• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Steppladder Platform Prototype

Excellent job! I like the strap idea. Possibly the lightest platform option we have to date.

Does the board rub the tree? The issue I found with mine and the reason I got away from it was that the board would scratch the tree at times and make noise.
 
Swampfox said:
Excellent job! I like the strap idea. Possibly the lightest platform option we have to date.

Does the board rub the tree? The issue I found with mine and the reason I got away from it was that the board would scratch the tree at times and make noise.
Click to expand...
Great question. I was worried about that too, but so far there's no noise or tree marking from the board (the steps on the other hand mark the heck out of the tree).

Now keep in mind I've attached this to exactly one tree so far. A Maple. It seemed to fit flush flush with the standoffs and work in concert with the cam action, but no noise. Prior to testing it I thought that I would need to trim the tree side edge back a bit but decided to wait until after testing under the theory that you can always cut some more off, but can't put any back! It worked well enough for now that I'll keep testing as is and report back if I see a need for a change. Again the dimensions were from the Instagram link in an earlier post and that includes the distance from the tree side edge to the holes.




Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
Swampfox said:
Excellent job! I like the strap idea. Possibly the lightest platform option we have to date.
Click to expand...

It is pretty light. I'll have to weigh it and post the results.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
Another thought...wood and metal rubbing against each other usually end up squeaking at some point. Especially pine. Hardwoods not so much so an oak board although heavier might be a better choice.

Some kind of buffer on plywood between the two might work.

Also, on the videos using the Wild Edge step it looks like a big hassle to get the knot done with the platform in the way, a strap seems like a better solution. Unless the platform could be installed after the step is put on the tree.
 
Heydeerman said:
Another thought...wood and metal rubbing against each other usually end up squeaking at some point. Especially pine. Hardwoods not so much so an oak board although heavier might be a better choice.

Some kind of buffer on plywood between the two might work.

Also, on the videos using the Wild Edge step it looks like a big hassle to get the knot done with the platform in the way, a strap seems like a better solution. Unless the platform could be installed after the step is put on the tree.
Click to expand...
Great points all.

I have no idea what kind of wood my plywood is made out of. I found it in my garage left over from some project 10-15 years ago. I think I remember it being on the pricey side of the plywood options as I was making a kids train play set and wanted to use nice materials. It is very solid stuff and has zero flex when I stand on it. Hasn't made noise yet but again, I've only been on it once.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
Heydeerman said:
Also, on the videos using the Wild Edge step it looks like a big hassle to get the knot done with the platform in the way, a strap seems like a better solution. Unless the platform could be installed after the step is put on the tree.
Click to expand...

This is an excellent point. I initially was considering swapping the strap out for an Amstel or WE rope, but the more I think about it the strap simplifies the attachment process so much. Maybe I'll have to live with it's bulk since it attaches so much easier. Definitely need to Stealth Strip the buckle. Perhaps the old tire tube trick used on Lone Wolf straps could also work.


Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
I located a nice 3/4” piece in my scrap-pile. It’s my project for the weekend. I have the primal step also. Was the hole location much different from the WE? I’m thinking about spraying it with black Flex-Seal for traction.
 
fbwguy said:
I located a nice 3/4” piece in my scrap-pile. It’s my project for the weekend. I have the primal step also. Was the hole location much different from the WE? I’m thinking about spraying it with black Flex-Seal for traction.
Click to expand...
The hole location is very important. I used the Instagram blueprint which I believe was designed for the WE step. The Primal is almost identical but appears a touch wider. At first the Primal would go in the holes but would not seat fully. I tried measuring and drilling a new board with wider spaced holes (7 1/4" ish I think) but then the Primal standoffs wouldn't get started in the holes.

I ended up using my original board with the 6.5" gapped holes from the Instagram blueprint. I used a jig saw to carve out my original holes enough for the Primal to seat fully horizontally. That is what you see in the pics. It is not very elegant or polished looking but it is functional.

Perhaps a 6.75" or 7" gap would have done the trick. I would recommend drilling test holes in any scrap plywood you have before spending time on overall platform shape until you find what you like.

I also would have left more wood on the tree side corners to strengthen the wood between the holes and the platform edge. I did a 3" radial arc and would do less of I had it to do over again.

I'm not much of a DIY/engineer/craftsman guy so sorry if this is unclear or less than helpful.

I definitely plan to paint it before I'm done and I like your friction coating idea.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
TNSTAAFL said:
The hole location is very important. I used the Instagram blueprint which I believe was designed for the WE step. The Primal is almost identical but appears a touch wider. At first the Primal would go in the holes but would not seat fully. I tried measuring and drilling a new board with wider spaced holes (7 1/4" ish I think) but then the Primal standoffs wouldn't get started in the holes.

I ended up using my original board with the 6.5" gapped holes from the Instagram blueprint. I used a jig saw to carve out my original holes enough for the Primal to seat fully horizontally. That is what you see in the pics. It is not very elegant or polished looking but it is functional.

Perhaps a 6.75" or 7" gap would have done the trick. I would recommend drilling test holes in any scrap plywood you have before spending time on overall platform shape until you find what you like.

I also would have left more wood on the tree side corners to strengthen the wood between the holes and the platform edge. I did a 3" radial arc and would do less of I had it to do over again.

I'm not much of a DIY/engineer/craftsman guy so sorry if this is unclear or less than helpful.

I definitely plan to paint it before I'm done and I like your friction coating idea.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Great explanation thanks! I will try a few test measurements in some scraps first for sure! Yours really looks good
 
I'm liking this, but not sold yet. If someone can make it happen that the board goes on after the step is up, I'm sold. I'm not so much hesitant from a difficulty aspect but more so from the packability standpoint . For $5 for a primal step, it's incredibly easy to justify.
 
I’m also going to experiment with some carbon fiber honeycomb panels we have sitting around at work. They are some misdrilled floorboards used in building corporate jets. Super strong and lightweight but cutting them at home might be a little difficult
 
fbwguy said:
I’m also going to experiment with some carbon fiber honeycomb panels we have sitting around at work. They are some misdrilled floorboards used in building corporate jets. Super strong and lightweight but cutting them at home might be a little difficult
Click to expand...

If this works, I may be asking you to misdrill some more floorboards!
 
TNSTAAFL said:
They went out of stock on the Amazon 4-pack but i I found them for sale individually here:

https://northwoodsoutlet.com/product/primal-hunting-strap-v-tree-step/

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Y'all crazy saddle hunters bought them all! I'd been watching them and finally decided to buy them, only to see they were all sold out on Amazon and Sportsman's Guide. I bought 4 from Northwoods last night for $32 shipped. It would've been $22 if if pulled the trigger a day earlier...
 
you guys are inspiring! There has to be something we could come up with to insert AFTER breaking the step over to lock it in.
 
tam9492 said:
I'm liking this, but not sold yet. If someone can make it happen that the board goes on after the step is up, I'm sold. I'm not so much hesitant from a difficulty aspect but more so from the packability standpoint . For $5 for a primal step, it's incredibly easy to justify.
Click to expand...
Packability is not a major issue since you don't need to keep the board on the step at all times. My plan is to put the Primal step in the bottom of my WE bag so it comes out last when ready to set platform. Then I just need to come up with a place to hang the board while climbing so I can slip it on the Primal step when ready. Probably use the molle loop on saddle with some nite ize or something.

Of course, if a redesign allows inserting the board after cam you do get the benefit of using the Primal as one more climbing step (one less overall step).

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
TNSTAAFL said:
Packability is not a major issue since you don't need to keep the board on the step at all times. My plan is to put the Primal step in the bottom of my WE bag so it comes out last when ready to set platform. Then I just need to come up with a place to hang the board while climbing so I can slip it on the Primal step when ready. Probably use the molle loop on saddle with some nite ize or something.

Of course, if a redesign allows inserting the board after cam you do get the benefit of using the Primal as one more climbing step (one less overall step).

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I used Hawk rubber coated tie wire when carrying the board
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top