Tapping Bits

[lmathews]

I started tapping yesterday and I had just purchased 2-19/64 bits.I did not even get 100 taps out of them and they both twisted off.They are the Chicago Latrove bit.Has anyone ever had this happen?I switched back to my $4 local hardware store special that I used for the last 3 years and finished the day.This season has already started baddly.

[sweetvt]

I was helping a buddy tap earlier this week and he had the same thing happen in that after about 50 taps his bit began to wobble significantly. I think the key in the still frozen trees is to let the bit bite its own way and not try and lean or push on it too hard. just my 02 cents however.

[325abn]

The other day a guy told me that the regular high speed titanium bits that I am using will "seal" the tap hole causing a lower sap flow.

Any thoughts on this?

[WF MASON]

My thought is why did the 7/16" bit go up to $30. bucks and the 5/16" stay the same price ??
As far as twisting off a bit ...may hit a knot.

[maplehound]

I did the same thing last year. Dealer said he would replace it but I have yet to see the new bit.

[lmathews]

My dealer told me too bad.I told him I was very disapointed.His coment was (I don't know what to tell you)I still have to pay for them.They were the uncoated bit.As far as pushing the bit you actually had to hold it back.It pulled itself in.

[3% Solution]

Well that's to bad for the dealer, I think he lost a customer!! Yuck Yuck
I would NEVER go back there, I would order it from Iran before I would go back there!
I have a few bits from Bascom's and have had no problem with them, a friend of mine has had no problem with them either.
Hey don't worry about that, just keep your head up and move forward .......... make some sweet stuff and above all have fun!!
Dave

[Maple Hill Sugarhouse]

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[Maplewalnut]

This thread is the first I have seen that suggests titanium bits (you buy at the hardware store) 'seal' a hole as it is drilled. Does anyone else have any experience with that?

[325abn]

I used them in the past years and I got sap. I dont buy it, whats the tree care how it is getting drilled.

[Mike]

Are these $30 bits the same ones you can get at graingers for $5.00??? Explains why they twist and break!!!!!

[lmathews]

That very well could be.I know that I was told they were made by Chicago Latrove.They have an 18deg taper.Is this what grainger sells?

[Maple Hill Sugarhouse]

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[lmathews]

I might agree a little bit as far as operator error,but as I stated in a previous post you don't push at all.You have to hold them back as they want to pull themself into the tree.I have been doing this for 20 years and these were the first 2 bits I have ever broke.So I am made to believe bad bits more than op error.That is what I was told the other name for the bit was(Canadian tapping bit).

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I have used the same one for 2 years and haven't had any problem out of it. However, I usually drill my on low speed and it still only takes 3 or 4 seconds or less. Trying slowing down the drill some, batteries will probably last longer too.

PS I would never tap with any other bit than this one unless something better comes along. I get holes that are very true and clean and it makes tapping a lot easier. I did 156 holes and sanitized the spouts in 135 minutes.

[lmathews]

How I wish I could get thet many that fast.I have to tread through 2+ft of snow,takes a little longer.I should be done tapping my 700 bush today.I think I have app 250 left.Then off to the new bush I am renting.

[WF MASON]

I had thought this subject had been pretty much beat to death but, I got in some tapping bits today, they came with a 'recommended use' paper, it says 'use drill on high speed only, do not push hard into the tree', perhaps this problem is more common then we know.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Bill,

Interesting info. To me, common sense would be that it would be much harder to break a bit at low speed vs high simply because you have a lot more time to react and the bit has time to recover vs a much higher rpm.

Maybe I am stupid, but I know that is what most of them says.

[Maple Hill Sugarhouse]

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[Breezy Lane Sugarworks]

and when spinning a bit slow, the drill has MUCH more power. maybe the batteries last longer at low speed, but I've had better luck making a cleaner hole at high speed.

[oneoldsap]

The 5/16 bit that leader sells is a good durable bit and they stay sharp for a long time. The next tapping bit that I break will be my first. If you are going so fast that you can't have your feet under you and you're breaking bits
you aren't tapping you are running through the woods drilling holes in trees. Take time to find the last couple of tap holes and stay away from them, if you aren't carefull you can girdle a smaller tree in just a few years.