OCB Bending

[vtbowhunt]

I’m using Treehopper’s new steps and an OCB strap I bought with them. I have five steps on the strap. I noticed this afternoon that the OCB is actually bending/deforming and the rivets are coming loose. Am I doing something wrong? I know I need to cam it tightly to keep them tight on the tree. Should I just use a ratchet?

 

[pesqimon]

I know these are not from EWO, but a few months ago there was a bad batch that was found. Search for a thread about that and see if it is the same issue.

This shouldn’t be happening if used properly, so you may have a defective OCB

 

[backstrap19]

i've been nervous about the ocb buckle before. specifically the rivets. however, the EWO buckles have made it through 6+ months of torture and practice. some days we would cam those things 25 or more times during climbing practice sessions. that being said, I have never seen one of ours bend like yours.

 

[vtbowhunt]

i've been nervous about the ocb buckle before. specifically the rivets. however, the EWO buckles have made it through 6+ months of torture and practice. some days we would cam those things 25 or more times during climbing practice sessions. that being said, I have never seen one of ours bend like yours.

I'm thinking I should order one from DanO and try that. Might be a low quality cam buckle on this strap.

 

[Stolencopy]

I'm thinking I should order one from DanO and try that. Might be a low quality cam buckle on this strap.

I have three ocb buckles from dano and every single one has loose rivets after a few uses. I honestly believe that I was just camming them over WAY too hard but, that was the only way to get my SquirrelSteps solid on the tree.

After I had 30+ hours of hunting with the ring of steps I became comfortable enough with them having some "squish" to them that I no longer felt the need to cam them down to that degree.

 

[Weldabeast]

I will loosely pull the slack then cam the buckle 2 or 3 times.... If I try to cam it with the strap pulled up super tight I've had deflection and total failure with ocb. Strap doesn't have to be super duper tight when first trying to cam the buckle.....

 

[enkriss]

I will loosely pull the slack then cam the buckle 2 or 3 times.... If I try to cam it with the strap pulled up super tight I've had deflection and total failure with ocb. Strap doesn't have to be super duper tight when first trying to cam the buckle.....

Total failure? You had one break?

 

[Weldabeast]

During the cam over it broke.... Not while in use

 

[Stolencopy]

During the cam over it broke.... Not while in use

I believe it. I was afraid of mine breaking for awhile, until I learned that I didn't need it that tight.

 

[vtbowhunt]

That might be my problem. I think I need to replace this buckle and keep learning.

 

[Weldabeast]

I have 4 of double step ocb and 1 broke do to user error.... Once I learned not to tighten them up all the way before camover the other 3 are good to go. I still inspect it everytime before I put it on the tree.

 

[DanO]

I'm aware of three OCBs breaking at the rivets - all during the cam-over process. Never has one broke yet while in use after the cam-over. I do think some people are trying to get them too tight and that might lead to loose rivets.

The other failures were related to an inferior OCB buckle I purchased direct from the manufacturer that looked just like the OPs buckle (all black, no brass bar). These did the same thing and bent the back cross member. These are designed just a little different and can't take the cam forces that we generate. I replaced all the ones that were purchased and threw that batch away.

 

[Weldabeast]

@DanO did me a solid...... Thanks again

 

[vtbowhunt]

I'm aware of three OCBs breaking at the rivets - all during the cam-over process. Never has one broke yet while in use after the cam-over. I do think some people are trying to get them too tight and that might lead to loose rivets.

The other failures were related to an inferior OCB buckle I purchased direct from the manufacturer that looked just like the OPs buckle (all black, no brass bar). These did the same thing and bent the back cross member. These are designed just a little different and can't take the cam forces that we generate. I replaced all the ones that were purchased and threw that batch away.

Thanks @DanO, I just bought a new strap and OCB from Doublesteps.

Also, I contacted Mark at Treehopper about the problem. He notified his supplier and forwarded my photos to them. He is sending me a beefier OCB as a replacement. Both Doublesteps and Treehopper are great suppliers that stand behind (or on? ) their products.

 

[vtbowhunt]

Received my new OCB and strap from @DanO. Seems like a stronger cam buckle than the previous. Also added some shock cord to the steps after a suggestion by @Allegheny Tom on another thread.

After the significant discussions that took place this week... I just want to say that as a fairly new saddle hunter, this forum is awesome for support like this. I had a problem and the group here helped solve it and then some.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Received my new OCB and strap from @DanO. Seems like a stronger cam buckle than the previous. Also added some shock cord to the steps after a suggestion by @Allegheny Tom on another thread.

After the significant discussions that took place this week... I just want to say that as a fairly new saddle hunter, this forum is awesome for support like this. I had a problem and the group here helped solve it and then some.

Let me suggest something with the shock cord.
Use a zip tie instead of a knot. The zip will allow the shock cord to be adjusted for tightness on the strap, which will allow you to tweak how tight the step holds it position on the strap. You'll be able to loosen it slightly which will allow the steps to slide and pack better. But in the tree, you can tighten the cord (because you used a zip instead of a knot), and the step will lock tight on the strap. It won't slip throughout the day.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[vtbowhunt]

Let me suggest something with the shock cord.
Use a zip tie instead of a knot. The zip will allow the shock cord to be adjusted for tightness on the strap, which will allow you to tweak how tight the step holds it position on the strap. You'll be able to loosen it slightly which will allow the steps to slide and pack better. But in the tree, you can tighten the cord (because you used a zip instead of a knot), and the step will lock tight on the strap. It won't slip throughout the day.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

Now that you mention it, I think you suggested that before. I thought you were just using then zip tie to hold them together. I didn’t realize it made the shock cord adjustable!

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Now that you mention it, I think you suggested that before. I thought you were just using then zip tie to hold them together. I didn’t realize it made the shock cord adjustable!

Zip ties on shock cord is an amazing device. I use it for tons of applications. Fishing gear, camping gear, securing stuff in the canoe...dozens of uses.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[neonomad]

Zip ties on shock cord is an amazing device. I use it for tons of applications. Fishing gear, camping gear, securing stuff in the canoe...dozens of uses.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

I bought releasable zipties a few years ago and I never have less than six hanging from my pack somewhere. Tired of carrying your bow? Zip. Sticks rattling while you walk? Zip. Etc. Then last year I meant to buy some rope to stake trees and it turned out to be shock cord. I accidentally found out how awesome shock cord is.

 

[Red Beard]

Let me suggest something with the shock cord.
Use a zip tie instead of a knot. The zip will allow the shock cord to be adjusted for tightness on the strap, which will allow you to tweak how tight the step holds it position on the strap. You'll be able to loosen it slightly which will allow the steps to slide and pack better. But in the tree, you can tighten the cord (because you used a zip instead of a knot), and the step will lock tight on the strap. It won't slip throughout the day.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

Tom, I'm not familiar with zip ties on shock cord. Could you post a picture?