ricky racer
Well-Known Member
Like most of us, I often think of what would make a better platform for us saddle hunters. No doubt, Ameristeps seem to be one of the favorites but I've had them, used them and got rid of them. I didn't like them for a number of reasons. First, they never felt solid. I had 4 of them on a single ratchet strap and no matter how tight I tightened the strap, they still squirmed around when stepping on them. If I put full weight on a step, it would push down and slide back up once pressure was released. When I applied side pressure they would also move around. I know I'm not the only one that has experienced that since I often see pictures of Ameristeps with screws added to the tree side of the step in an attempt to "grip" the tree.
Another issue I have with the Ameristeps is they are plastic. Now plastic is an amazing material with nearly limitless uses but I'm not sure I want to trust my well being to standing on small plastic steps 20 feet up in a tree. I'm not a lightweight. Plastic, die cast aluminum and pine tree limbs all have one thing in common, when they break, it's "POW" and it's broken. No indication most of the time that it's going to fail, it just all of a sudden happens. Steel will bend, deform or yield more slowly often giving an indication that a failure is coming before it actually fails.
Another issue related to a strap on "ring of steps", though not specific to Ameristeps, is while handling the strap, as you reach around the tree to attach it, sometimes the steps or strap gets twisted up. Usually the time you find that is after you've ratcheted it up and now you have to undo the strap a bit to untwist it. Steps dangling from the strap can make noise or if you're not careful, they can slip off of the strap and fall to the ground. With these issues in mind, I began thinking of a better way. I'm not sure if this is a better way or not but this is what I came up with and only time will tell if it or some version of it is a viable option. With my limited time due to work, I've only had a chance to make one step so this may be premature but I thought I'd post this to share my ideas. Others may take this idea and move it forward.
I took an old folding screw in step to modify. I chose this particular step because it opened to nearly a right angle and it has a fairly wide step surface compared to other steps. My old favorite folding screw in step has always been the EZY Climb step by Cranford due to it's compact design but the step area is narrow and the step angles fairly sharply upward which is nice for climbing but not so much for standing on as a platform.
I removed the pin that secured the screw to the step by drilling out the swaged portion of the pin then driving out the pin. Next I cut a piece of 1/8" steel and shaped it so that it could be welded to the upper portion of the step to provide a means of securing the step to the tree. I formed two ears on the back of the tab to allow it to bite into the tree to stabilize the step to minimize any movement once it has been seated. To allow room for the strap I milled a little relief in the back of the step upright. After milling the relief I thoroughly deburred it and polished the edges to assure that it wouldn't or couldn't cut the strap. I also drilled a few 1/2" diameter holes in the step to lighten the step a bit. I weighed the step and it comes in a 7.2 oz.
The idea is to carry the steps in your pockets, or in a small pouch attached to your saddle, install the strap somewhat loosely to the tree but yet snug enough so it won't slip down the tree. Once the strap is attached to the tree, pull a step out of your pouch and slip it over the strap. When all of the steps are installed where you want them, tighten the strap as tight good and tight. In my quick test out in the back yard, the step acted just as I'd hoped by being rock solid once seated of course more testing is needed.
Here is a look at the step with the modification made. It may look like the weld is minimal but I'm sure there is more strength in the weld and tab than in the pin I removed.
The modified folding step is very compact so it should take up little room in a pouch.
Another issue I have with the Ameristeps is they are plastic. Now plastic is an amazing material with nearly limitless uses but I'm not sure I want to trust my well being to standing on small plastic steps 20 feet up in a tree. I'm not a lightweight. Plastic, die cast aluminum and pine tree limbs all have one thing in common, when they break, it's "POW" and it's broken. No indication most of the time that it's going to fail, it just all of a sudden happens. Steel will bend, deform or yield more slowly often giving an indication that a failure is coming before it actually fails.
Another issue related to a strap on "ring of steps", though not specific to Ameristeps, is while handling the strap, as you reach around the tree to attach it, sometimes the steps or strap gets twisted up. Usually the time you find that is after you've ratcheted it up and now you have to undo the strap a bit to untwist it. Steps dangling from the strap can make noise or if you're not careful, they can slip off of the strap and fall to the ground. With these issues in mind, I began thinking of a better way. I'm not sure if this is a better way or not but this is what I came up with and only time will tell if it or some version of it is a viable option. With my limited time due to work, I've only had a chance to make one step so this may be premature but I thought I'd post this to share my ideas. Others may take this idea and move it forward.
I took an old folding screw in step to modify. I chose this particular step because it opened to nearly a right angle and it has a fairly wide step surface compared to other steps. My old favorite folding screw in step has always been the EZY Climb step by Cranford due to it's compact design but the step area is narrow and the step angles fairly sharply upward which is nice for climbing but not so much for standing on as a platform.
I removed the pin that secured the screw to the step by drilling out the swaged portion of the pin then driving out the pin. Next I cut a piece of 1/8" steel and shaped it so that it could be welded to the upper portion of the step to provide a means of securing the step to the tree. I formed two ears on the back of the tab to allow it to bite into the tree to stabilize the step to minimize any movement once it has been seated. To allow room for the strap I milled a little relief in the back of the step upright. After milling the relief I thoroughly deburred it and polished the edges to assure that it wouldn't or couldn't cut the strap. I also drilled a few 1/2" diameter holes in the step to lighten the step a bit. I weighed the step and it comes in a 7.2 oz.
The idea is to carry the steps in your pockets, or in a small pouch attached to your saddle, install the strap somewhat loosely to the tree but yet snug enough so it won't slip down the tree. Once the strap is attached to the tree, pull a step out of your pouch and slip it over the strap. When all of the steps are installed where you want them, tighten the strap as tight good and tight. In my quick test out in the back yard, the step acted just as I'd hoped by being rock solid once seated of course more testing is needed.
Here is a look at the step with the modification made. It may look like the weld is minimal but I'm sure there is more strength in the weld and tab than in the pin I removed.
The modified folding step is very compact so it should take up little room in a pouch.
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