How to modify your Hawk Helium climbing sticks - A step by step guide for dummies.

Download the dimensions, pictures, all the cuts, and a list of materials here:
www.g2outdoors.net/how-to-modi...
Modifying your Hawk Helium Sticks is easy to do. But be careful! Anytime you modify your gear, you’re taking a safety risk. You could get hurt or die! Do so at your own risk.
This is a step by step process for how to modify a set of Hawk Helium Climbing Sticks.
I use this with a DIY Aider (video coming soon) to get over 20’ for less than 7 lbs. Overall the sticks are 22” long with a 20” step. They nest perfectly together with my rubber feet mod.
David Toms is the inspiration for this video. Thanks Dave!
/ davetoms63
I also stole some ideas from the DIY Sportsman. Thanks Garrett!
/ grprahl
Get your Hawk Heliums here
www.mackspw.com/Hawk-1-PK-Cli...
Get your Mini VersaStraps here
tethrdnation.com/product/vers...
Get your rubber feet here
rubberfeet.us/store/?model_nu...
Get your Instamorph here
amzn.to/2XSVycj
Here is how I painted my Sticks
• How to do Camo Spray P...
Nuts & Bolts Needed
Drill Bit for Stand Offs and Steps = ¼”
Drill Bit for Rubber Feet = 24
Screws for Rubber Feet = 10-24 @ ¾” long
VersaButton
1 ½” long 1/4x20 Stainless Bolt. (you might want to upgrade to a Grade 8 Bolt)
1” Fender Washer
⅜” wide aluminum spacer
Bungee Cord
I have no idea what bungee cord I used. It was lying in the garage so it got cut up. It is approximately ¼” in diameter and it’s camo. I like it.
The link for Instamorph is up above.
Want to learn more about saddle hunting? look no further than www.TethrdNation.com
The ultimate saddle hunting resource - www.SaddleHunter.com
AND FINALLY!!!!
You can find the exact products I use in my videos here:
www.amazon.com/shop/g2outdoors

[@hunthikefishalabama9234]

Awesome! I needed this. I just got a set this week and have been trying to work thru measurements....thanks for making it stupid proof buddy 😉

[@jonathanneely4746]

Good stuff Greg. Thanks for the break down

[@swalker9482]

Love the new helium's. Can't beat the price. Three will last me a lifetime doing the one stick method

[@JohnKlopp]

Excellent video Greg!

[@ct2042]

Saw your job posting ad on Indeed.com , and now I am here watching your videos lol

[@drak1739]

Ok so watched the video, and read the comments but one point not addressed stands out to me. Rope mod yes get that, stacking bumpers... yea ok, but cutting down the sticks is where i dont see the gain. So stock size (of 2019s anyway) are 30" and you cut off 8 inches for weight reduction but in doing so you more or less now need a 4th stick to get same climbing height omiting using an aider and there goes the weight savings or did i miss something here?

[@johnnythornton624]

Drak Mr.Drak, I think you’re a smart man. Some of these DIY guys and their projects are Brilliant. Some are just following the crowd! Why climb taking plus 20” strides/steps on a none engineered product, when you can climb 13.5 “ per rung on a product designed and weight capacity certified by a major manufacturer? OSHA standard for ladder rungs spacing is 10” to 14”. I guess these guys were never told how the old Bull said, slow down young bull so that we can breed them all. Or in this case climb for a long time with minimal espouser to injury.

[@willfalkner4936]

@@johnnythornton624 With practice and the safe assistance of a lineman's belt you can toss that OSHA guideline out the window fellas. That's for industrial steps in an industry setting. This is hunting. Totally different ballgame but still safety is #1 priority with Greg's equipment. I have been following him for years here and purchased his saddle and now Predator platform and I feel he has a great product and great ideas. Saddle hunting does take practice to get comfortable with being at height and doing an activity.

[@Me-iy1iq]

Got mine last week and the make plastic piece already broke that goes into the rubber stop for stacking. Glad they included extras. Trying to find a mod to strengthen them or something to replace it with. Wish they were made from aluminum instead of plastic

[@toddweiser2932]

Nice job on the the video; well done.

[@ruelfunelas9389]

You’re like the DYI Jedi.....cool stuff man, enjoyed watchin’ it.

[@paulcrave3112]

Ruel Funelas most guys would rather use an Aider with shorter, lighter sticks than carry longer, heavier sticks.

[@karlwellendorf763]

I was about to do a similar modification and just happened to come across this video. Going to make mine a little shorter though.

[@gregphillips1998]

I’m not sure what Hawk had on the market when this video was made, but they do have a 20” stick so I don’t know why you would want to cut them down. Also the daisy chain strap is dangerous. I had a stick come loose from the tree when I was pulling up my bow. It caught on the step of my 3rd stick and knocking it sideways stranding me in my stand. Luckily I had a friend hunting with me and I had to have him come to my tree and climb up to reset my stick. Thank God I was not by myself or I would have had to shimmy down the tree like a raccoon and I’m not a young man anymore. I am going to get cam buckle straps to keep the sticks secure to the tree.

[@danielsmith2274]

After doing this mod I ordered your versa mini straps and I had fraying on the strap. I sent you pictures

[@squatchfamilyoutdoors9041]

Greg Great video!! I’ve been listening to the podcast I just ordered a kestrel flex kit a few weeks go And I got 6 hawk helium sticks Just need my ridge runner platform When are you guys going to get back on the podcast man ? I’ve already listened to all the episodes twice We need more content man! Can’t wait to light the saddle hunting fire here in Indiana!

[@squatchfamilyoutdoors9041]

Come on guys let’s rally up Greg and Red squirrel 🐿 and get that podcast rolling I’m willing to help! Saddle hunting is going to take off in Indiana! I won’t stop until it does 😎

[@jasonsparks4601]

Love that shirt!

[@danielsmith2274]

If I click on that link for the stoppers is that the right ones that come up that you used? Thanks

[@mikecarney1449]

The best, most complete and informative vid on making a good stick... a great stick. Satisfyingly comprehensive. Is that beard mil spec?

[@G2Outdoors]

WOOHOO! Coming from the most complete and informative aider climbing video...that's saying something! And yes....MILSPEC beard. It's government issue.

[@clarkansas6590]

Good info

[@melvinsacromentoe]

Hey Greg. I saw somewhere a guy did a cam cleat modificAtion on his but they didn’t stack well (they were older version). Do you think the new ones would stack with the suction cups?

[@dallasdubois9839]

Could u make a video about the pads on the stick tree legs?!?!?!?!?!!!!!

[@mrubino025]

Any idea what size to tap the new helium bumpers and post (are both the same size). I did this mod yesterday but had trouble getting the bumpers and posts set correctly. I don't want to buy an entire kit to thread them back in i prefer to know the exact size. Any info would be appreciated. Great video it really helped me. I did it slightly different, I cut them to 22 inches and used the part that I cut off as my template.

[@pensnut08]

This video..... PERFECT!! Well done! When putting the steps back on.... Use the tiniest drop of super glue on the washers that are on the inside.

[@ronswanson8247]

Great summary of all the best ideas people have out there. Appreciate it very much. Currently using a one step aider, but I feel like I could get just a little higher if I had a two or 3 step. Saw on your blog that you were going to make a video on your diy aider... is that coming? I’m guessing you abandoned the knaider/swaider concept? Also, would love to see how you strap those sticks to your pack. I’ve been through about 20 different options and several packs and just can’t quite find the combo I want. It’s either too heavy, too bulky, too loose and loud, etc. Thanks for all the work you do for us. Had my first Mantis/Predator sit last week. It was everything you claim and more.

[@G2Outdoors]

Yeah, I'm working on the Aider video. I built a cutom one for these sticks.

[@Prog27801]

Are you running the 5 step aider?

[@Ntosm]

How do you like that drill press? And which model is it?

[@CrinkleRoot]

Great informative video. I like your bungee clips, bungee ball ties also work great, its what I use with mine to keep them together.

[@dougpreston4574]

Great vids Greg, Just finished my sticks and can't wait to use them this year. Can you tell me what you used as pads on the inside of the legs to keep them from clanking when stacked? Is it felt or something rubber?

[@G2Outdoors]

They were some kind of felt furniture pad

[@brucejohnson5594]

Do you have any more specs on that aluminum washer? it says, 3/8" wide. Is that the OD or ID. Do you also know the length of the spacer? Also a hardware store of choice? HD and Lowe's near me don't have any... Thanks!

[@stevetenhopen3883]

How much do they weigh now after mods

[@lukeluke8842]

The website isnt working for me to get the template. Is there another way I can get it.

[@danluedtke7535]

What should the measurement be for the rubber foot at the top of the stick? The measurement for the standoff is 2.75.

[@mattbaggett7539]

Awesome guide to doing this! I have the 2019 Hawk Heliums that come with the bottom plastic posts and top rubber suction cups. I don't have a tap and dye kit as you described. Can I merely drill a slighly smaller hole for those screws and then screw them in by hand?

[@G2Outdoors]

YES! Use the same screws that come with the HAWK Sticks and they'll work fine without a tap/die

[@mattbaggett7539]

@@G2Outdoors Alright....using this video...I cut them down and did them pretty much exactly as your video. Took me about two hours. Even with the diagram off of your website....the first one took a while to figure it out exactly. But I have them cut down and like them so far! Thanks again.

[@G2Outdoors]

Rock on! Tool me way longer than 2 hours to get it all figured out lol. Hopefully my video helped!

[@mattbaggett7539]

@@G2Outdoors Well you did the majority of the brain work, haha. If the first one took me a little over an hour....the next two were in the same amount of time

[@patrickpk6299]

Whats the benefit of shorter sticks? weight? can't be more than a pound

[@johnnythornton624]

After using your instructions on how to modify theses sticks, what weight capacity will the modified sticks accommodate?

[@G2Outdoors]

I have no idea. Probably zero. If you cut up your gear, be prepared for the consequences.

[@brianmiller4743]

Can you post a link to the rubber stoppers you used. I’m not seeing it in the comments and that’s a great idea.

[@G2Outdoors]

oh man. They were Door stoppers from an RV website. I can't find a link.

[@revskull]

the only thing I would say, is that the drill holes for the bracket seem too close to the slits above...may wear out?

[@G2Outdoors]

Possibly. You could always move them down.

[@ridgeraisedoutdoors]

I saw in another video of yours you used to use the muddy pro sticks for a while. Why'd you switch from those? I like that rope and cam system a little better than the versa button you made

[@G2Outdoors]

Primarily weight. The Muddy pro sticks are awesome and the cam cleat is perfect. But they're heavy comparatively.

[@ridgeraisedoutdoors]

@@G2Outdoors fair enough. Thanks for the response

[@devynmiddlebrook7697]

What's the weight come out to after you modify them?

[@ryonmelton5399]

Ever get an answer for this question?

[@DONdayce]

Looking at the red line that you drew on your stick, it appears slightly longer than 22", which makes a difference because if you cut it to exactly 22", the standoff holes are super close to the long slots on the stick. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

[@DONdayce]

Also, how can the rubber stopper be 2 3/4" from the top when the standoff holes are 2 3/4" from the top?

[@G2Outdoors]

the top measurement is wrong. good catch.

[@G2Outdoors]

Click on the link and the length is updated.

[@danluedtke7535]

@@G2Outdoors your link still has it as 2.75. I checked the website and it says 2.75 as well.

[@paulcrave3112]

Do you like the Helium sticks or Leverage sticks better?

[@G2Outdoors]

Leverage.

[@johnsailor6260]

So you're eliminating a step & going from a 30" section to a 20". Why? Isn't the object to get as high as you can with what you have.. Hence the aider mod. Hmm I don't get it

[@mr.skeptical3071]

Looks like a ton of work. And if you barely miss the measurements, your screwed

[@cdp50359]

What's the big advantage for this?

[@G2Outdoors]

weight, bulk, noise reduction.

[@cdp50359]

@@G2Outdoors how much weight loss?

[@G2Outdoors]

These are just over 2 pounds each. So you save about 2 lbs in total.

[@cdp50359]

@@G2Outdoors awesome

[@davidrussell631]

The weight loss is the biggest benefit by far, but I find that the sticks are also easier to pack and handier without the step in the middle.

[@kodiakfarmsbrianhoadley8152]

20” between steps?? Do you find that a bit far??

[@G2Outdoors]

Works for me. Some sticks are 24" between steps.

[@kodiakfarmsbrianhoadley8152]

G2 Outdoors ok thanks

[@tommyeastham7684]

Could u post a picture of ur template? I can pull from video plz Greg

[@G2Outdoors]

Done. Www.g2outdoors.net

[@tommyeastham7684]

Thank you my man! Best of luck this season!

[@Me-iy1iq]

G2 Outdoors I got the 2019 helium sticks. The plastic posts that go into the rubber cups...TOTALLY SUCK! They break very easily. Any ideas on modding them Or replacing them with something better

[@TDF3529]

"That's what she said" 😆😆😆

[@HuntAppalachia1]

Cool video! Not shaving and just slamming ChickfilA in retirement I see. Get it together Gary.

[@G2Outdoors]

crushing ChickFilA

[@snapbackhijab9801]

Your listing on indeed. Hey. Based in Savannah. Want to be completely transparent with you. I want to do KZbin as well and have posted a video years ago. It’s quite soft and the content for me wasn’t all that inspiring (wife loves mukbangs). So, I lost interest pretty quickly. Not quite sure what kind of quality or style your looking into for your editing. But I have been familiarizing myself with FCP and DaVinci. I do not think I’m great!! But I can do better. I have a Panasonic GX85 and a GF3(this one’s terrible) and I would freaking love to at least help record on the weekends for your outdoor adventures!! Also, I like the way your videos have been edited so far. I’m guessing you’re trying to go for more dynamic. I can definitely adapt to something that suits your needs. I’ll also apply through indeed. Justin

[@bryansorrows2693]

Your DIY videos are legit! Im going to need a favor.... Need you to just go ahead drop a 4187 to your nearest S1 shop and come be my Commander so you can learn me up! lol

[@austinphillips9966]

That chic fila tho

[@TheLotroNerd]

I thought these were aluminum. arrived in the mail. yikes they are bleepin heavy

[@SnoStig]

Why wouldn’t you just buy the 20” sticks?

[@G2Outdoors]

They didn't exist when I made this. Hawk saw the video and made a 20" version.

[@J155P]

That's what she said 😂

[@G2Outdoors]

you caught it????? lol

[@J155P]

@@G2Outdoors I think your new nickname should be Subliminal Man lol

[@J155P]

@@G2Outdoors Still love the Garret subliminal message 😂😂

[@G2Outdoors]

People rarely catch them...or they don't say anything. Not sure which. But I do these things a lot and make myself laugh :)

[@J155P]

@@G2Outdoors Haha! They're hilarious 😂

[@MayorOfGoodells]

Ha ha. That's what she said

[@BillyRayz]

If your concern is safety, take those gloves off when operating the drill press

[@G2Outdoors]

Yeah...I'm just a weekend warrior. I rarely know what I'm doing.

[@BillyRayz]

@@G2Outdoors I've seen fingers get wrapped backwards around a bit because of gloves. That's why I cringed when I seen your gloves that close to a spinning bit

[@Isaacmantx]

is that a civilian beard I see on you.....?

[@Ibelieveinfreedom]

You know that cutting those sticks under 23 inches you are making them unsafe. Because they are aluminum. You are looking for trouble when the material separates in pieces due to stress. Not trying to be critical just giving you some advice.

[@G2Outdoors]

You could be right. Anytime you DIY equipment you take a risk. I've jumped up and down on mine and they held up just fine. But you're right...I do not recommend you modify your gear. It's dangerous.

[@johnnythornton624]

G2 Outdoors Come on dude I’m a Georgia Boy too. I take you as a credible honest broker. But now you’re saying you don’t recommend doing something that you jus gave instructions on how to do. That sounds like a slick Politician. Is creating internet/KZbin traffic that important to you? Again, you come across as a talented young man. Try to keep integrity as a key virtue when folk like me are looking to you for advice.

[@marchuffman8266]

That whole video and he never said WHY he did it. Just doing it for the sake of "DIYing" is stupid.

[@G2Outdoors]

Save weight and bulk. A lot of weight and a lot of bulk. I thought it was obvious.