FrankOceanXray
Ultimate Member
- Oct 29, 2008
- 12,028
For framing wood poles hardware is usually 5/8" or 3/4". Transmission equipment is 3/4 to 7/8. Bolts are usually soft drawn so they can stretch or bend easily without breaking. 5/8 is by far the most common and will hold the world.
The HF wood bits shown will do the job inexpensively but you have to have an impact gun with the hex bit adapter.
The trick is to not drive them to quickly because the worn on the end of the bit does the work. When you hit a knot, drive a bolt into the tree just enough to allow the worm a new purchase vs increasing the speed and pushing harder on the drill or brace which will just burn the bit up.
I can get galvanized pole hardware out the wazoo if you need some.
When I used to cable trees, I was taught to always use galvanized hardware. It prevents rust from forming from the damaged wood and allows the tree to grow back tightly to the jlags or eye-bolts that were used.
When we used to climb and frame with a brace and bit a 5/8 bit was the obvious choice. With a hydraulic gun or gas drill a 13/16 bit is used to prevent fatigue when your in rubber.
On big wood or black jack southern pine we often bored a pilot hole with a brace and bit to make the job easier.
Wood boring equipment was treated like gold and always oiled and stored correctly.
Hydraulic lineman these days don't even know how to sharpen a bit. They just bitch and holler they need a new one.
Make sure you you have a safety when you go up, most fatal falls occur at 6 foot or less.
Thank you for that.
The hardware into the tree is galvanized. Not sure if HDG or mechanical, etc. You have access to 1.25 inch lags ??? They are tough to come by.
Looks like a purchase from Amazon. Hoping my drills can handle the job.. if not Home Depot has a right angle drill, corded for twenty bucks for four hours.