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LWCG Ambush Platform

Nutterbuster said:
Not arguing with you at all. But I'm a pessimist and a pragmatist. I'm rarely disappointed because I expect little, and I'm willing to fix something if it's cheap and easy. Sure, I'm salty over a $300 product not being perfect. But I'm salty over my tax rates and the lack of P&Y bucks in my area too...
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My take? It's a basic functionality (and possible safety) issue with a product that is designed to be stood on at height and is machined 1 at a time. which is immediately apparent upon use. Not exactly unexpected given the history...but def. worthy of being called out. The lack of an immediate fix suggests to me that e.g. just replacing the bolt with a stronger one might crack the platform.
 
mattsteg said:
My take? It's a basic functionality (and possible safety) issue with a product that is designed to be stood on at height and is machined 1 at a time. which is immediately apparent upon use. Not exactly unexpected given the history...but def. worthy of being called out. The lack of an immediate fix suggests to me that e.g. just replacing the bolt with a stronger one might crack the platform.
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No argument here. We'll see what happens when it shows up. They may be taking it back.

Does anybody have good pics of the old ambush versabutton and post?
 
On another topic. Has anyone had any quality/safety issues with the out on a limb platforms?

You know, the ones select tethrd prostaff were crapping on over not doing enough testing or some such BS? I haven't seen anything, but I also haven't looked.
 
mattsteg said:
My take? It's a basic functionality (and possible safety) issue with a product that is designed to be stood on at height and is machined 1 at a time. which is immediately apparent upon use. Not exactly unexpected given the history...but def. worthy of being called out. The lack of an immediate fix suggests to me that e.g. just replacing the bolt with a stronger one might crack the platform.
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Drilling the hole completely through may weaken the post and cause the post to fail. A very likely possibility due to how thin they tried to keep the post. I would be really leary of any kind of twisting action or heavy side loading. I can't help but think they had a reason for not going completely through. And weight savings for that extra < 1" of bolt material doesn't seem like the right decision hopefully that's not the reason.
 
mattsteg said:
On another topic. Has anyone had any quality/safety issues with the out on a limb platforms?

You know, the ones select tethrd prostaff were crapping on over not doing enough testing or some such BS? I haven't seen anything, but I also haven't looked.
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Haven't came across anything. H2 Saddles get the same hate. Only issue I've seen with H2 is one post about some threads coming loose on the lineman's loops.
 
BuffaloBill said:
Haven't came across anything. H2 Saddles get the same hate. Only issue I've seen with H2 is one post about some threads coming loose on the lineman's loops.
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There's a certain risk-acceptance threshold if you're using something that's disclaimed as "for ground use only" at height - so I get that perspective of the H2 stuff although I'm sure it's well made and sufficiently safe.
 
Dylan9862003 said:
Drilling the hole completely through may weaken the post and cause the post to fail. A very likely possibility due to how thin they tried to keep the post. I would be really leary of any kind of twisting action or heavy side loading. I can't help but think they had a reason for not going completely through. And weight savings for that extra < 1" of bolt material doesn't seem like the right decision hopefully that's not the reason.
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This is exactly my thought

How will the post perform, since it was tested without a hole penetrating all the way thru ?


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Tapeworm said:
This is exactly my thought

How will the post perform, since it was tested without a hole penetrating all the way thru ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Exactly. And with a bolt that gave before the post....
 
I put mine on a couple of trees briefly on my lunch hour. I had no issues with the bolt bending. I did, however with knowledge of these threads, make sure the loops were pushed as close to the post as possible.
It takes quite a bit of effort to cam that on a big tree with the outer tooth engaging the tree... and the larger platform size adds more leverage where I can see the bolt being an issue. I had more success with the strap a tad loose before camming.
More to come.
 
I was thinking about this today & wondering rather than drill a hole through the new post ( I’m going to email lwcg & give them opportunity to weigh in) I may just attach a dog bone or something to the post w/ a lone wolf hook or caribiner & girth hitch the other side to the post. That way if it breaks I don’t have a modified $300 paperweight.....not sure
 
Chrighton said:
I put mine on a couple of trees briefly on my lunch hour. I had no issues with the bolt bending. I did, however with knowledge of these threads, make sure the loops were pushed as close to the post as possible.
It takes quite a bit of effort to cam that on a big tree with the outer tooth engaging the tree... and the larger platform size adds more leverage where I can see the bolt being an issue. I had more success with the strap a tad loose before camming.
More to come.
Click to expand...

Brad mentioned to me that a looser strap is better for camming these over compared to the stands.
 
Well I just got my ambush today and I’ll be honest I haven’t read every post but I kind of thought everyone was over reacting over the bolt issue.
So I pull it out of the box and naturally with all the talk about it I go straight to the bolt. Luckily I read this thread because it was only finger tight at best. I’m no engineer but this isn’t the best design and something will need to be changed for me to trust it.
I suspect the bolt is about 1/4” or more to long comparing it to my LWCG stand bolt.
I’m not Here to bash them but they could have done better. I feel this can be fixed easily with a shorter bolt no drilling required.
On an up side the rest of the platform is really nice. It’s so nice I will find a fix for the bolt (versa button) and move forward.
If anyone from LWCG is reading this great job on the platform and please fix the bolt issue for these guys that spent hard earned money on you product.
 
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Still can't decide if I am taking Ambush or sticking with the predator for my up north trip this weekend.
 
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