wedge tree stands???

[Bmac]

Anyone have or used the wedge tree stands? They are made in Michigan.

http://www.wedgetreestands.com/

[drwink]

No but I saw their little little demo ad on MOOD tv last year, looked pretty good except for lagging it into a tree on state land.
Would be interested in hearing from people that use them though.

Wally

[Bmac]

Yeah, looks like it would be for private land only which I have access to. I like the idea of being able to have multiple locations and just move the platform.

[Backwoods-Savage]

I'd bet that with a little rigging, that bracket could also be made to attach to webbing so you could wrap it right around the tree instead of a lag bolt. That way you could also use it on State land. Have to admit, the price is pretty good. One would also have to make sure you used the right plywood. I can just see somebody using thin plywood or OSB and then having it break.....

[XArmy]

Plywood rots fast... If they work, go for it... But I would send for the free video from Chippewa and check them out first... These are made here in MI. and are very solid and even aproved for use on the very strict Pensylvania state land... No lag screws needed...

http://www.chippewawedgeloc.com/

[DryFly]

Bill Beagle makes them in his metal fabricating shop.

Last year when I delivered a Dry Fly Float Boat that he ordered, he was talking about selling this portion of his business due to the high liability insurance costs related to tree stands. His web site is still on line so maybe he did not sell.

These are the safest and most sturdy stands that I know of. I have 6 stands and 4 additional tree wedges located throughout my hunting woods. 3 stands I do not move. By having 4 extra tree wedges located in other hunting spots,
I can easily relocate a stand based on deer movement.

Once in place they can not be stolen, unless one had a bolt cutter that will cut the padlock shaft. I hunt at least 25' off the ground so they had better bring a parachute if they attempt to steel one of mine.
3 lag bolts that secure the female portion of the wedge, that attaches to the tree, are not accessable once the stand is in place. There is a larger female steel wedge portion that attaches to the tree and a smaller male wedge portion that is the stand. The stand easily drops into place.

They require lag bolts into the tree (7 per stand wedge and 2 for the seat)
therefore can not be used on public property.

Stands are heavy and sturdy. The platform is roomy with no noisy chains, straps or side cables to trip over. When preparing to take a shot, sometimes I need to move around, turn, step to one side etc. and this can be easily done on the large platform.

In no way can these be converted to use a strap for securing to the tree.


Simple to set up. I take a light weight female wedge, pocket level, lag bolts, socket wrench and cordless drill (to make holes to start the lag bolts), up the tree.

Put the wedge in location against the tree and loosely install the top lag bolt.
Lay the level across the top of the wedge and once level, install the other 2 lag bolts on the face of the wedge.
Next place the level vertically across the face of the wedge to get it plumb. If it is off, I place a narrow hardwood spacer between the tree and wedge at either the top or bottom. Once plumb and level, tighten the 3 hidden lag bolts and install 2 lag bolts in each of the 2 steel wing straps that go around the sides of the tree.

The seat is a separate bracket that is bolted to the tree. You can set it at any distance from the stand based on your height. Do this after the stand is in place.


All you have to do is drop in the stand. 2 holes on the side (one in the male and one in the female portion of the steel wedges) line up and insert a padlock. The 3 face lag bolts are hidden and the stand can not be removed.

If you need to move a stand, which you do not want to do on a regular basis as they are quite heavy, simply drop it into the wedge that has already been installed and you are ready to go. It will be plumb and level no matter how many times you move it around.

I spray paint the steel parts and the bottom part of the stand with 3 colors to give it a quick camo look to break up the silouette. This will also prevent the steel from rusting.

I use 3/4 treated plywood ($35 for a 4' x 8' sheet at Menards) and you can
cut many stands and seat parts from one sheet.

My stands stay on the trees year around. The treated plywood has held up for many years. The only small problem that I have ever had is a porcupine chewing on the wood. But never enough to do any damage.

I did not intend to be so wordy on this topic, but when I find something that works as well as these stands, I want to share my experiences.
I showed these to Steve (webmaster) and he now has 3 on his property.

When I bought mine they were 3 for $100, bolts included, you supply the plywood. I don't recall how much I paid for the extra female tree wedges and seat brackets, but they were not that expensive.

If you are ever in the Irons/Wellston area and want to try one out first hand, let me know. My hunting woods is were I live and a stand is close by.

Good luck
Dave

[DryFly]

[QUOTE=DryFly]
They require lag bolts into the tree (7 per stand wedge and 2 for the seat)
therefore can not be used on public property.

Correction: Because of lag bolts into the tree they can be used only on private property.

[Hunter333]

I had 3 of them and they are awesome! I lost use of the private land that I hunted so I left the stands there. They are VERY sturdy and quiet. What I like is that you can make the seat and platform any size that you want! I also liked supporting a MI business and neighbor, the shop is right down the road from me.

[Bmac]

Thanks for the replies and firsthand information! I'll be contacting them and getting a few for next year.

[Swamp Monster]

I have 3 as well, so do many others I hunt with. I went to the shop one time and picked up 15 for myself and friends. Tough to beat that price. Check out the treesteps he makes as well......sturdy!! They are heavy, especially with treated plywood, but once up, they are up! They are the real deal!