Making my own climbing stand
 

You know the saying if you want something done right, do it yourself? Well, I don't like any climbing stand on the market completely. I always find something wrong with each one I own orlook at. Therefore...

Ah reckon I'm is fenna builds mah own. I don't care if I have to buy a tig welder in order to do it. Heck, I welded my own bow press, I can try a stand as well. First thing I gotta do is figure out what materials to use. I have a Lone Wolf alpha hand climber now and was wonderingwhat the platforms are made of. From what I can discern, it is some sort of aluminum alloy.

If this is correct, next thing would be to figure out where I can get similar stock and of course if it is weldable. Any insight or guesses on what the LW is made of would be appreciated. Also, if anyone has a suggestion on where I can get aluminum or aluminum alloy stock that would be nice too.

When I get it together, I'll make sure you guys get plenty of pix.

hth

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

Good luck, and be able to confidently trust your life with your welding abilities...I know I wouldn't mine, but then again..I am terrible at welding.:D

Im interested to see where you take this.

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

A friend of mine makes his own stands. He usually makes ladder stands, but he has made a few climbers. His were very heavy and the ended up being left up as permanent stands. He uses 1 inch quare tubing, solid, but way too heavy IMO.

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

I don't see why anyone couldn't do it. However, I would do a lot of research on this before tackling it. For one, in order to make a stand safe and also lightweight, you need to use the correct material in the correct places. I'll use Summit as an example here. They use computers to design the stands. The computer can calculate how much stress would be put on a stand ifa hunter was standing on the platform. The computer will let them know right away if there is potential for failure because too much stress was placed on a certain part of the stand by the weight of a person.

I'm not saying you can't build a stand. I've always had the old motto of "what one man can do, another can do". Just becareful. Who knows, you just might end up designing the next big thing.;)

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

aluminum is not like welding regular cold or hot rolled steel. I would find a welder that specializes in aluminum welding unless you have been trained in it. You can get the aluminum 6061 square tubing from http://www.alro.com or from central steel & wire http://www.centralsteel.com/............there may be local places cheaper for you but those are some of the big names out there. You will also need someone with a tube bender to form your tubes for you, if not bent properly you will stress the material and could cause failures that you dont want to be a victim of. You are going to spend alot more in materials and fabrication than you would if you were to buy one. Dont get me wrong with what im telling you here, Im not saying dont do it.....im saying do it right so you dont get hurt.

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

Get out of my body. If you aint saying and thinking just like me I'm a monkeys uncle.:D

I'm absolutly positive I can build a better one.

Keep this in mind. Your starting from what you know based on what you see; think outside of the box. Nobodys made a rule it has to be like all of them are.

Suppose you could make it so you could walk up a tree with a platform on your back. No gouging into the tree with spikes.

I'd say don't listen to the negitive waves, but your already like me.:D

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

For me, there is no way that it would be worth my time. Maybe to you it is, and maybe you'll end up with what you want! Good luck...

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

Pretty sure the Lone Wolf platform is made of cast aluminum. Not an expert, but I don't think you can weld to that.

Good luck with whatever you come up with. Stress analysis should be a big concern, especially if you are trying to go the lightweight route.

I'm with you though. Every climber I've used has some good points and bad.

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

Should be interesting, you should do a build along with pics etc....

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

I have been in the steel industry for all of my working life, and the quality of steel right now is horrible. We have issues daily with our tolerence and we own the steel mills and the coaters (NCI). I hope you build the best climber ever and sell me one at a good price one day...with that said please be aware that if a company our size with our connections,R&D, etc is having a hard time getting good steel, I would be leary of a regular Joe building something that will keep them 20' from death 30/40 times a year. I know many do it, but you are the first to askour (my)opinion and I like reading your posts to much to read one stating local hunter falls............

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RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

It can be done HTH but keep in mind your own safety as well. I have made my own stands, all steel and hang on, for years! I started out as you have with likes and dislikes in several types and combined them to make my own. I assume you know how to weld AL. I would try to stay away from bends, as to avoid fatigue and miter the angles in. Just have a plan and draw it out. If you know a design works then use it, but modify it only for the good and safe side, manufactures spend high dollars in reserch before the market a stand to the public. As I said I have made my own for years and had only 1 failure, and that was my own fault not a mechanical failure just an oversite by me! Your NOT going to save money or time doing this, but the satifaction that you made this and it is way better than whats on the store shelf is worth it to me.:D

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

Welding aluminum, the type you are speaking of is more than just welding, its like an art. The Lone Wolf platform is cast aluminum and I believe the rest is 6061 aluminum. It isn't cheap. Why not just take what climber you have and try to do a modification, though that will void any warranty. Good luck.

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

X2 ...more than likely its 6061 al. i also agree with what someone else said previously... if you don't have experience welding aluminum, get someone else to do it for you that does. its a lot different than welding cold rolled or hot rolled steel.

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

My brother has 2yrs tech school welding. I can lay near perfect uniform nickels whenI used to oxy-x. With a lil instruction and practice I think I'll be fine.

No, money is not an issue to a degree. I hate junk and will always pay much more for quality. This stand will be squeak, clunk, tingfree. I will likely lay rubber coating on it for those accidental clashings. Target weight will be 16ish pounds.

Thanks for the encouragement guys. I will keep safety by way of structural integrity first in mind. I'm a perfectionist and over-doer so likely I'll end up with a stand that can hold an elephant.

I hope to have this done by the beginning of next season. Stay tuned.

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

If it's just for 'self satisfaction' then go for it...otherwise, today, it's a high chance it's cheaper to 'buy' the stand. Unless you're getting all the materials free.
We built our climbing sticks & stands years ago. But with the prices today for some Remington20' CS, API, Big Game, etc, AS WELL AS the CRIMINIALS who take whatever they get their hands on,to me it's almost useless to go into so much effort only to see your stands & sticks disappear to those unworthy!
I've lost quite a few of the climbing sticks I'd built and had put good time into them as well. Since the woods are no more what they used to be, I now prefer to buy the stands and sticks.

It doesn't hurt 'as much' when they're stolen.:(

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

I too think the platform is cast aluminum (like golf clubheads). Think of this.....if I'm not mistaken...outof all the brands of golf clubs....I think there are two places in the US that cast ALL of the heads. It's not an easy process....and it requires some pretty substantial/specializedmachinery/gear.

I think I'd shy away from the casting process and find an alternate route/method.

Ought to be interesting, Heu. Good luck.

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

Good Luck...I'll take that junk Alpha Hand climber off of ya;)

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

Then maybe you can find someone to throw in all the other stuff to make it useful. [:@]

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

It's a small world. Got a casting plant (small willing to work with the locals) right in town. Got a welding company down the road who does the same with people. They even have a guy out back just for people who bring projects in. Really is just a matter of getting to know your neighbors and that leds to places to hunt.

Scrape yards are full of cast products and the price of scrape is way down. The wheel isalreadyinvented and speaking of wheels a tire would make a heck of a belt. Doesn't even need tread.:D

Really is no big deal. [8D]

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

At the risk of offending some, I think this is worth mentioning if it saves someone from serious injury.
A couple of you have NO IDEA what you’re getting into. You can’t seriously think that welding an aluminum stand is even remotely the same as welding a bow press? Using cast aluminum from a scrap yard?
Are you a structural engineer? Clearly not. Do you understand what it takes for a foundry to make something for you and the cost involved? Welding up a steel hang on is one thing. Thinking you can weld up a better climbing stand in your garage, when you don’t even know what cast aluminum is and having never welded aluminum is completely different. I hope you have good insurance, because your only way of finding problems will be with failure. On the plus side, you guys could be leading candidates for the Darwin awards. Good luck and I hope I’m wrong.

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

I have welded quite a few stands myself, ladders and hang-ons, all out of steel. They are very solid, if heavy, but do not have any fear trusting the life of me or my sons to them. I do not use climbers and have never attempted one, they don't fit our MO.

Welding aluminum is very different from welding steel, we do both at the plant I am production mamager at. Steel is easy, aluminum is tricky. If you are planning on trusting your life to it I would really reccommend getting someone to weld it for you. I'm not saying you can't do it, because I don't know you or your skills personally. I'm just saying don't take it lightly and do quite a bit of weld testing before you do it for real. I wouldn't trust my welds on light wall aluminum 30 feet in the air, and I have welded a fair bit of it. Aluminum also work hardens and stress cracks, which is something your design will have to take into consideration as far as where it flexes.

Be careful and safe. Good luck.

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

WOW, that was kinda harsh.

Theother 9/10of your post is appreciated though. No, not a structural engineer but also not as dumb as you make me or us. I'm not gonna try to weld cast aluminum cause well, it can't be done. I'm not gonna try to support 300lbswith drywall screws. I'm not gonna do whatever half ass incomp thingit is that your post seems to imply.This is just an idea being knocked around insofar. Chances are moreit wont go anywhere. Chances are less it will.

Mr. Summit and Mr. Wolf had to have notagreed withother people's designs to begin with too.

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

Hoytail Hunter

Just a small item to add for you. I own a metal fab business, we weld aluminum everyday, buy aluminum everyday, and have access to extruded aluminum that you may not be able to get a hold of. That being said, i will not make my own. I have in the past, and I have some stands that are unlike any on the market. I have not had a stand fail yet, but---------you WILL NOT be able to make one lighter and as safe as the ones being made out there. My advice, with a grain of salt, is get one close to what you want and make a couple modificaations. Good Luck though, and Iwant pictures of what I believe will be a $500 stand after you get your welder!
Dandbuck

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

I didn't mean to imply you were dumb,just not familiar with what is involved. Also, it wasn't all directed towards you. I could have politely suggested it wasn'ta good idea, but others already have and have been ignored for the most part. Some of the ideas posted here are just scary and could very well result in someone being killed or paralized. I didn't feel like this was the post to be PC, though I seldom do. :DAnd in fact cast aluminum can be welded, but again, bad idea for something you trust your life to.

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

Im not trying to crash your plans or insult you so please dont take this the wrong way. If you have not had much training/experience in welding,especialy aluminun, dont even attempt this. I was a certified welder for a long time, and did make my first two climbers. I have alot of experience in fabrication with metal and i can tell ya, your not going to be able to makea climberthat is even close to being better than the ones on the market. most of the materials they use are not readily available to us. They are cut, shaped, bent and welded with machines. We have access to mainly aluminum angle, flat stock,and square stock.thereare many years of development on these stands to get them where they are today. I understand your desire to make your own, im a fabrication nut as well, I make alot of my stuff to ;)Trust me, if you have never done aluminum welding, you dont want to even attempt it on a climber,,to risky. There is an art to learning it, and without a foot pedal on your welder to control your heat/amps its not recomended to try on a climber.

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

Thanks for the insightful input guys. The majorobstacle in my head has been weight -vs- structural integrity from the very beginning. I'm not trying to make a stand that is better or lighter than anything on the market. I just want one that is more suited to my liking. I do believe I will be nut and bolting this thing together instead of welding. Aluminum is not a very strong metal to begin with and welding it together furthers that weakness.

Specifically with my LW, I don't like:

1) how on small diameter trees the belt rubs against the tube housing when you sit down or stand upcausing creeks. This will eventually cost me the big buck that snuck in behind me and I have to slowly stand up.

2) the flat crossmember on the bottom platform as it forms a wedge against the tree when you have to set up to anticipate tree diameter change when climbing.

3) how it's hard sometimes to get my fingers into the clamping jaws to undo them. That tab should've been made to angle out a little more so you can get your fingers in there to unclamp.

4) how those clamping jaws rub against the seat cushion when packing up. This rubbing will eventually rip holes into the cushion. -another design flaw overlook

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

Nuts and bolts are going to be spots where squeaks are going to happen!

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

You guys kill me.

These stands today don't even go by the "3" rule. They go by "2".

Make the thing and pile 3 times the recommended weight on it (While standing on the ground as if I needed to mention it but aparently it does need to be mentioned) and it'll be 33% stronger than any made. You'll be happy to know your house does follow the 3 rule.

You guys put a lot of faith in these mass produced stands. My mass produced "certified" stand took a dump on me this year. No miss use, no abuse, just a poor STRUCTURALLY ENGINEERED DESIGNED stand. That right there should tell everyone that if they can't do it no one can. YA RIGHT.

The real problem is way to many people have no business being in a tree.Some do need a house 20" up to keep them safe and the rest are just careless. Another harness failure happened. Kid was 20 feet up. She went to school here. Trusted that StRUCTURALLY ENGINEERED PIECE OF... equipment with her life.
http://www.local12.com/news/local/story/Christmas-Show-Performer-Dies-After-Fall/q7y2EcSYhEOfbrXReykeYg.cspx

You can keep that "Certified" lable, it's only there for legal purposes. It's your butt, protect it. No one else will.

I know I can make a better one. Better isn't stronger per say, better is something that doesn't hinder me in all aspects of hunting. Better is something that helps me disappear. That's "better".

Make your stand hunter and the one after that and the one after that. Even if it never works out you'll be leaps and bounds ahead of most people who blindly hang their butts 20 feet in the air. Illumination is the real goal in life!:D

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

That why I wear a harness! What kind of stand were you using when it failed???

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

The company is no longer in business. 75 years and poof just fell of the planet. NorthStar was the company. You can't even find an owner and I think LoneWolf copied their belt system. They started off with a "groved" belt. The stand was a "Tree Cat Archer". Had a lot going for it. The center of the top section should have been reinforced. The bottom has the square platform to keep things together. Came a part like I was making a wish. The adjustability of the stand is killer. A real plus.

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

Nodog Northstar got sued:eek: Which put them out of business.

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

For what?

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

Can you explain that? That seems like it might be the dumbest thing I've ever read.

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

I was thinking the same thing

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

I totaly agree it takes alot of experience to weld aluminium corectly. you would want to learn on something far less important than keeping you up in a tree

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

You want to build your own... fine. One suggestion... full body fall restraint system and maybe even a descender set up to get down. I doubt you can build it as light or much cheaper than what you can buy. That said, I'm sure it can be done... but make sure you hook up. It only takes one weak link for the chain to break.

RE: Making my own climbing stand
 

Sure, but do you read much?

A builder has an eye for what is and what is not well built. He's knows it first hand and often from failing. Whydo I have to explain that?

It's called inventing, google it! Great American tradition! Always been surounded by people with negitive waves. Depending on your perspective aint such a bad thing. A foot pedal has already been mentioned. Put that on the list Hunter. Even if you don't do the welding the guy who does better be using one or have a good explanation why? That's how ya learn!

Cambridge. Home of John Glen and were talking about 20' ?:DYou do kill me! LOL