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I don't wanna speak for Tom, but it seemed like he was referring to huge hang on tree stand platforms.....but I'm wrong on a daily basis.....
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DIY Saddle Platform
- Thread starter smokeeter
- Start date
I don't wanna speak for Tom, but it seemed like he was referring to huge hang on tree stand platforms.....but I'm wrong on a daily basis.....
I hear you...can't please everyone.
I'll tell you where my mind is right now about saddles and platforms. I don't anticipate that I will ever stop using a saddle. So versatile, safe, and mostly comfortable. But I'm primarily an all-day hunter during the "serious days". But after about 8 hours of a 11-12 hour hunt in even a comfortable saddle, I would really like to take a break and sit on a seat for a little while. Heck, I'd need a break after sitting in a Lazyboy for 8 hours. I'm liking the idea of a hybrid type deal...saddle most of the day and sit occasionally.
I cut my teeth with Screaming Eaglet stands (Eaglet is smaller than the Eagle). IMO, they are the perfect size. But they are steel and by today's standards, they are pretty heavy. I modified mine...removed the chain and use a daisy chain, and changed the cables to whoopee slings. SE's are a great design, but I really like the old Andy Stand design, like the style that you are designing. That design, measuring roughly 17" deep and 19" wide would basically mimic the Eaglet's platform size. But the Eaglet's frame/standoff puts it another ~6" off the tree. so actually, the farthest point from the tree measures 22.5". The extra 5"-6" off of the tree that the frame creates is lost real estate. The "Andy" design would essentially have the same footprint but the entire surface would be usable.
What is "too large"? That's hard to answer. There are times that there's not enough space even for my Eaglet to fit. I love cover around me. Multi trunk trees are fantastic, providing there's enough space to set the stand. Some of the properties that I hunt are loaded with multi-trunked maples. I'd rather have a smaller platform (Eaglet sized) that fits those situations than a platform as large as a dance floor.
Correct, I was talking about the size of conventional hang-ons. But the size of the larger saddle platforms would be much more desirable if that size was incorporated in an "Andy style" design because of the 100% usable surface.
Oh, I forgot to add something to my post #22...
I'd like to see the @Samcirrus stand have a seat component available. Something that would be easily detached or maybe not even part of the platform itself...maybe just a strap-on to the tree type deal. I made some similar to our Andy stands out of 5/4" deck boards they worked well, but the size of them were just too small. I think the concept was a good one.
If you guys designed a small-moderately sized (somewhat packable) stand under 5#, in the Andy style, with some sort of removable, or "stand-alone" seat, you'd have something that I think everyone (but the die-hard ROS guys) would like. The platform being 100% usable would allow turning for weak side shots, and also could be converted/used as a small conventional hang-on. Put me down for a couple......
I'd like to see the @Samcirrus stand have a seat component available. Something that would be easily detached or maybe not even part of the platform itself...maybe just a strap-on to the tree type deal. I made some similar to our Andy stands out of 5/4" deck boards they worked well, but the size of them were just too small. I think the concept was a good one.
If you guys designed a small-moderately sized (somewhat packable) stand under 5#, in the Andy style, with some sort of removable, or "stand-alone" seat, you'd have something that I think everyone (but the die-hard ROS guys) would like. The platform being 100% usable would allow turning for weak side shots, and also could be converted/used as a small conventional hang-on. Put me down for a couple......
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- Jan 17, 2019
- Messages
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i have had a similar thought
separate little seat that straps to tree above the platform but can be set at whatever height or not brought at all
similar to a climber’s 2 pieces but not climbing
I still have 3 stands like those. LOL. They just hang in the shed to remind us of the, ummm, good ol days.
Back in the 70's we made treestands from 3/4 conduit for the frame and welded expanded metal on top w/a leg exactly like that. We used chain to secure to tree. They were not as light as aluminum stands but cheap to make a very stable.
If there is one weak issue with Andy designs is the question of side pressure when used with saddles.
The finished size of the platform might dictate how well it handles side pressure. I have 2 sizes of my diy Andy stands. The short one in the earlier photos handles side pressure fairly well. But I also have my older Andies from my pre saddle days that are twice as deep in length. Those do not handle side pressure as well. It's easily solved with a 2nd strap placed down at the support post.
Also, there are 2 ways to set an Andy...cam it up or cam it down. I cammed down for a long time before my buddy said if they are cammed up, they will remain tight on the tree when unweighted. If cammed down, they will want to lift slightly when unweighted. In that case, the user will need to make sure the post remains oriented correctly before they step onto the platform.
The finished size of the platform might dictate how well it handles side pressure. I have 2 sizes of my diy Andy stands. The short one in the earlier photos handles side pressure fairly well. But I also have my older Andies from my pre saddle days that are twice as deep in length. Those do not handle side pressure as well. It's easily solved with a 2nd strap placed down at the support post.
Also, there are 2 ways to set an Andy...cam it up or cam it down. I cammed down for a long time before my buddy said if they are cammed up, they will remain tight on the tree when unweighted. If cammed down, they will want to lift slightly when unweighted. In that case, the user will need to make sure the post remains oriented correctly before they step onto the platform.
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Yes.. CAM up is THE only way! Oh boy I'm gonna get in trouble if I say more...lol.
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Will look into it!
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- Apr 14, 2020
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Good to know....that's the size I'm after.
There was no camming our's per se because they had a chain/boom attachment. Like @Blacksmith, ours were 3/4 conduit support but 3/4" marine plywood tops. When you added the chain and boom, they weighted 25-30 pounds. Felt like 60 to me as young teenager. They were a real blast to try to hang from screw in steps while not being attached to the tree. I much preferred my Baker to hanging those things.
I don't understand your description... we always used chain around the tree but what do you mean by a "boom"?
I think windwalker dimensions are probably about as big or small as you'd want for comfort during periodic "sits". The challenge I think would be getting the weight significantly lower than it is already. Not easy to get the same stiffness out of composites while maintaining more or less the same amount of real estate and save much in weight. Would be expensive too.
I've had a WW for about 20yrs or so. If it didn't require the extra ratchet or cam-buckle strap to hold the bottom in place I'd probably use it more often and save my platforms for all but the really long carry's.
You obviously can't sit with it, but I picked up a Latitude Rebel on sale this year and like it a lot so far. At under 3lbs its hard to beat. I can suspend myself in a sitting position in my saddle plenty long enough to give my legs and feet a break from leaning. So this checks all the boxes for me whether I'm out for a few hours or all day.
I've had a WW for about 20yrs or so. If it didn't require the extra ratchet or cam-buckle strap to hold the bottom in place I'd probably use it more often and save my platforms for all but the really long carry's.
You obviously can't sit with it, but I picked up a Latitude Rebel on sale this year and like it a lot so far. At under 3lbs its hard to beat. I can suspend myself in a sitting position in my saddle plenty long enough to give my legs and feet a break from leaning. So this checks all the boxes for me whether I'm out for a few hours or all day.
Yep. I guess no one had any fall restraint back then. It's a wonder we didn't all die.
Chain was bolted to the platform on one side and the boom was bolted on the other side. Throw chain around the tree, hook a link and close the boom. That son of a gun was not going anywhere.
Mine had a dog chain( Rated I think at 41 KN,,,ha) I had a small hook welded to the right side and hooked the chain into it. I bet they never slipped w/that binder on em. Side pressure would hold a truck but we didn't know any better. Now we're trying to save 2 oz on a pc of Amsteel.
YIKES! No wonder that sucker was heavy.
If you cammed it then you wouldn't have needed that.
I swapped out the chain with Amsteel daisy chain and it works great. I got rid of the noise and some weight but my steel platform is still too heavy. It's okay for pre sets but I'd sure like to have a lightweight version for run and gun. Looks like I might need to start hunting public in the near future so I'm looking for options that aren't ros.
I have no idea what the rating was for ours but would think you could pick up an F250. Prolly at least 7-8 pounds of chain LOL. I will try to remember to take some pics next trip to camp.