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Platform Options for a New Guy

TNSTAAFL said:
I'm with @fbwguy. Simple, cheap, comfy!
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this looks great. What are the dimensions? Is it a piece of 3/4" plywood?
 
If you guys look at the back side of your full sheets of plywood or osb you'll see a stamp that says 'strength axis' with directional arrows. Arrows should run perpendicular to support. I'm brand new to saddles but know a thing or two about wood lol. I also would trust a piece of 3/4" AdvanTech osb over any plywood. It's heavy thou compared to standard osb or ply
 
Here is my used and sometimes abused insert. I have conservatively estimated about 120 hrs of use this season. For under $10 and less than an hour of time it’s held up great! I have zero complaints about it. Real world results have been fantastic.C2EC7AD1-18B8-4391-B5ED-4EBBD2C68EB5.jpegE9A2D381-F11E-4499-B416-FA00426E4B2B.jpegABD40520-BBF9-46D3-989F-24D256823255.jpeg
 
kobudo said:
Primal and wood. I tried plywood but I was not very smart and cut the wrong grain. And now I need to create one out of real wood now that I know how great it has worked for me. The grain should go right to left and not front to back..
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I made that. Not bad. Certainly inexpensive. I tried it with 2 different types of plywood. One was just plain old 3/4" 100% pine. It squeaked when I shifted weight...may have been just that particular piece of wood, IDK.
I also used Birch veneer 3/4"...seems a slight bit stiffer and didn't squeak. Haven't hunted out of it yet.
Wish the buckle on the step was on the other side...tiny issue, but it's just the way all my sticks and platforms have always been. I set them up with the stand/sticks to my left. Not a big deal, but I'd like these straps to be reversed. And speaking of the strap, There is no way to slip a step onto the strap on the left side which is what I do with my Predator.
One last thing, I don't own any WE steps but I see them demonstrated and they lock down...I can't seem to get these to lock down when I cam them. They always seem to want to flip back up. Not an issue when I stand on it, but its just something I notice as different than the WE vids I've seen.
I still like my Predator the best. They ain't cheap but they work well 100% of the time. I own 2 gen 1 but I may buy a gen 2. I don't really know why because one is easy to carry and install each time. I really don't know why anyone needs more than one, but I'd like to have 50 of 'em!! LOL.
 
I don't think the difference in camping between primal and WE stepps is anything other than personal procedure or possibly misaligned straps on the steps. They cam over the same if used correctly I think.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
I made that. Not bad. Certainly inexpensive. I tried it with 2 different types of plywood. One was just plain old 3/4" 100% pine. It squeaked when I shifted weight...may have been just that particular piece of wood, IDK.
I also used Birch veneer 3/4"...seems a slight bit stiffer and didn't squeak. Haven't hunted out of it yet.
Wish the buckle on the step was on the other side...tiny issue, but it's just the way all my sticks and platforms have always been. I set them up with the stand/sticks to my left. Not a big deal, but I'd like these straps to be reversed. And speaking of the strap, There is no way to slip a step onto the strap on the left side which is what I do with my Predator.
One last thing, I don't own any WE steps but I see them demonstrated and they lock down...I can't seem to get these to lock down when I cam them. They always seem to want to flip back up. Not an issue when I stand on it, but its just something I notice as different than the WE vids I've seen.
I still like my Predator the best. They ain't cheap but they work well 100% of the time. I own 2 gen 1 but I may buy a gen 2. I don't really know why because one is easy to carry and install each time. I really don't know why anyone needs more than one, but I'd like to have 50 of 'em!! LOL.
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Rope around the tree needs to be level or lower than step when cammed. Play with it
 
kenn1320 said:
Rope around the tree needs to be level or lower than step when cammed. Play with it
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Yeah, I think I have with no luck. It might be that I've been trying them at ground level where the tree trunk tapers out toward the ground...might just be the shape of the trees where I tried them, but it wasn't from lack of trying. I tried straps at every angle and every tightness...I never got it to lock down after camming. Maybe I can get some pics tomorrow.

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I have the predator platform and I really like it. I have thought about using 2 of the larger screw in steps on each side of the tree with the platform for an extra footing for comfort and I've toyed with the idea if using the 2 steps only and taking away the platform. I try to be as minimalist as I can be lol.

I'm probably going to he sticking with the platform and maybe adding the 2 steps. Other than a different positions to sit I don't really see the need for them.
 
Just finished this last night have not used it yet -not sure on the versa button placement(it has more options for folding it flat) or if I'll cam the platform over with another strap(rope) and maybe not use a button at all? I know the Lone Wolf seat kit doesn't lock to the tree like the predator, but for a total cost of 113.00 vs 169.00 I got impatient and wanted to try something to get practicing shooting from it before next year.proto1.gif
 
I think you will have to do some testing....the button placement is key to keeping top bracket on tree. Also camming another rope or strap on the platform locks it tight. See my xop diy for similar setup
 
Big time fail on the versa button by itself.....I ended up moving the platform up into the middle eliminating the versa button and using a strap attatched to the platform to cam it over to the tree, might bring an additional ratchet strap until I get the right height for the cam down strap. It makes a big difference how high you put it on the tree.
 
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Bourdeau said:
Just finished this last night have not used it yet -not sure on the versa button placement(it has more options for folding it flat) or if I'll cam the platform over with another strap(rope) and maybe not use a button at all? I know the Lone Wolf seat kit doesn't lock to the tree like the predator, but for a total cost of 113.00 vs 169.00 I got impatient and wanted to try something to get practicing shooting from it before next year.View attachment 8799
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Looks like you tied that loop with a water knot. Hard to see but did you tie the extra rope so it doesn’t work it’s way back and undoes the knot?


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Zach Parker said:
Is the wood just tight to where they cam over? I’m asking to see how the wood is staying on there
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Cam the step over, then the board slides in about a 45 degree angle. When it dropped level the corners of the board cannot slide out past to angled metal of the step. You could try to yank it out and it probably would come by force, but not unintentionally. When your weight is anywhere on it it becomes even more solidly locked in. Hope this helps
 
Zach Parker said:
Is the wood just tight to where they cam over? I’m asking to see how the wood is staying on there
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Ish.

It's voodoo magic really. No one thinks this will work (this guy included) until they try it.

It will not come out on its own. Dunno why, but it just works.

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