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Lag Bolt Discussion

J

Jcol6268

New Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2015
Messages
11
Location
NJ
Well I ordered myself a set of lag bolts, 3/8"x6" grade 8. I also ordered myself 2 7" to see how'd they work. Well I get them and it turns out 3/8" x 6" are only 5 inches long. The 7" are actually 6" long. Is this the norm for everyone else? Or should 6" really be 6"?

Anyway I tried em out, actually tried them before I knew the actually sizes. I used a 3/8" auger bit, drilling into an oak. There seemed to be a slight bit of play but I angled them upward, thinking when I step on them they wouldn't sink below level. Well once I stepped on them they leveled out. They seemed like enough step with approximately 3" of step (2" drilled hole). Now for those that use either a woodpecker drill or EZ Kut hand drill, do you think those bits allow for a tighter fit of the bolts?

Overall I liked the system, still need to get myself a hand drill, but will probably put this method into my arsenal. I also plasti dipped them to minimize there noise. Hoping the smell dissipates and the coating stays on, this is my first time plasti dipping them.
 
I use the hand drill and find if I angle them up a little, the bit doesn't back out the shavings as well and my bolt won't bottom out so I try to keep it level to get a clean hole. I use 3/8x6 grade 8 bolts from Home Depot or lowes and they measure 6 in. They have a little loose feel in the hole but bite tight when you step on them and make for easy removal of you leave them in for a few months. My 1st set I plasti dipped the whole bolt on the first coat, then several coats just on the back 3in. It helped give them a snugged fit but was tight to remove if I left them in for a while so I don't coat the whole bolt any more.
 
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Yeah I didn't think 6" bolts should be 5". That makes sense about the level cut holes, maybe I will try drilling a little deeper.
 
I use the bolts from tree hopper or similar bolts from fastenal. I drill with the hand drill and at an angle. The bolts are snug. Sometimes they can be a little stubborn pulling them out on the way back down.
 
Now i have grade 8 6" bolts with a 3/8" wood bit and the bolts are actually a little to snug they are troublesome to put in the whole way. I am looking foward to trying it out this fall!
 
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