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Entire setup...5.25 lbs

VA saddlehunter said:
@PJC , any update on how good the plastic dip is holding up on the bolts, I was gonna heat shrink mine ,but after some reading that seems like a bad idea, so gonna go with the dipping if it will hold up
Click to expand...
There are different grades of heat shrink. My buddy tried (as a test) the kind without the built-in adhesive. It did not hold up at all.
We both switched to the marine grade with the built-in adhesive and it seems very durable. Time will tell how well it holds up.
I've used the plasti dip for years on steps, chains and some other stuff. It's not bad but my impression is the heat shrink will be more durable than the dip.
 
I used this shrink tube on my grade 8 bolts, and it is insanely durable. Except for the mud, you can’t even tell I have climbed on my bolts. I have 2 rolls to do my CF bolts too.
I did a hunt on the CF bolts on Thursday afternoon, and they felt solid as a rock. I really need to find a new solution to my pouch, because if I lean too far forward, or to the right, I dump bolts. I may pick up a chest rig after season, like you use for binoculars.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073YPK499/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6Tn1BbJ3D3QR4


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IkemanTX said:
I used this shrink tube on my grade 8 bolts, and it is insanely durable. Except for the mud, you can’t even tell I have climbed on my bolts. I have 2 rolls to do my CF bolts too.
I did a hunt on the CF bolts on Thursday afternoon, and they felt solid as a rock. I really need to find a new solution to my pouch, because if I lean too far forward, or to the right, I dump bolts. I may pick up a chest rig after season, like you use for binoculars.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073YPK499/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_6Tn1BbJ3D3QR4


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Click to expand...

Check out the pouch I made with tool drawer foam, and the alps bino pouch in the thread I have on it.
 
kyler1945 said:
Check out the pouch I made with tool drawer foam, and the alps bino pouch in the thread I have on it.
Click to expand...

Ya, I saw that. Didn’t you only have like 12 or 14 in there? I would like to hold 22, since a couple of my trees are around the 20 bolt mark including the ring and bow/pack hooks.


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5fadf2398c5c5c4d3fcebde0062764fc.jpg

Shrink wrapped my CF bolts just now. It added 0.15lbs.
Still under 2lbs for a 22 bolt setup, drill, and pouch with strap.


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IkemanTX said:
Ya, I saw that. Didn’t you only have like 12 or 14 in there? I would like to hold 22, since a couple of my trees are around the 20 bolt mark including the ring and bow/pack hooks.


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Click to expand...

gotcha. you could easily fit 22 in there, not sure with foam, maybe...
 
IkemanTX said:
Ya, I saw that. Didn’t you only have like 12 or 14 in there? I would like to hold 22, since a couple of my trees are around the 20 bolt mark including the ring and bow/pack hooks.


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Click to expand...
Do you get nose bleeds when you hit 22 bolts?

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I’ve been starting to get nervous with my CF bolts. They’ve been solid but I’ve been climbing up and hunting out of trees that take a little acrobatics to navigate and I’m always finding myself thinking too much about my bolts, will they suddenly snap as has happened to a couple guys on here. I don’t like having that concern on my mind. I may just use them for my bottom 4 and then for gear and such at height.
I also slipped off of one last night while climbing. I realized I miss the bolt head.

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Allegheny Tom said:
Do you get nose bleeds when you hit 22 bolts?

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Click to expand...

The whole set would put me at 18 bolts high with a 3 bolt ring and 2 gear bolts , or 27 feet to my feet as a max.
The highest I have set up so far is 16 bolts high, or 24 feet.
There are some river bottom and CRP type areas with lone trees that I would like to get as high as possible for observation sits. That is the only situation I can see using the whole set on, but I still would like the chance to get to the limb cover on some of those big river bottom cottonwoods.

My setup on Thursday was only 9 bolts high... so my setups vary widely.


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IkemanTX said:
The whole set would put me at 18 bolts high with a 3 bolt ring and 2 gear bolts , or 27 feet to my feet as a max.
The highest I have set up so far is 16 bolts high, or 24 feet.
There are some river bottom and CRP type areas with lone trees that I would like to get as high as possible for observation sits. That is the only situation I can see using the whole set on, but I still would like the chance to get to the limb cover on some of those big river bottom cottonwoods.

My setup on Thursday was only 9 bolts high... so my setups vary widely.


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Click to expand...
I'd rather hand drill 18 holes for bolts than screw 18 steps...regardless of the brand or style of screw ins. Then you have to unscrew the suckers afterward.
Bolts can be pulled easily after each sit, and you never have to return to that tree if you don't want to.
With screw in steps, you either need to remove them each time, or have to return to remove them sooner or later.
And sticks vs steps vs bolts...bolts wins hands down for easy, quiet, and compact carrying.
I wish I knew about bolts 30 years ago.
Anyone want to buy a bunch of screw in ameristeps and install tool?

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IkemanTX said:
The whole set would put me at 18 bolts high with a 3 bolt ring and 2 gear bolts , or 27 feet to my feet as a max.
The highest I have set up so far is 16 bolts high, or 24 feet.
There are some river bottom and CRP type areas with lone trees that I would like to get as high as possible for observation sits. That is the only situation I can see using the whole set on, but I still would like the chance to get to the limb cover on some of those big river bottom cottonwoods.

My setup on Thursday was only 9 bolts high... so my setups vary widely.


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Click to expand...
It seems like I set up everything with at least 2 ft spacing...if your max is only 27 ft that seems quite reasonable. Also I feel like every time I set up a tree with individual steps of any sort...it's probably too stretched out.
 
mattsteg said:
It seems like I set up everything with at least 2 ft spacing...if your max is only 27 ft that seems quite reasonable. Also I feel like every time I set up a tree with individual steps of any sort...it's probably too stretched out.
Click to expand...

I am about dead on at 18 inches per step. It has become almost second nature now.


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No doubt that's far more comfy and probably safer as well than being stretched all out.
 
Ok so I kept looking for those guys out there who weren't comfortable with the cf bolts.....medical grade Ti alloy bolts with the same shear range (approx) as grade 8, 18 of them showed up at my door today for $80. Guy felt bad some of the cuts weren't 100% square on the 14 i ordeed so sent 4 more. They're all great in my opinion.....1.409lbs, my scale was going batty...2018-11-02 21.24.10.jpg
@Nutterbuster @redsquirrel @kyler1945 @Ontariofarmer @flinginairos @PJC @ckossuth @kodiak3842 sorry if I missed others whom were watching this before..
 
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Not being critical...just a serious question...
Is a weight savings of a pound and a half worth $80?
I considered going that route and I haven't yet ruled it out, but for now, I stuck with grade 8.
I do like how well yours pack, but I also like a slight head that a bolt has. I also wondered about threads vs smooth. Will smooth have any tendency of inadvertantly pulling out as opposed to threads that tend to bite and stick.
I may still get some Ti bolts someday...just not sure its worth it for 1.5 pounds.

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Allegheny Tom said:
Not being critical...just a serious question...
Is a weight savings of a pound and a half worth $80?
I considered going that route and I haven't yet ruled it out, but for now, I stuck with grade 8.
I do like how well yours pack, but I also like a slight head that a bolt has. I also wondered about threads vs smooth. Will smooth have any tendency of inadvertantly pulling out as opposed to threads that tend to bite and stick.
I may still get some Ti bolts someday...just not sure its worth it for 1.5 pounds.

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Click to expand...
Good points. My comparison would be, a set of heliums is 99.....
And 1.5lb here and there add up...but honestly I'm still using my cf bolts 100% of the time right now. Just wanted to check these out considering the deal, usually much more expensive! !!!
 
Allegheny Tom said:
Not being critical...just a serious question...
Is a weight savings of a pound and a half worth $80?
I considered going that route and I haven't yet ruled it out, but for now, I stuck with grade 8.
I do like how well yours pack, but I also like a slight head that a bolt has. I also wondered about threads vs smooth. Will smooth have any tendency of inadvertantly pulling out as opposed to threads that tend to bite and stick.
I may still get some Ti bolts someday...just not sure its worth it for 1.5 pounds.

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Click to expand...
Look at what guys pay to buy Beast sticks and carbon fiber spurs. This is a lighter than both options. Heck, these or carbon rods plus a drill are about the cheapest way up a tree. Yes, grade 8 bolts are cheaper, but compared to every other option these are a deal.

As far as smooth vs threaded, I've climbed literally dozens of trees at this point with my carbon rods and haven't seen any difference. I don't miss the bolt head either.

I am honestly not sure why anybody that can legally drill a tree would consider any other option at this point. My 15 bolts and drill weigh 1lb, are quiet, and fit in a cargo pocket. They're a no-brainer.
 
Well I think you guys have sold me, don't think I'll bother with CF but I think I'll get a drill and some grade 8's.

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