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Bolt question

D

Diesel40

Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2018
Messages
99
Location
Southwest Illinois
Hello,

I am looking at different climbing methods and trying to determine if this bolt method is worth trying. I understand the method behind the bolt insulation as far as predrill with cordless or use a hand drill. My confusion lies in inserting the bolts into the holes. Do you have to screw them in or do they just slide in the hole? It looked like on Nutterbusters video the carbon bolts don't have threads. I am a little leery of the bolt sliding out of the hole. I guess i could just go pickup some grade 8 bolts and grab my cordless drill to try it out. besides my question above, any other words of advise on using these? Thanks.
 
The bolts just slide in the hole and I do them at a slight angle to prevent them from kicking out.
 
The bolts slide in and out. I've never had one kick out. I used to drill at an angle, but now drill perpendicular to the tree. @WHW has hunted a long time with bolts, and I thi k he has had ONE kick out. He's the only person I've heard of who has had that issue.

In short, it's possible, but highly unlikely.
 
Same as blatallic. Sometimes if the position of the bolt is awkward, I will make it even a little steeper as an extra precaution. I feel safer on bolts than any other method. I have no regrets for purchasing the treehopper system, its my favorite.
 
It has everything to do with how you climb on them! For instance you don't want to push on them in the direction where you can push them out of the tree! You want to set them up so you can climb straight up and straight down not pushing on them from the side! Hope that doesn't confuse you! LOL!!!
 
Newhunter1 said:
I have the folding model from Treehopper.com
Click to expand...

I got newhunter1 old treehopper drill, works like a champ! Thanks again, Newhunter1.

Has anyone ever got bolts off amazon.com? Does the shrink wrap on the bolts for dampening sound, or for visual aid coming down the tree?
 
Diesel40 said:
Understood. Does it seem to matter if the tree leans at all? If so, which direction of the lean do you climb?
Click to expand...
My bolts will sometimes spiral up the tree to go around forks or stay on top of the lean. If I know they are, I try to keep the shift consistent and as small as possible.
 
redhawk said:
I got newhunter1 old treehopper drill, works like a champ! Thanks again, Newhunter1.

Has anyone ever got bolts off amazon.com? Does the shrink wrap on the bolts for dampening sound, or for visual aid coming down the tree?
Click to expand...
The marine grade, 3:1 shrink tube is super durable and quiets the part of the bolt it covers, but you can't cover the section that gets inserted into the tree, because it won't fit into the hole.
It does help seeing them when climbing down.
IMO, shrink tubing bolts is mostly for run and gun type hunts.
When I do pre set stands, I don't really see the need to silence bolts, although it it nice.
When I buy a couple hundred bolts for presets, I'm not shrink tubing all of those. But any that I do keep in my daily pack, ARE shrink tubed.
 
redhawk said:
Does the shrink wrap on the bolts for dampening sound, or for visual aid coming down the tree?
Click to expand...
I use the shrink wrap as a visual aid. When inserting the bolts, the end of the wrap will meet the trunk if applied correctly. I actually add a second layer for a little more comfort when wearing softer soled boots.
 
redhawk said:
I got newhunter1 old treehopper drill, works like a champ! Thanks again, Newhunter1.

Has anyone ever got bolts off amazon.com? Does the shrink wrap on the bolts for dampening sound, or for visual aid coming down the tree?
Click to expand...

Glad you like it and it will get used.
 
Diesel40 said:
Just to double check. 3/8” Grade 8 bolts 6” to 7” and a 3/8” drill bit
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The bit should be 1 size up or the bolt wont fit. The treehopper drills 2.5 inches and has the stop built in for proper depth. If you went with a 7" on soft wood or deep bark, I would drill 3.5" for them. Try to keep 3.5 " out of the tree so you don't get too much leverage. I heard somewhere that the treehopper bit is metric?
 
NATHAN said:
The bit should be 1 size up or the bolt wont fit. The treehopper drills 2.5 inches and has the stop built in for proper depth. If you went with a 7" on soft wood or deep bark, I would drill 3.5" for them. Try to keep 3.5 " out of the tree so you don't get too much leverage. I heard somewhere that the treehopper bit is metric?
Click to expand...
Yes, it's metric. I can never remember the exact mm (I guess I'm metric system resistant, LOL) but I think it's 10mm.
 
I think the treehopper is 10mm, but it may be 25/64’s. You definitely want the drill bit slightly larger than the bolt. (but only slightly)


................................................................................All climbing methods, platforms, saddle designs, and/or use of materials possibly mentioned in the post above are not peer reviewed for safety, and should only be used as an example of my own method. Do your own research and testing before becoming confident in any DIY solution to support your life.
-IkemanTx
 
I have the ezcut hand drill and power drill bit. I have honestly never used the power bit. It’s really not that hard to use the hand drill. I also said I wouldn’t use it for run and gun type hunting but drilledband hunted a tree yesterday afternoon in 99 degree heat and it wasn’t that bad.
 
EricS said:
I have the ezcut hand drill and power drill bit. I have honestly never used the power bit. It’s really not that hard to use the hand drill. I also said I wouldn’t use it for run and gun type hunting but drilledband hunted a tree yesterday afternoon in 99 degree heat and it wasn’t that bad.
Click to expand...
Told ya! Drilling is easy, unless you're a sissy little milk-drinker. ;)
 
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