Got the idea of using lag bolts from an ol' timer who can't hunt anymore. He used 6" bolts for steps leading up to an 8' wooden stand. It's amazing more people didn't/don't get hurt using these wooden beauties. I have to thank them anyway because old wooden treestands is where the deer always are. 6" lags seemed too short so I decided that 12" would be safer(1/2" thick). However, installing them would be very difficult. So, after some research, I bought an 18v cordless Dewalt impact gun (1/2" drive). The gun cost me around $300 but there are off-brand models available at half the price. The lags cost about $1.20 for zinc and $3.00+ for galzanized. I buy the zinc because of price but for a truely permenant stand please use galvanized. I soon realized that the 12" lag would only drive in about 5", so I had to lug up a huge breaker bar to sink it in the extra inch. To solve this problem, I bought 10" lags and they work perfect. 5" in the tree and 5" for my step with no need for the breaker bar. Tips: Rig a rope or lanyard on the tool so you can hang it off a hook on your belt etc.. Slightly angle the lag downwards to prevent slipping off the step. Also, apply textured tape. Always use a harness! Overall: Expensive - Yes, but in the long run might save you money because ladder steps get expensive too. Plus, you can have 10 trees set up for about $100 (Not including the gun) Time - Expect to cut your set up time in half. Effort - The gun does all the work. No more ratchet straps or killer screw in steps. Theft - No one is going to steal lag bolts off the tree (I use a tree saddle, so there is no stand to steal either).
Funny you should mention this. I was recently walking through a new property I am able to hunt this fall. Wouldn't you know, large carriage bolts used as tree steps. Personally, I just bought a couple dozen screw in steps. Ameristep makes a cool little tool to aid in putting the screw-in steps in....it is listed at the bottom of that page. http://www.ameristep.com/steps/index.html Let the drill do the work much like you mentioned. I haven't tried it out yet, but I am curious to see how it works. I have it, I just don't know if it is worth the hassle of carrying a drill with you in the summer when hanging stands?!? In years past I have just used ladder stands or climbers, so I am kinda new to lock-ons. I am interesting in picking up a set of sticks, but for the time being, these tree steps are gonna work just fine. Good tip though, they have definitely been used in the past.
The bit is a piece of garbage, you are better off using the old hand to do it. I have hung so many stands that I have nightmares of screwing in steps! Never again!
Maybe you guys werent using it right? I would bet I used one to screw in upwards of 100 steps this summer on some of my permenant stands and had no issues what so ever. Probably one of the better tools that ive ever used to hang stands, saved me some serious time and serious fatigue. You better atleast try it before you write it off.
I have heard of people having good luck with it, but I mostly hear bad reviews. My experience was bad.
Well....I guess I will try it out when hanging a stand next summer. If it works, great. If it doesn't, great.
