WTB API skyhook BOLTS

[LASOutdoorsmen]

I'm looking to buy any quantity of these bolts. Please let know what you have to offer.

 

[Ambush32]

Not sure if the Bearclaw tree steps use the same bolts or not but they do sell the bolts and they look similar to the API....http://bearclawtreesteps.com/index.html

Also, there was a guy on ebay that was selling the bolts, my friend had bought several packages, thinking about 50 bolts per auction...

 

[LASOutdoorsmen]

Not sure if the Bearclaw tree steps use the same bolts or not but they do sell the bolts and they look similar to the API....http://bearclawtreesteps.com/index.html

Also, there was a guy on ebay that was selling the bolts, my friend had bought several packages, thinking about 50 bolts per auction...

Thanks. The guy on ebay sold out of them,and yes Bearclaw has the same exact bolts. I'd just like to get them half of on here if possible.

 

[loosanarrow]

Just saw these... I have hundreds, but most are in trees....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-API-Skyhook- ... 3aa7ac2b1e

 

[LASOutdoorsmen]

Just saw these... I have hundreds, but most are in trees....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/50-API-Skyhook- ... 3aa7ac2b1e

Thanks,but I'm good now.
How have they been working for you over the years?

 

[loosanarrow]

I have been using them exclusively since the mid 1990's. My first set was non folding, and they took more space but I used them for about a decade. About a decade ago I switched to folders and can keep 13 in a nice little pouch that weighs a couple pounds. Always keep an extra for rare 13 step trees and because of that one time I hooked one with my boot and it popped off the bolt. Tough coming back down, even if you have the spare. I think it's happened 3 times in 20 years of over 150 climbs per year. It sucks, but I've always made it down safely.
One of those pieces of equipment that even looks good in hindsight. Still have not worn one out. Only other drawback is can't use on public land in IN because law prohibits anything that penetrates more than 1/2" into the tree. I do have a set of sticks and a strap-on platform step set for public land, but rarely use them unless on a travel hunt.

 

[LASOutdoorsmen]

I have been using them exclusively since the mid 1990's. My first set was non folding, and they took more space but I used them for about a decade. About a decade ago I switched to folders and can keep 13 in a nice little pouch that weighs a couple pounds. Always keep an extra for rare 13 step trees and because of that one time I hooked one with my boot and it popped off the bolt. Tough coming back down, even if you have the spare. I think it's happened 3 times in 20 years of over 150 climbs per year. It sucks, but I've always made it down safely.
One of those pieces of equipment that even looks good in hindsight. Still have not worn one out. Only other drawback is can't use on public land in IN because law prohibits anything that penetrates more than 1/2" into the tree. I do have a set of sticks and a strap-on platform step set for public land, but rarely use them unless on a travel hunt.

That's awesome. Glad to know these things will last. Approximately how many bolts should I get to last three next 20 years?

 

[loosanarrow]

I have been using them exclusively since the mid 1990's. My first set was non folding, and they took more space but I used them for about a decade. About a decade ago I switched to folders and can keep 13 in a nice little pouch that weighs a couple pounds. Always keep an extra for rare 13 step trees and because of that one time I hooked one with my boot and it popped off the bolt. Tough coming back down, even if you have the spare. I think it's happened 3 times in 20 years of over 150 climbs per year. It sucks, but I've always made it down safely.
One of those pieces of equipment that even looks good in hindsight. Still have not worn one out. Only other drawback is can't use on public land in IN because law prohibits anything that penetrates more than 1/2" into the tree. I do have a set of sticks and a strap-on platform step set for public land, but rarely use them unless on a travel hunt.

That's awesome. Glad to know these things will last. Approximately how many bolts should I get to last three next 20 years?

I use 12 bolts on almost every tree, so I guess it depends on how many trees you will have set up. I think right now I have about 45 trees, give or take a few, and that is a rough average year to year. A tree will swallow one in 3 to 5 years, so I move them a couple inches sideways every few years, and they need backed out just a bit each year - but obviously this can be a dangerous, and to be 100% they should be moved every year - I have found that species of tree is key on that one, for instance walnuts rot around the bolt hole fast, and I move them every other year, but a hickory seems to build good wood around the bolt so I can back them out sometimes for 5 or more years (odd that they are in the same family and so different on that...) But if I notice any movement or sign of rot, I move them. And moving them every couple or 3 years keeps finicky landowners happy since the holes heal with no lasting marks if you do that. I don't think I have ever lost any in a tree - although I have chiseled around them to get a wrench on them a few times. 20 year old bolts are still fine. So I probably have over 500 of them in trees, and maybe 150 extras in my new-tree-setup bin. Its a fantastic system - I use 5 or 6 gorilla steps up top, bolts going up. Almost impossible to see. Which can create problems at 3 in the morning if you don't have reflector tacks. On the plus side, I've never arrived to find some slob up in my tree.

 

[LASOutdoorsmen]

I have been using them exclusively since the mid 1990's. My first set was non folding, and they took more space but I used them for about a decade. About a decade ago I switched to folders and can keep 13 in a nice little pouch that weighs a couple pounds. Always keep an extra for rare 13 step trees and because of that one time I hooked one with my boot and it popped off the bolt. Tough coming back down, even if you have the spare. I think it's happened 3 times in 20 years of over 150 climbs per year. It sucks, but I've always made it down safely.
One of those pieces of equipment that even looks good in hindsight. Still have not worn one out. Only other drawback is can't use on public land in IN because law prohibits anything that penetrates more than 1/2" into the tree. I do have a set of sticks and a strap-on platform step set for public land, but rarely use them unless on a travel hunt.

That's awesome. Glad to know these things will last. Approximately how many bolts should I get to last three next 20 years?

I use 12 bolts on almost every tree, so I guess it depends on how many trees you will have set up. I think right now I have about 45 trees, give or take a few, and that is a rough average year to year. A tree will swallow one in 3 to 5 years, so I move them a couple inches sideways every few years, and they need backed out just a bit each year - but obviously this can be a dangerous, and to be 100% they should be moved every year - I have found that species of tree is key on that one, for instance walnuts rot around the bolt hole fast, and I move them every other year, but a hickory seems to build good wood around the bolt so I can back them out sometimes for 5 or more years (odd that they are in the same family and so different on that...) But if I notice any movement or sign of rot, I move them. And moving them every couple or 3 years keeps finicky landowners happy since the holes heal with no lasting marks if you do that. I don't think I have ever lost any in a tree - although I have chiseled around them to get a wrench on them a few times. 20 year old bolts are still fine. So I probably have over 500 of them in trees, and maybe 150 extras in my new-tree-setup bin. Its a fantastic system - I use 5 or 6 gorilla steps up top, bolts going up. Almost impossible to see. Which can create problems at 3 in the morning if you don't have reflector tacks. On the plus side, I've never arrived to find some slob up in my tree.

Wow, that's for sharing this valuable information with me. It seems like I'm on the right track with my setup. As of right now I have 16 trees already prepped. Hopefully a few cool weather days this summer will allow me to setup several more. I hope to have about 60 more years of hunting, so I'd like to have enough to last me over the years.

 

[redsquirrel]

Have you guys looked at the bearclaws? http://www.bearclawtreesteps.com/purcha ... claws.html

Seems like if one bought a set of them we should be able to find a cheaper alternative to use for the lag bolts. This might be a better way to go in the long run over my screw in steps.

Thoughts?

 

[loosanarrow]

Have you guys looked at the bearclaws? http://www.bearclawtreesteps.com/purcha ... claws.html

Seems like if one bought a set of them we should be able to find a cheaper alternative to use for the lag bolts. This might be a better way to go in the long run over my screw in steps.

Thoughts?

I would buy the bearclaws if I somehow lost my API folders, and I would pay for the special bolts even at $1 each. That is still only $12 per setup. The 5 screw in steps at the top typically cost more than that (although I have bought those on sale for $1 each by the case...)
I have tried other bolts, and while I was able to use them, I was not comfortable with hardware-store 12mm heads since they have a thinner shank and are not hardened. I only tried them in a few trees, and stopped when they were bending and loose on the shank, and some were even worse, having threads all the way to the head that will chew up the aluminum in the keyhole on the step. The "real" bolts are bulletproof, cause no step damage, and I have some that are 20 years old and show no signs of wear other than discoloration. If you don't mind hauling sticks around, they are more cost effective, but I don't care for hauling them unless I have no better option. I will say that I am glad I stocked up on bolts when the eBay guy was selling for 50 cents each a few years ago. But even at $1 each, I would buy them if I did not have enough. I know he used to give deals on request for larger quantities.

 

[LASOutdoorsmen]

I got the lag bolts tested and they are made of iron carbon steel with a heavy zinc coating (10%). Needless to say you don't have to ever worry about them yielding or shearing.

 

[Lou P]

Thanks. The guy on ebay sold out of them,and yes Bearclaw has the same exact bolts. I'd just like to get them half of on here if possible.

I have a bunch of the bolts not used NEW

 

[Lou P]

I'm looking to buy any quantity of these bolts. Please let know what you have to offer.

I have 200 of them

 

[Buckhunter]

I got like new 8 api and like new 4 bear claw and about 146 lag bolts I will sell cheap. Haven't used them in years.