Minimalist Pioneer Steps- my 1st thoughts

[DaveH]

I have a set of 12 Pioneer steps with straps inbound. I figured that for the short term I'd carry the extra couple pounds of straps and give you guys some additional time to create an even better minimalist attachment method. Besides, not really looking forward to tying 12 daisy chains!

 

[Flyerzfan10]

The straps aren’t bad at all. You can get them pretty tight to the tree. I think you’ll really only pick up a little speed using the daisy’s. I think the biggest advantage will be pack ability.

 

[DaveH]

I kinda expect them to be only slightly nicer to pack than my old Ameristeps were. Definitely heavier and more bulky than the daisy chain method but possibly a little less fiddling than other methods. I'm thinking about coating the steps and outsides of the buckles with bedliner paint to reduce metallic noise. Anyone try that?

 

[raisins]

Thanks for the update. I would buy twelve, but I just don't have it in me this year to make 12 daisy chains. So, I'll use my tree hopper steps one more year. I can't remove the tree hopper daisy chains from my tree hoppers due to how I have them tied in (overhand knots on each side to keep the step from sliding on the daisy chain....which got really tight after a year of use). I have 2 of the Pioneer steps I bought to check them out. I was impressed but I would chamfer the inside edges that could possibly touch the daisy chain or strap. I used a light sanding wheel on a dremel on one and it worked.

 

[DaveH]

I decided to buy the Pioneer steps figuring that I can eventually convert them to Amsteel daisies if I want to save additional weight and reduce bulk. My first objective will be to eliminate as much metallic noise as possible. I'm thinking that truck bedliner might work better and be more durable than Vet wrap. I'll definitely knock down those sharp edges first.

 

[Coathanger15]

To anyone that owns both, are there any advantages over squirrel step? I've used squirrels for a couple years and have no reason to change, just curious.

 

[Flyerzfan10]

I own both. I don't see any advantages over either. Biggest difference is price. Both steps seem to be great products.

 

[raisins]

I decided to buy the Pioneer steps figuring that I can eventually convert them to Amsteel daisies if I want to save additional weight and reduce bulk. My first objective will be to eliminate as much metallic noise as possible. I'm thinking that truck bedliner might work better and be more durable than Vet wrap. I'll definitely knock down those sharp edges first.

I've painted several aluminum bows with truck bedliner. It sticks well. Many light layers that build up give a nice texture. Add some self etching primer under it and it should be bomb proof. Duplicolor used to make a rattle can bedliner withOUT grit in it. Now, their version and all others I've tried have a grit, which I don't like. Be careful that you don't chamfer the edge and then turn that softened edge into a emory board with your bedliner! You might want to look into a rubber coating that is not plastidip (that would just rub off first day).

 

[Flyerzfan10]

I've painted several aluminum bows with truck bedliner. It sticks well. Many light layers that build up give a nice texture. Add some self etching primer under it and it should be bomb proof. Duplicolor used to make a rattle can bedliner withOUT grit in it. Now, their version and all others I've tried have a grit, which I don't like. Be careful that you don't chamfer the edge and then turn that softened edge into a emory board with your bedliner! You might want to look into a rubber coating that is not plastidip (that would just rub off first day).

Maybe use etching primer then when you spray paint them you can sprinkle sand on them while the paint is wet???

 

[raisins]

Maybe use etching primer then when you spray paint them you can sprinkle sand on them while the paint is wet???

Nah, I wouldn't want grit. The grit will eat through your rope attachment. Maybe some sand on top of the step or some grip tape.

 

[TreeCreep]

Try Aerosol Rubberized undercoating.

also please post pics of what you come up with, cool concept. Although the DIY rope seems like a hassle and spendy to buy 10 individual daisy chains with 10 steps

 

[raisins]

Try Aerosol Rubberized undercoating.

also please post pics of what you come up with, cool concept. Although the DIY rope seems like a hassle and spendy to buy 10 individual daisy chains with 10 steps

It's cheap if you make your own daisy chains. I'm OCD about it, so it takes me 30 minutes per 8 foot daisy chain. 12 eats up a whole day, taking breaks to stretch.

 

[Flyerzfan10]

Nah, I wouldn't want grit. The grit will eat through your rope attachment. Maybe some sand on top of the step or some grip tape.

That’s what i meant about the sand. You could apply it to the step area not where the strap or rope are

 

[DaveH]

I've painted several aluminum bows with truck bedliner. It sticks well. Many light layers that build up give a nice texture. Add some self etching primer under it and it should be bomb proof. Duplicolor used to make a rattle can bedliner withOUT grit in it. Now, their version and all others I've tried have a grit, which I don't like. Be careful that you don't chamfer the edge and then turn that softened edge into a emory board with your bedliner! You might want to look into a rubber coating that is not plastidip (that would just rub off first day).

I, too, have painted a couple of aluminum recurve risers with truck bed liner using aerosol cans and laid it on thick over several coats. I've also had it on a truck bed and in all cases was impressed with the durability. Thanks for the warning about the formula with the grit. I certainly don't want that.

Another possibility is dunking them in that rubberized tool handle dip coating, possibly similar to that rubberized undercoating but goes on thicker. Don't know how durable it would be on a step though.

 

[raisins]

I, too, have painted a couple of aluminum recurve risers with truck bed liner using aerosol cans and laid it on thick over several coats. I've also had it on a truck bed and in all cases was impressed with the durability. Thanks for the warning about the formula with the grit. I certainly don't want that.

Another possibility is dunking them in that rubberized tool handle dip coating, possibly similar to that rubberized undercoating but goes on thicker. Don't know how durable it would be on a step though.

Are you me? All those handles I painted were recurves: Quinn Comet XL, Samick Masters, and several Warf risers (Bear and Proline compound risers turned into ILF recurves). Sadly, I'm a compound hunter now because I can hit a 3D deer kill zone every time at 25 yards with a recurve but I can't shoot a living animal with one with confidence because it throws me out of the head space I have to have to shoot a barebow well.

 

[DaveH]

I coated a Hoyt TD3 and a Black Bear warf. Both held up really well. Trad bowhunting comes fairly easy to me but I work for mostly under 20yd shots. I stopped hunting with a compound in '99 and never looked back. Nearly all my current bows are either ILF or DAS.

 

[raisins]

I coated a Hoyt TD3 and a Black Bear warf. Both held up really well. Trad bowhunting comes fairly easy to me but I work for mostly under 20yd shots. I stopped hunting with a compound in '99 and never looked back. Nearly all my current bows are either ILF or DAS.

Are you Dave Holt from Tradtalk? I'm raisins from tradtalk.

 

[DaveH]

Yeah, Dave Holquist. I thought that you might be raisins from TT. Haven't seen you on there in a while.

 

[Fozzie Bear]

I have noticed a few folks that I thought were from TT here. Hello to one and all.

 

[raisins]

Yeah, Dave Holquist. I thought that you might be raisins from TT. Haven't seen you on there in a while.

That's the name, not Holt, once I heard it. Wow, it's so good to talk to you again. It's been 10 years or more. It's hilarious we meet up here talking about bedlining Warf bows! (common practice back in the day)