Homemade climbing stick?
 

Anyone made their own? Or is this a bad idea from a safety standpoint? I'm thinking about getting a hang-on stand to put on private property this year in addition to my ladder stands and blinds and have plenty of treated leftover lumber from a deck project I worked on. I was thinking a couple of 10 foot long 2x4s securely connected together and with short lengths of 2x4 across them up the tree and the whole thing wratcheted securely to the tree may be the way to go. But any prior experience or other ideas? That is why I love this board. Thanks in advance.

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

Never thought about making my own...i dont know if i wouuld use lumber. I could see machining some out of aluminum or something...

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

Thanks. I'm not so sure it's wise either. I do have a 12 foot ladder stand section from a cheapo ladder stand I no longer use cause its just so dang uncomfortable to shoot from. But it only gets you up 12 feet. I will probably just buy a cheap climbing stick but thought I'd ask.

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

That would work. It would be heavy though. Since when is 2x4 lumber not strong enough to hold a man and gear climbing a tree?

Tom

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

I never said anything about the wood not working, just that aluminum would be more practical

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

Like it was said it's heavy. I made a 15ft, 18ft, and 16ft ladder made to order. The best one was a single 4x4 with bolted on 2x4 steps. Strapped to the tree like a more modern tree stand ladder. I have used ot for 2 years with no issue. Oh yeah it was all treated lumber I got dumspter diving at a construction site. I could not pass up the length. Who throws that kind of material away? Oh well good for me..

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

and aluminum doesn't rot:D

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

Ive used lumber to make a ladder! Not quite a stick, but much more stable and safer.

get some 20 ft 2x4's and then screw steps to the top of them.

I'd brace it back to the tree mid height, or strap it to the tree vertically like a step. Im a "structural" engineer, and i'll tell ya those things are flimsy but as long as you keep it close the to tree (as vertical as possible) it will work.

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

Thanks guys. Good suggestions. I have the excess lumber and would buy quality treated hardware to assemble. I know its not as practical as a metal store bought climbing stick but I am on private property and my stands are in spots where I can get my truck fairly close to the trees.

Plus, I'm so paranoid, I'd check it several times a season and scrap it after a few years just to be safe.

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

Chuck,

It will last a long time. If you drive a new nail or two into your steps every couple of years you could get 4 or 5 years out of it safely. I climb into tree stands that are much older than that even. I've never used treated lumber.

Tom

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

Hubby and two of his friends made climbing ladders out of metal. They used square metal pipe and rebar. Basically they look a lot like this:
http://www.lancasterarchery.com/shop...2acbf161780a88

But, since one of them does a lot of metal work and had the shop and the three of them split the cost of materials and labor between them, it came out fairly cheap. They are in sections of about 4 or 5 feet so you can use as many as you need. And you can take the bottom section (or two if you prefer) with you so someone else can't use your stand.

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

It would be a heavy son of a gun. If you could leave it for a season, probably work ok. I know one person killed and two paralyzed from falling out of a deer stand. YMMV.

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

I made one out of a deck i took down free lumber. the boards where in great shape made it out of 2 x 6 still wobbly and it was extremly heavy . I won't do it again . Next time mabe an old metal ladder from a yard sale ?






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RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

I've helped tote them in and had no problems ... they are probably heavier than the aluminum (they would have to be but I have never helped tote an aluminum one so have no basis for comparison) but the square metal they use is hollow. And we do set up for a season. That's the beauty of being able to remove the bottom section or two and take them with you.

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

I have made a slug of them. 1" sq. tubing a 20 ft stick makes about a 15 ft ladder. But and a big BUT, when its all said and done it isnt any cheaper building your own vs. buing the el-cheapos. I just enjoy making them.

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

I make my own out of a very thin walled pipe. I can buy it for scrape price at work so it is very cost effective. I make all my hang on stands out of the same stuff. As far as safety goes, i feel much safer out of something I make and weld myself than any of the el'cheap'os that come from china that some guy gets paid on the number of stands or ladders he can weld up in one day. He is not thinking ok is thing going to hold my a$$ 20ft in the air? he is thinking about quiting time and which bar he is going to tonight lol. I take pride in makeing my stuff and also really enjoy it, just part of the hunt for me.

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

two things I have used
1.... an old aluminum ladder section. Someone was throwing away a 40' aluminum ladder because it was bent. There's 2 20' pieces
2..... I work with metal and bought 2- 1" square tubing. Cut one down in a bunch of 6" pieces, welding them to the single long piece.

I have seen guys use old aluminum CB antenae, the kind for base stations.
Just some thoughts...

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

We use 16ft treated 2x4's with 2ft treated 2x4 steps that have lag screws in each step with a treated 2x4 platform that is lag bolted to the tree. We make sure we seal the stand with Armour All sealant every year. These stands have lasted thru 6 years of hunting. We havent had to tighten one bolt. Its very durable and to be quite frank very comfortable. We have even moved the stands to adjust to the deer...

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

I have made two of my own from very thin wall square 1" tubing, there are four sections 4' apiece. I would not recomend it unless you have some welding skills. I tig welded mine.

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

I make my own out of 1 inch box iron and used diamond tooth harrows. I cut the 1 inch tubing into 5ft lengths (usually use 4 sections) I weld chain links on each side of the tubing at the top and bottom of each section and use this to attach a rachet strap to and around the tree. I then weld on harrow teeth alternating on the way up every foot or so on each section. I test all the steps then test them again then use them. They work really well and u can walk a ways with them if need be. I paint them up camo as well as my rachet straps. I just finished building 3 more stands so i will be making some steps here again this week if i have time.

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

My wifes cousin made a set out of steel tracks from an old manure spreader and bolted the 4 sections together, welded the rungs on and welded eye bolts on for the wratchet straps and painted everything balck. they work great!

RE: Homemade climbing stick?
 

I had given thought to the same thing a little while back. I think that you could do it as you described.