OK, who uses them and do ya have any hints when using them. I just recieved mine and it looks sweet, I even ran out and hunt it on a tele-phone poll to check it out!! Shawn
Top, someone must use these stands. Shawn
i got the chief model, and like it real well. its light,easy to hang,very stable,and quiet, but not as comfy as my summit climber. it has its uses in places where a climber doesn't work (lots of limbs to climb) i generally carry 4-5 strap on steps when using it and hunt for trees that have climbing limbs. i mostly hunt public land so i usually go with the climber, but my wedgeloc is not for sale.
I just got the Chief as well, I love it. I was looking for hints on making the brackets. I think I found a way. Some cable a rachet strap and 2 tennis balls. Shawn
Shawn - I use them, I have 2 stands and 6 chains. I won't use any other stand. Easy and quiet to hang, even in the dark. Rock solid, no noise. I have never made the chains, I bought the extra's from Chippewa. You made a good choice.
Roger, I thought $30 was way too high. I can make them for less than $5. Shawn
i'd like to see you're plans on the extra chins/cables, not sure i evenneed them, just like makin' stuff.
Me and my serious Bro's use ONLY chippewa stands - the BEST by far. ON public land these are the only stand worth using. They have made most of the other brands obsilete. We own all sizes too. We like using simmons bolts to climb up hardwoods - using the chip stiks on pines or on blackbeard.
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I use mine on public land but always bring it out with me, extra hangers would sure be nice! Be sure to post if you get something figured out.
Shawn I had one of the originals before they had the manufacturers fighting among themselves. It is at least 13 years old and still my best and most stable stand. Mine came with the chain and pink rubber balls. Critters ate the balls and I replaced them with tennis balls and covered those with electrical tape.
Shawn - I just caution you to build them right...I'm not confident enough in my "handiness" to hang off of a tree counting on a chain/cable mechanism that I made. :scared:
I just spent the last wo afternoons hanging stands and getting my sites ready. I picked up a used Chippewa last season, but didn't get to use it. Mine is the HUGE one...the Brute I think, and it was a dream to hang and it sure seems like it will be the most comfortable stand I own! Very impressed with the comfort and the ability to adjust the platform angle. May have to find a deal on another one! Mike
Ratchet straps from Harbour Freight($3) Tennis balls(.50) Two cable clamps(1.50) 18"s of 5/16ths cable($1) and 8"s of plastic tubing heavy gauge(.20) Total $6.20 to make a bracket. Slide the tubing to the center of the cable and than pierce the tennis balls and slide them to the tubing(tape in place with electric tape if ya wish) Than make two loops inn each end of the cable and tighten down with cable clamps. Than all ya do is bring to the tree and attach ratchet strap with hooks to each end of the cable thru loops and tighten to tree. I may use some liquid steel over and around clamps for added security., but I tested these on a telephone poll and had me and my wife and daughter all climb up on the stand(tight fit) and they held fine.(about 500#s total) I have 66 stand sites and use the Cabelas EZ hang system as well but those brackets cost me at least $10 to duplicate and need to be welded and take much more time to make. Shawn
I love my Wedgelock. other than Lone Wolf Climber/ hang-on's, there is no other stand use. I just got the sneaky-saK and will try it also this year. Then there is no stand, just climbing sticks.
Shawn. I only use the Chippewa stand now. I got rid of half of the stands I had and the rest are hanging up on my shed wall. It is easy to put up. Very sturdy, very quiet, comfortable to be in and I feel very safe in it. The two biggies are the easy of hanging it, since the stand slides into the hanger section, and the fact that, due to its design, it does not wiggle on the tree.
ChuckC
I found the rubber to make the brackets up, it increased my cost to about $10 a piece but man they are sweet! Shawn