Finished “Frankenstick”

[zurr4013]

Well I think I finally finished tinkering with my my single climbing stick. It’s not an original idea but I can say I’m really happy with it...so far. I’m learning quick this year that saddle hunting is all about making a change to your setup every two weeks or so.

Anyways... here are some pics. It is a cut down XOP stick with an Artisan and angled scout on top. I made a small mod to one of the XOP pieces to support the OCB strap that I use at height. I added two slotted squirrel steps from DanO to the strap.

I added a picture of it with the flat scout on top too just to see some of the process.

Let me know if you guys see anything else that needs to be “fixed” or “tinkered” on.

Thanks

 

[rhagenw]

When you have time could you show it on a tree? I’m curious about your use of SS and the ocb

 

[zurr4013]

When you have time could you show it on a tree? I’m curious about your use of SS and the ocb

Yep. Option 1 is the OCB with the steps wrapped around the stick.
Option 2 is a second OCB around the stick and the steps above the stick. The benefit of option 2 would be you are not stepping down to move around the tree.

I’m 275 without gear so I like the OCB around the stick at height for more mental comfort even though my cam cleat is 500 lbs rated.

 

[tylerray378]

Looks awesome!

 

[Razorbak66]

I like that I was gonna do something similar. Gonna ask Matt to make me something like that

 

[Bama_Xander]

I’m learning quick this year that saddle hunting is all about making a change to your setup every two weeks or so.

 

[AttackMode]

That is slick!

 

[zurr4013]

What you all think of the paint job? I used a rattle can brown multi color texture paint. Of course @Squatch doesn’t like it but that’s to be expected.

Loved learning about the pull handle I saw in a “Staggs in the Wild” YouTube video.

 

[Deep South Slayer]

Looks great!! Any idea on its weight?

 

[zurr4013]

Looks great!! Any idea on its weight?

Not sure yet but I figure since I’m only single sticking up the tree it’s all I have to carry. No other platform weight either.

 

[Deep South Slayer]

I agree, great job!

 

[Nugget]

Well I think I finally finished tinkering with my my single climbing stick. It’s not an original idea but I can say I’m really happy with it...so far. I’m learning quick this year that saddle hunting is all about making a change to your setup every two weeks or so.

Anyways... here are some pics. It is a cut down XOP stick with an Artisan and angled scout on top. I made a small mod to one of the XOP pieces to support the OCB strap that I use at height. I added two slotted squirrel steps from DanO to the strap.

I added a picture of it with the flat scout on top too just to see some of the process.

Let me know if you guys see anything else that needs to be “fixed” or “tinkered” on.

Thanks

Great stick. Dano brought a similar stick the the Western Pa Saddle day. Planning on building one myself during the off season. Is that the artisan on top of the scout? Do the bolt holes on both platforms work together or is there additional drilling required? Did you go with the regular out on a limb scout or the 1" stick version?

 

[zurr4013]

It is an artisan then the scout on the outside. The 1” stick version. I had a scout on the stick before the artisan so I had some holes. They didn’t all line up. I put everything in place and then marked the scout holes on the artisan. Then marked the holes through both of those on the stick.

This off season I will be purchasing a new piece of stick and making two fresh holes instead of having the two and drilling two new ones

 

[Nugget]

It is an artisan then the scout on the outside. The 1” stick version. I had a scout on the stick before the artisan so I had some holes. They didn’t all line up. I put everything in place and then marked the scout holes on the artisan. Then marked the holes through both of those on the stick.

This off season I will be purchasing a new piece of stick and making two fresh holes instead of having the two and drilling two new ones

What length of stick did you go with? It looks a little short. Are you happy with the current stick length?

 

[zurr4013]

I cut down an XOP full length stick. Its a little longer than my old EOW stick. I’m not 100 on the length but I think is was in the 17 range maybe. Seems to be fine for me with the two step EWO aider.

 

[zurr4013]

The original stick had a hole in the middle where the middle step was so i was originally using that hole for the standoff and top of scout.

 

[DMTJAGER]

Phenomenally well done. Couldn't tell them apart from the finest production sticks I've seen so far.
You sir have talent.
How well is the paint adhering to the aluminum? I have some 100% aluminum Summit Buck steps and the paint flakes of ridiculously easy. Painfully obvious they are indeed painted and not anodized. No doubt after only a seasons use the vast majority of the paint wood be scraped off the step area and anywhere the square aluminum tube made contact with other tubes.
If I ever wish to use them will have to invest in some camo elastic tape or stealth strips. New paint would undoubtedly just flake off again.

 

[zurr4013]

Ive only been in it twice. The steps were anodized and I had stealth stripped the stick. I just painted over the whole thing other than the cam cleat. I'm hoping the textured paint lasts longer but we shall see.

 

[thedutchtouch]

hope you dont mind...

 

[arm breaker]

Not having had an artisan or scout in hand, would you mind sharing just what it would take to make one like this using a piece of 1 inch tube? I love the extra space you have there with both but want to make sure I understand I can do it without any special tools.