Edward Forman
New Member
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2019
- Messages
- 16
I was excited about carbon bolts until I saw the 3/8” carbon bolt that broke. I understand the guy was trying to break it, standing on the end and bouncing! It would have probably never broke under normal use climbing a tree. Yet it caused concern and rightfully so. I am 68 years old standing at 300 pounds. I use my tree spurs when and where I can and grade 8 bolts as an alternate climbing method. I wanted the carbon bolts to lighten my load so I opted to go to a 1/2” drill bit and 1/2” carbon bolts that would drastically increase the strength over 3/8” carbon. I ordered a Milwaukee 1/2” Ship auger bit and prepared it for my 20 volt DeWalt drill: I didn’t see a significant difference in drilling effort between 3/8” and 1/2”. I then got a 1/2” bolt and it didn’t slip into the cylinder hole. This was a surprise to me. I then purchased a couple 12mm bolts and they slid into the holes without wobble. I am glad I checked this out because I would hate to pay $100+ for carbon bolts and find too late that they don’t fit! 12mm bolts are just .7mm smaller than 1/2” bolts and are much stronger than 3/8” carbon bolts. Just thought I would relate my experience with the 1/2”carbon bolt path to tree climbing. Maybe it will save those who go to 1/2” a costly mistake.