Talk me out of bolts

[Topdog]

Forgive my ignorance but is Titanium strong than grade 8?

Thanks


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No it’s not, I bent one last season and I’m 210 nude, it didn’t break just got bent a little, I’m pretty rough on my stuff though and really crank up a tree usually, I climb for a living and probably feel a little too safe most of the time, I still use titanium bolts but most would be better served just sticking with grade 8 in my opinion.

 

[neonomad]

I have bolts and a tree hopper drill im wondering if i should try this. Im always worried of a bolt kicking out of the hole.
is that common? Or is there a way to avoid that?

I’ve got two bolted trees under my belt… I put a very slight up angle to the hole for peace of mind, and make sure I’m applying fairly perpendicular pressure when I step. For example, I don’t swing far to either side in a way that would put outward pressure on the opposite bolt. I also bolt wide enough that if I took a fall I’m less likely to meet a bolt, with say my upper leg or abdomen. Three climbs in the bolts feel totally solid and none have moved at all. Also, they’re pretty tight in the holes and I imagine your weight creates some thread engagement / bite in there.

 

[Robert loper]

I’ve got two bolted trees under my belt… I put a very slight up angle to the hole for peace of mind, and make sure I’m applying fairly perpendicular pressure when I step. For example, I don’t swing far to either side in a way that would put outward pressure on the opposite bolt. I also bolt wide enough that if I took a fall I’m less likely to meet a bolt, with say my upper leg or abdomen. Three climbs in the bolts feel totally solid and none have moved at all. Also, they’re pretty tight in the holes and I imagine your weight creates some thread engagement / bite in there.

Good to know thanks my friend.
I am a tinkerer and I am always tinkering to try to find new and better ways to carry as least as possible.

 

[WHW]

I bought my first Woodpecker hand drill after the 1983-84 season. I continued to use my spurs, and really didn't use the drill & bolt system much until my hunting style started changing in the early 2000's. Now it's become my primary way to reach hunting height. During those years I only experienced one memorable negative experience. I had climbed a large water oak without incident, but climbing down in the dark I realized that I was missing a bolt. Back then I stretched my bolts out to the limit of my climbing ability.... so it was a problem that I had to figure out and I did. Back on the ground I found the missing bolt at the bottom of the tree. It was my guess that my boot had pulled it out while stepping up to the next bolt. Hopefully it was a once in a lifetime experience. I share this as a warning that unexpected things can happen. Be safe and aware when using what I believe to be the safest climbing method out there.

 

[colin.704]

if you want to seal the ends of carbon bolts use super glue and then sprinkle baking soda on the glue. that's how they repair helicopter rotor blades. it will sand also

 

[jiwhite86]

Might have missed this somewhere, but if you are presetting trees and leaving the bolts in, any idea how long they’ll last before you need to consider not using them anymore? I’m thinking of spots that are consistent kill trees year after year. I’m guessing at least a few years?

 

[Micneador]

During those years I only experienced one memorable negative experience. I had climbed a large water oak without incident, but climbing down in the dark I realized that I was missing a bolt. Back then I stretched my bolts out to the limit of my climbing ability.... so it was a problem that I had to figure out and I did. Back on the ground I found the missing bolt at the bottom of the tree. It was my guess that my boot had pulled it out while stepping up to the next bolt.

I did that my first year with bolts. Kicked it out on the way down. Tethered in and was able to get a bolt in the hole to finish climbing down

 

[tracker12]

Might have missed this somewhere, but if you are presetting trees and leaving the bolts in, any idea how long they’ll last before you need to consider not using them anymore? I’m thinking of spots that are consistent kill trees year after year. I’m guessing at least a few years?

I set bolts in AUG and pull them in JAN. I have bots at least 15 years old. And I have trees that I have hunted 10 years out of. Trees have not died and bots still good. I do clean up the holes each year and sometimes have to adjust the spacing.

 

[LAKY]

Might have missed this somewhere, but if you are presetting trees and leaving the bolts in, any idea how long they’ll last before you need to consider not using them anymore? I’m thinking of spots that are consistent kill trees year after year. I’m guessing at least a few years?

It depends on the tree.This was a mature beech tree I put spikes in during the late 80's. They're still there. The tree hasn't grown much wider because it was mature when I put them there.

 

[mtsrunner]

$12 for a bolt. I finally found the person to talk me out of them!

Haha. I get it, definitely a luxury item. However, Ti will never rust.

As far as actual weight: Ti = 1.83 oz each. Grade 8 = 3.07 oz each.

So, Ti is 40% lighter. To put that in perspective, if a company introduced a hang-on stand that was identical in specs to another popular stand, but weighed 6 pounds instead of 10, people would lose their minds and pay $1000.

I also only need 6 bolts to get my feet at 18’ since I use a moveable aider.

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[GravityTension]

I never could develop I strong level of trust in the drt Blake’s hitch. Nysaddle hunters make it look bullet proof. My Blake’s would start sliding some times and freeeeeeaaak me out bad.


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Why not just use a quick link and ascend with a foot loop? That's mainly how I've been hunting this year and it's pretty light, quick, secure. You can use a tended prusic on a carabiner if you don't want to spend the money, or use a spare Kong duck or Ropeman.

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[bpz89]

Why not just use a quick link and ascend with a foot loop? That's mainly how I've been hunting this year and it's pretty light, quick, secure. You can use a tended prusic on a carabiner if you don't want to spend the money, or use a spare Kong duck or Ropeman.

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How are you using a quick link in a drt system?


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[bpz89]

Whose got a better idea than a linemans rope when going up the tree on bolts??

Wrestling that linemans rope is work and the tee tears up my wrist.


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[kyler1945]

Whose got a better idea than a linemans rope when going up the tree on bolts??

Wrestling that linemans rope is work and the tee tears up my wrist.


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You can tether in instead. But you’ll lose what is the entire point of the lineman’s belt - balance and ability to work hands free because you’re supported on each hip independently. Fall prevention not fall arrest.


Get a different rope if yours is trouble to move.

If the hardest part of climbing with bolts isn’t the drilling, something’s going wrong for ya

 

[bpz89]

You can tether in instead. But you’ll lose what is the entire point of the lineman’s belt - balance and ability to work hands free because you’re supported on each hip independently. Fall prevention not fall arrest.


Get a different rope if yours is trouble to move.

If the hardest part of climbing with bolts isn’t the drilling, something’s going wrong for ya

Let me rephrase that... advancing the lineman's rope while stepping up to the next bolt is the pain. Because I find I need to keep both hands on the tree for balance as I step up and if I don't advance the rope at the same time it ends up and my feet or catches me and won't allow you to step up.


Drilling the hole is easy peasy... hanging a lock on or platform from bolts is the hard part also

 

[kyler1945]

Let me rephrase that... advancing the lineman's rope while stepping up to the next bolt is the pain. Because I find I need to keep both hands on the tree for balance as I step up and if I don't advance the rope at the same time it ends up and my feet or catches me and won't allow you to step up.


Drilling the hole is easy peasy... hanging a lock on or platform from bolts is the hard part also

My hands are on my rope when I advance. It never drops below the level on my body it’s attached to.


Stiff soled boots, proper tension and angle on lineman’s belt, and proper positioning of yourself in relation to platform you’re hanging will help hanging things. If you still can’t get it, drill two bolts for where your feet will be when hanging set so that you can put equal weight on both.

 

[bpz89]

My hands are on my rope when I advance. It never drops below the level on my body it’s attached to.


Stiff soled boots, proper tension and angle on lineman’s belt, and proper positioning of yourself in relation to platform you’re hanging will help hanging things. If you still can’t get it, drill two bolts for where your feet will be when hanging set so that you can put equal weight on both.
[/QUOTE

So when you step up to the next bolt your hands are on the lineman's and not on the tree? What is you bolt spacing?

 

[kyler1945]

So when you step up to the next bolt your hands are on the lineman's and not on the tree? What is you bolt spacing?

Correct. I’m grabbing my LB tight against the tree on both sides when advancing. I’m not saying I never touch the tree. But this is standard mode for me. I am not qualified to speak on proper LB use.

15-24” of spacing depending on weather, tree size, clothing worn, branches, etc. generally speaking 18”.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Let me rephrase that... advancing the lineman's rope while stepping up to the next bolt is the pain. Because I find I need to keep both hands on the tree for balance as I step up and if I don't advance the rope at the same time it ends up and my feet or catches me and won't allow you to step up.

What method/device are you using to manage the amount of slack in your lineman?
A mechanical ascender makes fine-tuning the slack in the rope a breeze while climbing. You may find that you need to tighten-loosen-tighten the whole way up the tree. Sounds tedious but it really is not with something like a Ropeman1.
What are you doing with the drill while you are advancing the rope? I suggest drilling one more hole ahead and just letting the drill in the hole while you use both hands to manage the rope and ascender.

 

[LAKY]

Let me rephrase that... advancing the lineman's rope while stepping up to the next bolt is the pain. Because I find I need to keep both hands on the tree for balance as I step up and if I don't advance the rope at the same time it ends up and my feet or catches me and won't allow you to step up.


Drilling the hole is easy peasy... hanging a lock on or platform from bolts is the hard part also

It sounds like you're keeping your lineman's belt too long and climbing with your hands instead of letting the rope be your hands. Keep your hands on your LB and close to the tree and flip it up or gently raise it up. Don't let the LB go much below your waist. Keep about 14" or so between your chest and the tree. Lean back into your LB and let it be your hands instead of your hands.