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Saddle platform: DIY or buy?

K

Kmarks

Member
Joined
Apr 15, 2018
Messages
61
I spent the last year hunting with the Bullman ring of steps. They were okay, but I am wanting something with a little more comfort.

After looking for options, I can spend $160-180.00 and get a Predator or Ridge Runner. For the same price, I can get an XOP Vanish stand. With the stand, I can use it to make a seat platform and also cut down the stand to make a Klemz/Predator platform.

Are their any pros/cons for going with a company made platform over a DIY platform? Or vice versa?

Thanks for the help.

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The only reason to diy one is because you want to and don’t mind a slightly inferior product.
 
Curious what you consider to make a seat conversion platform inferior? Havent found anything to dislike about mine yet but also dont have a lot of hunts on it yet either and havent hunted from a production platform for comparison.
 
Lw seat very stable easy to install
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I don’t have a Predator, but I do have a Ridgerunner, a Klemz, and have made several from LW seats and two from cut down LW Assault platforms.
They are all fine and rock solid.

Is weight and packability your number one goal? Original Klemz.

Is non slip, adjustable angle and side pressure the most important? Ridgerunner

Is the exact dimensions you want the most important? Cut down Assault.

I like all of mine. And I was a ring of steps guy until this season.
 
I gotta say i am planning on making a diy platform this year for expense reasons
 
bought the post from eastern woods outdoors 1 1/4" 6061 ... rope is amsteel 7/16 daisy chain, with a 12" dogbone that goes through the platform, and caribeaner back onto itself, this camlocks down very tight, and will not budge. post is 12" - platform pivot bolt is 5" down from top, top stand off bolt is 1 3/4" down from top, bottom standoff is flush to bottom of post, Im finding dog bones work very well for our huge cottonwood trees here in CO, I can add or subtract as many as I need, whoopie slings were very difficult to adjust once they got wet and froze or left for a period of time
 
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We surely cover this topic often.... and my response is always the same...from personal experience....have fun doing the DIY platform, pat yourself on the back when finished..."You did a great job!","saved a few bucks too"....then spend the money on a real one...LOL. I actually have two perch platforms, one I bought used on here after I had made one DIY. The one I made is more solid than the manufactured one only because it fits more snug on the step, but the trade off is the real one weighs slightly less because it's cast not welded. I have a lone wolf seat platform it is awesome for a DIY and I like that I made it myself, but it is not a predator platform....sometimes the wait time to get one plays a factor for me...In the beginning I didn't want to wait for a predator.
 
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You can buy a lone wolf seat and all the rest of the parts needed from Dan O
 

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Thanks for all the info. I think i may buy a Podium soon. I want to see what people post after the season ends or if they go on sale during convention season.

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Kmarks said:
Thanks for all the info. I think i may buy a Podium soon. I want to see what people post after the season ends or if they go on sale during convention season.

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You won't regret a podium. I took one on trade and have been pleasantly surprised by it. Great platform.
 
bourdeau I understand what your saying, but I build or rework all my own hunting equipment to fit me, same reason I reload bullets, tie flies, remodel my house build my barns, I simply enjoy journey.
 
Kmarks said:
Thanks for all the info. I think i may buy a Podium soon. I want to see what people post after the season ends or if they go on sale during convention season.

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I would expect to see a couple of new platform options being released at the ATA from the buzz that has been going on around here. If that happens I would expect to see some platforms on the classifieds here. Since I have been on this board, it seems like alot of guys are on here are like crack addicts. They just can't resist getting the "new" thing. :grinning:
 
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Lol. I am willing to help finance other people's "addiction". I have a seperate savings account for it.

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pat I tried building one with versa button, couldnt get it to cam in or get solid , Ive hunted with LW tree stands for 20 years, there a great stand
amsteel is very simple to work with, to me much easier than straps and alot less weight, lots of utube stuff on amsteel, dont buy the pricey "fids" I use 6 " of the nock end of an aluminum arrow.
 
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