Eastern Woods sent me some squirrel steps with their boat buckle tie down nd a link to this video. The strap is too think to fit into the squirrel step slot and I cannot figure how to make this thing work. Thinking of sending it back. Do you know how to use that boat buckle for these things?
I just got mine in the mail and I’m playing with it in the yard. Without your video I never would have figured out how to thread it. It is tighter than I-don’t-know-what! But is there a chance that somehow, you catch that tag end, and boom, it cuts loose. My metal buckle has a slit cut into it, and I can see where a shim inserted in that slot would prevent this thing from un-camming. Has that ever been an issue, and if so, how would you minimize the possibility of the tag end causing the cam to pop undone?
Once upon a time Dan at EWO was talking about making a small tool that acted like a lever. I don't think it ever materialized though. I haven't personally ever really needed one, but it might be cool.
Im new to saddle hunting and starting out with a predator platform but I see myself trying a ring of steps very soon. One thing that worries me about the cam buckle trap is i would think there is a chance that when you are walking around the steps you could possibly step on the cam buckle and maybe cause it to pop open. On my boat transom straps they have the velcro keepers that you wrap around the lever to keep it from popping open. I know velcro is a big No-no of course but does anyone else worry about this and/or has anyone found some sort of diy safety lock for the cam lever?
There are some buckles out there that lock into place and require depressing a side lever to un-cam them. However, I've put 2 seasons on my current buckle and have never had one come loose. Without using the tag end of the strap as leverage, it is quite difficult to pry it loose.
@@nickwilliamsoutdoors Cool Thanks for the info. I actually got my cam strap in yesterday and briefly looked at the squirrel steps last night online. Am i correct in seeing that they are 25$ a piece? That seems kind of high considering Id need around 5 steps. Im sure they are better than the plastic/ rubber options out there I just assumed they would be around 10-15$ a step. Can you enlighten me on why they are worth that price? Is it the material used/ weight reduction? I assume they are worth it because I havent really heard anyone complaining about the price lol
@@nikolasshay4974 yes, they are currently $25 each. Which puts you right about $150 with the strap and buckle. About the same price as most platform options, but dramatically lighter. In order to get them in the $10-15 price range you mentioned, they would need to be extruded, most likely overseas. Currently they are CNC'ed from 6061 aluminum in small batches in the US.
@@nickwilliamsoutdoors Cool yea i figured they were worth it for a reason. Nobody in this industry really seems to be hosing people on prices. But yea when i had been researching saddle hunting over the last year i thought that i was definitely going to be a platform guy. But my first time on the predator I was kinda feeling like i would like a step on either side of the platform at least. Which led me to think I might like a ROS at some point.
I had a predator, and still own a treesuit platform. I can't for the life of me see what people see in them personally. But different strokes, right? :)
Thanks NutterBuster! I've been looking for a good demo of this OTC buckle.
Glad to help!
What kind of ocb and strap are you running and where could I get one? Liking the design and padding on the hooks.
Great tutorial Nick.
Thanks NutterBuster's! Appreciate the great info!
What are you covering the steps with?
Great video. Thanks. Obviously we need to quiet the steps. Look like you used tape. Do you think dipping them in liquid rubber would work?
Tape works the best because it's easy to redo, but yes. I've done that before. It just peels off quick.
Eastern Woods sent me some squirrel steps with their boat buckle tie down nd a link to this video. The strap is too think to fit into the squirrel step slot and I cannot figure how to make this thing work. Thinking of sending it back. Do you know how to use that boat buckle for these things?
Bro where you step u have? You should put links in the description. Also I am from Bama as well we should link up.
It's a squirrel step from doublesteps.com. :)
Is there a reason you prefer the buckle that is separate from the strap vs one that is sew on?
I just got mine in the mail and I’m playing with it in the yard. Without your video I never would have figured out how to thread it. It is tighter than I-don’t-know-what! But is there a chance that somehow, you catch that tag end, and boom, it cuts loose. My metal buckle has a slit cut into it, and I can see where a shim inserted in that slot would prevent this thing from un-camming. Has that ever been an issue, and if so, how would you minimize the possibility of the tag end causing the cam to pop undone?
What kind of tape have you found stays on the steps best?
Have u ever tried using leverage with a tool of some kind to cam them over easier? Been thinkn ab tinkering with somethn. Ideas?
Once upon a time Dan at EWO was talking about making a small tool that acted like a lever. I don't think it ever materialized though. I haven't personally ever really needed one, but it might be cool.
Where did you get your OCB Buckle?
Eaatern Woods Outdoors
Where do you get those squirrel steps I tried finding them thanks Joel
Doublesteps.com
where do you buy yours from? Thanks Ken..
doublesteps.com/product-category/tree-step-parts/
Thanks man!
Get ahold of me up if you want to hunt Indiana
Im new to saddle hunting and starting out with a predator platform but I see myself trying a ring of steps very soon. One thing that worries me about the cam buckle trap is i would think there is a chance that when you are walking around the steps you could possibly step on the cam buckle and maybe cause it to pop open. On my boat transom straps they have the velcro keepers that you wrap around the lever to keep it from popping open. I know velcro is a big No-no of course but does anyone else worry about this and/or has anyone found some sort of diy safety lock for the cam lever?
There are some buckles out there that lock into place and require depressing a side lever to un-cam them. However, I've put 2 seasons on my current buckle and have never had one come loose. Without using the tag end of the strap as leverage, it is quite difficult to pry it loose.
@@nickwilliamsoutdoors Cool Thanks for the info. I actually got my cam strap in yesterday and briefly looked at the squirrel steps last night online. Am i correct in seeing that they are 25$ a piece? That seems kind of high considering Id need around 5 steps. Im sure they are better than the plastic/ rubber options out there I just assumed they would be around 10-15$ a step. Can you enlighten me on why they are worth that price? Is it the material used/ weight reduction? I assume they are worth it because I havent really heard anyone complaining about the price lol
@@nikolasshay4974 yes, they are currently $25 each. Which puts you right about $150 with the strap and buckle. About the same price as most platform options, but dramatically lighter.
In order to get them in the $10-15 price range you mentioned, they would need to be extruded, most likely overseas. Currently they are CNC'ed from 6061 aluminum in small batches in the US.
@@nickwilliamsoutdoors Cool yea i figured they were worth it for a reason. Nobody in this industry really seems to be hosing people on prices. But yea when i had been researching saddle hunting over the last year i thought that i was definitely going to be a platform guy. But my first time on the predator I was kinda feeling like i would like a step on either side of the platform at least. Which led me to think I might like a ROS at some point.
I had a predator, and still own a treesuit platform. I can't for the life of me see what people see in them personally. But different strokes, right? :)
Thx u!
Why do you prefer a ring of steps over a platform
Drastically lighter.
Much more compact.
Let's you hunt and shoot 360* around any tree.
More comfy for me personally.