• The SH Membership has gone live. Only SH Members have access to post in the classifieds. All members can view the classifieds. Starting in 2020 only SH Members will be admitted to the annual hunting contest. Current members will need to follow these steps to upgrade: 1. Click on your username 2. Click on Account upgrades 3. Choose SH Member and purchase.
  • We've been working hard the past few weeks to come up with some big changes to our vendor policies to meet the changing needs of our community. Please see the new vendor rules here: Vendor Access Area Rules

Treebolts revisited

DaveT1963 said:
I use to take a hand ratchet and force 1/2 inch lag bolts into trees for steps. is it really that hard to use a hand drill?
Click to expand...
Not at all IMO. A hand drill is far easier than the standard screw-in steps.
Cordless are fast and easy for pre sets but you have to carry it and also hope the battery holds up.
Hand drills are easy and dependable.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
Not at all IMO. A hand drill is far easier than the standard screw-in steps.
Cordless are fast and easy for pre sets but you have to carry it and also hope the battery holds up.
Hand drills are easy and dependable.
Click to expand...
Thanks was just wondering why so many where talking how hard it is to use. I'm looking at getting one and some titanium for some properties I can use them on..... well at least giving them a try
 
DaveT1963 said:
Thanks was just wondering why so many where talking how hard it is to use. I'm looking at getting one and some titanium for some properties I can use them on..... well at least giving them a try
Click to expand...
Ive watched some of your vids and read a lot of your posts over the last couple years. I think I have a good idea of your abilities. I will be utterly amazed if you find a hand drill to be difficult. I think you will really like it.
Refresh my memory...What is your current climbing method?

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Allegheny Tom said:
Ive watched some of your vids and read a lot of your posts over the last couple years. I think I have a good idea of your abilities. I will be utterly amazed if you find a hand drill to be difficult. I think you will really like it.
Refresh my memory...What is your current climbing method?

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

my go to is 3 modified heliums and 1 CAYG aider - it just works the best for me on most public lands I hunt (no screw steps allowed). i do have a few areas and some out of state hunts that I can use bolts - but it would need to be a scout and setup kind of system. no way I am using a cordless drill so a hand drill is only option.
 
DaveT1963 said:
Perhaps get a ratched and weld a nut on your bit?
Click to expand...
That might work, but any amount of difficulty would most likely increase.
The 2 advantages a hand drill has over a DIY type of rig are the sleeve over the bit (allows for much more control and lateral pressure when starting the hole.
The other advantage is the handle. The physics of it allows fast cranking. Not sure a ratchet would accomplish the same thing.
 
Jimmyfunk60 said:
I bought 15 grade 8 1/2” bolts x8” on eBay for $22 bucks and then bought 1/2” drill bits. I just have to come up with my own compact hand drill to pack with me or buy a 1/2” one made. I suppose I could retrofit my bit to a 3/8 treehopper one. View attachment 10947


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Mark was talking about making a 1/2” hand drill. I don’t know how soon that will happen though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
DaveT1963 said:
Thanks was just wondering why so many where talking how hard it is to use. I'm looking at getting one and some titanium for some properties I can use them on..... well at least giving them a try
Click to expand...
I mentioned this on an early page on this thread....
Using a tether while drilling the tree makes it a lot easier.
The trick is getting your angle right when drilling on the left side.
With a tether, you can hang wherever you want to and relax your legs.
I like using the tether when climbing down too.
 
justsomedude said:
I mentioned this on an early page on this thread....
Using a tether while drilling the tree makes it a lot easier.
The trick is getting your angle right when drilling on the left side.
With a tether, you can hang wherever you want to and relax your legs.
I like using the tether when climbing down too.
Click to expand...
Using a saddle (attached with the tether) to hang stands is the same concept. It is much easier than using a linemans belt.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
Allegheny Tom said:
Using a saddle (attached with the tether) to hang stands is the same concept. It is much easier than using a linemans belt.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Yep.
A lot of people just use Linesman's belt until they get up to height and then add their tether.

I'm not afraid of heights....I'm afraid of FALLING from heights :)
 
Just a summary

FINDING THE HOLES:
I always drill the first hole at my right knee height. I will sometimes mark that hole with a reflective tack, but usually I just flag the tree.
Second on left at waist height. Third on right at throat.
I measure the holes using the length from my elbow to fingertips.
The width apart is just my natural standing shoulder-width posture and just putting my elbows against the tree.
Using this system, it is always easy to find the holes or next bolt in the dark.

It is worth it to buy the power drill bit and the hand drill instead of hacking your own.
I use a small cheap Ryobi 12v to preset. I tether it with webbing girthed around the battery.
I bring an extra battery... my body gives out before the drill does.

I am Tethered while drilling and climbing. Much less effort as you can hang with your knees on the tree for leverage and you can move around more for the left side drilling.

I usually use a small shoulder bag that has a separate compartment where I keep the hand drill and spare bolts.
Spare bolts are wrapped with a ranger band/innertube to keep them quiet.
My bag is larger than it needs to be so I can easily put the bolts in and out without looking and while wearing gloves.
I pad the bag inside with a thick sock.

Another option is a Dump Pouch.
But the shoulder strap bag keeps it more stable and puts the weight on your body instead of the saddle.
When I get to height, I just hang that bag with my pack.
 
Last edited:
Allegheny Tom said:
Cordless voltage has been discussed before and I don't believe 12v are adequate. Plus batteries go bad. I have some 18v that their life is spent. They won't take a full charge and the drain quickly.
A decent 18v or 20v with a good bit will drill a bolt hole in less than 5 seconds.
My hand drill typically takes 60 revolutions starting with the very 1st turn. So saying how long it take to hand drill is a little misleading...some guys crank faster than other guys. Count on 60 cranks per bolt.

Finally, you are using the wrong bit. 3/8" is the bolt size but the drill needs to be 10mm so bolts can be inserted and removed easier.

Get a bit from Treehopper. The issues with the hand drill bits have been corrected and their cordless bits have never had issues as far as I know.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

12 v brushless work


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
 
I just got a 10 pack of the gray texture paint dipped bolts from Treehopper.
The texture definitely has more grip.

They include a DUMB pouch....velcro flap.
Do we really want velcro with a bag of metal bolts? Oh well.

The dip makes them quieter than bare metal but not as quiet as my bolts that are wrapped in camo tape.
But the dipped bolts are dipped the WHOLE bolt so maybe it averages out.
 
justsomedude said:
I just got a 10 pack of the gray texture paint dipped bolts from Treehopper.
The texture definitely has more grip.

They include a DUMB pouch....velcro flap.
Do we really want velcro with a bag of metal bolts? Oh well.

The dip makes them quieter than bare metal but not as quiet as my bolts that are wrapped in camo tape.
But the dipped bolts are dipped the WHOLE bolt so maybe it averages out.
Click to expand...


The whole bolt is dipped? Mine the last 2” or so were not.
 
Anybody using 1/2” bolts? I have two Treehopper 1/2” drill bits I’m going to sell. PM me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top