Torges Seat Materials

[AlabamaMountainMan]

Anyone willing to share some materials they have used for making a torges tree seat? I know the default is usually a 1/2 inch piece of treated plywood or something similar, but I have seen some folks online use plastics & aluminum. I would like to tinker around and make a really lightweight option. Considered trying a large plastic type cutting board and drilling some holes in it to lighten it as well.

Interested in recommendations for the rope, the seat itself, and anything used to add more utility. Saw one guy who added a nalgene holding strap and a small pack to the bottom.

 

[Wolfshead]

Personally I just used the plywood.
1/2” and some nylon rope from Lowe’s (I think ) that was rated over 200 lbs.
I carried that for the season and it was never a problem other than it being awkward at times.
I spray painted mine and really hit the edges to help seal it.
If you need it to be lighter then cut holes in it as you spoke of.
I’m pretty sure the plastic cutting board will be too flimsy, but you never know unless you try I suppose….

 

[BCsteve]

Anyone willing to share some materials they have used for making a torges tree seat? I know the default is usually a 1/2 inch piece of treated plywood or something similar, but I have seen some folks online use plastics & aluminum. I would like to tinker around and make a really lightweight option. Considered trying a large plastic type cutting board and drilling some holes in it to lighten it as well.

Interested in recommendations for the rope, the seat itself, and anything used to add more utility. Saw one guy who added a nalgene holding strap and a small pack to the bottom.

I had no idea what the hell you were talking about. Now I have a weekend project!!

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

I had no idea what the hell you were talking about. Now I have a weekend project!!

I am hopefully going to get some nice weather this weekend to build one. I have some spare rope and spare 1/2 in OSB from when I built a bow target a few weeks ago. Going to pit this against the Hawke any angle tree seat I ordered a few weeks ago. Just glad to finally have a way to get me off the ground that doesn't require climbing a tree.

 

[Ferrulewax]

I think any kind of HDPE (like a cutting board) will likely be heavier than a plywood seat of the same size/strength. Maybe a sheet of carbon fiber or fiberglass?

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

I think any kind of HDPE (like a cutting board) will likely be heavier than a plywood seat of the same size/strength. Maybe a sheet of carbon fiber or fiberglass?

Carbon fiber and fiberglass would definitely be lighter. I am not entirely sure how I would form one though. I figured the cutting boards would be lighter, but if plywood is lighter than I probably have what I need already.

 

[Ferrulewax]

Carbon fiber and fiberglass would definitely be lighter. I am not entirely sure how I would form one though. I figured the cutting boards would be lighter, but if plywood is lighter than I probably have what I need already.

You can buy fiberglass or CF sheet material online, maybe once you have a good design then just transfer it over to those materials. I think you could probably cut either with a hacksaw or a bandsaw.

Coosa Board and Starboard are two plywood alternatives used frequently in the boating industry. I am not 100% sure how the strength to weight ratio is on them, but they may be worth looking in to.

https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/964567-coosa-vs-plywood-test-added-marine-grade-plywood.html

Let us know what you come up with, i keep coming closer and closer to hunting from the ground

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

You can buy fiberglass or CF sheet material online, maybe once you have a good design then just transfer it over to those materials. I think you could probably cut either with a hacksaw or a bandsaw.

Coosa Board and Starboard are two plywood alternatives used frequently in the boating industry. I am not 100% sure how the strength to weight ratio is on them, but they may be worth looking in to.

https://www.thehulltruth.com/boating-forum/964567-coosa-vs-plywood-test-added-marine-grade-plywood.html

Let us know what you come up with, i keep coming closer and closer to hunting from the ground

I exclusively hunted from the ground this past season after exclusively hunting from a climber the year before. I made rookie mistakes this past season, but the experiences I had were just insane. I have never had game so close in my life. Had 3 different encounters where deer were under 10 yards from me and eye-level. Moving to ground hunting was the best decision I ever made for how I like to hunt.

 

[Wolfshead]

Be careful with these seats.
They can be noisy, and they do sit you up a bit higher which will make you more visible.
I hunted all last year (2023) with mine and found that I would rather sit on the ground against a tree instead, and it was one less thing to carry, one less thing to worry about in my kit, and I feel that I blend in better closer to the ground. (Only the deer know for sure)

I purchased a Therm-a-Rest Z Seat Cushion Insulated Sitting Pad
And used that this past season and was much happier.
I attached it to my small (hydration pack) daypack and it weighs next to nothing.

The pad is not in this picture but my pack set-up is and I just attach it to the bottom with some stretch cord. I have my Fanny pack attached to the bottom of my daypack and the seat cushion rests under the Fanny pack out of the way.
You can actually see the loop of cord to the left of the Fanny pack attached to the day pack, just below the lever of my rifle if you zoom in.
Everyone has their way of doing things, and this works for me, and the way I like to hunt.
Just trying to share what I’ve experienced to give you some insight.

 

[AlabamaMountainMan]

Be careful with these seats.
They can be noisy, and they do sit you up a bit higher which will make you more visible.
I hunted all last year (2023) with mine and found that I would rather sit on the ground against a tree instead, and it was one less thing to carry, one less thing to worry about in my kit, and I feel that I blend in better closer to the ground. (Only the deer know for sure)

I purchased a Therm-a-Rest Z Seat Cushion Insulated Sitting Pad
And used that this past season and was much happier.
I attached it to my small (hydration pack) daypack and it weighs next to nothing.

The pad is not in this picture but my pack set-up is and I just attach it to the bottom with some stretch cord. I have my Fanny pack attached to the bottom of my daypack and the seat cushion rests under the Fanny pack out of the way.
You can actually see the loop of cord to the left of the Fanny pack attached to the day pack, just below the lever of my rifle if you zoom in.
Everyone has their way of doing things, and this works for me, and the way I like to hunt.
Just trying to share what I’ve experienced to give you some insight.


View attachment 856395

I appreciate the feedback. I tried a good bit of hunting from the ground using cushion seats and knee pads this past season and a lot when I was younger. I just cant sit all day on the ground anymore. Plus, I am predominantly bow hunting right now and even though I can shoot sitting flat on the ground, it is much easier being elevated some.