Quote Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter View Post
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.