I have seen guys use them before. Yes they are cheaper and just as sturdy if put into the tree far enough. The problem is taking them out. I move stands frequently and I like the screw in's better, I can take them with me where ever i go and use them for years and years.
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Mathews Monster
Savage .300WSM
TC
Used them, don't like steps of any kind really, but I feel safer on the bolts. Use Grade 8, this is very important, as they are the strongest you can get. Pre-drill your holes in the tree with a bit that is one size bigger than your bolts, put them in at an angle, slide your botls in, climb away. By pre-drilling, moving stands is simple, just ake the bolts out. With any amount of pressure on the step, they aren't going anywhere.
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2007 Bowtech Commander 70# @32"
Spot-Hogg Hunter Hogg-It 5 Pin
Limb Driver
Easton Full Metal Jacket Camo 300
Grim Reaper Razorcut
Grizz Trick 125
Summit Goliath SS
Take your cordless drill and the right sized socket with you and they go in with a breeze. Mark them where you get atleast three inches of threads into the tree.8 inch galvanized lag bolts. The bolt head will help keep you rubber boots from slipping.
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Arrows and Words. Use them wisely, once released they can't be brought back.
Chris Miles
Ulitmate Camo Web Site http://ultimatecamo.com/ UltimateCamo Water Transfer Imaging http://liquidprintone.com/
Used them, don't like steps of any kind really, but I feel safer on the bolts. Use Grade 8, this is very important, as they are the strongest you can get. Pre-drill your holes in the tree with a bit that is one size bigger than your bolts, put them in at an angle, slide your botls in, climb away. By pre-drilling, moving stands is simple, just ake the bolts out. With any amount of pressure on the step, they aren't going anywhere.
I have worked with lag bolts a lot. the place they will most likely break is right where the threading stops. I twist them off there all the time. I would want to get them sunk into the tree past that point.
I like steps because they are bent so the step part can bump against the tree making them a lot stronger.
I have snapped steps off too so be careful.
I would strongly recommend against it. I know of 2 different guys that have fallen because of them. Fortunately neither was seriously hurt.
Repeated use can cause them to loosen over time, especially if you are a big guy. Tree steps are $2 a piece and designed to distibute a climbers weight safely. That is a small price to pay to make sure you come home in one piece.
I agree with Both MagicMan and Bry, I've sheared off a few Lag bolts over the years myself, and the design of a Tree Step is much better than a Lag Bolt for weight distribution, and that in itself would keep me from using Lag bots (that and maybe the fact that fully dress, I weigh close to 250# ).
Big lag bolts instead of screw in steps??
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