MWragg
New Member
Something everyone should remember. It can't be said enough.anytime we “mod” products we do it at our own risk.
Something everyone should remember. It can't be said enough.anytime we “mod” products we do it at our own risk.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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.
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.
@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.
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.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
Awesome.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.
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
Correct.They also think a lineman's belt will prevent a slide to the bottom of the tree when they slip.