I've been watching you since middle school, and I'm an engineer now. Thank you. :)

I have literally been subscribed to you for years, and I thought you stopped making content. . . only to randomly cross one of your old videos and find out you are STILL here! KZfaq notifications just suck!

Just wanted to drop a thank you. You consistently put out awesome videos, and, unlike a lot of other makers on KZfaq, you have a lot of projects that are easy, fun, and practical. Thanks again, NightHawk.

A few months ago your video popped up on my "recommended" list and 99% of the time I ignore them because its junk. I can't remember what it was off the top of my head but it interested me and LOVE your videos. Thank you for all the entertainment and random knowledge :D.

I work in the sailing industry and we have some rope made from material called Dyneema. It's lighter in weight and stronger than steel, size for size. Some hi performace yachts use it to hold the mast up instead of wire these days.

Too bad the log didn't snap. It would have been cool to watch. I've done this with 3 pulleys creating 8X the pull. I've been able to uproot small trees (12" dia) with this method. I had to replace a couple of my underrated pulleys though. The bottlenecks become very obvious when everything is under tension.

I have made and used several variations of this over the years. The one thing that has bugged me the most, is at the point where the shackle on the back, is held by the chain around the tree. It twists/spins too easily. Then you are chasing the handle at odd angles. My latest thought is to set it up with two clevis hooks on that back end. Wrap the chain around the tree, hook it to the hooks, and it should naturally stay 'upright'.

Not sure if I’m correct in saying this but it looks like the winch is mounted backwards the tension pulling off of that windshield come off the bottom of the spool closest to the mounting surface which would put the cranking handle towards the backside of the tension pulling out. That would also help with the system rolling out towards the tension. And presently there’s really only one bolt mounted underneath that spool that’s holding that thing from ripping off the seat channel. Looks like a really useful convenient project to build.

I would also secure the cable that attaches to the working end of the crank so the whole thing doesn't pitch the way it is great idea and thank you

The magic of gear ratio. I loved that unit last year when i was a junior.

I really hope you'll enhance your system and that you will come back to this log to snap it in half! Love your videos man, keep up the good work

Other people can say it better than I can, nonetheless I really enjoy seeing all of your interesting projects. Such quality content.

Great idea. This is something I can use for sure! Thanks for the video!

I think this is really useful. I am inspired to mod one that attaches to the Reese Hitch receiver on my truck. Thanks NightHawk

You need to add two pieces of pipe on each side of the clevis to keep it centered.

Thanks again for making this video, I see how much work was put into this. I would suggest just moving the place where you click the wire of the winch to the bolt. You could just drill a hole on the front of your base plate and then connect the end of the wire to front of your base plate. Easy fix to your friction wear on the wire problem.

Thank You. Good Luck with future projects !

Great idea, can't wait to build one. However, I would recommend using a pin in place of the long bolt as bolts aren't designed for shear strength, especially with the long distance between the ears.

You sure know it well and are a top Instructor. It is a gift and I hope that I see much more in time. Many of the cheaper winches are too weak for some jobs but I do like the boat winches now. I have found the cables too short on the the first mentioned.

Great demo, and I agree with Conner use a line damper for safety.

Thanks for the video! Was looking for a system with this kind of winch to get my car out when I am stucked. Very good idea to put a pully between. Nice thinking and greetings from Holland.

This is great. This is the perfect idea for me. I think I may actually make it able to attach to my reciever for my tow hitch. Thanks!

Man, I'm going to show your video to my father, when he comes back from travel. He's going to get crazy about that. LOL

Really fantastic thing, man!

Wow, what a great presentation, just awesome

Useful tool and for a good price. Nice mod too !

As always, great Video! Keep it up!

Good call backing off on snapping that log; an awesome test next time with a better cable.

That'll work. I need to move logs where no vehicles can go. I'll get a better cable and snatch block. Good simple solution. Thank you

Excellent idea! I'll be making one, too.

Great video as usual. Keep it up!

Great idea for the tool kit. Many thanks 👌

Awesome video as always.

great idea my friend : )

Beautiful forest. And great project and prototype testing...I would love to see a follow up video on this, if you are able to make one.

Never been this early before.. Pretty sweet. Keep it up 👍

bro ur actually the best utubr ever

what about a heavy duty cordless power drill attachment. would something like that be feasible?

Thank you for showing this!

Gotta love compound pulley systems! The biggest problem I've had with these cheap winches is the cable bunching up on the drum - they generally have a very small shaft through the drum (one I had was just a 3/4" rod with the cable going through a hole) and if you have a lot of cable it tends to get squished together and tangled up. I ended up either shortening the cable drastically (just a few meters, and using a separate piece of chain on the end of the winch) or welding in a piece of pipe to increase the drum size and reduce the chance of it bunching up. But they are great little winches - I made a drawbench from one for accurately sizing the inner diameter of tubing.

Always interesting to see other people's ideas. Suggestion for two mods: 1.) Install some sort of handle to stabilize the winch while you're cranking it. Placement would obviously be critical. 2.) I would definitely get a small pulley for the cable to ride on where it's rubbing on the frame. Granted, it would have to be pretty stout for that kind of tension, though it shouldn't be too hard to find.

You could add snatch block to your setup from the trees location to add even more pulling force!

Cool project. I used to have a very small electric winch on the front of my 4Runner. I had a few blocks and I was able to use it when I was stuck in the mud, it only needed to give my car a little pull so it would keep momentum. My only thought with this unit is it seems a bit of winching power is lost through the winch being able to rotate. Might be a good idea to make some steel stabiliser rods to allow the winch to be braced and held steady.

Thank you very much for sharing your knowledge.

I am sure I found same one on ebay. It does not say, but cable likely one quarter inch, and cheapo cable. I would not go over 1000 lbs single, and 2000 lbs double (with pulley hook). I plan to get one and mod it like you did. I move stuff a lot using winches, comealongs, tractor, etc. Youall should read all the comments below about safety, risk, etc. Because that cable Can Cut You In Half if the load releases, cable breaks, winch breaks etc. Other stuff can go flying and hit and go through you too.

Great video! Use synthetic line. SAFETY EQUIPMENT!!!! Gloves when handling the cable, line dampers, and eye protection. Great invention!

Great video! I would love to see you return to this video later on with stronger cables and a new pulley system, and maybe if you go crazy you could break that log😜.

part of the issue you are running into with the cable starting to unravel as you said is the tension, but the main issue is that you have the cable gong onto such a tight spool, and through a very small block and tackle. when cable is overbent, it will exhibit the same signs as uneven tension.

I made the same thing 30 years ago ... except I used a 2500 pound electric winch, I made heavy electrical (12 volt) lugs on the case and just use jumper cables OR bring a spare battery if I'm expecting trouble ... I have TWO snatch blocks for it and a remote control so I don;t have to stand in the "snap back area" to operate it.

This video was like, half ASMR. Love it lol

What a great execution! Thanks so much for sharing it. I've been planning one and now I have great new ideas for mine. I want the quick release handle. Depending on where you are it might be better to strap the tree to protect it rather than use a chain which can tear up some types of soft wood tree.

Great project.

Thanks for showing this video

You could lighten it up a bit by replacing the steel cable with Dyneema or Spectra type rope.

Wow the quality of your camera is incredible.

Good, informative video. You might also check the hook on the end of your chain that you use to tie of to the stationary tree. It doesn't look to be rated even to 1K.

Pretty decent idea, While I noticed there was a lot of "wobble" while cranking I wondered if it would be beneficial if the plate was a few inches longer with a "V" cut. That would allow it to be tightened against a tree and instead of the clevis (or use one on each side) a couple of very stout hooks and/or a ratcheting strap to do the tightening. It would somewhat limit the anchor point choices and also make more stuff to carry in and out. BTW I would use a "slip" hook on the log that allows the chain to slip through and tighten the chain. I also wonder if moving the original hook farther forward would eliminate the rubbing. Of course that is if the wobble bothers you, which it apparently doesn't. Thanks for the post, good simple solution to many difficulties.

You ought to remember the location of that log so once you've upgraded the winch you can come back for revenge lol, your videos are always great!

brilliant but what about a tree trunk protector

I'm no expert but I expect you to get loads of comments about winch safety...

Awesome video

Great Idea I could've used it for a prodject I'm working on.

I would add a weight bag for the cable for safety. On another channel, Wranglerstar, he has one of these that someone modified to work off a chainsaw motor.

......some safety issues present, but you show some great ideas in this video. Thanks.👍🏽

if your going to use a widow maker winch inspect your rigging. it doesn't take much to mame you and is your life or ability to work worth a 15$ strap failing. just be smart about it. the biggest issue with winches like that is you cant really get a feel for how much tension it is under. The main thing i would suggest to make sure you dont over tension anything is a rigging dynamomiter. Also keep your winch well maintained any kinks or frey in the cables is a bad sign steel cable is cheap. try and stay out of the bite ( where if anything fails you can get "bit") of the rigging

A couple of sleeves would keep your clevis in the center of your base. Nice project.

You should do radio advertising or something your voice is great!

I would suggest looking into Amsteel Blue rope. It's an incredibly strong rope that has been replacing steel cable in large ship mooring lines for some years. It comes in different diameter and is stronger than the equivalent diameter steel cable. Though you do need to be more careful about friction and rub points.

Great video, thanks for showing us how to do this. You mention in your video a good wheel for your angle grinder, what brand is that you use? Thank you.

How about a second handle to make it more stable and conftable to turn? You can add one just beside the spool and it would probably help a lot.

Great content thanks

also a tree protector might be nice for the anchor tree

good work

Is this going to turn into a mini-series for your channel? P.S Where was your little bird?

I know this video was quite some time ago, but this is relevant. Modern winches us UHMW-PE synthetic line which is stronger and smaller in diameter than steel cable. What you are looking to buy is called Dyneema SK-78 or if you want to spend a bit more for even smaller diameter line you can buy Dyneema SK-99 which is more than 20% stronger than SK-78 for the same diameter. Dyneema is used on ship rigging, tug boat lines, cargo ship lines, commercial fishing vessels, etc. What does this all mean, it means you can uses crazy small diameter synthetic line and still have all the strength or more of the steel cable, but you may get 100 feet or more of winch line on you hand winch making it much more useful especially when doubled back with a pulley to double its capacity. Samson AmSteel-Blue 12 Strand SK-78 is a very popular Dyneema that is available online by the foot

Someone may have already mentioned it, but have you considered using removable supports to stabilize the winch as you crank it? Lot easier and less effort.

This is a great idea. The only thing that I wonder about is where the person cranking is standing. I've seen cables under tension break free from hardware and it tends to whip back along the line of tension. For this reason I'd definitely keep any loads well below the max for the weakest link. But used intelligently, this is a win.

use a small section of denim to stop the friction. it is what i and many other climbers use ass well as myself using it for heavy haulage and so forth.

Maybe use the front two bolts to mount a roller to stop the cable rubbing??

Good job

you could put a bolt and d-shackle at the other end to clear the rubbing on the cable,also I think running the cable through a snatch block and back to the winch gives you a 150% increase.so 1000 pounds would become 1500 pounds.hope this helps.

The "Safety Sally's" will love this video

Good stuff

use a nut and a washer on one of the two bolts in the front to have it hold to keep the cable somewhat in place while not doing too much work or mods.

Not really new, but still an interesting take on a winch system and using a boat winch to boot. BTW, with your voice, you were born to do videos!

Very cool project, thanks! What kind of drill bits do you use... I seem to burn through bits in no time!?

A) An $11 Diamond blade from Home Depot will cut faster & last 50x longer than the blade you were using in your grinder. B) A little cutting oil or WD or general lubricant will make your drill bits last much longer in the drill press. C) Another great video, nice work man!

Look into getting some synthetic winch line for that thing! It would save a lot of weight and it's sooo much nicer to work with! Of course, it costs quite a bit more but for what you need, it shouldn't be too bad!

i think you need to check your math at 5:15, adding a pulley just increases your mechanical advantage (input/output force), it doesn't alter the capacity of the winch (or of the cable or any other component in the system) since you're multiplying your input force, the cable experiences much greater force than it would without the pulley, so with the pulley you're actually going to reach the capacity of the cable & other components quicker than you would without the pulley in other words, if (based on the rating) that winch breaks at 3800 pounds without the pulley, it's still going to break at 3800 pounds with the pulley, but you're also multiplying the force going into it, meaning it will reach that 3800 pounds with much less input force

With a longer U-channel you can mount the winch in the middle, the clevis to one end and the free cable end to the front of the U-channel. Basically have the free end of the cable not pass under the U-channel. I suppose a temporary good fix would be to drill a hole in a block of wood and pass the cable through the hole. The wood is cheap and easily replaceable (plus you can soak the wood in oil or hot wax to impregnate it).

You have nice tackle.

Very nice

Very good

Recommend trying to add cordless drill to replace handle. Also other projects I have seen use worm gear winch instead of ratchet because it will allow you to reverse better.

Plus Tip: To stop the wobbleing during cranking use two cables to fix the winch to a sturdy object.

I suggest you drill two holes for another bolt at opposition end just like the one for clevis but put a pipe on the bolt as a full length barring

Thank you

You want to get some blankets to lay over the cable to help mitigate the cable whipping when it does break.

Not sure if you have fixed your rubbing cable issue But an idea for you drill 2 holes in your C channel like you did with the bolt for the clevis but smaller and place a bolt to hold the cable away from the edge To replace the cable for something stronger did you think about synthetic rope ? Otherwise and amazing job Going to fab one up for my quad as a backup winch 👍🏻👍🏻

Great Idea. The Small roller is causing problems with the cable!! Fist up, Fight for Truth.