• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

I Beam platforms?

FRP
70124ba95bcb26d3dcf3300130fd0266.jpg


Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
In addition to light weight, the other major benefit to FRP vs aluminum is that it's likely to be much quieter with no metallic sounds. I'd guess that the third size down the chart would be a good place to start and a 5' stick should be enough for 12-15 steps.
 
redsquirrel said:
Can you just cut FRP? It looks pretty awesome.
Click to expand...
It sounds like you can fabricate it with standard tools, but it really dulls blades, so diamond tipped is recommended. I'd be worried about the temps getting too high with an abrasive wheel. I might try a hacksaw if I order a piece to prototype with. I'm 3d printing a step in the dimensions first to see how they'll appear for bulk. Fiberglass resin could be used to help seal any cut edges.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
bowhunter15 said:
It sounds like you can fabricate it with standard tools, but it really dulls blades, so diamond tipped is recommended. I'd be worried about the temps getting too high with an abrasive wheel. I might try a hacksaw if I order a piece to prototype with. I'm 3d printing a step in the dimensions first to see how they'll appear for bulk. Fiberglass resin could be used to help seal any cut edges.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I like it. Very interested in this.
 
I think my biggest concern initially is this circled section. The I beam is strong under vertical loads, but when you apply torsional forces it's a bit more flexible. Moving the slot further out will help with the strap force, but I'm considering looking at the next size wall thickness for side loads.
97ec1e274c16d40323ef9a56ecdfda4b.jpg
b84a9500493b3cf574817112c5a54cef.jpg


Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
What about using a double I beam. Make your attachment hole in front of the middle beam for added support and machine the rest off in front of the strap
b88c63dafc66c51601984066230b3af1.jpg


Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
 
ARERHODES said:
What about using a double I beam. Make your attachment hole in front of the middle beam for added support and machine the rest off in front of the strap
b88c63dafc66c51601984066230b3af1.jpg


Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I think it might help but I havent seen that shape off the shelf.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
Last edited:
I would move it back and up close to the top flange. The webbing is going to give some no matter how tight you get it. The lower it is the more the top will pull out.
 
How about an angled slot so it tightens as it is pushed down?

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
 
bowhunter15 said:
I think my biggest concern initially is this circled section. The I beam is strong under vertical loads, but when you apply torsional forces it's a bit more flexible. Moving the slot further out will help with the strap force, but I'm considering looking at the next size wall thickness for side loads.
97ec1e274c16d40323ef9a56ecdfda4b.jpg
b84a9500493b3cf574817112c5a54cef.jpg


Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I don't see moving the slot further forward being much of an issue. Tightened down with a boat buckle it should still hold well.
 
BCHunter said:
How about an angled slot so it tightens as it is pushed down?

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I'm not sure it would be necessary with a ratchet or OCB. Best case scenario, it helps a bit. Worst case scenario, it tries to rise back up the tree when you take weight off, making it feel spongy.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
@bowhunter15, any more thoughts on this?

And just want to pick your brain a minute... would your cnc machine be able to make aluminum steps like these (not at all asking you to do this! Just wondering.)
attachment.php

attachment.php
 
This looks like a very viable option that could be done decently with basic tools and some patience. it'd be much more efficient with a Bridgeport mill and chop saw though.
 
redsquirrel said:
@bowhunter15, any more thoughts on this?

And just want to pick your brain a minute... would your cnc machine be able to make aluminum steps like these (not at all asking you to do this! Just wondering.)
attachment.php

attachment.php
Click to expand...
Yea probably, though there would likely be a fair amount of material wasted depending on how I set up the array to cut them out of a sheet. Biggest risk would be machining the slots. They're narrow and deep, relatively. So I'd have to use an 1/8" cutter to make the slots, and the chips don't have a ton of room to evacuate. If the chips can't get out of the way, you risk breaking the cutter. My question to you is, is that design good? Do you get side-to-side wobble since the back side is flat to the tree. With the I beam, and some other ideas I've been playing with, I've been trying to incorporate roughly 3 or 4 contact points on the tree.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
bowhunter15 said:
Yea probably, though there would likely be a fair amount of material wasted depending on how I set up the array to cut them out of a sheet. Biggest risk would be machining the slots. They're narrow and deep, relatively. So I'd have to use an 1/8" cutter to make the slots, and the chips don't have a ton of room to evacuate. If the chips can't get out of the way, you risk breaking the cutter. My question to you is, is that design good? Do you get side-to-side wobble since the back side is flat to the tree. With the I beam, and some other ideas I've been playing with, I've been trying to incorporate roughly 3 or 4 contact points on the tree.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I'm going to send you a PM.
 
redsquirrel said:
@bowhunter15, any more thoughts on this?

And just want to pick your brain a minute... would your cnc machine be able to make aluminum steps like these (not at all asking you to do this! Just wondering.)
attachment.php
Click to expand...

I've got some of these I would sell.... Just saying...
 
DaveH said:
I have five of these on a ratchet strap. They weigh about 8.5 oz each so not exactly ultralight. I covered them with camo tape and some non-skid tape. These are made of 4" aluminum I-beam and the step surface area is 2 5/8" x 3" so they are much nicer to stand on than the Ameristeps. I could probably do some mods to them to shave some weight but I'm satisfied as they are.
Click to expand...

I was working on my ratchet strap today. Actually took a step off the strap and it weighed in at 7.56 oz. Still not ultralight but an ounce lighter than first estimated.

Has anyone made any progress on the fiberglass model?
 
Red has been working toward an off the shelf aluminum idea that might be more stable than the I beam, and a bit lighter and easier to cut than the fiberglass.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top