3/16 questions

[Camp]

I will be installing 3/16 for the first time and was wondering a few things

1) what is the best way to modify my hand tool to accept 3/16 tubing?

2) we use a hollow rope to hold the lateral to the mainline, will this work for 3/16 as well with the same rope?

Thanks in advance

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Tim Wilmott said that they modified theirs (at UVM) by building up layers of masking tape in the jaws. Simple and cheap

[brookledge]

Try the hollow core nylon and see. My guess would be no. They do make many other sizes of hollow core nylon. So you may have to check around at a hardware store or online supply for rope. Id do the same with the hand tool. That way it can easily be switched back to 5/16.
I haven't used 3/16 yet but my hand tool is made with vise grips and I would think tightening the adjustment would work also
Keith

[lakeview maple]

I used the hollow core rope , and the D&G tubing is really grippy it worked great, the tape on the jaws is the easiest route or buy or build a second set

[Hop Kiln Road]

Cut a small strip out of 2" piece of 5/16ths and it will snap right over the 3/16ths and hold it in a 5/16th tool.

Hollow rope works fine on the 3/16ths

[maple flats]

I like the Flushtec Hot End System, it makes no difference both 3/16 and 5/16 work equally well. While I have 3 two handed 5/16 tools I have not used them since the Hot End came home with me, and I have 3/16 installed, I do not even own a 3/16 tool 1 or 2 handed.

[eustis22]

are drops installed from the top down or the bottom up?

[sweetscotty]

Cdl offers a full line up of the 3/16 tools 1240612407

you can buy them from the website www.cdlusa.net

[maple flats]

I did mine from the top down but I see no reason why bottom up would not be as good.

[eustis22]

ok, next question..I have some trees big enough for 2-3 taps...does each drop get its own tee or should I Y the drops together and that into a tee?

And, is the tubing anchored at both ends before adding the drops or do you anchor one end, do the drops, and then tighten and anchor the other end?

Finally, I have two laterals....what would be the best way to connect them before running the end of the line into my collecting barrel?

[DrTimPerkins]

ok, next question..I have some trees big enough for 2-3 taps...does each drop get its own tee or should I Y the drops together and that into a tee?

Each tap should connect to the lateral line via its own tee.


And, is the tubing anchored at both ends before adding the drops or do you anchor one end, do the drops, and then tighten and anchor the other end?

Often that is the case. It is run from the mainline through the trees, zig-zagging a bit against the crop trees (and sometimes other trees) to support the lateral line. Often people will temporarily fasten it to the mainline (or barrel) and run it out, put up an end harness on the last tree, then go back and add drops in later, although this is far easier to do this way if you have a two-handed tubing tool. Then you do the permanent connection to the mainline or to your collection point.


Finally, I have two laterals....what would be the best way to connect them before running the end of the line into my collecting barrel?

Don't. Have each run into the barrel separately. Otherwise the sap from one line impedes the movement of sap in the other line.

[adk1]

Get yourself a copy of the North American Maple Producers Manual. You will learn allot there too

[eustis22]

Thank you very much, Dr. Tim.