, so ill either look at metric or press a steel tube in the beam and drill it out to 1/4 to match the seat.
 
Well I made another mod and happy with it, so Ill share it. I have gone to a 3 step aider on my first stick and single aider on the other 2 sticks. I used to be able to set the first 2 sticks from the ground, so this changed the game. I got out the sewing awl and sewed loops on the tail ends of my shoulder straps. I picked up some small S biners and hooked one on each strap. The Hawk sticks have slots milled to lighten them, which is perfect for hooking with the S biner. This allows me to climb and the sticks dont swing around and are easily in reach given their location. Works awesome.



 
That's pretty slick. Do you wear a backpack in normally? I need to come up with something better for my muddy aero sticks. I use the gear loops on my saddle but they can be a pain when I'm on the ground where I'm only 5'10. Something like this would get them up higher and make them easier to grab.
 
No back pack. I cut my gear weight down and enjoy the easy walking and lack of clutter in the tree. I dont film, and carry everything i need in pockets(which isnt much). Head lamp and grunt call i wear like a neckless. I use those hawk bow hooks which are sweet by the way. They come with a carabiner and i hang one on each side of my rc. I use one for my bow and the other to hold my tether height.
 
Well time for an update. I bent the 1/4-20 bolt bad enough it was hard to remove it. Drilled out the seat to accept a 5/16 bolt. The I-beam didn't look like it would handle being drilled out that large due to factory hole location. I picked up a 3/8 hex nut and cut its width down to same size as the I-beam. I bought an angle bracket and cut it to create 2 pieces of flat stock. I drilled each with a 5/16 bit. I then taped off any gaps and filled in the cavity with jb weld. I put the other side plate on and clamped it over night. This mod has allowed me to eliminate the support ropes and use the adjustable function of the factory bolt. I feel the platform flex, but it hasn't bent yet.



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That looks great. I looked at the seats I had here and found that they aren't all drilled the same by XOP. The spray painted one is a lot more centered in the flange, and I would have no fears in drilling it out to 5/16. The other one is way too close to the edge for me to feel comfortable drilling out.
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Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
Wow anyone ever heard of quality control? Lol Mine wasnt as good as the one on left, but way better than one on right. I did have some concern and if I had access to a mill, I would have offset machined the hole a bit.
 
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