Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I hung my stand today, my API Baby Grand Deluxe. This is the last time I will ever use screw in steps though. Want a pain in the tail those things are. By the time I screwed all the steps in I barely had enough energy to pull the stand up and now I still have to hang it. Even with my harness I still almost ended up sliding down the tree about ten differnent times.

I have a Summit Viper Ultra climber on order though so maybe next year hanging my API won't be such an ordeal. None the less those screw in steps are headed for the trash. I am wore out, I guess I better go to bed.

[Deleted]
 

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RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

And you think there hard now wait until December or Jan to pull them back out. I think there even tougher then.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

Bet you are using steps sold my Walmart. They suck big time and are nothing but junk! There are some very good treesteps out there, you just need the right ones. Try Cranford Ezy Climb steps and you will change your mind. I have nothing to do with any company........I just have tried almost every brand made, and the Cranford screw in steps are the only ones I will use.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

If your intrested in selling them I could use the. Email me if you want to get rid of them.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I dont like screw in steps, the arent the safest thing in the world, u cant use a saftey harness while climbing, and they ruin the tree. Thas y i stick with climbers.

PETA: People Eating Tasty Animals

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I started out using a hang-on stand and continue to use it when the situation warrants it. But, I have never used screw in steps nor do I like the bulkiness of those climbing sticks. I use strap on steps. A variety of companies make them...Ameristep, etc.... I just picked up some new ones last week. They are lightweight, durable, quiet and relatively easy to set up. What more could you ask for?

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I use EZY Rod steps. They have very sharp threads on them. So sharp I've cut my finger on them before. I don't like to mess around screwing steps in while I'm hanging by one arm.
I also have some of thier rope on steps too, another thumbs up.....Give em a try. I can get you a dealers name where you can get them if needed.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

Cisco- i bet you are using the wrong steps. If you bought them from WalMart then no wonder you couldn't get them in the trees. I use Gorilla brand tree steps (I got them from Redhead). I can put them in the hardest oak with only one hard and almost no effort on my part. You just need to get some good tree steps!

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

No...... I didn't buy them at Wal-Mart. They are Ameristep screw-ins. I bought them at Bass-Pro. I was using my climbing harness but I don't know what it is but I've used them the past two years and thank godness I only have to deal with it once a year but I'm telling you it really is a major ordeal to get these things in especially on my off hand side. Maybe the trees I'm using them in are just extra hard or something..... I really don't know it just dosen't seem worth the effort. Especially if it means my stand isn't hung as securely because I'm spent by the time I am ready to hang it.

Edited by - Cisco on 09/12/2002 14:39:24

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

TRY THE DRILL METHOD IT WORKS GREAT!

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I also pre-drill holes. My wife got me a wrench that is made specifically for tightening tree steps. I put up 4 stands in the last 2 days, this thing was a life saver! The wrench gives you much better leverage, which lets you put the steps in a lot easier. I think she bought it at Meijer.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

Tree Hopper makes a special bit for cordless drills - then use a 3/8 grade 8 bolt for the step. They have a rounded head with an inset hex head. Extremely quick and the bolts are strong.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

Cisco,

I usually like to pre "tap" a hole with my good steps (like the Gorilla's) and then I put the Ameristeps in. Mostly this is because I only have a few good ones with the majority being Ameristep.

ONE TIP: If you have a tree set up and know you will use it throughout the season, but can't leave your steps in; when you pull them out try sticking a small twig in the hole left behind. I do this now and can say that it saves me alot of time when I come back. Sometimes the tree has grown over the twig and you can't pull it out. What I do then is just break it off flush and get my tip started and voila! they're in!

I prefer this method because it makes me nearly as mobile as when I have my climber and yet doesn't restrict me to climber trees. Give it a try and see if it helps.

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RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

Coug gave you the best advice!!! I use the Cranford's to start the hole and then use the cheaper steps or large hardware lag bolts. In fact, I just ordered a dozen Cranford's from Cabela's.

The trick with Cranford's are that they are "SELF TAPPING". None of the others are! Bass Pro does not carry them from what I've seen. I guarantee you the Cranfords will make a HUGE difference!

Here is the website:
http://www.ezyclimb.com/treesteps.htm

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I personally like to make my own ladder it is cheaper than buying them, the land I hunt on I am not allowed to use screw in steps and I don't really like them that much anyway. I like the ladder or climbing sticks with ratchet straps to secure them to the tree.

good luck and God bless

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

My answer to that problem was getting my ambusher single pole stand. Much safer to use and put up, more comfy and also portable. Between my ambusher and my summit viper I don't have to worry about screw in steps and lock on stands anymore.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

A simple solution!

Take a CORDLESS DRILL with you! A few years ago I hung stands with a friend of mine and hunting buddy. I showed up with my cordless drill and he laughed at me. We hung my stand first. I used the drill and my steps went up in a flash. We then moved to his stand. After TWO steps, he sheepishly asked me if he could borrow my drill! Now he never goes out to hang a stand without one.

It even works with the cheapy Wal-Mart tree steps! Drill that pilot hole, and BAM, they screw right in, no sweat!

Don't leave home without it...

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I had the same problem, but on top of predrilling the holes, put the threaded portion of the steps in liquid soap. I used the green scent free bath and shower soap myself. It makes screwing them in MUCH easier when they are lubed like that.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I also dislike screw in steps. They are much more trouble than they're worth. I switched to climbing sticks and have never looked back.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I woulodn't use anything but screw ins. I make it a point to use trees with lots of limbs (I can do that here with the species of trees we got) and sometimes I only use 2-4 steps and still have my stands 15' or better.

I hate climbers. Too heavy, to noisy, too bulky, too cumdersome, too expensive ....
Stealthycat's Photo's

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

Another vote for the Pilot holes. I always predrill my holes. After I get it started I use both hands and sometimes my feet to really crank it in until the bottom of the step touches the tree. I have thought about the climbing sticks but how many would you need to hunt 3 different stands. I just take the bottom 2 steps out when I'm done and thats all I have to carry in to hunt. I almost always have soemone with me too. It saves alot of trips up and down the tree.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I have never had any problems with my walmart steps, but I think predrilling is the way to go.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I got a duffle bag of those damn things. If you are hunting private land get some ladder sticks. They are easier to carry than you would think, and your ready to hand a stand in minutes. Plus each step is in the proper spaceing so coming out of a tree at closing time is a little safer. I only use the screw in type as a last resort. Got a discount on some 1" square tubing andwelded up a bunch of ladders for less than a buck a foot. use ratchet straps to secure them.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I often use the drill method too. I found that lubricating the steps helps alot and I also bring a large box end wrench about 10"-12" long. I put it over the step and it gives tons of leverage to crank them right in. It is especially useful when taking them out after they have been in the tree for months.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

Cisco, the Ameristeps you are using are the same I was referring too sold at Walmart. Nothing buy junk! I wouldn't give you a dime for 100 of them. I guarantee if you tried the Ezy Climb rod steps that Twang mentioned you would be a happy camper. Some people don't allow screw in steps on their propery, but where I hunt its fine. I've used screwins for over 20 yrs. and wouldn't use anything else. But you have to use quality steps!

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

I have found the Cranford EZY steps to be the best. I put just a light coat of vaseline on the screw and they go right in, no problems at all. I also have not seen that screw in steps kill trees.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

Cisco, I have never, ever responded to a thread in all caps, so believe me, this is not an accident. PLEASE, don't form your opinion of tree steps from your experience of Ameristeps.

AMERISTEPS ARE JUNK! JUNK, JUNK, JUNK!!!!! I DON'T CARE WHERE YOU BOUGHT THEM; IF THEY CARRY THE NAME "AMERISTEP," THEY AREN'T WORTH USING AS TROTLINE WEIGHTS!!!!

RUN, DO NOT WALK, TO YOUR NEAREST DEALER WHICH CARRIES CRANFORD E-Z STEPS!!! YOU CAN'T IMAGINE THE DIFFERENCE!!! WE VETERANS IN THE KNOW IMPLORE YOU! YOU DON'T NEED TO LUG A DRILL INTO THE WOODS; YOU'LL SWEAR THE THINGS ARE POWERED BY THEMSELVES AFTER SCREWING THE FIRST ONE IN!!

The difference is in the points at the end of the screw; if you'll look at the Ameristep garbage, you'll see how the "taper" (if you could be so brash as to call it that) on the Ameristep goes from the point to the widest part of the thread in about a 1/4". Cranfords truly taper all the way from the base of the thread to the point. It's an incredible difference!

Just to let you know, I own a Summit Cobra and a Summit Viper, and I believe they are among the best climbers on the market. But if you'll go buy some Cranfords, you -- like I, probably -- will still have a tough time grabbing that big ol' climber when you can throw a 9-lb. strap-on and a few screw-in steps on and weave your way in and out of the thickest, gnarliest timber out there.

BUY CRANFORD!!!!!!! <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle><img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

Discipline -- not desire -- determines destiny.

RE: Screw in steps....I've had it
 

i think they sould be outlawed. if the trees were yours would you be destroying your future veneer logs i don't think so. they make ladder stands thats what there for. i have found several left in trees cutting into one with a chainsaw is a no no.

you can use your pepper spray my 12 gauge with 3 inch slugs works fine