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The Wraptor

Mag1 said:
Thanks. is that stitch only in the bottom loop, and the top one floats, or are both sets of loops (one continueous) sewn? sorry for all the questions.
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That stitch is thru what would be thought of as the bottom 2 strands in those pics but its all one continuous unit...the 2 that form the section that goes under your butt are the same that form the top. But those 2 strands also become the top 2 strands after they go thru the loops.
So, the bottom is a unit, and the top is a unit, but since they are attached to each other and fluid thru the loops, they will self adjust to how you sit (or lean) in the sling. If you sit, you require more webbing under you, so the top slips thru the loops. If you lean, you need less webbing under you (and more above) so the "slack" adjusts to the upper section. There is always total body support with this design.
If they straps terminated at the hips, then the size of the 2 sections would be fixed. If you sat, then the top would not pull snug against your lower back. The top would hang loose and flop down. You want the 2 sections to move together thru the loops.
This is hard to convey, but trust me...we tried both designs and this is what you want. You don't want the sections to terminate at the hips.

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Thanks, that is what I was thinking but it was hard to know for sure. Makes perfect sense. I think after my buddie does his, i May need to remake mine. lol
 
Finally got the 15-91 setup, and my DIY Wraptor 2 is started. this is a disease. LOL I am using the Fusion Bent Slotted D-ring's on this one. I like how they setup. I am using the V-92 thread from sailrite. The Treehooper demo video was very helpful in getting the web routing down correctly along with an interesting explanation for the leg loops. I am not sure yet if I will add them, but have made allowances to add them later. I am not sure yet if I will use my battle belt on this setup, or leave that with my 1st one and let my daughter use that one. I have 2 buddies waiting to see how it turns out. it might be a busy summer. will post pics once done.
 
I haven't sat in a tree with it yet, but I do like the bent d-rings as they open up the setup. Not sure if that makes sense. The circular rings worked fine as well. I did notice on the Wraptor2 that the OP is working on, doesn't use any rings, its more like the conventional commercial saddles for the hook up. He attaches the bridge directly to the straps.
 
Mag1 said:
I haven't sat in a tree with it yet, but I do like the bent d-rings as they open up the setup. Not sure if that makes sense. The circular rings worked fine as well. I did notice on the Wraptor2 that the OP is working on, doesn't use any rings, its more like the conventional commercial saddles for the hook up. He attaches the bridge directly to the straps.
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Thanks. Do you have pics of your saddle and the modifications you made?
 
not yet, I'll see if I can get some up later. it is not finished yet. I do not have a belt/molle loops/leg straps on it yet. not much time to work on it yet. working from home, I'm actually busier then when I was in the office. LOL
 
Mag1 said:
I haven't sat in a tree with it yet, but I do like the bent d-rings as they open up the setup. Not sure if that makes sense. The circular rings worked fine as well. I did notice on the Wraptor2 that the OP is working on, doesn't use any rings, its more like the conventional commercial saddles for the hook up. He attaches the bridge directly to the straps.
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On my Yellow Jacket (tm) saddle, for 4 inch webbing, I folded the edges together and sewed the edges together then folded them again and sewed the edges again to be able to clip a carabiner. It eliminates clinking at that point. I guess a single fold for 2 inch webbing would work.
 
Here’s a couple of pics of my ver. 2. Not finished, but usable as is. On my spacers, they are attached to the top webbing, and the bottom ones are able to slide.4722C15B-348C-4DED-841B-7CADD93509D6.jpegA0B3AD25-774C-44FB-9FD9-840B4AE75C8B.jpeg
 
Finally making it back to this thread after building my own version of the Wraptor last year for an update.

First hunt from the saddle last season was a memorable one, I killed a mature 7pt that required a shot directly behind me with a bow- only my second mature buck with a bow, and it was an awesome experience.

I went back and forth between my saddle and my XOP hang on throughout the season, sometimes leaving one set in an area I wanted to return to and using the other, or just picking based on the trees I expected to find. Ultimately, I found my Wraptor to be much more comfortable and by the end of the season, I was only using it when not hunting from a preset.

My own feedback here, this being my first venture into saddle hunting, was that I needed some molle loops so I could add dump pouches for my ropes- it was a bit of a mess trying to carry my tether over one shoulder, my platform over the other, and place my sticks going up the tree. Once I was set, everything was super comfortable and very enjoyable, but it was a lot of work getting there. Seeing the real need for this tool, I just invested in a Phantom with two Sys Haulers for the coming season- this will allow me to design and perfect my "system" of climbing and setting up (which will now also include climbing spurs) and also gives my wife a bit of a warm/fuzzy feeling as we have a 6 week old son now and she wasn't crazy about me swinging around 20ft up in something that I pieced together and had a cobbler, well, cobble together.

I'll still be holding onto my Wraptor as a backup/loaner saddle, and can already see using it for times when I'm jumping into my spurs to cut limbs around presets or hang cameras on public due to the light weight and packability.

Thanks to the OP and everyone that has added to this thread, it's pretty cool to see what it's become, and I wouldn't have killed this buck without your help.


deer and me1.jpgDeer skull1.jpg
 
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J Gilbert said:
Finally making it back to this thread after building my own version of the Wraptor last year for an update.

First hunt from the saddle last season was a memorable one, I killed a mature 7pt that required a shot directly behind me with a bow- only my second mature buck with a bow, and it was an awesome experience.
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Congrats on good buck using your own saddle! I wish more would try making them, at worse case, you gain a better understanding of what goes into the commercial options and it helps you figure out what you really like before spending more. There are really good commercial options out there now too, almost can't go wrong.

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Bwhana said:
Congrats on good buck using your own saddle! I wish more would try making them, at worse case, you gain a better understanding of what goes into the commercial options and it helps you figure out what you really like before spending more. There are really good commercial options out there now too, almost can't go wrong.

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I definitely agree, and I wouldn't mind getting a thread injector down the road to play with making another myself and to be able to customize add-ons as needed; if I'd been able to make it similar to the Recon Sling by adding the molle loops and figuring out a better waist belt, and felt great about the sewing in place, I really don't think I'd have purchased a new commercial saddle. Given how simple it is to design and make your own (with the proper tools and knowledge), I definitely expect to be back down this road in the future.

Thanks again for your help!
 
Hey guys, it's been awhile. I am almost complete with my saddle, just getting ready to add some loops for gear. I bought two dump pouches from Dan-O but thought it might be a good idea to add some gear/Molle loops on the back of the saddle for hang stuff off of while climbing (climbing sticks or a pull rope). Have you guys found that having loops on your DIY saddles are beneficial and if so what size?
 
Always good to have loops available to hang stuff. I prefer a loose molle loop so it's easier to slide carabiners on them when your weight is in the saddle. As far as size, it's your call but 1.5" wide is about the standard.
 
slonstdy said:
Always good to have loops available to hang stuff. I prefer a loose molle loop so it's easier to slide carabiners on them when your weight is in the saddle. As far as size, it's your call but 1.5" wide is about the standard.
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Good points for anyone adding them. You may want to use a combination of a few standard, tight molle loops with some bigger, looser loops. Some attachments work better or are designed for the standards, so it won't hurt to have both bases covered. Except for a few people I've seen post on here, most will never use all of the loops anyway!
 
Bwhana said:
Good points for anyone adding them. You may want to use a combination of a few standard, tight molle loops with some bigger, looser loops. Some attachments work better or are designed for the standards, so it won't hurt to have both bases covered. Except for a few people I've seen post on here, most will never use all of the loops anyway!
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I put them on a couple of saddles but have never used them. Good advice from Bwhana here. Lately I have left them off of the last couple of saddles I made.

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I sat in my 2nd wraptor with the Bent D-rings. it worked perfect on Saturday. I spent 6 hrs on a rainy Saturday afternoon. It was the most comfortable one I have been in. No ride up, overall worked great, but I have figured out my tether height already. I also used an Scout platform on my beast sticks with an ROS. works pretty nice. I seen 2 deer, heard 2 more, and missed a gimme shot at a doe at 15yds. right over her back.

I have been playing around with the idea of one more at some point without the metal D-rings, but I am not sure yet. John Eberhart has a video on his you tube channel explaining the benefits of actually having the metal D-ring vs not. I don't know enough as to know which way would be better or not. I have a buddy who made a wraptor a few weeks back, but with no rings. he hasn't been in a tree yet with it, and another buddy is buying a latitude once the larger size one comes out. so it will be interesting to compare.
 
Bwhana said:
Jerry (@always89y) has started a great video series started on how to make these and the added features of various slings for the DIY guys out there and is doing a much better job than I did without video capabilities! Good stuff, be sure to check them out: http://www.saddlehunter.com/community/index.php?posts/428903
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Thanks for the plug John! I'm pretty sure the Wraptor brought the sling back to the forefront and lead to the production of several very nice commercial saddles.

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What is this alternate name stuff?
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