TABs(Treehouse Attachment Bolts)

We offer several different sizes of TABs all made from heat treated/hardened 4140 steel and powder coated with a nice, textured black finish. The 1.25-12 UNF threads are masked during powder coating but then get a light coat of black paint.

There are three key specs for each TAB. First area of interest is the shaft diameter. Next is the perch length or the length of shaft from the collar face to the start of the hex nut on the end. Finally you have the collar size. All of our current TABs have a 3” diameter collar with varying lengths depending on the model.

Our model numbers denote the shaft size then the perch length then the collar length i.e. - 1.25x9-C3 would have a 1.25” diameter shaft, 9” perch, and 3” long collar.

Installation:

The process goes as so:

  1. Determine the spot in the tree. If you’re spanning multiple trees use a clear tube with water or string level pulled tight to make sure they’re all on the same plane. A string between the trees above where the TAB will be installed helps ensure you’re “aiming” at the other tree when drilling.

  2. Start with the 3” forstner bit and bore about the length of your collar PAST the bark i.e. if your TAB has a 1” long collar you’ll drill about 1” past the bark, 3” long collar 2.5-3”, 6” long collar 4.5-5”. Use a torpedo level to make sure you’re drill level.

  3. Make a note of how deep this hole is so we can later make sure the TAB is seated fully

  4. Next up is the ship auger. For hardwoods use a 1-1/8” bit to bore 6-7” past the bottom of the forstner bit hole in step two. Use a short level set on the auger bit to verify it’s level and make sure you start in the center, these 2 tips are critical!

  5. Grab the TAB, put on the bracket you’ll be using at this location(if possible), screw on the hex nut, and then place it in the hole. A whack with a hammer to start the TAB into the hole can help sometimes but most of the time it starts just by turning by hand

  6. It’s muscle time. The easiest/fastest method to screw in the TABs is a 3/4” ratchet with a 1-7/8” socket. Don’t let your pride keep you from breaking out the 3-4ft cheater pipe. DO NOT use a pipe wrench on the shaft of the TAB. This will ruin the powder coated finish allowing future corrosion and also eat up the surface creating possible locations for stress risers and cracks

  7. Screw that bad boy in. When you think it’s fully seated take a measurement of the collar sticking out(or depth past the bark) and compare with your measurement from step 3. If it adds up to the target depth then you’re good to go. If not then keep cranking. It should get noticeably harder to turn when seated fully.

Lag Bolts

We currently offer 3 sizes of lag bolts. Below is info on when to use each size.

1”x12” lag:

  • best suited as a single knee brace mount for smaller treehouses/platforms of 70 square feet or less

  • 1-1/2” socket required for installation

  • 3/4” pilot hole for softwoods, 7/8” pilot hole for hardwoods. We offer Bit Rental or Purchase

  • Install approximately 6 to 7” into the tree

  • CANNOT be used with floating brackets or 1.25” brackets

1.25”x12” lag:

  • best suited as a single knee brace mount for treehouses/platforms up to 250 square feet depending on the design of the structure

  • Also commonly used as the main pipe bracket and double knee brace mount for the top of tribeams on two tree setups up to 70 square feet

  • Good anchor point for TAB suspension cables

  • 1-7/8” socket required for installation

  • 1” pilot hole for softwoods, 1-1/8” for hardwoods. We offer Bit Rental or Purchase

  • CANNOT be used with floating brackets, not long enough to allow for tree movement

1.25”x15” lag:

  • often used as mounts for floating brackets in multiple tree setups up to 70 square feet

  • Install 7” deep allowing room for floating bracket movement

  • 1-7/8” socket required for installation

  • 1” pilot hole for softwoods, 1-1/8” for hardwoods. We offer Bit Rental or Purchase

Brackets

Static Bracket:

  • Used on single tree setups or when the trees are substantial(30”+ diameter) AND the platform is fairly low to the ground where the tree doesn’t sway much if any.

  • Static bracket must be the top bracket on a tribeam setup. A float bracket will not work with tribeams.

  • Mount holes are designed to line up with doubled up 2 by lumber

  • Mounts under your main beams and connects the lag or TAB to the beam

  • Only offered for 1.25” diameter lags or TABs. We also have static brackets for our Pro Series(1.75” diameter) TABS as well

  • Suggested hardware: Four 3/8”x4” GRK Rugged Structural Screws(RSS) - these can be purchased on the static bracket product page through the drop down menue

  • Made from formed 1/4” steel plate

Floating Bracket:

  • Used on multi tree setups or when posts are used as the static support

  • NOTE: in multi tree setups(three or more) there should always be a static bracket on one tree, preferably the largest/most stationary tree

  • CANNOT be used with tribeam setups like on a two tree treehouse or a one tree and two post treehouse. The tribeam will want to rotate to one side of the floating bracket hence why a static bracket is required for tribeams.

  • MUST be used with 1.25x15” lags or TABs with 9” perch or larger to allow for proper movement

  • For multi tree setups, TABs that use a floating bracket will need to be installed 1/2” lower than TABs with static brackets. This is to account for the 1/2” thick UHWM that is used in the floating brackets.

  • When building your platform, center the floating bracket on the TAB perch while also centering the TAB in the float bracket strap. Sometimes it’s helpful to cut blocks of wood to center the TAB in the strap until the beams and joists are set.

  • Comes with 1/2” thick UHMW preinstalled with stainless steel screws. UHMW provides a sliding surface for the lags and TABs

  • Made from formed 1/4” steel plate

Single Knee Brace:

  • Used with 4x6 lumber to provide a stiff knee up to the edge of platforms above

  • A slot is cut in one end of the 4x6 for the brace to fit into. Carriage bolts are then thru bolted tying the lumber and brace together

  • Only offered for 1.25” diameter lags and TABs

  • Comes with two 5/8”x4.5” galvanized carriage bolts, flat washer, lock washer and hex nut

  • Bracket is at a 45 degree angle

  • Made from 1/4” steel plate

Double Knee Brace:

  • Used with 4x6 lumber to create a tribeam

  • Can be used with 1.25” diameter lags or TABs

  • Should NOT be used with 1” diameter lags

  • A slot is cut in one end of the 4x6s for the brace to fit into. Carriage bolts are then thru bolted tying the lumber and brace together

  • Comes with four 5/8”x4.5” galvanized carriage bolts, flat washer, lock washer and hex nut

  • Bracket is at a 90 degree angle

  • Made from 1/4” steel plate