tap depth

[old tom]

How deep do you drill the tap for a 7/16 hole? I am using 5 gal pails.
Thank you.

[psparr]

Bout 1-1/2" give or take

[Ed R]

I tap at least 2 inches especially if its an older tree with thick rough bark.

[old tom]

Thank you all

[buckeye gold]

next time you get taps go with 5/16th and they will heal a lot faster. You still get plenty of sap

[fresh spout]

1.34" should do the trick, but agreed with buckeye gold, throw those 7/16" away and use at least 5/16". There are even new more thinner spouts coming out and the studies are showing that you will not loose sap flow overall for the season. All good things to think about moving forward.

[Lucky Dog]

1.34" should do the trick, but agreed with buckeye gold, throw those 7/16" away and use at least 5/16". There are even new more thinner spouts coming out and the studies are showing that you will not loose sap flow overall for the season. All good things to think about moving forward.

That is good to know, as a beginner, my brain tells me bigger is better. Thank you.

[DMF]

I put a piece of tubing over my drill bit so only the amount I wish to drill sticks out. Makes it easy to make your holes consistent...

[Sugarmaker]

Yea it doesn't seem logical. but the 5/16 will preform just about the same as larger 7/16 and will be much easier on the tree.
Another factor is that with a 5/16 bit you can tap a lot (40-50+) on a battery powered drill. 7/16 not so much.
Regards,
Chris

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

I put a piece of tubing over my drill bit so only the amount I wish to drill sticks out. Makes it easy to make your holes consistent...

I like the idea of tubing over the drill bit but do you guys find that shavings don't clean out as well?

[Russell Lampron]

As far as tap depth goes I read a study in The Maple Syrup Digest that said with bucket taps the deeper you go the better. If I remember correctly 3 1/2 to 4" was what they recommended. If the tree is big enough bury it to the chuck. I agree with everyone else, get rid of the 7/16 taps. I have been using 5/16 bucket taps since they came out with better production than I got with the 7/16. The holes don't dry up as fast.


Yea it doesn't seem logical. but the 5/16 will preform just about the same as larger 7/16 and will be much easier on the tree.
Another factor is that with a 5/16 bit you can tap a lot (40-50+) on a battery powered drill. 7/16 not so much.
Regards,
Chris

I'm not sure what you have for a drill Chris but I get close to 200 5/16 taps on a battery with my Snap-on drills. My son could get just a many with his DeWalt drill.