• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Cam over

H

HardCoreHunter

New Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2019
Messages
15
Location
Kennesaw, Ga
I'm making a predator style platform and the top bracket is pulling away from the tree. I'm wondering what are some of the little tricks you have found to get the best cam over? My top bracket is about 1/2" forward of the bottom "V". Placement of the versa button, location of the top bracket in relation to the bottom V, and how wide or narrow the "V" is are the only variables I can think of that would effect how tight the cam over gets. I can keep making parts to experiment with all of that, but thought I would see what input I could get from everyone here first. Another thought that I have is that my platform is larger than the predator, so I will have more forward leverage. Maybe I need the bar that the top bracket attaches to to be taller.
IMG_1836-2.JPG
 
Man that looks sweet! Did you stand on top bracket and pull platform up with toe to really set it well into tree and cam it again? Idk did mention that looks sweet!
 
I got the strap as tight as I could with the platform up, pushed down to set the top bracket, then lowered the platform. Both V's get a good bite. when I stand on the platform the top comes away from the tree. 4#'s without the strap.
 
Could be optical illusion but the button looks really close to the platform(looks like 3-4”) post may need to be a scooch longer. Does your cam buckle slip any? Could be strap stretch or slippage.
 
Its not slipping, but could be stretch. I,ll take a look at that. I think I will make another bar that is longer. I didn't think about the forward leverage until I posted the pics here.
 
I would definitely make the bar longer. Probably the same length as the platform. My predator does pull away from the tree on occasion. Not enough that it effects performance but it does wiggle around. If that doesn’t do it try making your top stand-off a little thicker. It may be sinking in the bark enough that it’s not getting as tight as it could with more surface area. Either way it looks awesome.
 
Nice job. I have watched where, after strapping on platform they stand on bar and pull foot rest up, push down and push down platform. After working in industry and seeing so much metal failure I 'm amazed that something don't break and then they stand on the end. That is a lot pressure on aluminum 20feet up in a tree.
 
Last edited:
Have you tried a ratchet strap to see if its not getting tight enough? Also the button looks a little low on the post to me, I would think with the button being in the cent your getting a rocking motion where if it was closer to the top bracket as Kyler said
 
I built one and had the same problem. I moved the platform to the center of post, with teeth at top and bottom, and now it works well. Predator does not seem to have a very effective cam action design to me.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
I remade the bar yesterday. It's now the same length as the platform with the button a 1\4" above center. It works much better now. I felt like I wanted a platform slightly larger than the predator, that's one of the main reasons I wanted to make my own. Mine is 15" long, 14" tip to tip on the "wings", 13" wide on the main platform area. Predator is basically 12" x12" x10". IMG_1845-3.JPGIMG_1844-3.JPG
 
Looks good. How does the flat bar take side pressure?
 
HardCoreHunter said:
I'm making a predator style platform and the top bracket is pulling away from the tree. I'm wondering what are some of the little tricks you have found to get the best cam over? My top bracket is about 1/2" forward of the bottom "V". Placement of the versa button, location of the top bracket in relation to the bottom V, and how wide or narrow the "V" is are the only variables I can think of that would effect how tight the cam over gets. I can keep making parts to experiment with all of that, but thought I would see what input I could get from everyone here first. Another thought that I have is that my platform is larger than the predator, so I will have more forward leverage. Maybe I need the bar that the top bracket attaches to to be taller.
View attachment 13663
Click to expand...
Man you have a gift...sweet looking DIY platform brother...I believe you just need to stand on the top of the post to get the strap tight enough....Great Job and design
May The Magic of The Whitetail Forever Enrich Your Life
 
Thanks for all the comments. It was a fun project that I hope works well. I have to say, the guys thinking all this stuff up are the real talent. As far as side pressure I stood on the platform all of two minutes. From what I could tell it is rock solid now. But to really know, I'm going to have to use it much more.
 
Nice job

You have some skills


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I got my saddle yesterday and was able to hang in it for several minutes. The platform handles side pressure fine. What I am finding out, is that if you swing around and step on the flat part closest to the tree the platform wants to flip up. I watched several videos and didnt really see guys swinging around to face that direction. Most when needing to make a shot behind them lean back and twist their shoulders, or they stand on the platform and face that direction. Anyone have any experience with this situation?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top