I super glued a penny where the bolt hits. About as cheap as you can go. Learned my lesson with a xop hang on. Went from having my seat stuck into the post to no visible deformation after doing it.
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Predator platform review
- Thread starter Docwaters
- Start date
I super glued a penny where the bolt hits. About as cheap as you can go. Learned my lesson with a xop hang on. Went from having my seat stuck into the post to no visible deformation after doing it.
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I see how the penny would prevent wear to the post, but I was thinking about the noise factor. Do you have anything to prevent the "tink" of the bolt hitting the post? Mine is sikent with the webbing under it, and I think it will last much longer than rubber/tape/strips.
No. I might try some plasti dip on the bolt head. Or borrow your idea with the webbing and just put that on top. Should have a scrap piece laying around
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Gotcha.
I'm confident that plastidip will be a very temporary solution. Stuff is pretty soft. There's a good amount of force concentrated on that bolt head. The webbing is holding up perfectly after 5 hunts. It will eventually wear through, but it should be easy to peel off and re-glue when that happens. Just a heads-up.
Yeah thanks for the heads up. There was a noticeable ring on the post after standing on the platform for a couple minutes. So I’m sure with my weight it will wear quick.
Just found a 4’ piece of webbing. Should be good for awhile using this
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Vtbow
Well-Known Member
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- Mar 21, 2018
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Round stick-on furniture felt stick on pad(the kind you put on the bottom of chair legs/etc to keep from scratching a hardwood floor). small dab of gorilla glue first...
Very similar to my setup. I think fabric is a better choice than anything rubber or plastic, since it will resist the compression better.
TonyGreenway
Well-Known Member
Hey @Nutterbuster, what kind of epoxy did you use? I'm going to do the same thing.
Don't make me lie! Some junk I bought from Ace years ago. The labeling has long since worn off.
I'd steer away from anything that I suspected would bond permanently to aluminum. Mine is sticking fine, but I know I could pry it off if it needed to be redone.
Vtbow
Well-Known Member
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- Mar 21, 2018
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any two part should work--but keep in mind if you hint where it is cold, something without any flex it is gong to come off pretty quick. Epoxy and aluminum expand and contract at very different rates. If you have it kicking around, West-systems g-flex would be ideal, you also could use a 1 part polyurethane adhesive like 3m 5200-which you can get in black at any marine store.
There is really nothing you can wreck. Just be aware the washers are tapered and put them back together the way they were assembled.
I took mine apart immediately after testing out for the first time. My platform was creaking and flexing pretty bad. After disassembling and coating all contact points with bow wax it got a lot better. I tightened the pivot bolt a little more than it was originally and it also eliminated much of the flex I was getting from the platform. The bolt was a little too loose when I received it. I adjusted so the platform would drop with slight pressure. When it was loose it dropped down really fast.
I also wrapped mine in camo flex tape and added a Yak Grip on the buckle. It finally meets my standards to hunt with and should be completely silent.
This is what I wrapped my platform in. Very cheap and should be pretty durable.
I found Stealth Strips do not work well on platform edges especially for saddle leaners. Tends to wear very quickly and the fabric separates from the adhesive.
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Yeah I realized the washers were tapered after I took it off. Luckily they only fit one way so that was good. Mine squeaked when opening it and bow wax fixed it.
I’m not planning on taping any of the platform. Just the post. I think my boots would rip it up quick. I might paracord the outer edge but that seems like a waste honestly.
So how do you like the predator compared to your xop seat?
Abishai
Active Member
I'm a noob, but I figured I could have like, 8 rings of steps for the price of one platform. I bought the saddle, but not the platform because I thought it was too high of a price.
I like the weight reduction of the Predator but also like the bigger platform of the XOP platform. I will use both this season and sell the one I like least.
I just added pics to my above post in case you missed them.
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I would call it temporary but should last all year. Honestly I think it took me 5 minutes to do it once I found my 1/2” socket and wrench.
I’m going to do it annually. That way I can keep an eye on the hardware better
I would think one application should work for quite some time. I do the same thing with climbing sticks and tree stands.
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BudgetBuck1
Active Member
I backed the bolt off a half turn and the squeaking stopped for me. Question. When using the predator platform how high do you guys place your tether? I am used to using a ring of steps but went with the platform this year and I can't seem to find a comfortable angle to sit or lean. I didn't have that problem with the ring of steps and always felt that my angle was right. I ended up sitting sideways last night with my right hip against the tree for a few hours and that was the most comfortable position with the platform. If I can't figure this out I will be going back to a ring of steps. Any advice would be appreciated. I do like the predator.
Like anything you will have to play with this and find what works best for you. With a chin high tether, short bridge (22 inches) and a platform, I do not have any problem getting comfortable. I usually have 60% weight on feet/platform, and the rest is my knees against tree. I move if and when I need to for comfort. If I am sitting all day, then periodically I will sit sideways the rest my hip against the tree.
For me, a high tether ALWAYS meant discomfort; same with standing all day on pegs in rubber boots. But what works for me might not work for you. This is why I personally play with my gear all year. last: it does take some time at beginning of season to build up your saddle tolerance - at least I seem to get more acclimated as the season wears on. In TX, it is not uncommon for me to be in my saddle before 5:00AM and not come down until after 8:00 PM as we have long days down this way even in Oct/Nov.