Why Bolts over Screw ins?

[BassBoysLLP]

Honestly bolts is the last climbing method on this site I haven’t tried and I don’t really don’t know why I’m waiting it’s just a matter of time I cut my teeth bowhunting with a 5 gallon bucket of used cranfords and still love them for pre hung spots or to add a few more feet above my climbing sticks so bolts is a logical direction for me. At 225lbs I’m iffy about the carbon bolts though.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

i'm about the same weight and used the carbon rods quite a bit this year. No issues for me.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[kyler1945]

Lately, I have been using a combination of four carbon rods and the balance titanium.

6.5” carbon weighs .65 ounces
6.5” titanium weighs 1.8 ounces
6.5” grade 8 hex bolt 3.2 ounces

I carry 15 total and my remade EZ kut drill, and the total weight is just under 2lbs. A shade over 2lbs for all titanium.

All carbon would be right at a pound.

All bolts would be pushing 3.5lbs.

I’m in the same boat @Nutterbuster is, every time I use this setup, I feel even more ridiculous packing anything else.

My other go to setup is stepps with aiders. Bolts don’t offer a huge weight saving comparatively. However, the packability is much improved.

I modified my EZ kut drill. There’s a thread on that elsewhere. It drills way more efficiently.

Thanks @Vtbow i bought the new drill on preorder.

I can compare the method to all methods except screw ins. Currently if forced to choose one, bolts/rods would be my go to. Just the fact I’ve already experienced bolts/rods, I’d have to screw steps back in again, and sharp points, are enough to keep me from ever trying screw ins.

 

[Homebrew454]

Should I be concerned about using bolts on trees that I might log in the future or want to preserve for wildlife value? Any long term tree health (or death) issues with repeated use? I’m sure this varies by tree species and specific bug species, just curious if anyone has experienced long term tree damage.

I have plenty of trees I’m not concerned about but don’t want to ruin a prized white oak that attracts deer every fall.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We used to put that bolts in trees on my uncle's land. He asked about this and the timber steward didn't think it would hurt the trees much. He also didn't have concern about leaving the bolts in. He advised it wouldn't hurt the chipper at all.

If the timber is going to a sawmill, I would think the hardened bolts would wreck the saw blades though.

I also think the bugs will find their way into the tree without our help.

I also may have to look into this method as an alternative in some spots where it is legal. We used non hardened lag bolts and I was always concerned about using them in winter with ice on the bolts. Removing them would resolve this issue though.

I also had some break.... Non hardened issue most likely.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

 

[Allegheny Tom]

We used to put that bolts in trees on my uncle's land. He asked about this and the timber steward didn't think it would hurt the trees much. He also didn't have concern about leaving the bolts in. He advised it wouldn't hurt the chipper at all.

If the timber is going to a sawmill, I would think the hardened bolts would wreck the saw blades though.
Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

The "timber stewart" didn't have concerns about leaving the bolts in the tree? Wow. I'd hate to be the guy running chainsaws on his property.

 

[Homebrew454]

The "timber stewart" didn't have concerns about leaving the bolts in the tree? Wow. I'd hate to be the guy running chainsaws on his property.

It was a big operation. No chainsaws. Had a machine about the size of a backhoe that grabbed the tree and sawed it. It was then dropped and another machine came through and moved it to the chipper.

I'm not positive but I think they even chipped the hardwood. They did haul some hardwood out to the cabin for firewood though.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

 

[BassBoysLLP]

It was a big operation. No chainsaws. Had a machine about the size of a backhoe that grabbed the tree and sawed it. It was then dropped and another machine came through and moved it to the chipper.

I'm not positive but I think they even chipped the hardwood. They did haul some hardwood out to the cabin for firewood though.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

Thats a recipe to ruin equipment.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Homebrew454]

The woodchipping company owned land next to my uncle's. It was open to hunt and people were not suppose to have permanent stands on it. They ran all those stands through it as well. The chipper they had was a massive machine. I don't think a few non hardened bolts would do much to the machine. They ran the trees through it whole... Some branches and limbs removed. Some trees had to be 3 foot in diameter.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

 

[weekender21]

My hardwoods would be sawmill bound, definitely don’t want bolts in those logs. The sawmill blades can be damaged with nails.

I wouldn’t leave bolts on any trees that may eventually go to the mill. Really just more concerned with drilling holes in a tree year after year. I’m guessing they’d heal up just fine but you are making them more susceptible to disease and insect damage.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Vtbow]

There has never been a single substantiated case of tree death by way of screw-in steps, bolts or spurs. The records date all the way back to the days of Noah. He was quoted in the book of Genesis as saying that he had to remove many many screw-in steps from the gopher wood trees that he used to build the ark.

And those of us sugar makers whoseefamilies

My hardwoods would be sawmill bound, definitely don’t want bolts in those logs. The sawmill blades can be damaged with nails.

I wouldn’t leave bolts on any trees that may eventually go to the mill. Really just more concerned with drilling holes in a tree year after year. I’m guessing they’d heal up just fine but you are making them more susceptible to disease and insect damage.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

My family has been sugaring the same woods for 50+ years, I look at it the same way. I'm alternating startingnleft and right foot first, so holea will be 12" vertically and 2-3" horizontally from where they were...that's the general rule of thumb for tapping maples. We're yet to lose trees due to tapping....

 

[weekender21]

Vtbow, do you place anything in the tapped hole when you’re finished for the year? Wooden dowel or a stick?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Vtbow]

Vtbow, do you place anything in the tapped hole when you’re finished for the year? Wooden dowel or a stick?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is my first year with them and I am not. I would not roeccomend that. As the tree try to heal and close up the wound, it would causenitnto split and elongate the hole.. it wold also have opposed grain which would expand and contract differently indefinitely.