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Pros and cons of using daisy chains

Bigterp said:
That’s it! A mechanical strap connection has much less slack. A daisy chain or versa strap is only tight-ish & weight “sets” the stick. The liability in the second scenario, no matter how tight you get the daisy chain/ versa strap there’s a little more slack in that system. Any upward movement can cause the stick to not be seated, just grazing your to as you climb up to the next position can do it. I’m ok with all that, but that’s my acceptable level of personal risk & wanted the OP to factor that in his decision.
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I split the difference. I have a daisy chain out of 1/8" amsteel with links as small as will go over DIY versa button. I go behind the attached rope, like a rope mod, and then latch one of the daisy chain links on the button. I can get it almost as tight as a strap. Sometimes I give the daisy chain a couple wraps like a rope mod, but always end with one link on the button. Takes 5 seconds to do and undo.
 
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raisins said:
I split the difference. I have a daisy chain out of 1/8" amsteel with links as small as will go over DIY versa button. I go behind the attached rope, like a rope mod, and then latch one of the daisy chain links on the button. I can get it almost as tight as a strap. Sometimes I give the daisy chain a couple wraps like a rope mod, but always end with one link on the button. Takes 5 seconds to do and undo.
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Is there any way you can take a video or photo showing this?
 
MathewsMan7 said:
I like the 7/64 Amsteel daisy chains for my sticks only, not platform. They are plenty strong, fast, and quiet. The major benefit of using them for me is how easily and quickly I can be up the tree using them. Carl’s versa straps were nice and sturdy, but they weren’t as user friendly for me as the amsteel daisy chains...not a huge difference but enough for me to stick with the 7/64 over Carl’s straps.
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I agree with all of this and have had the same experience with the 7/64 versa straps. I had both and use the Amsteel 7/64 daisy chain, sold the versa straps. I also like a mechanical strap for my platform, daisy chain for the sticks only.

Yes, you can un-seat the stick easier with daisy chain vs. a mechanical strap but the advantages of daisy chains far outweigh this single negative.

I tried most of the strap technologies and most of the sticks including the LWCG, Beast Sticks, LW and Hawk Heliums. For me, the Beast Sticks with 7/64 daisy chain is the best solution.
 
I have been using the daisy chain webbing from Eastern woods outdoors for the last two years with out a problem. Super easy to use and quick set up. I've personally never used amsteel but i have considered it.
 
I have daisy chains for sticks and platform. Ive only used the sticks so far in the back yard, waiting for my saddle. Im fine with them on the sticks but still up in the air if I will keep it on the platform.
 
Outdoorsman33 said:
Is there any way you can take a video or photo showing this?
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IMG_5382.jpgIMG_5383.jpgIMG_5384.jpg

I don't one stick. I use this method when using 3 to 5 sticks with a carry as you go aider to get from 18 to 30 feet.

The daisy chain is being wrapped around the pole to the left, so the free, tag end addressed the stick from the right. In the first photo, I have wrapped the tag end under and behind the amsteel coming off the button and pulled upward. This is the step where you pull very tightly and to the right also, but I was one handing things and wasn't crazy about using a telephone pole. Take the tag end sticking up in the first pic and pull it behind and down (behind the rope to the right). The result of that is in the second pic where the pressure on the stick while standing will provide a friction lock at 2 spots. Keeping both hands on this and using your torso a bit to hold it in place leads to a tighter (and more horizontal if you want) cord. At either point in the first or second pic, you could have taken the closest daisy chain loop and put it over the button and been done. However, if you are willing to use 30 seconds, you can then take the tag end in the second photo and wrap it once around the front then back of the stick in the direction it seems to want to go (to left as it crosses the front) and then end with a daisy chain loop on the button (third photo).

This can of course be done in either direction as it suits you with the rights and lefts reversed in my description.

Looping the daisy chain on the button is merely for insurance and replaces an overhand knot you'd have to mess with during regular rope mod. If the first 2 steps are done tight, then the last loop barely pulls on the button and comes off easily. Last step is pull out on the bottom tree stand off (tree claw) and pull downward but do so deliberately and quietly. I find this method combines the best attributes of the daisy chain and the rope mod and allows you to revert to just daisy chain method if you'd like.

You can see the strands of the daisy chain spread out on the tree for additional grip and the brummel locks provide extra friction to hold my around the button weave in place. If your daisy chain diameter and versa button sizes match up, then it locks very tightly. I customize my versabutton height by using copper pipe as a spacer that is cheap and easily cut with a hand circular pipe cutter.
 
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I use a woven daisy chain and I one stick. I intentionally leave a good bit of slack in strap because I do not undo the strap from the stick while climbing. I reach down and lift the stick to loosen the tension on the strap then move it up to the new height.

I have @DanO offsets to get the stick further away from the tree since I wear a size 14 boot. By the time I get to the bottom step I have pulled down on the stick to tighten it and I’ve had all my weight put on the stick by use of a one step aider. That really locks the stick in place and I’ve never had a kickout. This will be the third season I’ve done this.

In fact, I’m confident enough in not getting a kickout that my platform is attached to my stick and I no longer cam it over, simply use the daisy chain I climbed with.
 
raisins said:
View attachment 28668View attachment 28669View attachment 28670

I don't one stick. I use this method when using 3 to 5 sticks with a carry as you go aider to get from 18 to 30 feet.

The daisy chain is being wrapped around the pole to the left, so the free, tag end addressed the stick from the right. In the first photo, I have wrapped the tag end under and behind the amsteel coming off the button and pulled upward. This is the step where you pull very tightly and to the right also, but I was one handing things and wasn't crazy about using a telephone pole. Take the tag end sticking up in the first pic and pull it behind and down (behind the rope to the right). The result of that is in the second pic where the pressure on the stick while standing will provide a friction lock at 2 spots. Keeping both hands on this and using your torso a bit to hold it in place leads to a tighter (and more horizontal if you want) cord. At either point in the first or second pic, you could have taken the closest daisy chain loop and put it over the button and been done. However, if you are willing to use 30 seconds, you can then take the tag end in the second photo and wrap it once around the front then back of the stick in the direction it seems to want to go (to left as it crosses the front) and then end with a daisy chain loop on the button (third photo).

This can of course be done in either direction as it suits you with the rights and lefts reversed in my description.

Looping the daisy chain on the button is merely for insurance and replaces an overhand knot you'd have to mess with during regular rope mod. If the first 2 steps are done tight, then the last loop barely pulls on the button and comes off easily. Last step is pull out on the bottom tree stand off (tree claw) and pull downward but do so deliberately and quietly. I find this method combines the best attributes of the daisy chain and the rope mod and allows you to revert to just daisy chain method if you'd like.

You can see the strands of the daisy chain spread out on the tree for additional grip and the brummel locks provide extra friction to hold my around the button weave in place. If your daisy chain diameter and versa button sizes match up, then it locks very tightly. I customize my versabutton height by using copper pipe as a spacer that is cheap and easily cut with a hand circular pipe cutter.
Click to expand...

Thanks

Good explanation


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
It's always good to pre-stretch anything though in my opinion. Set it up in the yard all tightened down and leave it for 24 hours. Most of the stretch will work out, sometimes you may want to stand on it a couple times over the 24 hour period!
 
When I started using daisy chains I inadvertently figured out a way to get them a bit tighter. Once you get the chain around the tree, put the stick where you want it then put the chain over top of the button and look where the splices line up. Grab the chain at the closest splice. then with the other hand rotate the bottom of the stick sideways until the standoff is no longer on the tree. This should make it so you can get typically one link tighter. Once the chain is on the button, grab the bottom of the stick and rotate it back into position. This in a sense cams the stick. Usually after doing this the stick only slides down maybe an inch before it is set. I even do this on my old sticks that have the square metal tubing standoffs and haven't had the slightest of kick out. To take it off, slide it back up to where you started and rotate the stick out to take the loop off. This system takes a bit longer than loop it and set but it definitely sets harder for me.
 
My daisy chains are 8ft. I usually wrap mine twice around the tree if possible. The first wrap goes under the versa button and the second attaches to it. This has seem to do away with any unwanted kick out from my sticks
 
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