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Talk me out of bolts

New to the game, some already up in a tree, modding some more now… had some half dried up glow paint I rubbed on one side.
 

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Long time user of Cranford rod steps in the trees on my private ground. Counting the ones in “retired” trees, I have way over a thousand of ‘em.

Last couple years, I’ve used 1/2” rebar. Cut ‘em in 9-91/2” lengths, use a 13mm drill bit(a c-hair bigger than 1/2” makes it much easier to install than a 1/2” bit), cordless drill, hammer ‘em in. I space the “pegs” closer together than I did my Cranfords, since they’re cheaper and I’m older. Use 4-6 of the rebar pegs for my platform. All in all, I could use 25 pegs to get up 25 feet, including the platform pegs.

So far it’s working well.
 
Abishai said:
Tom, are you just getting 3/8 red shrink tube? Or do you need to go up a size to make sure it’ll fit over the bolts?
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I’m finding 5/8” is perfect for SHCS but guessing 3/4” would be necessary for hex heads. If you weren’t covering the head of the bolt Id go 1/2”
 
Can I ask a really stupid bolts question (not worthy of its own thread)? Are you supposed to be threading the actual bolt into the tree? Or just drilling a hole big enough that the bolt threads slide in, but don't wobble? (I thought it was screwed in, until I read the post about having something flat to knock them in handy). Sorry for being extra dense this AM, I blame the lack of sleep...
 
thedutchtouch said:
Can I ask a really stupid bolts question (not worthy of its own thread)? Are you supposed to be threading the actual bolt into the tree? Or just drilling a hole big enough that the bolt threads slide in, but don't wobble? (I thought it was screwed in, until I read the post about having something flat to knock them in handy). Sorry for being extra dense this AM, I blame the lack of sleep...
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:D
 
Abishai said:
Tom, are you just getting 3/8 red shrink tube? Or do you need to go up a size to make sure it’ll fit over the bolts?
Click to expand...
I do 1/2". It's 3:1 shrink ratio so it easily fits over a bolt shank and still melts down tight. But 1/2" shrink tube is pretty tight to slip over a hex head, but it fits perfectly over an Allen head. Someone did mention that they insert needle nose into the 1/2" tube and stretch it out a little and it will fit over hex.
I don't use a hex bolt...actually, I do have bolts that were originally hex, but I grind the points off of the heads (takes me about 30 seconds per bolt). I have no use for the heads to be hex. A round head packs a little smaller, and the tube fits easier.
And since I rely on mini vice grips for removing tight bolts, I never need the head to be hex. I want all of my bolts to be a uniform shape. I don't want some to be hex and others to be Allen. Over the years, I've acquired additional bolts from time to time. I do not want to have a variety of head styles in which some tight bolts require a hex wrench, and others need an Allen wrench. If you mix them, eventually, you'll have a mix of them installed in a tree which means you'll need to carry an Allen wrench AND a hex wrench. Carry vice grips and you'll handle any bolt style and you never have to worry about a wrench dropping from 20 feet. Clamp on the grips and turn a bolt with one finger. This is another one of those things that I 100% know it's the best way...don't carry a wrench for bolts, carry mini vice grips.
 
gcr0003 said:
:D
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Serious question, though I admit I could have saved myself some embarrassment with some googling, but eh oh well. I don't plan on using them (obviously)... I guess ya just wack em in if you can use a piece of rebar. Interesting. I thought they were drilled small and threaded in, I guess I approached too much from a construction/woodworking frame of mind
 
thedutchtouch said:
Serious question, though I admit I could have saved myself some embarrassment with some googling, but eh oh well. I don't plan on using them (obviously)... I guess ya just wack em in if you can use a piece of rebar. Interesting. I thought they were drilled small and threaded in, I guess I approached too much from a construction/woodworking frame of mind
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They slide right in, its why it is best to drill them at a slight downward angle. No whacking or threading.
 
thedutchtouch said:
Can I ask a really stupid bolts question (not worthy of its own thread)? Are you supposed to be threading the actual bolt into the tree? Or just drilling a hole big enough that the bolt threads slide in, but don't wobble? (I thought it was screwed in, until I read the post about having something flat to knock them in handy). Sorry for being extra dense this AM, I blame the lack of sleep...
Click to expand...
No, you don't screw them into the tree. A 10mm hole will accommodate a 3/8" bolt under most circumstances without having to tap it in. BUT, there are times when a tree might not drill a nice, perfect hole...maybe because of wood fibers that don't drill clean. But this is another case for mini vice grips. You can use it to tap in the bolt, or better yet, just clamp onto it and push it in with your hand.
You are gonna have semi snug holes from time to time. IMO, that's not a bad thing, I actually like it. Just come prepared. If you use bolts, carry the grips.
Small, light, effective and versatile.
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Allegheny Tom said:
No, you don't screw them into the tree. A 10mm hole will accommodate a 3/8" bolt under most circumstances without having to tap it in. BUT, there are times when a tree might not drill a nice, perfect hole...maybe because of wood fibers that don't drill clean. But this is another case for mini vice grips. You can use it to tap in the bolt, or better yet, just clamp onto it and push it in with your hand.
You are gonna have semi snug holes from time to time. IMO, that's not a bad thing, I actually like it. Just come prepared. If you use bolts, carry the grips.
Small, light, effective and versatile.
View attachment 72012
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Thanks (to @Vtbow as well)... I've already got the mini vice grip so if I ever get some local private access... Sounds like a plan.
 
I meant the original Treehopper Drill (bigger one)….Sorry about that, I’m old, and I probably shouldn’t try to use these “hip” terms the young bucks toss around these days! It’s going to get me mugged on the “L” :pensive:
 
Vtbow said:
Guessing he was abbreviating original.
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Duh.
Then the mini is definitely preferred.
It drills fine and will operate in tight spaces better...smaller circumference per revolution.
You wouldn't think it would matter but there are times that the circumference of a standard drill just doesn't fit well between obstructions like a branch.
 
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