If you're tired of overpaying for climbing stick parts, making a diy versa button is one of the easiest ways to save some dough while getting your mobile hunting rig dialed in. Let's be real—the price of high-end hunting gear has gone through the roof lately. By the time you buy a set of sticks, a saddle, and all the various attachments, you've basically spent a mortgage payment. That's why a lot of us are turning back to the garage to build what we can ourselves.
The versa button is such a simple component that it's almost offensive how much some companies charge for them. It's essentially just a post that holds your rope or strap in place. While the name-brand versions are sleek and pretty, you can achieve the exact same level of safety and functionality with a quick trip to the hardware store and about twenty minutes of your time.
Why Bother Building Your Own?
You might be wondering if it's actually worth the effort. After all, you can just click "buy" on a website and have a professional version at your door in three days. But here's the thing: most mobile hunters aren't just using one stick. If you're running a four-stick setup, or if you have a bunch of old sticks you're trying to refurbish, those $15-a-piece buttons add up fast.
When you go the diy versa button route, you're looking at a cost of maybe three or four dollars per stick. Plus, there's a certain level of satisfaction that comes from sitting in a tree on the opener, knowing you customized your gear to fit your specific needs. You get to choose the exact bolt length, the standoff distance, and the material. It's about more than just saving money; it's about gear ownership.
Picking the Right Materials
Safety is the big one here. We're talking about something that helps keep you attached to a tree twenty feet up, so this isn't the place to use whatever rusty scrap you found in the bottom of a junk drawer. You want high-quality hardware.
The most common setup for a diy versa button involves a Grade 8 bolt. Do not skip on this. Grade 8 bolts are significantly stronger than the standard zinc-plated ones you find in the bulk bins at big-box stores. They are usually yellow-zinc coated and have six radial lines on the head. If the bolt doesn't have those lines, put it back. You want something that can handle the shear force of your weight without even thinking about bending.
The Component List
Here is what you're generally looking for at the hardware store: * Grade 8 Bolt: Usually 5/16" or 1/4" diameter depending on your stick's pre-drilled holes. * Grade 8 Nylon Insert Lock Nut: You don't want this thing vibrating loose while you're driving to your hunting spot. * Spacers/Bushings: This is the "button" part. A steel or aluminum spacer with a 1/2" or 3/4" outer diameter works perfectly. * Washers: Use thick, oversized fender washers to distribute the pressure against the square tubing of your climbing stick.
Putting It All Together
The assembly process is pretty straightforward, but there are a few tricks to make it look professional and function smoothly. First, you need to decide how far you want the button to stand off from the stick. If you use a rope mod (like 1/8" or 3/16" Amsteel), you don't need a massive gap. A 1/2-inch spacer is usually plenty.
Start by sliding your washer onto the bolt, then the spacer. If you want to get fancy, some guys like to put a small rubber O-ring between the spacer and the stick. This acts as a silencer, preventing any metal-on-metal "clink" if the spacer happens to have a tiny bit of play. Push the bolt through the hole in your stick, add another washer on the back side, and then thread on your lock nut.
Pro tip: Don't over-tighten the nut to the point where you're crushing the square tubing of the stick. You want it snug enough that the button doesn't spin easily, but not so tight that you're compromising the structural integrity of the aluminum stick.
The Importance of Smooth Edges
One thing that people often overlook when making a diy versa button is the finish. If you're using a steel spacer, it might have sharp edges from the manufacturing process. If those edges are left raw, they will chew through your Amsteel or polyester straps in no time.
Take a piece of fine-grit sandpaper or a small metal file and round off the outer edges of the spacer. You want it to be as smooth as a river rock. If your rope can slide around it without catching on anything, you've done it right. Some guys even go as far as to wrap the spacer in a bit of heat-shrink tubing. This not only protects the rope but also kills any noise. It makes the whole setup feel much "stealthier."
Customizing for Rope vs. Straps
How you build your button might change depending on what you're using to attach the stick to the tree. If you're a traditionalist using 1-inch webbing straps with cam buckles, you'll want a slightly wider spacer so the strap has plenty of room to seat itself without overlapping.
If you've made the switch to the "rope mod" or "daisy chain" style of attachment, you can go much slimmer. A thinner profile means the sticks stack together better when they're on your pack, which is a huge plus if you're hiking deep into a public land swamp. The whole goal of the diy versa button is to create a secure "hook" for your rope to wrap around. As long as the head of the bolt (or a large washer on the outside) is wider than the spacer, that rope isn't going anywhere.
Dealing with Corrosion
Unless you live in the desert, your gear is going to get wet. Even Grade 8 bolts can eventually show some surface rust if the yellow-zinc coating gets scratched. Since you're building this yourself, you might as well take the extra step to protect it.
A quick blast of flat black spray paint or some "self-etching" primer can go a long way. Not only does it prevent rust, but it also helps the hardware blend in with your sticks. Shiny gold bolts sticking out from a camo stick aren't the end of the world, but if you're a perfectionist, a little paint makes a big difference. Just make sure the paint is fully cured before you start wrapping ropes around it, or you'll end up with a sticky mess.
Is It Safe?
Look, whenever you modify your own climbing equipment, the responsibility falls on you. But if you use the right hardware—specifically Grade 8 steel—a diy versa button is arguably stronger than some of the cheap plastic or cast-aluminum buttons found on entry-level sticks.
The main thing is to inspect your gear regularly. Before every season, check the bolts. Make sure the nylon lock nuts are still tight and that there's no sign of stress or bending. If you notice any "egging" out of the holes in your climbing sticks, it might be time to rethink your setup or use a larger washer to spread the load.
Final Thoughts on the DIY Route
At the end of the day, hunting is about getting away from the complications of modern life. There's something really cool about building your own kit and knowing exactly how it works. A diy versa button might seem like a small thing, but it's a great entry point into the world of saddle hunting DIY projects.
Once you realize how easy it is to make these, you'll start looking at the rest of your gear and wondering what else you can improve. You'll save some money, sure, but you'll also end up with a more customized, quieter, and more efficient mobile hunting setup. So, next time you're at the hardware store, skip the "as-seen-on-TV" aisle and head straight for the Grade 8 bins. Your wallet (and your climbing sticks) will thank you.