Lag screws vs everything else...

[Ratty]

Oh crap. I have so many sockets. Now you tell me i need special sockets.

[Captain Goddammit]

In the long run I believe you’re better off with one of the “premium” brands, Dewalt and Milwaukee are probably the two best choices.
My own preference is Milwaukee because they make the biggest variety of tools that use the same battery and some of the best.
They make an impact driver that will do semi truck lug nuts! And every size below that you could ever need. And a weed eater, and all freekin’ sorts of things that all use the same battery.

But if all you’re ever going to do is drive lag screws into the playa, any brand will work and you can probably get away with regular sockets if they’re not Chinese garbage.
A nice set of proven-at-work impact sockets is only $25 at Harbor Freight though.

[Ratty]

Thanks capt. I'll bring 3 sockets some are great brands. I just picked up a 16 piece set of SK for $5. Ha. Find of the week. I got Ryobi because it makes a glue gun to go with the other 100 tools . I'm only half kidding. Battery op glue gun, how cool is that?~!

[Canoe]

[DoctorIknow]

The still frame looks like CGI, but,,,no!
Scary stuff...

Many of those tents I see flying must come with stakes like these:

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[DrCook]

Can anyone speak to personal experience with the more "Budget" friendly impact drivers for lagbolts *on playa*? Such as the $60 or less Ryobi, Black and Decker, or Harbor Fright drivers? Trying to keep a lid on expenses, as much as I'd love a fancy premium brand toolkit, can't justify it this year. Thanks!

We used both the Ryobi impact driver and impact wrench at our camp last year and they worked great. The wrench has more torque, so if all you're using it for is driving lag screws at the Burn, get that one. The driver also screws stuff in (it needs an adapter to make it into the square drive that is native to the wrench), so if you plan to also drive screws get that one.

Both drove 14" lags pretty easily, but in either case I recommend the high capacity battery, it improves performance noticeably and lasts longer between charges. If you're using 18" lags I recommend the wrench over the driver, the extra torque might be necessary.

[Kenshiro]

Ryobi recently came out with 6Ah batteries too. They released on a pretty sweet sale; not sure how likely it is they’ll have another discount between now and this impending Burn.

I also took up the Ryobi stuff, by virtue of their cheap impact wrench, glue gun, and mattress inflator. Personally I’ll also feel a little safer not having spendier tools there to wander off into the playa never to be seen again.

[maladroit]

Wasn't planning to go this year, but the playa reached out and waved tickets in my face. But want to go with a more minimal setup. That means no generator or impact wrench. I'm buying a large socket T-handle and a 30" extension in the hopes that I can just brawn those lag screws into the playa. Only need to put in 10 or 12. I know people have gotten them down with a normal ratchet and lots of cursing, but has anyone tried the above?

[BBadger]

I used a regular ratchet and it worked pretty well, even if slow. Having a 30" extension would've helped. I'd provide a pivot on the top of the shaft and spin the handle around like a crank. If your T-handle also ratchets, and is wide enough, and allows two hands to use it, it would probably work good too. If it's one of those short ones that are more like a wrist-twisting action for use inside car engines, I don't think I'd like that.

Better than either of those would be a bit brace (hand brace), possibly with a ratcheting head. You could both quickly drill the screw into the ground until it hit the hard-pack, and after that have the leverage and a nice pivot to push through the harder stuff. The ratcheting part could help with not having to push and pull through the hard stuff or in close quarters.

[Ratty]

Or you could just borrow one. And then take them out by hand.

[DoctorIknow]

Whatever you end up with, hammer the lags in at least a third of the length.

[maladroit]

I will borrow an impact driver if the opportunity arises (have loaned mine out enough times) but it sounds like my plan has a chance of working. I've removed a couple with a ratchet, but never tried the other way.

[maladroit]

Not going to buy this, but it has a chance of working too:

[haochizzle]

Just a question for everyone here re: lag screws. So I bought 3/8 x 14 lag screws per FIGJAM, and will be bringing with me from Canada a DeWalt impact driver. However, I think having a manual backup would be nice. I had seen that a speed handle is an excellent manual backup. On my DeWalt, a 9/16 bit fits over a 3/8 hex head. Does this mean I need to find a 9/16 speed handle as well?

FYI I couldn't find any 9/16 speed handles... but there are 3/8 speed handles. I want to make for sure for sure that a 3/8 speed handle will fit over a 3/8 hex head lag screw before I plunge and make the purchase off Amazon.

Mucho appreciated!!!
Peace, love, harmony
Tim

[FIGJAM]

You can put any sized socket on the 3/8" speed handle that is for a 3/8" drive.

[dealdevvine]

Just wondering if anyone knows who did a test with all sorts of ground anchors incl rebar and lag bolts?
I'm wanting to contact them to see if they can test GroundGrabba.

[trilobyte]

Several of us have tested different anchors, you're welcome to do your own tests with any anchors you're interested in.

[Soliton]

Hi All,
Anyone care to chime in on how long lag screws last? Put differently, --what is the risk of the head snapping off from fatigue or stress corrosion cracking after a few years use? I didn't clean mine from my last burn 2 years ago, and they look pretty rusty, and I use enough of them (~70) that even a 1% probability of failure means I should be prepared to dig one out.

For those of you that have had a failure - any difficulty getting the headless screw out of the Playa? I'm bringing large vise-grips and a small shovel - seems like that should be sufficient overkill but comments/horror stories welcome. Most of my screws are 3/8" x 14". About 15 are the 1/2" x 18" size.

Thanks!

[Token]

No way to answer that without inspection of your stock.

Can you clean them and inspect?

If you have a cement mixer, dump a bag of sand and tumble the bolts in there in bulk.

Once clean, make a call.

[FIGJAM]

Used the same ones for 6 yrs without doing more than knocking them together to remove excess playa.

Signs of surface rust only.

[FIGJAM]

We ran fastenersuper store outta 1/2"x18" lags!!!

[DoctorIknow]

We ran fastenersuper store outta 1/2"x18" lags!!!

A few weeks ago, the rep told me they are fully aware of burners and this very thread and have extra supply for the last 3 years, but every time they run out.

[Just_Joe]

We ran fastenersuper store outta 1/2"x18" lags!!!

Who needs some and wants to trade??
I have about 20 (NEW) of the 1/2" x 18" and could use some 3/8" x 14".
(2) of your 14" (used is OK) for (1) of my 18".
I started 4 or 5 years ago with 100, but gifting them out has whittled my collection to 23.
Available on playa as early as next Wednesday evening.

[FIGJAM]

I wonder if the price will go up due to tariffs, or demand, or both.

[BBadger]

It'd be hilarious if lag screws became the new playa currency.

[Just_Joe]

It'd be hilarious if lag screws became the new playa currency.

WHO RULE BARTERTOWN ???!!!

[motskyroonmatick]

Whew! Glad I got my 18's while they lasted!

[motskyroonmatick]

I've got 2- 3/8 socket driver Dewalt impact 20volts and I've got to say they struggle a bit with the 18" lags. Last year I was switching back and forth between them because they were warming up. We drive alot of lags all at once to secure the shades. For this year I bought the larger version with 1/2 inch drive and it works great. Just drove a few lags in the back yard to make a clothes line for washing tarps. It's about twice as fast as the smaller guns and that means it will not get messed up in the hands of people who don't operate power tools much or know what the telltale signs are of when it is a good idea to give a tool a rest.

[Kenshiro]

I decided to bump up to 5/8”x24” for my shade structure as an insurance policy. I’m sure the 1/2”x18” would be more than adequate most years but my big Makita impact wrench won’t have difficulty driving these anyway, so...

[FIGJAM]

Used the same ones for 6 yrs without doing more than knocking them together to remove excess playa.

Signs of surface rust only.

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