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Operation: Chopping up LW sticks/stand

GodsCountry

GodsCountry

Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2018
Messages
91
Hello, Saddle Hunter.

Just joined up. I’m hunting whitetails in the mountains of NC. I’ve been lurking here for awhile, and really admire the enginuity and ultralight mindset of you guys. I don’t own a saddle. I’m putting a lot of thought into investing in the tethrd system next season.

Until then, I’m considering chopping down a LW Assault and sticks to make them ultralight as possible. I was hoping to get some guidance from you all. For the record, I’m 180 lbs with my gear, soaking wet. I find the LW gear to be incredibly overbuilt.

Project #1: Chopping off a few inches of the LW assault platform. I’m interested in cutting off the the last few inches of the platform. Essentially making it a 19x23”. I don’t think I’ll miss those last few inches.

I’ve seen you guys chop up stand platforms to create saddle platforms. What is the preferred cutting method? Sawzall? Hacksaw? Any pointers here?

Project #2: Drilling holes in the LW sticks. Again, I find these things to be incredibly overbuilt. It seems that most guys stagger 1/2” holes in the tube, avoiding the hardware. Is this doable with a hand drill and a vice? If so, what bit?

Thanks fellas. I look forward to picking some brains here. If I go through with the project, I’ll post the before and after weights.
 
GodsCountry said:
Hello, Saddle Hunter.

Just joined up. I’m hunting whitetails in the mountains of NC. I’ve been lurking here for awhile, and really admire the enginuity and ultralight mindset of you guys. I don’t own a saddle. I’m putting a lot of thought into investing in the tethrd system next season.

Until then, I’m considering chopping down a LW Assault and sticks to make them ultralight as possible. I was hoping to get some guidance from you all. For the record, I’m 180 lbs with my gear, soaking wet. I find the LW gear to be incredibly overbuilt.

Project #1: Chopping off a few inches of the LW assault platform. I’m interested in cutting off the the last few inches of the platform. Essentially making it a 19x23”. I don’t think I’ll miss those last few inches.

I’ve seen you guys chop up stand platforms to create saddle platforms. What is the preferred cutting method? Sawzall? Hacksaw? Any pointers here?

Project #2: Drilling holes in the LW sticks. Again, I find these things to be incredibly overbuilt. It seems that most guys stagger 1/2” holes in the tube, avoiding the hardware. Is this doable with a hand drill and a vice? If so, what bit?

Thanks fellas. I look forward to picking some brains here. If I go through with the project, I’ll post the before and after weights.
Click to expand...

Welcome from Michigan!
I modified my Lone Wolf sticks drilling 1/2" holes on four sides. Get yourself a drill press to do the work. You can go though both sides accurately and with less work and cursing, lol. I bought a quality 1/2" drill bit (make sure it's designed for metal). Good luck!
 
So your considering the saddle for next year, do you plan on using the assault as a hang on and just want to shave weight? Most of the guys chopping stands are trying to create a small (or two) saddle platform. I would suggest weighing the benefits weight/packability of chopping your stand if you plan on using it as a hang on. I’m not sure the weight savings would be very substantial. After all you could probably sell it for close to the same price of a predator without chopping it. If you do go that route a sawsall with a metal blade, a jig saw or a grinder with a cut off wheel will work.
As far as drilling your sticks I would recommend a drill press. If you don’t have access to one you can make a jig with a 1/2” ID tube cut square on one end to use as a guide, keeping your bit perpendicular to the stick. Place the sleeve onto bit, lift it so that you can see your mark and hold it in place to drill. Or make a small pilot hole you can find with the tip of your bit to ensure your hitting your mark. If you had a plate attached (JB Weld or something) to the end of the tube that would help also. Another alternative would be mark your hole locations on both sides of the stick and drill one side at a time.

Hope this helps and welcome to the madness!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Thanks for the insight.

I will see if I can get access to a drill press. Did you guys use a hole bit or a normal pilot hole bit? It sounds a bit more involved than I hoped. I might just bite the bullet on some Infalt sticks.

I didn’t even think about the resale value of the stand. I guess if it turned out good, some other crazy might actually like it. I’d be pleased if I could take a pound off of it.
 
A regular metal bit will work on aluminum fairly easy. I only mentioned a press because I would hate for you to be disappointed with the outcome of free handing that many holes. Good luck!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
GodsCountry said:
Hello, Saddle Hunter.

Just joined up. I’m hunting whitetails in the mountains of NC. I’ve been lurking here for awhile, and really admire the enginuity and ultralight mindset of you guys. I don’t own a saddle. I’m putting a lot of thought into investing in the tethrd system next season.

Until then, I’m considering chopping down a LW Assault and sticks to make them ultralight as possible. I was hoping to get some guidance from you all. For the record, I’m 180 lbs with my gear, soaking wet. I find the LW gear to be incredibly overbuilt.

Project #1: Chopping off a few inches of the LW assault platform. I’m interested in cutting off the the last few inches of the platform. Essentially making it a 19x23”. I don’t think I’ll miss those last few inches.

I’ve seen you guys chop up stand platforms to create saddle platforms. What is the preferred cutting method? Sawzall? Hacksaw? Any pointers here?

Project #2: Drilling holes in the LW sticks. Again, I find these things to be incredibly overbuilt. It seems that most guys stagger 1/2” holes in the tube, avoiding the hardware. Is this doable with a hand drill and a vice? If so, what bit?

Thanks fellas. I look forward to picking some brains here. If I go through with the project, I’ll post the before and after weights.
Click to expand...



Welcome man. New from WNC too, just outside of Asheville here. What's your location?
 
c5K5YDz.jpg


I run the chopped up Assault platform.

Up until the Predator was cast, I think this was the best platform option, and may still be for some tastes.

Just my take, but I think the issue with the Assault, and every hang-on currently marketed to the mobile hunter, isn't the platform length, but the width. Just too wide for busting brush. Even if you hack off that last segment, you aren't making the stand much more portable, just lighter for ounce counting sake while losing too much functionality.

But either way, it doesn't take much saw for aluminum. Even a hacksaw handles it pretty readily, just have a file to clean up the sharp edges.
 
elk yinzer said:
c5K5YDz.jpg


I run the chopped up Assault platform.

Up until the Predator was cast, I think this was the best platform option, and may still be for some tastes.

Just my take, but I think the issue with the Assault, and every hang-on currently marketed to the mobile hunter, isn't the platform length, but the width. Just too wide for busting brush. Even if you hack off that last segment, you aren't making the stand much more portable, just lighter for ounce counting sake while losing too much functionality.

But either way, it doesn't take much saw for aluminum. Even a hacksaw handles it pretty readily, just have a file to clean up the sharp edges.
Click to expand...

If I end up going saddle, I might try to swap the assault to make a platform, without making any permanent alterations, so I could use it as a treestand again.

I’ve thought about chopping the width down too. The only issue is the cables. Maybe they could be trimmed and reattached to the new slimmer platform?
 
elk yinzer said:
c5K5YDz.jpg


I run the chopped up Assault platform.

Up until the Predator was cast, I think this was the best platform option, and may still be for some tastes.

Just my take, but I think the issue with the Assault, and every hang-on currently marketed to the mobile hunter, isn't the platform length, but the width. Just too wide for busting brush. Even if you hack off that last segment, you aren't making the stand much more portable, just lighter for ounce counting sake while losing too much functionality.

But either way, it doesn't take much saw for aluminum. Even a hacksaw handles it pretty readily, just have a file to clean up the sharp edges.
Click to expand...


Is there a walkthrough thread on making this platform?

Can you just cut the existing LW tube short, remove the cables, reinstall the batwing on the short tube, and chop the platform to desired size? I’m trying to wrap my head around how the platform is can stay level, without the cables.

I personally really like the size of the V bracket on the LW. The pedator V looks small for my liking.
 
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