The Wraptor

[Sheldon]

Also was skeptical about the 6” between straps but works great at that distance and very comfortable. Thanks @Bwhana for the project.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bwhana]

I just finished one built to 36”. My waist runs around 38” with the standard issue fat overlap. For me it is comfortable but I am “right on the edge”. If you look at the pics above, it appears to me, and based on my experience that the rings will turn in a bit. This leads to a little discomfort for me but can easily be adjusted where it doesn’t bother me. All said I am looking to build another will likely be an inch or two longer on the bottom and see what happens. Also looking at putting a pack cloth panel in the webbing to keep my fat from oozing out. Really do like the design. The problem for me is my design not the saddles


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I like the idea of making the bottom a touch longer than the top section. It should provide better back support. The only drawback is it may not work as well if you try to put both loops down low closer together. Will be interested to see how that works!

 

[Sheldon]

Added a 22 x 6” panel on the bottom to see what difference it would make. Really like it and going to do the top as well. Now the critters don’t have to see my unsightly bulges

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bwhana]

Added a 22 x 6” panel on the bottom to see what difference it would make. Really like it and going to do the top as well. Now the critters don’t have to see my unsightly bulges

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

More like a double sitdrag! I am amazed at how right they got the Anderson all those years ago. The commercial options are great, but nothing wrong with this old school tech either.

 

[JBDaddy]

Added a 22 x 6” panel on the bottom to see what difference it would make. Really like it and going to do the top as well. Now the critters don’t have to see my unsightly bulges

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

What's it weigh?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[Sheldon]

What's it weigh?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

More than my little scale will handle...which is 16oz. Added a belt to it with a heavy buckle and tubular webbing bridge right now so it isn't really light; however, the way it "rides" it doesn't feel heavy. Think I am going to really like this. The only issue I have with it is making sure to sort it all out after I take it off to prevent the resulting bird nest.

BTW, as a noob, why did these cease to be made? This thing is dang comfortable. Did a little poking around and couldn't find anything...didn't look real hard though.

 

[JBDaddy]

BTW, as a noob, why did these cease to be made? This thing is dang comfortable. Did a little poking around and couldn't find anything...didn't look real hard though.

I bet John Eberhart got them to stop making them to preserve his advantages (j/k, John).

 

[Bwhana]

We spent almost 3 hrs in our Wraptors testing various climbing methods. Hawks with single moveable aider vs 3 step aider, 1 stick method with single aider, WE stepps with knaider, swaider, and 5 step aider and with just knaider/swaider. @KelvinM12 isnleaning toward 3 cut hawks with single moveable aider. Barry is looking at single stick or his new WE. I loved the 1 stick best today. WE with a 5 step aider and knaider is 2nd, but will take time to perfect. Amsteel ropes on WE is a huge leap to the better. Perch is on order, and will have a Predator vs Perch showdown, loser gets traded or sold! Likely will have a tweaked set of Heliums for sale or trade after month or two of testing. Can't leave out squirrel steps, they rock and are simple and lite for a ring of steps. Through all of this, zero issues using the Wraptors for everything. The only downside is I cut my belt ends a little too short and may resew a new belt to solve that issue. Next step is we will be using them at ground level during turkey season and hopefully rack up some saddle birds!

 

[Ed the Red]

Your build is awesome, I just modified my Anderson and may build one copying it. The pic shows how I did the tie in point cause I wanted to keep the original steel loops. Since then I've found these triangular carabiners that are wide enough and have a large enough radius to not bunch up and jam the material. Haven't hung from them yet but I think they will work. Just another option for bridge tie in.

 

[JBDaddy]

Oh, I like that triangular carabiner. I put my wraptor together yesterday and kinda hated that using the rings meant if I wanted to use them for something else later, I'd have to destroy it. I may destroy it eventually anyway, since it's freakin' shiny gold (no pics or weight yet, but it's REALLY light. And fabulous).

I'm going to test out the golden version for comfort and eventually build a black version and might use those style of carabiners then.

I haven't put a bridge or belt on it yet, and I'm still debating them. It was 18 degrees and that's below my "go out and hang for a while" limit.

I have a whoopie-sling bridge on my DIY kestrel that I ended up never adjusting after putting it on. So I might re-use that to test comfort on the wraptor, then swap for a permanent amsteel bridge with real splices instead of the whoopie's girth-hitch & carabiner arrangement.

For a belt I was thinking about 3 options: It doesn't look like it's any kind of load-bearing, just there to hold it up for use as a linemans' belt connection while climbing. So I could:
1. Sew a belt & buckle like I've seen here. I have backpack webbing & buckles easy to use for this.
2. Use some ribbon material to make a series of loops attached at one side i.e. xx__()__()__()__(), and put a G-hook on elastic on the other side. Stretch the elastic toward the loops, and just hook it together on the tighest loop possible. Sort of like a bikini top hooks together in the back. This would be pretty light, but not strong (I don't think it needs to be). Plus, then I get to contemplate bikini tops for a while.
3. Use a bungee cord: Hook on to one of the 6" verticals, run it around me while the wraptor runs around the back, then hook into the other one. from the other side. Not wild about this, but it's easy/not permanent to test, etc.

When I finished it yesterday I realized I would roll it up and fit it in a turkey vest pocket with room to spare. That got me thinking about just using that vest to carry everything, and I ended up sewing a set of molle loops across the bottom back of the vest to give me a place to hang sticks as I climb. I may make a post about that thing when I sort it out a bit more. I almost think that could turn into a REALLY light-weight, mod-able, many-pocketted hunting tool that can carry a predator/podium in the rear game bag, 3 helium sticks both to walk in, AND climb & access, and maybe I could even use leftover gold seat belt straps to build a minimalist/packable meat hauler it would carry too.

Thanks for getting me into the invent/sew mode again, guys.

 

[Ed the Red]

i like the vest idea as long as dont have to carry hard gear like sticks. I bought my 2" webbing from Strapworks.com has nice military color and is seatbelt material. 6000 lb and is all Polyester.

 

[Sheldon]

Your build is awesome, I just modified my Anderson and may build one copying it. The pic shows how I did the tie in point cause I wanted to keep the original steel loops. Since then I've found these triangular carabiners that are wide enough and have a large enough radius to not bunch up and jam the material. Haven't hung from them yet but I think they will work. Just another option for bridge tie in.

Those carabiners may the way to go! Let us know how they work. Hate to cut the rings off but this may be the ticket.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Bwhana]

Those carabiners may the way to go! Let us know how they work. Hate to cut the rings off but this may be the ticket.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Totally agree and will cut my rings if a better solution is found. @Ed the Red let us know how those work for you. I may order some and test without removing my rings now.

 

[Piney]

Using these for a DIY version. Seems like they'll work nice for linemans belt and bridge connection.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GV2RYEG/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_9?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

 

[Bwhana]

Using these for a DIY version. Seems like they'll work nice for linemans belt and bridge connection.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GV2RYEG/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_9?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

View attachment 11299View attachment 11300

Nice idea, those should keep the loops in place very well. Like seeing the clips on your pics, those worked like a champ for me too!

 

[Ed the Red]

Ok, I hung at ground level but have full weight on the biners. The sling material hardly bunches up and the two loops adjust to you easily. I think this type of carabiner used to modify a original Anderson sling would work fine but for a completely new build I’m liking those rings Piney is using.

 

[Chrighton]

Looks good to me

 

[Sheldon]

Ok, I hung at ground level but have full weight on the biners. The sling material hardly bunches up and the two loops adjust to you easily. I think this type of carabiner used to modify a original Anderson sling would work fine but for a completely new build I’m liking those rings Piney is using.

Are those carabiners the hms strike? Been looking around and wanted to get the right ones. Agree on the other rings but too late now. TIA


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Ed the Red]

Are those carabiners the hms strike? Been looking around and wanted to get the right ones. Agree on the other rings but too late now. TIA


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yes they are. They are available with different types of locking gates and I ordered them thru Campsaver.com

 

[Bwhana]

@Piney...Do you know the load rating for those rings - was it listed on the packaging? I only see that they meet ANSI standards, but I can't find any translation for that. I am interested in them, but want to make sure they are safe for our use.