Climbing stick Modification

[DanielB89]

I am going to share what I did to make my climbing sticks more quiet.  I have some leverage climbing sticks, different people have different opinions on them, but i like mine, to each his own.

Although I really like the sticks, there WERE a few things I did not like about them, primarily the attachment system, metal on metal.. clank, clank, clank..

Well I did some searching on the net and found a good how-to.  I thought I would share.  

this is how my stand started.

   


I went to the local hardware store to pick up a few supplies.  
These supplies are for 1 stick, so multiply times how ever many sticks you are doing.  

DIY "Versa Button"
1- 1/4" x 1 1/2" grade 8 bolt(Lonewolf) Leverage (2.5" because of how the sticks are a "v" shape)
2 - 1/4 flat washers
1 - fender washer
1 - 1/8" by 3/4" galvanized pipe coupling(I had to use a 1/2" socket)
1 - 1/4" drill bit(i didn't need this bc my     original hole was 1/4")
2 - 7/16" wrenches
1 - 1/4"  nylon washer nut

They go on in this order:
washer, fender washer, socket, [stand], washer, nylon nut. In the following picture, the bracket is the stand.

 

 

Here is what it looks like afterwards..

   

I then ordered me some 10mm kernmantle static rope.  Cut it into 7.5' sections, tie a loop into it and you're set.  I secured my ropes to the stand with a zip tie.  

   

The knot to secure them looks like this..
   

   


I hope this helps you guys out.  I did not come up with this, so no "good ideas" expected.  I just wanted to share because I know many people have the same problem I have with loud cam buckles and ratchet straps.

[hickstick]

I imagine that will effect the way the leverage steps naturally stack on top of each other, right?  can you show a pic of them stacked?  (I saw the same thing on youtube and was thinking about trying it...)

[DaveT1963]

I did same thing with my helium sticks.  I also further modified them into two steps sticks with 24 inch centers.  This allows me to get 4 foot with each stick.  I usually use a web strap as an additional step looped on bottom steps so I actually get 6 foot with each stick.  I can usually get 14 foot high with two sticks with two straps and  20 foot with three sticks and three strap steps

[awbowman]

Because I bought a combo package with the light Silver Scout Gorilla, I bought the versa buttons and converted my long gorilla steps.  Used 7mm purrsic rope breaking strength in excess of 2700#s I think.   Good and silent system and you can get them super tight on tree.  Half hitch easy to remove too

[beendare]

I would worry about the rope stretching and getting loose. What about modifying some ratchet straps?

[gvdocholiday]

Those ropes won't stretch.  It's basically the same thing that Muddy uses for their step sections minus the sailing cams.

[awbowman]

No significant stretch on rope.    I can get it tighter than a lone wolf strap

[DaveT1963]

Ive never had a problem with rope stretching.  The sticks do initially settle a little lower.   I'll try to post some pics of my set up

[DaveT1963]

[DaveT1963]

[DaveT1963]

[DaveT1963]

[gvdocholiday]

I guess I don't understand what the zip tie is for?  Does it keep the tag end from getting wrapped behind the loop?  

If you notice, the tag end goes under the loop and around the post...with that creating friction which helps to hold everything in place.

[gvdocholiday]

Dave where did you get those ropes?  Did you have to braid the loop or did you find them available like that?

[DaveT1963]

I ordered the rope and made the splice (loops).  I don't use a zip tie?

[gvdocholiday]

The OP used a zip tie.

[DanielB89]

Originally posted by hickstick:
I imagine that will effect the way the leverage steps naturally stack on top of each other, right?  can you show a pic of them stacked?  (I saw the same thing on youtube and was thinking about trying it...)

It slightly changed it.  All i had to do was alternate them(one with the top step up, the other with the top step down.  It doesn't stack exactly like they used to, but its so close it wont matter.  

I always strap mine to the stap on the way in, so it didn't really matter,  It made a HUGE difference in putting them on the tree though!  no noise at all!

[DanielB89]

Originally posted by beendare:
I would worry about the rope stretching and getting loose. What about modifying some ratchet straps?

You could do that, but that would be louder than rope.  I did this for it being quiet.  

As far as the rope stretching, i think of it like bow string material.  All of it stretches, but some stretches way less than others.  If you buy some "Kernmantle static rope" it will work great.  If you go to the hardware store and buy nylon rope, it will stretch like the dickens, if you buy proper equipment, you will get good results!

I am around #230 and the ropes did great this past weekend.  stayed secure the whole time.  Quiet up and quiet down.  very pleased

[DanielB89]

Originally posted by gvdocholiday:
I guess I don't understand what the zip tie is for?  Does it keep the tag end from getting wrapped behind the loop?  

If you notice, the tag end goes under the loop and around the post...with that creating friction which helps to hold everything in place.

I used a different type of rope than dave.  I used kernmantle which is not able to make loops like daves.  I used the zip tie just to be sure that my loop is always attacked to my stand.  I didn't want it to fall off.

[DaveT1963]

The rope I use is Amersteel blue from Sampsons - it stretched very little if at all.  I think each of my sticks weighs just under 2 pounds - 3 sticks and 3 green straps are right at 6 pounds total.  Now keep in mind I took a three step stick and modified it to be a two step stick with 24 inches between each step.  My green strap is right as 24 inches while hanging.  With each stick I can get 5 1/2 to 6 foot - add in a 2 foot step to my tree saddle platform and I am easily at 19-20 foot with three sticks (6 total pounds)