Home made vs purchased tree stands

[DBeato]

I've built a couple ladder tree stands, even had one stolen off of private property, I was pretty damned upset about that one. I used my pick up truck to erect that one and thought no way in hell anyone will steal that, I was wrong. Now with all the stands from china I can't even come close to making one for the price of that stuff, even with my free labour.
Also, make sure you you check your stand for tampering everytime you use it, a guy fell out of a tree stand not far from Guelph, someone had sawed almost all the way through the square tubing on his ladder stand, it held until he got to the top, seriously injured.

 

[gallen270]

mine look like the first one on the left. i found it was hard to tighten the chaint enough to secure it without swaying alot, so i had my father weld on some rings so i can cinch it up with a ratchet strap (chain still hold it there, strap doesnt have to bear any of my wieght)

also instead of securing the chain with a nut and bolt, i have another heavy ring that i double the chain back over and secure with a padlock so my stands dont decide to walk away in the middle of the night.