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bolts

I wouldn't go longer than 6in. In fact I may prefer 5-1/2in bolts. I try to drill at say 8 o'clock and 4 o-clock, but occasionally can still have to work to get the lineman's belt around them. If they stick out more, just more of an issue there IMO.
 
I use 6 1/2” and 7” grade 8 bolts drilled with the Treehopper drill. No issues. I’m a lighter guy, 170lbs.


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Allegheny Tom said:
On a 7" bolt, how long on the bolt is the threaded section? One aspect of 6" bolts is that the threads (weakest part of a bolt and more likely to be where one could break) is all supported within the hole.
Do the threads on a 7" bolt protrude from the hole?
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The threads are the exact same length as the 6" bolts so they are plenty deep enough on the drilled hole!!!!!
 
Chrighton said:
I wouldn't go longer than 6in. In fact I may prefer 5-1/2in bolts. I try to drill at say 8 o'clock and 4 o-clock, but occasionally can still have to work to get the lineman's belt around them. If they stick out more, just more of an issue there IMO.
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interesting , but I see where the belt might be problematic with longer bolts
 
Chrighton said:
I wouldn't go longer than 6in. In fact I may prefer 5-1/2in bolts. I try to drill at say 8 o'clock and 4 o-clock, but occasionally can still have to work to get the lineman's belt around them. If they stick out more, just more of an issue there IMO.
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My feet are to wide i guess because they hang off the 6" bolts, so 7" makes me feel safer!!!
 
Recurveaholic said:
My feet are to wide i guess because they hang off the 6" bolts, so 7" makes me feel safer!!!
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What trees do you drill? Longer bolts will put more bending pressure on the bolt and its hole. So higher stresses if you let your weight go outboard. Mor chance to bend/break things, or in soft trees to deform the holes and point bolts downhill.

Considering slippage - are you more likely to slip off of a 6 in bolt? Or a 7 in one that may put 30% more force on the hole (and possibly bend downward from that). Figure out where you stand with your footwear and trees. I drilled a yound aspen over the weekend and had to take care to avoid stretched out holes causing downward-angled bolts.
 
I would not cut off all the threads, they help grip the hole and prevent slipping out. With a shear rating of around 10,000 lbs., I don’t understand how anyone can bend a ”real” 3/8” grade 8 bolt. I’ve used them for over 30 years and I’m about 220 and never a bend.
 
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Sipsey said:
I would not cut off all the threads, they help grip the hole and prevent slipping out. With a shear rating of around 10,000 lbs., I don’t understand how anyone can bend a ”real” 3/8” grade 8 bolt. I’ve used them for over 30 years and I’m about 220 and never a bend.
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And should allow you to unscrew them if the tree grows and seals them in. Allen head or vice grips you can unscrew them.
 
6” is plenty long for my size 13’s even in rubber boots. My foot might would slip off my titanium rods but I don’t see it happening on my hex head bolts.
 
I have only bent one of mine They are the coated ones from Treehopper I am assuming they are of good quality.Climbed a really big tree on a hunt in Illinois and may have gotten on the end but that is when i think it happened anyway Not any where bent enough that it worries me but it is bent very noticeably
 
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mattsteg said:
What trees do you drill? Longer bolts will put more bending pressure on the bolt and its hole. So higher stresses if you let your weight go outboard. Mor chance to bend/break things, or in soft trees to deform the holes and point bolts downhill.

Considering slippage - are you more likely to slip off of a 6 in bolt? Or a 7 in one that may put 30% more force on the hole (and possibly bend downward from that). Figure out where you stand with your footwear and trees. I drilled a yound aspen over the weekend and had to take care to avoid stretched out holes causing downward-angled bolts.
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I have drilled all types of trees with no problem at all! But I do drill at a slight downward angle so maybe that in it self has made it better for the 7" and maybe why my feet are to wide for the 6" but I just don't like standing on the hex head I like my foot inside the head! Maybe stupid but makes me feel safer!!
 
Buckhole75 said:
I have only bent one of mine They are the coated ones from Treehopper I am assuming they are of good quality.Climbed a really big tree on a hunt in Illinois and may have gotten on the end but that is when i think it happened anyway Not any where bent enough that it worries me but it is bent very noticeably
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With the gold looking grade 8's at 7" long I have never had one bend on any kind of tree but I only weight 200lbs so maybe that is the difference and I still at a slight downward angle! I have bounced on them and not had a problem, yet! I do realize there is always a chance so we all need to experiment for ourselves and be safe whatever that means for that individual!! Stay safe and stay away from the big trees, LOL!!!!
 
I run 6” hex heads. I don’t think I’d go any longer.

I’m 5’7” 160lbs

the 6” bolt puts the hex head at the outside edge of my boot sole, which is perfect to keep my boots from slipping off the bolt. Any longer, and I would just be adding to the fulcrum length possibly leading to failure. I’m not concerned about the grade 8’s, more about soft wood trees or rotted spots.



................................................................................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
 
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