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DIY Wild Edge/Tree Suit Hybrid

G

GBailey77

New Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2017
Messages
28
Location
Plant City, FL.
Finally had some free time this weekend from my crazy work schedule to fab up this prototype I have been rolling around in my head. It was Rock solid once it locked down with a Whoopie Sling (used bright green only for pictures). Even when side loaded on this small diameter tree, it literally did not budge. Those are size 13 mud masher's and I'm 205lbs for reference. Gotta make a few tweaks to the location of the hooks sling attaches to and try to shave the weight a little on the next one (3.1lbs with rope). I think I can get some where between 2 to 2.5lbs. All in all pretty pleased with the 1st prototype.Screenshot_20190429-120612.pngScreenshot_20190429-120602.pngScreenshot_20190429-120607.pngScreenshot_20190429-120617.pngScreenshot_20190429-120621.pngScreenshot_20190429-120625.png
 
That's a great platform. Nice work. Do you think there's a way to hinge the lower support so it could fold flat? You figure that out, and you're into something very very nice!

Congrats.
 
kyler1945 said:
That's a great platform. Nice work. Do you think there's a way to hinge the lower support so it could fold flat? You figure that out, and you're into something very very nice!

Congrats.
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I actually do have an idea to make one very similar that will fold flat as well. Just wanted to get one slapped together and on a tree so I went with this one first.
 
Nice! If this is just a protoype, I can't imagine how sweet looking the real thing will be!

So, do you mean this to attach the same way a WE step does? By camming it down? If so, I am wondering if the 4 point of contacts on your prototype will be a hindrance on some trees? I feel like the 3 points on the WE step is part of why it works on most trees.
 
pesqimon said:
Nice! If this is just a protoype, I can't imagine how sweet looking the real thing will be!

So, do you mean this to attach the same way a WE step does? By camming it down? If so, I am wondering if the 4 point of contacts on your prototype will be a hindrance on some trees? I feel like the 3 points on the WE step is part of why it works on most trees.
Click to expand...
There is no means of adjustment so it will have to be a relatively straight tree. There four points of contact shine is if it’s not quite tight enough and the top standoffs pull away it’s still relatively stable. With three points of contact if the top two pull away it’s down to one point of contact and at that point it’s a balancing act at best. You don’t encounter that problem climbing because the leverage isn’t there to pull the standoffs away from the tree. I kind of expect that to be the number one complaint of the perch platform but it really isn’t that large so time will tell.
 
Yes, it cams over but with a Whoopie Sling instaed of the knot (just my personal preferance). As for the four ponits of contact I do loose means of leveling but it makes it so solid to the tree and the side loading is rock solid. I was actually swinging off my teather and letting my full force contact the side as I came back to the platform and could not get it to break free from the tree. I have a few things I want tweak but I posted it for you guys to beat it up first. New eyes and the thoughts they bring can always stimulate a better direction.

pesqimon said:
Nice! If this is just a protoype, I can't imagine how sweet looking the real thing will be!

So, do you mean this to attach the same way a WE step does? By camming it down? If so, I am wondering if the 4 point of contacts on your prototype will be a hindrance on some trees? I feel like the 3 points on the WE step is part of why it works on most trees.
Click to expand...
 
I think your design looks good. It wouldn’t be that hard to make it pivot for flat packing but that’s up to you. I wasn’t being critical of the lack of a leveling feature. You could add a thumb screw to both sides on the bottom and get quite a bit of adjustment but it would take away from the simplicity of the design and make folding(should you pursue that) more complicated that it has to be. Hard learners aren’t that comfortable even with the platform level.
 
Finally got a little bit of extra time to get get started on the folding version (1st attempt). It tipped the scale at 2.5lbs and was pretty solid when side loaded. It's hard to tell from the picture but this is not a straight tree and it leveled up fine. Platform is 16"wide x 11"deep. The para cord that is vertical and going around the tree is only to prevent the bottom from kicking out. I tried to get it to kick out without it and couldn't but a little insurance never hurts.
 

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kyler1945 said:
how does it cam with the rope under the platform?
Click to expand...
It's the opposite of how you would a WE step. With the stand flat against the tree ( the "V" up and the support legs down) place the Whoopie sling around the tree. Lift the front of the stand while bringing the support legs up under it. As it goes up the rope gets tight and bites the stand in the tree. Once it is level just stop pushing up, the force pulling on the Whoopie sling from the attachment points literally drives the teeth on the support legs into the tree (picture doesn't show the teeth). To remove reverse. I guess it technically is not a "Cam over" more of pushing to the point of and stop. You could hang it the same as the first one I did and Cam it over but since this one folds up flat, this way is much easier.
 
GBailey77 said:
It's the opposite of how you would a WE step. With the stand flat against the tree ( the "V" up and the support legs down) place the Whoopie sling around the tree. Lift the front of the stand while bringing the support legs up under it. As it goes up the rope gets tight and bites the stand in the tree. Once it is level just stop pushing up, the force pulling on the Whoopie sling from the attachment points literally drives the teeth on the support legs into the tree (picture doesn't show the teeth). To remove reverse. I guess it technically is not a "Cam over" more of pushing to the point of and stop. You could hang it the same as the first one I did and Cam it over but since this one folds up flat, this way is much easier.
Click to expand...

Folks this is what's known as intellectual property. Good on you to share it with all of us....I think you're on to something pretty damn brilliant here my man. Nice work.
 
That's pretty slick man. Well done. You'll have to let us know it is to hunt from.
 
Awesome sweet DIY

I’m wondering if you discovered the fix here for the guys using a hand climber?
It seems they could attach the hand climber the same way you are doing this. They need away to attach the “legs” and add a strap around the tree at hunting height?
I can see it in my head! Lol I’m not crazy momma had me tested.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
kyler1945 said:
bumping this up. getting any use?
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I have used the 2 of them exclusively this season as my hunting platform. With roughly 10-12 sits on the folding and 20-25 on the fixed model (the discrepancy in sits on each was due to the fixed sets up faster and I just always seem to be running behind). I have used them both with; sticks, Spurs and bolts all with ease. Used with an H2 Saddle and a Tree Suit, gave one to my buddy to try out with his Guido's Webb (no feedback from him yet, he's just getting started in AL). I even used one as a transition platform for my son to step from his sticks to the platform then to his lock on. Much easier and SAFER for a less experienced less coordinated hunter to transition in the dark. Used in hot and cold temps both wet and dry conditions, no issues no noise. Had to use one for a prop to lean on one morning for about 30 minutes. As I reached hunting height with my Spurs and literally just cammed the platform to the tree, 2 does walked up to feed on the acorn tree I was hunting (15 yards). I was stuck there on my spikes until they left. I have a couple tweeks to make once the season is over that I think will improve them. The best change I made this far was my attachment method. An Amstel Daisy chain or a cam buckle is much easier and quicker than the whoopie sling. All in all I have been extremely pleased with them both but believe they can be fine tuned to be better.
 
Nor sure how I missed this thread. Best DIY platform I've seen. And probably even better than those over priced ones on the market.
 
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