Regular Bit O.K to use?

[woodey24]

Newbie here and asking probably a dumb question. Is a normal drill bit o.k to use to tap trees with? I have seen tap bits for sale but is there a reason to use a special bit instead of a normal one? Thanks.

[maple flats]

There is only 1 reason to use a special tapping bit, only if you want more sap from the tap hole it drills. A tapping bit drills a cleaner hole than even a brand new bit not designed for tapping. The flutes are even sharper and that is where sap mostly enters the tap hole, thru nice clean sides. I used to question why I would spend $16-20 on a bit, when I could buy a new hardware store bit for a small fraction of that, but after buying my first tapping bit, I never went back. With one the sap flows faster and longer in the season.

[highlandcattle]

I got a tapping bit for Ron this year,about $16.00. He loves it!

[markcasper]

The new Leader bits are AWESOME!

[WESTMAPLES]

tapping bits are worth every penny, my father ( who`s tapped trees with others,but never for himself) said " wow thats a expensive and fancy drill bit " i laughed, hand him the drill off he went mins later he was like " holy crap this bit is great and the holes are clean with no whiskers, those oldtimers didn`t know what they where missing using any old bit" and there you have it clean cut holes are worth every penny when tapping trees. good luck and let the chips fly

[Big_Eddy]

You can use a normal drill bit without any problems at all. There are advantages to tapping bits for sure, but any correctly sized drill bit will work.

[woodey24]

Thank you all, sounds like I need to get me one.

[wnybassman]

Thank you all, sounds like I need to get me one.

I resisted for years, but a few years back I got my first 7/16ths tapping bit, and the year after a 5/16ths tapping bit. I treat them like they are made of glass and sterilize them after use. A nice clean round hole with little to no debris left in it after boring. Well worth it, and should last me a long time.

[maple flats]

I use a new bit every year, if we use 3 crews, 3 bits. After 1 year, the bits get used for any 5/16 hole and do get re-sharpened, but they are never used a second year for tapping.

[Daveg]

I have an amazing bit that came with my Krebs Pocket Hole cutter. I have bored hundreds of holes through rock hard, splintering-prone wood and the steel is easy to put a glistening edge on with 3-4 passes with a medium coarse file. It can therefore also be called a "tapping bit" because it does the job required of it: clean holes, easy to sharpen.

[MaxJ]

When we bought the property and the sugaring equipment there was a couple of tapping bits 7/16th & 5/16th but I soon realized that the bits were long past their best due date and I started to use a cobalt bit that goes in like a hot knife to butter. I have to ream out the hole to clean it out of wood using this type of bit drilling I realize, though things seem to be working pretty well.

It brings me to a question about drilling and leaving the hole for a bit of time to flush out a little if the sap is running, making the hole moist, or is the objective is to get the tap in and to seal the hole quickly, or there isn't any difference between having wet or dry wood around the spile?

[n8hutch]

Just be sure to get the correct size bit for the taps you intend to use. Some 5/16 spouts require a 19/64ths bit. And it does make a difference.