Helium Stick Modification - a closer look

[PJC]

So he modified the sticks so the steps are 21 inches apart instead of 16 inches. How did he accomplish that?


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[PJC]

Ok, now that I finally have my helium's set up correctly, I have to say these are by far the best sticks I've ever used when mod'ed. I've hunted them twice so far. They are light and packing three in is nothing although I still have cam buckle straps on theme, I haven't got my ultra tech for them yet.

I did my cutting to the exact lengths Dave said in his video. The only difference for me was that when I put the versa buttons on, I drilled the holes slightly different, 6 inches from the top of 1, 6.25 for number 2, and 6.5 for number 3. They stack perfectly like this.

With 3 of these sticks with single aiders I can get to 15 feet. I have been using 2 cranford rope steps and my platform to get to 20 feet. For me, 3 sticks is the maximum, any more gets to be too many. I plan on carrying a total of 5 cranford rope steps so that I can quickly adjust to whatever height I need up to 25 feet. I don't see a mobile strap on system getting much better than this (although leave it up to us to figure one out).

Thanks again @DaveT1963 !!

Can you explain for me, you have to add the Versa's button?
What are the cam buckle straps?
What is the ultra tech you refer to?

I watched the videos but it assumes a lot more knowledge than I have. Lol


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[Waymore]

Can you explain for me, you have to add the Versa's button?
What are the cam buckle straps?
What is the ultra tech you refer to?

I watched the videos but it assumes a lot more knowledge than I have. Lol


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He is cutting the sticks and drilling new holes for the steps. Also drilling a hole for a versa button and using a rope to hang them versus a strap. Look up rope modification on lone wolf sticks

 

[PJC]

Yeah, I've made the rope mods. Ok, so he's minimizing his weight to step length ratio by cutting it to his preferred step height. Got it. Thanks for the info.


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[PJC]

I didn't see any cams on his sticks in the video. Is he refering to cams like those found on the Muddy Pro Sticks?
The problem I find with using the rope mods with a versa button is that the stick has to settle so far (sometimes 6 inches or more) before the rope in fully set behind the versa button. On the Muddy Pro Stick videos I've seen, the stick settle is much less with the cams.

 

[deleted_user01]

I didn't see any cams on his sticks in the video. Is he refering to cams like those found on the Muddy Pro Sticks?
The problem I find with using the rope mods with a versa button is that the stick has to settle so far (sometimes 6 inches or more) before the rope in fully set behind the versa button. On the Muddy Pro Stick videos I've seen, the stick settle is much less with the cams.

What type of rope are you using ?

 

[PJC]

Whatever the guy on the video recommended. I don't recall the specs at this point. It was the lone wolf stick rope modification DYI video that I'm sure we've all seen.


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[PJC]

Do I understand correctly that you moved the metal steps up after cutting them?

Also, why did you feel the need to cut them off to just two steps?

I had the Muddy sticks and sold them to buy these but I have not done any mods other than adding ladder steps.





One reason is the slots in the very outside portion of the Hawk steps let me put the webbing in there and keep them off of the tree better and have "built in" separation.

Can you really reach up high enough to hang that stick and still get all those steps off the ground?

 

[PJC]

Shows the location of the velcro on the V brackets. Only needed on 2 of the 3.



How I use a strap to carry the sticks and the 3 Jim Stepps. If you look close you can see some of the velcro on the Jim Stepps
to keep them from clanking together. I place the velcro on 6 places on 2 of the 3 steps so no metal on metal when they are
nested for transporting.

Is the velcro just the soft part for providing a soft separation of the steps or are you using the loop part of the velcro also so the steps actually stick together?

 

[deleted_user01]

Yes; there is only one loop hanging off the bottom step . Essentially it makes the total length slightly longer than a stock stick. I use muddy pro sticks(heavy) with a strap (22") stitched to the bottom and when setting to tree I put the stick with the the portion of the top step and tension cams at eye level, generally after they settle the top step is relatively close to eye level on me and can get to about 21-22 feet high.
I am long armed and long legged.

 

[deleted_user01]

Yes; there is only one loop hanging off the bottom step . Essentially it makes the total length slightly longer than a stock stick. I use muddy pro sticks(heavy) with a strap (22") stitched to the bottom and when setting to tree I put the stick with the the portion of the top step and tension cams at eye level, generally after they settle the top step is relatively close to eye level on me and can get to about 21-22 feet high.
I am long armed and long legged.

 

[PJC]

No offense taken!

I am only good at knots I use on a regular basis.

When I need to make good knots the right way (especially life saving knots), I just refer to the phone app I mentioned.

FYI...it also has fishing and camping related knots.

Thanks for the mention. I downloaded it. Handy tool.

 

[PJC]

lone wolf straps are temporary

note how from top to bottom the versa buttons go slightly to the left. 6 inches from the top on the first one, 6.25 on number 2 and 6.5 on number three. The way the sticks sit there is a little room for error with this.

Pretty sure this is how Ken and Dave are stacking their sticks? Correct me if I'm wrong.

look at the bolt from the stick on the bottom and how it is poking into the hole on the versa button above it (pics are upside down of reality)

Hope that helps guys, let me know if you have any more questions.

Thanks for the pics. I'm getting quite an education on this thread. What's all the black tape on the sticks? I think you may have mentioned it before but...it's easier to just ask than go look for the thread.

 

[PJC]

In case you haven't read it, amsteel is not recommended for tying knots (ie the rope mod). It is very slick. Dave is using on his sticks and loves it, but I just wanted to make you aware of this.

I've seen 8mm static rope suggested because it doesn't stretch.

 

[kenn1320]

Is the velcro just the soft part for providing a soft separation of the steps or are you using the loop part of the velcro also so the steps actually stick together?

Just the soft loop side to minimize any metal contact during stacking/unstacking. As for the sticks sliding down the tree 6", guess it happens sometimes. I wrap around the tree and over the button, lift the bottom of the stick to tighten the rope/take the stretch out of it, then as I set it back on the tree I pull on the rope to take up that slack and finish the wrap around the versa button and sinch it. My sticks have a single extra step on 2 of them, and my bottom step has a 4 step aider. Im 6'2" and reach up pretty high and hook it up. Really could get away with a 3 step aider as the 4th step isnt very high off the ground.

 

[PJC]

Ok, now that I finally have my helium's set up correctly, I have to say these are by far the best sticks I've ever used when mod'ed. I've hunted them twice so far. They are light and packing three in is nothing although I still have cam buckle straps on theme, I haven't got my ultra tech for them yet.

I did my cutting to the exact lengths Dave said in his video. The only difference for me was that when I put the versa buttons on, I drilled the holes slightly different, 6 inches from the top of 1, 6.25 for number 2, and 6.5 for number 3. They stack perfectly like this.

With 3 of these sticks with single aiders I can get to 15 feet. I have been using 2 cranford rope steps and my platform to get to 20 feet. For me, 3 sticks is the maximum, any more gets to be too many. I plan on carrying a total of 5 cranford rope steps so that I can quickly adjust to whatever height I need up to 25 feet. I don't see a mobile strap on system getting much better than this (although leave it up to us to figure one out).

Thanks again @DaveT1963 !!

Can you fill me in on what is a "Cranford Rope Step"?

 

[PJC]

Just the soft loop side to minimize any metal contact during stacking/unstacking. As for the sticks sliding down the tree 6", guess it happens sometimes. I wrap around the tree and over the button, lift the bottom of the stick to tighten the rope/take the stretch out of it, then as I set it back on the tree I pull on the rope to take up that slack and finish the wrap around the versa button and sinch it. My sticks have a single extra step on 2 of them, and my bottom step has a 4 step aider. Im 6'2" and reach up pretty high and hook it up. Really could get away with a 3 step aider as the 4th step isnt very high off the ground.

Awesome. Thanks for the reply. I'll have to figure out aiders next. I've often wished I had something like that.
Also, good advise for how to lessen rope slide. I watched the youtube video again after I posted my response and I notice that he had the same amount of sag in the stick when he stood on it. The strap sagged less by about a third.
I thought of another question, but now I can't think of it.
By the way, what does it mean when the little green button next to avaitar photo is blinking on this forum?

 

[PJC]

Whatever the guy on the video recommended. I don't recall the specs at this point. It was the lone wolf stick rope modification DYI video that I'm sure we've all seen.


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PMI 8mm Accessory cord

 

[kenn1320]

Green light blinking means your almost out of posts. Actually means the person is online viewing the website.

 

[PJC]

Green light blinking means your almost out of posts. Actually means the person is online viewing the website.

Ah. That's why mine is always blinking at me. Lol


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