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Treebolts revisited

IkemanTX said:
I’m pretty sure I mentioned it before, but it is WAY easier to drill when you hang from a tether instead of from a linesman belt.



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Man this is a great idea! I have been trying to figure out the best way to drill without my lineman's belt getting in the way. I always feel like I have it either too high or too low. Where it's most comfortable is always where I have to drill the next hole. I would drill over head, but my left shoulder won't allow for that. Considering you're standing on one bolt at a time this would be helpful with leg and foot fatigue. I'm definitely trying this the next time I go out. In your opinion is the tether just as easy to move up and down the tree as compared to the lineman's belt? And how would you say it compares when working with both hands free of the tree? It seems that maybe a bit harder to keep your balance only supported by one point of contact.

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I would think the tether would be harder to work with in every way, except for the drilling part. So far I've stayed on my linemans belt but I understand the awkwardness of drilling while supported by a LB. I move myself as far to the left as I can when drilling the holes on the left side but the LB is often still in the way.


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I’ve found that if you drill the 1st two holes from the ground, insert bolts fasten belt and step up, then the 3rd will be right at chin level (for me). This allows the drill process to be above the lineman’s belt and at a convenient position for drilling. Every hole is chin measured with each step and the process goes efficiently.
 
Sipsey said:
I’ve found that if you drill the 1st two holes from the ground, insert bolts fasten belt and step up, then the 3rd will be right at chin level (for me). This allows the drill process to be above the lineman’s belt and at a convenient position for drilling. Every hole is chin measured with each step and the process goes efficiently.
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How much space are you putting between steps?


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Sipsey said:
I’ve found that if you drill the 1st two holes from the ground, insert bolts fasten belt and step up, then the 3rd will be right at chin level (for me). This allows the drill process to be above the lineman’s belt and at a convenient position for drilling. Every hole is chin measured with each step and the process goes efficiently.
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Thanks guys! I'll have to re read the thread before I go out scouting and pre setting trees. Lots of good info in here.
 
PJC said:
How much space are you putting between steps?


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I’ve always used the ground to top of my knee for the 1st step, insert bolt, place boot on bolt, mark, step down, drill, insert 2nd bolt, stand against tree with chin touching, mark where chin touches, drill, insert bolt. That allows the 1st three holes to be drilled while on the ground. Then I step up, hook up belt and drill all the remaining holes at chin level hole. I just measured and with boots on it’s right at 22” to top of my knee, 66” to my chin. With a little practice everyone can come up with an anatomical system of precise placement to help speed the whole process up.
 
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Ah, the third hole is chin level while standing on the ground. That makes sense.


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I use the elbow to just above the finger tips method for measuring. This will keep from having to step up on the bolt to measure knee height. It's not exactly knee to heel length but close enough for who it's for.


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Drill three from the ground, then one at a time. Always have both feet on bolts.

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I found a video of yours and another lad that I don't remember seeing in here. Good reference for those that want to see how fast a tree can be setup and how well the hand drill works. Never thought I'd enjoy watching holes get drilled...lol

WHW makes it look easy and quick:

Woodpecker hand drill:

Cheers,
 
Babshaft said:
Awesome! How do you find the hand drill Warren?
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I find the hand drill & bolts to be the most portable climbing method of all. Sure, it's takes a little effort to drill a tree, but once it's drilled it's good to go for the entire season. Pretty neat to get to a predrilled tree and just insert bolts as you climb. I've used the hand drill since 1983 without many issues except for them wearing out (I've been through three during all of those years). After an extreme amount of use the drill will become more difficult to turn and the holes will become smaller making it go from hard, to impossible to insert a bolt. I started using a cordless drill motor about three years ago and they are effortless will certainly spoil you.

About 9 minutes into this video I demonstrate how I drill trees with the hand drill.
 
WHW said:
I find the hand drill & bolts to be the most portable climbing method of all. Sure, it's takes a little effort to drill a tree, but once it's drilled it's good to go for the entire season. Pretty neat to get to a predrilled tree and just insert bolts as you climb. I've used the hand drill since 1983 without many issues except for them wearing out (I've been through three during all of those years). After an extreme amount of use the drill will become more difficult to turn and the holes will become smaller making it go from hard, to impossible to insert a bolt. I started using a cordless drill motor about three years ago and they are effortless will certainly spoil you.

About 9 minutes into this video I demonstrate how I drill trees with the hand drill.
Click to expand...
Loved that video when I found it a year and a half ago. Good stuff.
As for the power drill, do you recommend a minimum power to take to the woods that will allow for drilling several trees in an afternoon of prepping and still be somewhat light?
 
Babshaft said:
I found a video of yours and another lad that I don't remember seeing in here. Good reference for those that want to see how fast a tree can be setup and how well the hand drill works. Never thought I'd enjoy watching holes get drilled...lol

WHW makes it look easy and quick:

Woodpecker hand drill:

Cheers,
Click to expand...
That drill is drilling them out faster than the drill I've been using. Holy cow. What drill is that?
 
Babshaft said:
I found a video of yours and another lad that I don't remember seeing in here. Good reference for those that want to see how fast a tree can be setup and how well the hand drill works. Never thought I'd enjoy watching holes get drilled...lol

WHW makes it look easy and quick:

Woodpecker hand drill:

Cheers,
Click to expand...
what kind of pouch are you using to carry your bolts in?
 
Babshaft said:
That’s the old woodpecker drill Warren mentioned.

I use a 4” molle pouch from condor.
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yes, I have the drill from EZ Kut. It should do the trick too, but my drill (not the bit) labors a bit and it doesn't drill them out nearly that fast.

You have a link to the Molle pouch?
 
WHW said:
I find the hand drill & bolts to be the most portable climbing method of all. Sure, it's takes a little effort to drill a tree, but once it's drilled it's good to go for the entire season. Pretty neat to get to a predrilled tree and just insert bolts as you climb. I've used the hand drill since 1983 without many issues except for them wearing out (I've been through three during all of those years). After an extreme amount of use the drill will become more difficult to turn and the holes will become smaller making it go from hard, to impossible to insert a bolt. I started using a cordless drill motor about three years ago and they are effortless will certainly spoil you.

About 9 minutes into this video I demonstrate how I drill trees with the hand drill.
Click to expand...

Thanks Warren! You are amazing brother! Much appreciated!
 
Mr. Warren,

Do you use a saddle ever to hunt? Are you still using lock on stands now? Just wondering your thoughts on saddle hunting in general, thanks!
 
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