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Harken Cam Cleat Question

Patriot38

Well-Known Member
Sep 24, 2018
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Victoria MN
How are to attaching the fixed end of the rope to the stick?

Yup, @Jtaylor was right. I just drilled a hole in the tube and ran the rope through the end. I tied a stopper knot and that's what secures the rope inside the tube without falling out. I havent used it very much at all so I'm not sure if it will hold up. After I drilled the hole I smoothed the rough edges down with some 120 grit sand paper and put shrink tube around the rope. Hopefully it doesn't bite into the rope under pressure. I'm really happy with the set up though.
 

Yazoo Hntr

Well-Known Member
Jul 27, 2019
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Yup, @Jtaylor was right. I just drilled a hole in the tube and ran the rope through the end. I tied a stopper knot and that's what secures the rope inside the tube without falling out. I havent used it very much at all so I'm not sure if it will hold up. After I drilled the hole I smoothed the rough edges down with some 120 grit sand paper and put shrink tube around the rope. Hopefully it doesn't bite into the rope under pressure. I'm really happy with the set up though.
I was worried about weakening the aluminum tube drilling a hole in the side and was also worried about the edge cutting the rope. Thanks too both of you. Not sure I want to do that just yet. I'm still using an amsteel daisy chain. Is it that much better using the cam cleat?
 

Patriot38

Well-Known Member
Sep 24, 2018
528
430
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Victoria MN
I was worried about weakening the aluminum tube drilling a hole in the side and was also worried about the edge cutting the rope. Thanks too both of you. Not sure I want to do that just yet. I'm still using an amsteel daisy chain. Is it that much better using the cam cleat?
I've heard great things about amsteel for this same application. That's probably the route you should go first because it doesn't involve any drilling.

That being said, I have no concerns about the integrity of the stick. It is SOLID even with the one extra hole. I'm not an engineer but I havent noticed any negative impact so far.
 
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HomeTownJB

Active Member
Nov 24, 2018
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Yup, @Jtaylor was right. I just drilled a hole in the tube and ran the rope through the end. I tied a stopper knot and that's what secures the rope inside the tube without falling out. I havent used it very much at all so I'm not sure if it will hold up. After I drilled the hole I smoothed the rough edges down with some 120 grit sand paper and put shrink tube around the rope. Hopefully it doesn't bite into the rope under pressure. I'm really happy with the set up though.
I did the same thing, I also added some clear silicone caulk around where the rope comes out of the hole to hold the rope in place and add some more protection, similar to what Muddy does with their pro sticks.

Sent from my SM-G981V using Tapatalk
 
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PEEJAY

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SH Member
Nov 24, 2019
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I was worried about weakening the aluminum tube drilling a hole in the side and was also worried about the edge cutting the rope. Thanks too both of you. Not sure I want to do that just yet. I'm still using an amsteel daisy chain. Is it that much better using the cam cleat?
Don't worry about a hole. My stick is the holiest of holies. I got more holes than aluminum n its rock solid. Screenshot_20200228-224148_Gallery.jpg
 
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Jtaylor

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Dec 25, 2018
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Well I went to the Bolt Depot boltdepot.com and ordered 4 Socket button head, Stainless steel 18-8, #10-32 x 2-1/2. Also got the locking nuts with it. I think the stainless will be strong enough for the application that I will be using it on.

Flathead machine screws fit flush and down in that red bearing race if that matters to ya just fyi. I'm sure that the button head cap screw will work out fine too.
 

Hughes03

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Jul 11, 2019
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Denver, NC
I'm running 6mm Samson accessory cord. I've been using the same piece for two years on my cut off Hawk with the cam cleat and it shows no wear whatsoever. Oh and the price is right, $0.32 per foot at Wesspur.



How are you connecting the rope to the Hawk?
 

boyne bowhunter

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Aug 17, 2016
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How are you connecting the rope to the Hawk?
I've just tied it around the stick below the cam cleat using a figure 8 knot. I then installed a zip around it through the slot just to keep it from sliding down the stick.

 

Hughes03

Well-Known Member
Jul 11, 2019
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Denver, NC
I've just tied it around the stick below the cam cleat using a figure 8 knot. I then installed a zip around it through the slot just to keep it from sliding down the stick.


Thank you sir!!
 

PEEJAY

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Nov 24, 2019
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It must be 1/8 then. Its a pretty common mod on the api sticks. Look up budget beast sticks or something like that on here
 

PEEJAY

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Nov 24, 2019
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I built one using 1/16" wall 6061 tube from mcmastercarr and it bent at the versa button hole.
How heavy are you and how were you attaching it to the tree? Whatever most stock sticks are made with is what mine are. I thought it was 1/16 but I havent really looked into it
 

Yazoo Hntr

Well-Known Member
Jul 27, 2019
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How heavy are you and how were you attaching it to the tree? Whatever most stock sticks are made with is what mine are. I thought it was 1/16 but I havent really looked into it
175. I had a scout platform on it. I think that had something to do with it.
 

PEEJAY

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Nov 24, 2019
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175. I had a scout platform on it. I think that had something to do with it.
Did you tighten it down alot to hunt at height like with a ratchet or ocb or just step down to position it? I have a scout on mine too. Maybe mine is an 1/8. I weigh 160 so almost the same
 

DanO

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Vendor Rep
Jun 14, 2018
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doublesteps.com
There are no commercially available climbing sticks made out of 1/16" wall aluminum tubing as far as I know. They are all 1/8". There have been several lightweight guys/gals that DIYed some sticks out of 1/16" though.
 
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Yazoo Hntr

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Jul 27, 2019
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There are no commercially available climbing sticks made out of 1/16" wall aluminum tubing as far as I know. They are all 1/8". There have been several lightweight guys/gals that DIYed some sticks out of 1/16" though.
That's what I did.
I made mine with your parts out of 1/16 wall aluminum 6061 tube from mcmastercarr. I am using 1/8 amsteel daisy chain and it did start to bend at the hole for the versa button, but only on the stick I put the scout platform on. The other three have not bent from regular climbing.
 

TNSTAAFL

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May 16, 2018
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That's what I did.
I made mine with your parts out of 1/16 wall aluminum 6061 tube from mcmastercarr. I am using 1/8 amsteel daisy chain and it did start to bend at the hole for the versa button, but only on the stick I put the scout platform on. The other three have not bent from regular climbing.
Did you use spacers? I think those are the key to using 1/16 tubes. I put them in mine and I think you can get them from McMaster's.

Of course, no one should use 1/16 tubes, nor DIY climbing/hunting equipment as you could die.
 
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