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DIY strap on steps

bigcat93 said:
Good idea Red. I use these sticks as well super light and i love how they fold and pack. I have a couple questions for you though.

1. What did you use to cut the sticks, and I assume you sanded the edges as well?
2. Are you going to put anything on the "back" side of the step where it contacts the tree? The middle of these sticks are super slim and I don't see it giving good support or collapsing onto its side.
Click to expand...

I have a carbide tipped blade for a miter saw that I used to cut them. I didn't do anything to the edges yet but I'm going to hit them with a dremel to dull them down.

First I want to remind everyone that I haven't actually hunted with these yet so I don't know how they will hold up. But i did strap them on a couple trees in the backyard and they seemed pretty rugged. I don't plan on doing anything else to it. These sticks are super strong, and even after the cuts it is very solid. I'm not sure how much I really changed the integrity of the stick. The middle of the stick looks like and I'm pretty sure that is where the majority of the strength is coming from.

I will see if I can make another one tonight so I can take more pics for you guys.
 
bigcat93 said:
Good idea Red. I use these sticks as well super light and i love how they fold and pack. I have a couple questions for you though.

1. What did you use to cut the sticks, and I assume you sanded the edges as well?
2. Are you going to put anything on the "back" side of the step where it contacts the tree? The middle of these sticks are super slim and I don't see it giving good support or collapsing onto its side.
Click to expand...


2. is my concern as well. When viewed on the tree, any side loading seems as if it might want to roll over. Even with the flared "wings" on my cranfords, they feel a bit tippy. Unlike a screw in step, the strap just cant get tight enough to make them feel locked. Of course I weigh more than Red. :shock:

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JqZ6eD38rbc/hqdefault.jpg
 
Good point, but hey, at least you bought a set of their sticks!
In a business sense, that has to be worth something, right?
 
kenn1320 said:
2. is my concern as well. When viewed on the tree, any side loading seems as if it might want to roll over. Even with the flared "wings" on my cranfords, they feel a bit tippy. Unlike a screw in step, the strap just cant get tight enough to make them feel locked. Of course I weigh more than Red. :shock:

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JqZ6eD38rbc/hqdefault.jpg
Click to expand...

Based on our previous conversations, I think I am getting my strap tighter than you. I completely agree with you that if you do not get the thing tightened down enough then it will want to turn and maybe roll over. I can get the boat buckle tight enough that this is not an issue for me. I am going to make a video when I get a chance to show you how tight I really get it. Sometimes I have to fight it a bit or really work it over, but it ends up being really tight.
 
Scott F said:
Good point, but hey, at least you bought a set of their sticks!
In a business sense, that has to be worth something, right?
Click to expand...
lol. In this world where the lawyers run the show, I don't think it is!
 
redsquirrel said:
kenn1320 said:
2. is my concern as well. When viewed on the tree, any side loading seems as if it might want to roll over. Even with the flared "wings" on my cranfords, they feel a bit tippy. Unlike a screw in step, the strap just cant get tight enough to make them feel locked. Of course I weigh more than Red. :shock:

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JqZ6eD38rbc/hqdefault.jpg
Click to expand...

Based on our previous conversations, I think I am getting my strap tighter than you. I completely agree with you that if you do not get the thing tightened down enough then it will want to turn and maybe roll over. I can get the boat buckle tight enough that this is not an issue for me. I am going to make a video when I get a chance to show you how tight I really get it. Sometimes I have to fight it a bit or really work it over, but it ends up being really tight.
Click to expand...

Maybe your getting it tighter than me, but I guarantee your not putting 240lbs on them when you stand either. :shock: In all fairness Im testing them more so with my weight than actual hunting situation where the saddle is holding up some of my weight. However I use a low hook up, so they are seeing a lot of the weight. I'm not saying they are junk, they work great, but they arent in the same league as a screw in if that makes sense? Maybe my expectations are too high? Im going to build a Dave platform for my state land set up and that should keep me happy(till he comes up with something better :lol: ).
 
You have got about 55 pounds on me so you're right about that. I guess nothing is in the same league as a screw in... but when I get my platform setup right with the boat buckle, I never would notice the difference while I'm hunting. Anyways, I don't mean to be pushing it so hard, it is just working so well for me that I want to help and make it work just as good for you!
 
Ok so I made a couple more steps tonight. These ones ended up being a little bit shorter than the first one due to the locations of the slots, I guess that is something I didn't anticipate at first. I don't think it will be a problem but I didn't get a chance to actually test them. They are .04 pounds lighter than my first one and I might end up liking them more.

Here are some photos of the process. The last one just shows them next to a couple other steps for reference.
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so you take out the folding steps, cut to length, and then you repositioned the holes and put them back together?
 
bigcat93 said:
so you take out the folding steps, cut to length, and then you repositioned the holes and put them back together?
Click to expand...

Pretty much, yes.
 
Red, what are the approximate dimensions of the main bar (the long section) before you cut it? I have some field and stream sticks that are almost identical, except they don't have cutouts.

32f65c39eaa7c59581d06bba3e03d81c.jpg
 
boone, I'll look when I get home tonight. Any idea how you would put the slots in? I have another project I'm working on where I am milling slots in aluminum but I wouldn't call it easy.
 
Re: RE: Re: DIY strap on steps

boone0 said:
Red, what are the approximate dimensions of the main bar (the long section) before you cut it? I have some field and stream sticks that are almost identical, except they don't have cutouts.

Click to expand...
Boone, any chance you want to sell one of those sticks? Pm me if interested.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
I might, but if you're looking at this project you would be better off buying the helium sticks because the field and stream ones dont have slots for a strap.

Not sure if I am going to tackle trying to mill slots. For 1" it might not be too bad to drill some holes and connect with a file, but it definitely wouldn't be fast.

Also red, next time you have three steps from the ladder (not your whole assembly) unattached to anything, stack them on top of each other. Now keeping the middle two aligned, rotate out the third one. I think you could line up existing screw holes and use the middle step as a step, with the two outer ones used as a base. It would require more hardware but less drilling/milling. Sorry if this thought isn't clear, I don't have a pic right now. Will mess around more later maybe and snap a pic of what I am trying to say.
 
See the funny part is that I want to machine my own slots. I have a machine shop at work, and I would move the slot further back so there wouldn't be a sharp edge for the strap. I would put the slot exactly where the two boxes end. Another idea is to cut some teeth into the side that faces the tree to minimize slipping. Here is my first attempt at cutting teeth into a square tube.
d0abded2e9e8f5407a9ebadd81b306d7.jpg


Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
Are the holes on the top and bottom the same distance from the edge? i.e. can you flip the top steps over and they still lock ok? Then you could at least use the top and bottom sections to make two steps without drilling new holes.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
boone0 said:
I might, but if you're looking at this project you would be better off buying the helium sticks because the field and stream ones dont have slots for a strap.

Not sure if I am going to tackle trying to mill slots. For 1" it might not be too bad to drill some holes and connect with a file, but it definitely wouldn't be fast.

Also red, next time you have three steps from the ladder (not your whole assembly) unattached to anything, stack them on top of each other. Now keeping the middle two aligned, rotate out the third one. I think you could line up existing screw holes and use the middle step as a step, with the two outer ones used as a base. It would require more hardware but less drilling/milling. Sorry if this thought isn't clear, I don't have a pic right now. Will mess around more later maybe and snap a pic of what I am trying to say.
Click to expand...

Do you mean to use just 3 step portions to create an entire step?
 
Erniepower said:
See the funny part is that I want to machine my own slots. I have a machine shop at work, and I would move the slot further back so there wouldn't be a sharp edge for the strap. I would put the slot exactly where the two boxes end. Another idea is to cut some teeth into the side that faces the tree to minimize slipping. Here is my first attempt at cutting teeth into a square tube.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
With access to a mill I would move the slots back also. But I don't think they will be a problem where they are.
 
Erniepower said:
Are the holes on the top and bottom the same distance from the edge? i.e. can you flip the top steps over and they still lock ok? Then you could at least use the top and bottom sections to make two steps without drilling new holes.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Are you referring to the rop and bottom of the entire stick?
 
Re: RE: Re: DIY strap on steps

redsquirrel said:
boone0 said:
I might, but if you're looking at this project you would be better off buying the helium sticks because the field and stream ones dont have slots for a strap.

Not sure if I am going to tackle trying to mill slots. For 1" it might not be too bad to drill some holes and connect with a file, but it definitely wouldn't be fast.

Also red, next time you have three steps from the ladder (not your whole assembly) unattached to anything, stack them on top of each other. Now keeping the middle two aligned, rotate out the third one. I think you could line up existing screw holes and use the middle step as a step, with the two outer ones used as a base. It would require more hardware but less drilling/milling. Sorry if this thought isn't clear, I don't have a pic right now. Will mess around more later maybe and snap a pic of what I am trying to say.
Click to expand...

Do you mean to use just 3 step portions to create an entire step?
Click to expand...
Exactly! On the road now but I will take a pic later.
 
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