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Cut down Hawk Helium failure

I don't think it's right to blame @g2outdoors for anything to do with this. He may have posted videos on how HE modded HIS sticks but when you copy an idea or a mod you are assuming that risk. He didn't sell you those sticks. You modded them yourself. To me it's no different than seeing things on here and trying it yourself. It gets stated a lot on here that it's safest to leave your gear the way it comes. All this is coming from a guy who mods everything, runs 1/16th wall sticks at 220lbs, and cuts crap off his gear to save weight. But if my stuff breaks or I get hurt that's on me. I won't be calling anyone out over it. I'm an adult and I made those choices.
 
It was a site wide saying for years “Milanese it on @g2outdoors no since in stopping now. I will say that video was the first time I have heard anyone say that hawks were cast aluminum. I was thinking an extrusion of some kind but maybe they are cast.
 
It was a site wide saying for years “Milanese it on @g2outdoors no since in stopping now. I will say that video was the first time I have heard anyone say that hawks were cast aluminum. I was thinking an extrusion of some kind but maybe they are cast.

They are an extrusion.....
mine don’t have the milling in them, since they pre-date hawk buying the patent on the extrusion... so, I was able to put my steps wherever the heck I pleased with no concern for strength. :)

I sure as heck would have hit that un-milled spot dead center though if mine had milling. Just feels sturdier that way.


................................................................................All climbing methods, platforms, saddle designs, and/or use of materials possibly mentioned in the post above are not peer reviewed for safety, and should only be used as an example of my own method. Do your own research and testing before becoming confident in any DIY solution to support your life.
-IkemanTx
 
I don't think it's right to blame @g2outdoors for anything to do with this. He may have posted videos on how HE modded HIS sticks but when you copy an idea or a mod you are assuming that risk. He didn't sell you those sticks. You modded them yourself. To me it's no different than seeing things on here and trying it yourself. It gets stated a lot on here that it's safest to leave your gear the way it comes. All this is coming from a guy who mods everything, runs 1/16th wall sticks at 220lbs, and cuts crap off his gear to save weight. But if my stuff breaks or I get hurt that's on me. I won't be calling anyone out over it. I'm an adult and I made those choices.

Your post is absolutely true. That’s why if your going to mod something do your own research you shouldn’t take a strangers word for it on the internet. I’m a firm believer it what Kyle says. Get the idea then go figure out if it’s safe and and do it at your own risk.

It’s even in @IkemanTX signature

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View attachment 18756

Followed the G2 video and got the hole about 1/16" to 1/8" to close to the slot on this step.

Sorry but that's pretty obvious that your hole is far too close to a open space. plenty of room to go right in the middle between the gaps. dont think itll make 2 inches of diff at height? Why did you not fix it?
 
I just recently cut one... I went midway between the slots. It wasn’t the exact measurement I was looking for but made sense.

6784ca0f43344d6611186e53c2a18cf6.jpg



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Mine is not modded and I still tore big chunks out of my hands on the helium steps. They need to settle down with those grips on the steps.


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Agreed. I tried one of my friends Helium’s and I had a sore on my left hand for like a month.
 
I have been offline for a little bit since I originally posted this. I have been fairly busy between work, trying to get a side business going, and things to do at the house. I want to clarify a few things. I am in no way blaming anyone else for my actions. I thought I made it clear that I only had a placement issue with one hole, and that is the step that failed. I said that ME, MYSELF, AND I drilled the hole too close to the slot. In no way did I blame Greg's mod video. I did this at my own risk. when I saw the other video, I noticed how close the step hole was to the slot and I purposely used that stick at the base of the tree so that if it failed (which did happen), I would only drop 2 ft with no serious injuries. I inspect my equipment at the base of the tree before climbing for this very reason. I understand the point that @Aeds151 was trying to make, however I respectfully disagree with the tone he used while making said point.

To @DaveT1963, I used the measurements in the video, and I got off on my measurement by a very small fraction. I posted this to demonstrate what can happen when someone gets a little distracted when modding the last stick. It was in an effort to help everyone be safer and inspect their mods for proper placement. No one was being blamed. I have learned from many members here, yourself included.

I also have a set of Stepps, so those are what I am using until I can redo my sticks. I modded the sticks for a 20" step distance. I looked and I can salvage them by cutting them a little shorter and still get a 16" to 17" step distance and have more space between the screw hole and the milled slot. I joined this site last year before the big boom in new members. I have been interested in saddles since 2009-2010 and finally got around to getting into the saddle game last year. I joined this site because it was different than all of the other hunting forums that I have come across in the past. I love the willingness of members to help new members like myself learn how to do things and add to the knowledge base of the forum. That is what I thought I was doing by showing why precautions need to be considered when diy-ing hunting gear. I will not be drug into a blame and smear fest of other members as I feel @Aeds151 was doing, and I do not want to be misunderstood as accusing anyone else of being the cause of my mistakes. I apologize if I came off as blaming, but I thought I made it clear earlier in the thread.
 
I have been offline for a little bit since I originally posted this. I have been fairly busy between work, trying to get a side business going, and things to do at the house. I want to clarify a few things. I am in no way blaming anyone else for my actions. I thought I made it clear that I only had a placement issue with one hole, and that is the step that failed. I said that ME, MYSELF, AND I drilled the hole too close to the slot. In no way did I blame Greg's mod video. I did this at my own risk. when I saw the other video, I noticed how close the step hole was to the slot and I purposely used that stick at the base of the tree so that if it failed (which did happen), I would only drop 2 ft with no serious injuries. I inspect my equipment at the base of the tree before climbing for this very reason. I understand the point that @Aeds151 was trying to make, however I respectfully disagree with the tone he used while making said point.

To @DaveT1963, I used the measurements in the video, and I got off on my measurement by a very small fraction. I posted this to demonstrate what can happen when someone gets a little distracted when modding the last stick. It was in an effort to help everyone be safer and inspect their mods for proper placement. No one was being blamed. I have learned from many members here, yourself included.

I also have a set of Stepps, so those are what I am using until I can redo my sticks. I modded the sticks for a 20" step distance. I looked and I can salvage them by cutting them a little shorter and still get a 16" to 17" step distance and have more space between the screw hole and the milled slot. I joined this site last year before the big boom in new members. I have been interested in saddles since 2009-2010 and finally got around to getting into the saddle game last year. I joined this site because it was different than all of the other hunting forums that I have come across in the past. I love the willingness of members to help new members like myself learn how to do things and add to the knowledge base of the forum. That is what I thought I was doing by showing why precautions need to be considered when diy-ing hunting gear. I will not be drug into a blame and smear fest of other members as I feel @Aeds151 was doing, and I do not want to be misunderstood as accusing anyone else of being the cause of my mistakes. I apologize if I came off as blaming, but I thought I made it clear earlier in the thread.

i don't think anyone was trying to blame - I didn't read every post but it was obvious from the pic the hole was drilled to close. I center my holes between the cutouts - there is no reason not to as you would only gain perhaps an inch overall moving them closer. Sorry if I came across as blaming you - just don't want to see others repeat the same mistake as it just is not necessary to get that close to the cut outs.

As far as steps being to sharp - don't try Beast sticks - Heliums are very tame compared to them. I don't find them sharp at all.
 
@DaveT1963 If you watch G2's video, he places the holes closer to one slot than the other. I was only off by 1/8" or less. I feel like one post by another member earlier in the thread was accusing G2 and others of being irresponsible towards other members' safety. Honestly, it really is on me even if I placed it properly seeing as I weigh 245 lbs. @g2outdoors looks like he might weigh 200 lbs soaking wet, lol. (No offense Greg since I can stand to lose a few pounds).

As for the Helium's grip, I like it if I don't have a slip and have to hang on, lol.
 
@DaveT1963 If you watch G2's video, he places the holes closer to one slot than the other. I was only off by 1/8" or less. I feel like one post by another member earlier in the thread was accusing G2 and others of being irresponsible towards other members' safety. Honestly, it really is on me even if I placed it properly seeing as I weigh 245 lbs. @g2outdoors looks like he might weigh 200 lbs soaking wet, lol. (No offense Greg since I can stand to lose a few pounds).

As for the Helium's grip, I like it if I don't have a slip and have to hang on, lol.
Greg is closer to 145# lol He's a lean mean dear hunting machine!
 
@DaveT1963 If you watch G2's video, he places the holes closer to one slot than the other. I was only off by 1/8" or less. I feel like one post by another member earlier in the thread was accusing G2 and others of being irresponsible towards other members' safety. Honestly, it really is on me even if I placed it properly seeing as I weigh 245 lbs. @g2outdoors looks like he might weigh 200 lbs soaking wet, lol. (No offense Greg since I can stand to lose a few pounds).

As for the Helium's grip, I like it if I don't have a slip and have to hang on, lol.

Its been a while since I watched G2s video. I modded mine before they were popular so I've always just done it the same way - center my holes between the slots. I can make up minute differences with a longer step up to my CAYG aider.

Unfortunately - there is a lot of the other stuff you mentioned around here anymore - kind of sad. I am not even going to comment on the other video - I recommend contacting Hawk if folks really want to know what the sticks are made from. I still have and sue my original sticks modified since the day they were released not a single problem except I replaced one step that bent over time (all metal fatigues over time and use).
 
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Modifying your gear is dangerous. No one should do it unless you're comfortable taking the risk.

I'm comfortable with my mods, but I only weigh 165 lbs and I regularly inspect my gear.

Sucks that you had a stick fail. Glad you're ok!

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Ok. Ummmmm REALLY. Seriously. It should not take a rocket scientist to figure out that 22" puts you in a spot that isnt as safe as 22 and 1/2" or whatever the exact middle is between the two slots. The old hole is drilled dead center of 2 slots so why wouldnt you think hmmmmmm 22" puts me not dead center so maybe i need to be a little longer then 22" or maybe i should go to the next slot up and in the middle if that half inch is stretching you out to much.

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Modifying your gear is dangerous. No one should do it unless you're comfortable taking the risk.

I'm comfortable with my mods, but I only weigh 165 lbs and I regularly inspect my gear.

Sucks that you had a stick fail. Glad you're ok!

Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
I totally agree and I tested these sticks out before taking them to the woods. The only one that failed was only 1 step and it was at ground level. Lesson learned. Fortunately, the sticks can be salvaged with a shorter step height.

I want you to know I appreciate your videos and that they were instrumental in getting me to try different methods with hunting from a saddle.
 
I totally agree and I tested these sticks out before taking them to the woods. The only one that failed was only 1 step and it was at ground level. Lesson learned. Fortunately, the sticks can be salvaged with a shorter step height.

I want you to know I appreciate your videos and that they were instrumental in getting me to try different methods with hunting from a saddle.
Awesome.

You did exactly the right thing...testing it at ground level. Smart man.

I've had MANY MANY MANY diy ideas fail over the years. That's OK with me. It's all apart of the process.

The scary part about DIY is when people don't do what you did...take their time and test everything. Some want to build something and immediately climb up 30 feet. That's a terrible idea.

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Awesome.

You did exactly the right thing...testing it at ground level. Smart man.

I've had MANY MANY MANY diy ideas fail over the years. That's OK with me. It's all apart of the process.

The scary part about DIY is when people don't do what you did...take their time and test everything. Some want to build something and immediately climb up 30 feet. That's a terrible idea.

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They also think a lineman's belt will prevent a slide to the bottom of the tree when they slip.
 
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