Which Drill?

[Patriot]

I haven’t seen much chatter on drills in the last six months or so. What is the best drill? @Nutterbuster i watched the older videos you did are those still your thoughts or have you changed preferences. @Oakridge are you still using that as your climbing method this year? What’s your favorite drill?

I’m looking to buy to do sone presets for locations that are worth another sit.

 

[Oakridge]

I have my Treehopper mini with the folding handle and it’s my favorite drill I’ve used. Solid and no rattle. I still use bolts mainly on trees I know I’ll be going back too during the season. Or any preset I make with stands also.

 

[Weldabeast]

Mini drill with the small or large folding handle?

 

[Oakridge]

Mine was one of his prototypes I belive. I think it’s now considered a small one. I could see a bigger handle being better especially with gloves but I’m very happy with my drill.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

Mini Treehopper with folding handle.
There is only one other drill in production and its pure junk.
For presets, a cordless is the bomb.

 

[Weldabeast]

What are the size differences between the mini and standard? Website doesn't have much info. The 2 handles are compatible with the 2 housings or small handle with mini specific?

 

[Allegheny Tom]

What are the size differences between the mini and standard? Website doesn't have much info. The 2 handles are compatible with the 2 housings or small handle with mini specific?

I think the mini is 1" shorter otherwise there is no difference in size.
As far as handle compatibility, at one time ( I believe) the mini was drilled differently for the folder but I can't swear to it.
Just get the mini. No real reason to get a full size.

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[Nugget]

Treehopper mini as well. There is one in the classifieds.

 

[Nutterbuster]

Mini Treehopper with folding handle.
There is only one other drill in production and its pure junk.
For presets, a cordless is the bomb.

What he said

 

[five]

There is only one other drill in production and its pure junk.

I have the EZ Kut drill and am not a huge fan of the way that it collapses onto your hand while drilling. It's not the best design. Is that the one you are referring to? It would be better if there was some stop, that made it stay at a 90, so there were no pinch points.

 

[EricS]

I have the ez cut. It’s junk but drills holes just fine and after silencing it I can deal with it. If purchasing one today it would be the treehopper mini with folding handle.

 

[Allegheny Tom]

I have the EZ Kut drill and am not a huge fan of the way that it collapses onto your hand while drilling. It's not the best design. Is that the one you are referring to? It would be better if there was some stop, that made it stay at a 90, so there were no pinch points.

That's the one.

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[JC3]

IF, IF, you can, use a cordless drill for presets, much easier & quicker than manual drilling.
It is a little noisy, but I have drilled in the morning and killed a deer in the afternoon.
I use the Makita 1/4" drive model 6935FD with this drill: Alfa Tools # AUG61373 3/8" dia x 4.0" long, with a collar from
McMaster #9414T8 for drill depth.
Run the drill in and out a couple of times to size the hole for the grade 8 3/8" dia. x 6.0" long bolt.

 

[Vtbow]

Just get a mini...It is the best drill on the market.

now to contradict....After reading a ton of @WHW 's comments on drills I kept my eyes out for original woodpecker drills, which I now have to, and am using exclusively. They dont go quite as deep, and seem to require less torque to get the wholes drilled, which over a bunch of holes in a day makes a difference. IT also seems to clear chips better than the treehopper--and I"m a big treehopper fan!

 

[WHW]

Just get a mini...It is the best drill on the market.

now to contradict....After reading a ton of @WHW 's comments on drills I kept my eyes out for original woodpecker drills, which I now have to, and am using exclusively. They dont go quite as deep, and seem to require less torque to get the wholes drilled, which over a bunch of holes in a day makes a difference. IT also seems to clear chips better than the treehopper--and I"m a big treehopper fan!

I've never had a chance to drill with the new Treehopper hand drill. But, I have the Simmons Woodpecker drill and an EZ-Kut for a back up. The difference in the two I have is: The Woodpecker drills a hole 2 1/16" deep and the EZ-Kut drills a hole 2 11/16" deep. That's a difference of 5/8". Don't sound like much but it equals to 73 revolutions for each hole with the EZ-Kut and 56 revolutions with the Woodpecker (and less bolt sticking out for a step). Multiply those extra 17 revolutions by 10 holes and you come up with an extra 170 revolutions to achieve the same results. I'm all about using less time and effort to accomplish a task. It's just unfortunate that the Woodpecker is no longer available. Be nice if Treehopper would reduce the drill depth to match what the Woodpecker was.

 

[Chris_S]

How are people climbing while drilling and setting bolts with a treehopper hand drill? Tether or lineman's belt?

I just tried a treehopper last weekend on chunk of private I hunt to make a few presets and it was awkward. Maybe just more practice?

 

[TNbowhunter]

How are people climbing while drilling and setting bolts with a treehopper hand drill? Tether or lineman's belt?

I just tried a treehopper last weekend on chunk of private I hunt to make a few presets and it was awkward. Maybe just more practice?

Lineman’s belt for me. The trick is to make sure the spot you want to drill is clear of your LB or the drill will bang into it every rotation and it’ll drive you nuts.

 

[Patriot]

I think the Ginger Ninja @flinginairos was doing some climbing approach where he would use a Versa strap around his foot and then attached it to the shoulder hight bolt while he stood on the bolt with the opposite foot so he is essentially always on two feet at about even hight. Don’t know if my description made sense? I think there was a video somewhere. But that seems like a great approach to try and master. Might be able to avoid some bolts altogether.

 

[TNbowhunter]

I think the Ginger Ninja @flinginairos was doing some climbing approach where he would use a Versa strap around his foot and then attached it to the shoulder hight bolt while he stood on the bolt with the opposite foot so he is essentially always on two feet at about even hight. Don’t know if my description made sense? I think there was a video somewhere. But that seems like a great approach to try and master. Might be able to avoid some bolts altogether.

You have my FULL attention on this!

 

[Allegheny Tom]

How are people climbing while drilling and setting bolts with a treehopper hand drill? Tether or lineman's belt?

I just tried a treehopper last weekend on chunk of private I hunt to make a few presets and it was awkward. Maybe just more practice?

How I do it...
1st hole is knee high. Insert bolt. Space next hole the length of forearm (elbow on 1st bolt) to extended finger tips on following bolts.
1st four bolts can be done from ground level.
Insert bolts in each hole as I drill EXCEPT for the top hole as I drill... it's to hold the drill while I remove the bolt from my pack place the previous bolt. The hole that holds the drill is usually drilled around shoulder level. Don't drill at waist level because your lineman belt will be in the way. Drill one hole higher than your waist.
I usually use my linemans belt and not my tether, but I'm convinced that being tethered would be better. It will allow better body positioning and also take some weight off your feet for more comfort. Plus, if you are tethered, and deer come in while you are climbing (and if your bow is accessible...haul line, etc) you just might be able to shoot. Over the years, I have had deer come in while I was installing screw in steps and not tethered...had I been tethered, I may have been able to maneuver for a shot...unlikely scenario but the unlikey is likely to happen from time to time.
And drilling bolts is like everything else that we do...develop a system, and practice it. It will be easier and safer.

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