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Treebolts revisited

g2outdoors

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My first effort was a fail.

I tried to screw into a couple giant (3'-4' diameter at the base) live oaks. The drill bit with 8v RYOBI drill wouldn't cut it. It got about 3/4 of the way in and hung up. I switched to the hand Drill and it wouldn't go in either.

Maybe those trees were just too hard? Anyone else ever experience this?

Sent from my Galaxy S8.
 

PJC

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Hmm. I'm curious to try one now.


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PJC

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My first effort was a fail.

I tried to screw into a couple giant (3'-4' diameter at the base) live oaks. The drill bit with 8v RYOBI drill wouldn't cut it. It got about 3/4 of the way in and hung up. I switched to the hand Drill and it wouldn't go in either.

Maybe those trees were just too hard? Anyone else ever experience this?

Sent from my Galaxy S8.

Did you try a screw in step? Wonder how that would work in comparison on the same tree.


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g2outdoors

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Did you try a screw in step? Wonder how that would work in comparison on the same tree.


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No, but I will. I'm also going to take the 24v dewalt and give it a go.

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redsquirrel

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My first effort was a fail.

I tried to screw into a couple giant (3'-4' diameter at the base) live oaks. The drill bit with 8v RYOBI drill wouldn't cut it. It got about 3/4 of the way in and hung up. I switched to the hand Drill and it wouldn't go in either.

Maybe those trees were just too hard? Anyone else ever experience this?

Sent from my Galaxy S8.
No, but I will. I'm also going to take the 24v dewalt and give it a go.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.
I'm thinking you just need more power. First try drilling any tree right? I'd try the same drill on a small tree for comparison. Oak is harder than other trees but it should still work. And from my experience the hand drill is a lot of work on any tree. I just keep it in my pouch to clear out holes if needed.
 

PJC

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I'm thinking you just need more power. First try drilling any tree right? I'd try the same drill on a small tree for comparison. Oak is harder than other trees but it should still work. And from my experience the hand drill is a lot of work on any tree. I just keep it in my pouch to clear out holes if needed.

X2


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g2outdoors

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I'm thinking you just need more power. First try drilling any tree right? I'd try the same drill on a small tree for comparison. Oak is harder than other trees but it should still work. And from my experience the hand drill is a lot of work on any tree. I just keep it in my pouch to clear out holes if needed.
This drill was seizing up. But it was a big, old, hard tree. Maybe the 24v will work.

I need to try the hand Drill from the start, but that kind of defeats my purpose of getting the drill bit.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.
 

PJC

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This drill was seizing up. But it was a big, old, hard tree. Maybe the 24v will work.

I need to try the hand Drill from the start, but that kind of defeats my purpose of getting the drill bit.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.

I've drilled a few trees with the hand drill. The most important take away from that is that I want to preset any tree I think I might possibly want to hunt from with a power drill and bit. It'll build up your arms and shoulders though.


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g2outdoors

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My plan is to pre-drill trees with the bit. The hand drill will only be used for cleaning up holes throughout the season.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.
 

WHW

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This drill was seizing up. But it was a big, old, hard tree. Maybe the 24v will work.

I need to try the hand Drill from the start, but that kind of defeats my purpose of getting the drill bit.

Sent from my Galaxy S8.
Years ago, when I first tried using a 9V cordless drill motor to drill a tree I experienced the same thing on a big, old oak tree. Some 15 or so years later I tried again with an 18V drill and haven't had a problem drilling any size or type tree. Very common for me to drill multiple trees with the same battery. Be advised that the drill bits do wear out making it hard if not impossible to insert a bolt due to the under size hole.
 
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g2outdoors

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Years ago, when I first tried using a 9V cordless drill motor to drill a tree I experienced the same thing on a big, old oak tree. Some 15 or so years later I tried again with an 18V drill and haven't had a problem drilling any size or type tree. Very common for me to drill multiple trees with the same battery. Be advised that the drill bits do wear out making it hard if not impossible to insert a bolt due to the under size hole.
Thanks! That's exactly what I needed to hear. I'm going to try again with a stronger drill. I'm hoping I can get 5 trees out of my DeWalt 24v. It actually might be an 18V. I can't remember. But I feel like 5 or 6 in a day is all I'll ever have time for.

At 18" spacing I need 17 bolts to get me 25'. I'm going to carry 20 bolts in my pouch. The pouch you recommended (buck commander turkey pouch) fits perfectly.

Also, I don't mind replacing my drill bits every few seasons. That feels like an acceptable cost.
 
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redsquirrel

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Thanks! That's exactly what I needed to hear. I'm going to try again with a stronger drill. I'm hoping I can get 5 trees out of my DeWalt 24v. It actually might be an 18V. I can't remember. But I feel like 5 or 6 in a day is all I'll ever have time for.

At 18" spacing I need 17 bolts to get me 25'. I'm going to carry 20 bolts in my pouch. The pouch you recommended (buck commander turkey pouch) fits perfectly.

Also, I don't mind replacing my drill bits every few seasons. That feels like an acceptable cost.
You might need an extra battery. I think I have the same drill and I average 2.5 trees per charge.
 

Ontariofarmer

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18 volt Milwaukee fuel brushless drill drills like a corded drill. It has to be the fuel model
The brushless cordless products are incredible
For example my cordless fuel impact. 800 ft pounds forward torque. 1100 reverse more than my pneumatic stuff
I never use pneumatic impacts anymore

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Babshaft

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18 volt Milwaukee fuel brushless drill drills like a corded drill. It has to be the fuel model
The brushless cordless products are incredible
For example my cordless fuel impact. 800 ft pounds forward torque. 1100 reverse more than my pneumatic stuff
I never use pneumatic impacts anymore

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That's x2 on the milwaulkee fuels.
 

g2outdoors

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I know not what you speak of concerning these "fuels". Research I shall commence.
 

Babshaft

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I know not what you speak of concerning these "fuels". Research I shall commence.

Any of their newer cordless tools. Specifically the brushless impacts and the drills in this case. They've got lithium ion batteries and they really pack a good punch with a long charge.
 

Ontariofarmer

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I know not what you speak of concerning these "fuels". Research I shall commence.
They are the newest Milwaukee drills, saw, grinder, impacts ... they are brushless and they are amazing. Zero comparison to the old Milwaukee 18 volt cordless tools . You need no extension cord for anything anymore.