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Homemade climbing sticks

Oct-Lull

Oct-Lull

Well-Known Member
So I am making my own climbing sticks instead of buying ones I am not happy with. Have had a couple requests from my brothers friends to make some. Do you think that there would be a liability issue here? Not looking to mass produce for money, but I know people sell homemade stuff on craigslist.
 
If its in the family or good friends I wouldn't worry about it. You may want to talk to a lawyer or something if you start selling to people you do not know. Could be as simple as having any buyers sign a liability waiver or something. Just to make sure you don't get sued if something does break.

What are the stick and how much are you selling them for? I may be interested if they're awesome!
 
They are a play on the style Gorilla made, and now rivers Edge makes them. They are a 3 foot 3 step individual stick. Used to really like the Gorilla sticks but I find they tend to move while not in use then when you go to climb they are squeaky and loud. Especially when it's cold. Mine do not move and are made slightly heavier. I made a jig so I can weld them up pretty quickly. Haven't come up with a final cost for the materials but depending on the strap cost I am in the 12$ range to make.
 
Oct-Lull said:
Do you think that there would be a liability issue here?
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Liability and advertising drives up the costs of hunting equipment out there. Even if your buddies sign/agree that they won't hold you liable, what about their spouse/widow if things go wrong. It would make me nervous and sucks that it has come to this, trying to do a favor that could turn around and bite a guy.
 
I've been making them for years and only donate them to folks that I trust to use them safely. I supply only the stick and it's up to the user to use at their own risk.
I'm 100% confident that the actual sticks would never break or fail in any way
 
JNRBRONC said:
Liability and advertising drives up the costs of hunting equipment out there. Even if your buddies sign/agree that they won't hold you liable, what about their spouse/widow if things go wrong. It would make me nervous and sucks that it has come to this, trying to do a favor that could turn around and bite a guy.
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This is my fear. It seems its more often family not the actual friend that may go after you. I also am confident mine are better than what I can buy. I was thinking more maybenif the supplied the materials and the strap I could weld them. I suppose in the end it wouldn't matter in court, even if I made nothing.
 
Well I am not sure how to post pics? I am using 14g 1" square tube. These first ones I am not painting as I don't have time. The old Gorilla sticks were more like 18g, so these are a tad more beefy.
 
Talk to a lawyer and form a limited liability corp. LLC. Doesn't cost much, $500,and it may serve your liability concerns.
 
Tree stands and gear for tree stands would require liability insurance in my opinion
(I own an insurance agency).

There was a local guy who sued one of his best friends over a tree stand fall and it was over $100,000. You can go without, but in my opinion you would be taking on a risk.
 
Impressive welding skills... Ive always wanted to do this with old seed feild sign posts but I cant weld to save my life. Instead I buy those stupid $30 guide gear death traps.
 
4 Buck said:
Nice to see you figured it out!!! Approximately how much material is in each section??
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I get 7' pieces. That leaves me with about 2" extra. I think it's about 12$-13$ to put one together and takes 20 min or so to make one. I have a jig made up so its pretty easy. Suppose if I do some this winter I will paint them, powder coat would be the ticket though.
 
I'll try to have someone post a pic for me. Mine look very similar but the tree brackets are bolted on and pivot to fit on awkward trees. Kind of the way line wolf/muddy sticks pivot.
Good lookin sticks. I make them in 3 and five foot sections to mix and match depending on what may be needed for each individual tree
 
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