Entire setup...5.25 lbs

[kodiak3842]

Finally got the rods today from rock west. They fit the hole my woodpecker drills just fine. I have an EZ Kut drill on order, so we will see if it is compatible.

I haven't had a chance to stand on them yet to test strength, but I am hoping they hold a short fat guy (225 lb).

I did add some heavy shrink tube to one of them and I think that will really help with the clanking sound when they bang together. Adds a bit up "grippiness" as well. The weight with shrink tube applied is 300 is grains. Multiply by 15 rods, and that is only 4500 gr. Considering there is 7000 gr to a pound, that makes 15 rods approx .68 lb. Should be able to go over 20 ft easily with that.

By contrast, a single 3/8" x 6" Hex head grade 8 bolt weighed in at 1330 gr

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[Vtbow]

I climbed with them all weekend for opening season. Never used more than 10 to get 20+ feet. They were solid in the rain, low 30 degrees, and when I drilled at a bit of an angle a few times because of knots and was standing on mostly the end. I'm about 185 lbs and probably had 12lbs of gear. Honestly, I couldnt be happier with these.

 

[thenickgann]

Drilling holes is far less of an issue than removing bark. Maybe we should reach out to an arborist and have them explain some of this. Maybe make a video for saddle hunters? They could give us some methods and opinions on best practices for those interested.

 

[IkemanTX]

My order was with CST and the invoice confirmed that they were 3/8"/.375. I ordered 4, 2' rods and cut them 6" with a hacksaw after wrapping duct tape around the area that was measured to cut. Like I mentioned, I drilled holes with an original Woodpecker drill, an EZ-Kut hand drill and with an EZ-Kut drill bit with a cordless drill motor. The only hole that I could insert the rod was the one with the EZ-Kut hand drill and I had to force it. It fit much too tight for me to use.

My hunting partner want the rods I have. He's going to get a larger bit to be able to use them. I'm staying with my Grade 8 bolts. Best wishes.

CST offers so many sizes that are 100ths of an inch different, I’m wondering if they grabbed the wrong stock item... they ran out of stock on the .375 for my order, so I canceled and ordered from Goodwinds Composits. They came in at almost exactly .375.


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[IkemanTX]

the 6" rods I mentioned above have been sold. Now, hopefully rockwest has enough .375 rod to fulfill my order for 6.5" rods and i'm not left empty handed...

In just the last month I've watched this site sell out all saddles, platforms, WE stepps, ez kut drills, MR pop up 28's, metal steps, and I'm sure soon to be pultruded carbon rod

That is the saddlehunter.com effect right there. It’s how it has been for YEARS. We find a small little device that helps us out, and buy up every one available.


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[kyler1945]

That is the saddlehunter.com effect right there. It’s how it has been for YEARS. We find a small little device that helps us out, and buy up every one available.


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As of Wednesday last week they had 120 rods left in stock.

 

[IkemanTX]

Hey guys... anyone who has already cut these down.

Will a chop saw with high speed metal cutoff wheel work for these? I have access to one, and it seems like it would be a lot easier than a hack saw.

I know I have to really make sure not to breathe any of the dust.


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[Nutterbuster]

@IkemanTX, seems like muchos overkill. Side grinder or a Dremel would work fine I think.

Or take them down to your local bow shop and let them do it on their arrow saw.

 

[Vtbow]

Hey guys... anyone who has already cut these down.

Will a chop saw with high speed metal cutoff wheel work for these? I have access to one, and it seems like it would be a lot easier than a hack saw.

I know I have to really make sure not to breathe any of the dust.


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I was happy to pay to have them cut...they came out perfect, square, and 0 spintering. I would go with a dremel and cutoff well like @Nutterbuster said though if I was to do it myself. I would wrap the cut are in good quality masking tape tightly first.

 

[Nutterbuster]

I agree with @Vtbow that paying to have them cut is the way to go. Mine were perfect, and at $110 shipped, it's right there on the low side of what good, modded sticks or wild edge steps would cost you.

Why cheap out when your money is buying you the lightest, quietest, and overall most-bestest climbing system we've found so far?

 

[IkemanTX]

Well, the rods are already in hand... so cutting them is a requirement at this point. Also, one stick wouldn’t have been enough for a full set, so I would have been looking at $220 for two cut down sticks. I have a few trees with 20 bolts including the ring and bow holder.
I might try a diamond cutoff wheel on the Dremel. That may keep the cuts small enough that I can still use the final cut off of the 4 foot sticks. I only planned on getting 21 bolts out of 12 feet, but an extra 3 bolts wouldn’t be too shabby. Heck, the slightly shorter ones could be gear hangers only.


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[kodiak3842]

So this happened on my trial run 6" off the ground. I wanted to test them to failure and apparently, I did.

If you place your foot against the tree (as you should) it was extremely solid. I weigh 235 ish with my work boots on. I bounced on it with foot against the tree and they seemed fine. When I slid my foot out towards the end and bounced, this happened

Not sure how I feel about them right now, to be honest. If I use them, I will only use for the lower steps I think. At least til I develop more trust in them.
These were from rock west, 6 " long, .375 dia. (.371 actual size). Hole depth was approx 2 1/8" (woodpecker drill). Snapped about flush with the tree bark.

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[PJC]

Well, the rods are already in hand... so cutting them is a requirement at this point. Also, one stick wouldn’t have been enough for a full set, so I would have been looking at $220 for two cut down sticks. I have a few trees with 20 bolts including the ring and bow holder.
I might try a diamond cutoff wheel on the Dremel. That may keep the cuts small enough that I can still use the final cut off of the 4 foot sticks. I only planned on getting 21 bolts out of 12 feet, but an extra 3 bolts wouldn’t be too shabby. Heck, the slightly shorter ones could be gear hangers only.


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Yup. Or you could send them to me to use for gear hangers.


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[PJC]

So this happened on my trial run 6" off the ground. I wanted to test them to failure and apparently, I did.

If you place your foot against the tree (as you should) it was extremely solid. I weigh 235 ish with my work boots on. I bounced on it with foot against the tree and they seemed fine. When I slid my foot out towards the end and bounced, this happened

Not sure how I feel about them right now, to be honest. If I use them, I will only use for the lower steps I think. At least til I develop more trust in them.
These were from rock west, 6 " long, .375 dia. (.371 actual size). Hole depth was approx 2 1/8" (woodpecker drill). Snapped about flush with the tree bark.

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Oh no! Not good.


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[IkemanTX]

So this happened on my trial run 6" off the ground. I wanted to test them to failure and apparently, I did.

If you place your foot against the tree (as you should) it was extremely solid. I weigh 235 ish with my work boots on. I bounced on it with foot against the tree and they seemed fine. When I slid my foot out towards the end and bounced, this happened

Not sure how I feel about them right now, to be honest. If I use them, I will only use for the lower steps I think. At least til I develop more trust in them.
These were from rock west, 6 " long, .375 dia. (.371 actual size). Hole depth was approx 2 1/8" (woodpecker drill). Snapped about flush with the tree bark.

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Well, that just convinced me to not cut them at 6.5”. I bent one bolt last year, and even had to double check that it wasn’t a lower grade by accident. Same exact scenario. I was coming down fast, not paying attention, and landed hard on the outside edge of it.

Good reminder to keep my foot against the tree.


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[BassBoysLLP]

Thanks @kodiak3842. Im sticking to grade 8 bolts. I'll take a bend over a break any day of the week

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[Vtbow]

Thanks @kodiak3842. Im sticking to grade 8 bolts.

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So this happened on my trial run 6" off the ground. I wanted to test them to failure and apparently, I did.

If you place your foot against the tree (as you should) it was extremely solid. I weigh 235 ish with my work boots on. I bounced on it with foot against the tree and they seemed fine. When I slid my foot out towards the end and bounced, this happened

Not sure how I feel about them right now, to be honest. If I use them, I will only use for the lower steps I think. At least til I develop more trust in them.
These were from rock west, 6 " long, .375 dia. (.371 actual size). Hole depth was approx 2 1/8" (woodpecker drill). Snapped about flush with the tree bark.

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Eh, not great...what angle was the hole drilled at? I believe this can greatly effect where the presure is applied/spread. Did you cut them yourself, or have them do it? We're the ends sealed? Appreciate the testing! Honestly, I'm still pretty comfortable afte putting a ton of time in on them, but everything is a calculated risk, and we all need to manage risks ourselvs and what were comfortable with.

 

[kodiak3842]

I had them (rock west) cut them at 6"

This is the angle I drilled into the tree with my woodpecker portable drill. Drilled by hand, not with a cordless drill . Not that it should matter a lot, but I assume a hand drilled hole may be a bit larger than a cordless drilled hole, due to my arm not turning as true as a drill.

I was standing about as far out on the rod as I could when I bounced. I intentionally put a lot of force to see what would happen.

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[Vtbow]

I had them (rock west) cut them at 6"

This is the angle I drilled into the tree with my woodpecker portable drill. Drilled by hand, not with a cordless drill . Not that it should matter a lot, but I assume a hand drilled hole may be a bit larger than a cordless drilled hole, due to my arm not turning as true as a drill.

I was standing about as far out on the rod as I could when I bounced. I intentionally put a lot of force to see what would happen.

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Thanks for the details! I'm going to equate this to toehooking a predator

 

[kodiak3842]

Ends were not sealed, btw. Just as they came from rock west. Came in yesterday, I applied some shrink tube, and tested them. I seriously doubt that I over heated them when putting the shrink tube on, but I supposed it is possible.

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