Thread: Lag Bolt

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I was going to recommend K-Y Jelly, but after yesterday it's liable to be in short supply for awhile.

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

I was going to recommend K-Y Jelly, but after yesterday it's liable to be in short supply for awhile.

My solution was to move down on the tree about a foot. Just finished the first one - 1" starter 1/4" deep to eliminate mushrooming at the top throwing the bracket out of square; 3/4" hole 1.5" for the smooth shank, then 5/8" hole 6" deep. Coated the lag with vegetable oil and drove it with a 1/2" ratchet, then cinched it with a 2' breaker bar. Not easy, but it worked! Fitting the second bracket now, to account for minor angle variations, and will have it drilled and in place shortly after lunch.

The root of that lag bolt should be about a half inch. Pilot it to about 5 to 5-1/2 inches with a 7/16 or 1/2 inch bit, then counter bore for the length of the shoulder with an 11/16; then drive the bolt home with a BFH, and give it a twist or two with a wrench to seat the threads. This from an old "Clumsum" who has driven far too many lags into old dead trees (power poles).

Rumbler beat me to it. An old, wiser guy than me, said to drill the pilot hole then drive them in with a hammer to seat. Driving them in makes the tree fibers ''angle in'' around the lag bolt as it drives into the tree & adds extra holding power, sort of like a ring shank nail.