Leaky spouts

[lords sugaring]

Hey everyone hope your season is going well !! I've been dealing with this problem since switching from bigger metal spouts to the 5/16 plastic hook type. Maybe it was with the bigger ones too but I can't remember. The sap always seems to leak around the tap hole and run down the tree. Is this common ? I'm assuming it is as I've dealt with it the last 3 years. If it's not what can I do to solve this problem ? I hate seeing sap get waisted like this and want to produce as much syrup as possible from buckets.

[MISugarDaddy]

Did you use a tapping bit to drill your holes? It is important to have a clean cut hole or you can get some leaking around the spile. When you drilled your holes, did you have your drill on too much of an angle? You only need a very slight angle, because if it is too much that can cause the spile to not fit tightly into the hole. Is there any chance that you drove your spiles in too hard and split the tree? That also is a reason for a hole to leak. If everything is done right, you shouldn't have any leakage.
Gary

[lords sugaring]

Didn't split the trees but the angle of attack sounds like the culprit. I'll try changing the angle with some other trees and see how that plays out. I buy a new high speed steel bit every year and boil it in water very briefly. Thanks for the info Gary

[wiam]

Are you using a tapping bit?

[lords sugaring]

No, I didn't think it mattered that much. I've used a regular high speed steel bit with no coating since day one. The first year with metal spouts I didn't have any leaks it wasn't till I switched to the plastic bucket spouts.

[maple flats]

Ditch the hardware store bit, get one made for tapping and then never use it for anything else. When you drill, go in and out with the drill on high speed and be very careful not to wobble any. The hole should have a slight upward angle. Then as you tap, use a tapping hammer or a very light hammer (like 8-10- OZ.) or I like using the flat face on the side of a pair of 7" lineman's pliers. Tap it lightly, listening to the sound. When the sound changes the tap is seated. Then a slight wetness at the outside of the tap is not too uncommon, but it should seal on its own in a day or 2 and should not drip down the bark.
Are these taps you are using bucket taps? If yes, what size bucket are you hanging on them?

[lords sugaring]

All buckets yes, most are the 3 gallon plastic buckets and I also have a few 2 gallon aluminum as well. I do everything as mentioned in your post with a very small hammer. I'll pick up a tapping bit and lessen the angle to see if that cures the problem.

[lords sugaring]

Is there any way to fix the leaking taps or have I screwed myself ?

[ren46]

Once a tap hole leaks around the spout after tapping it may or may not seal itself. I have noticed that sometimes if the bark is very thin and you do to much of a angle the bit can slightly tear some of the bark at the very edge of the hole. The bit may have walked a little as it started. This will cause some sap flow outside of the spout but may stop after awhile. Try to always keep that drill bit as steady as possible and like others have said a drill bit specially made for tapping and just a slight upward angle.

[Haynes Forest Products]

Boy maybe its just me. But I'm not a fan of drilling any hole at an angle. I remember the OLD days of drilling holes at an angle so the sap would drain out. Then there was the drill at an angle so rain wont fill the hole after the season allowing the hole to heal up. They do make spouts that will conform to oval holes better.

Do this take a good round flashlight and hold it straight up and down shining on the floor and look at the spot it makes then change the angle and see what the tap hole will look like and say to your self what one will seal better with a round tap. I see the new tapping guides for cordless drills and don't remember seeing an angle guide on them.........is there one??

I have never been very successful at pounding my way out a leaky tap.

[Sinzibuckwud]

It really seems to matter using the tapping bit for the plastic 5\16 taps as far as seating goes, the 7\16 metal taps not so much.
I used a 7\16 spade bit my first year (11 years old) and only had one leaker.

[lords sugaring]

I've contemplated wrapping some Teflon tape around the hole, might have to give it a shot on one and see if it helps any. Has anyone ever done this ?

[maple flats]

The most important reason for a slight angle is to better drain the sap. If sap is left in the tap hole during a freeze it can push the tap out slightly. Only a couple repetitions of that and the tap leaks. Repeated resetting is not good either. For the angle the key word is slight.

[Sugarmaker]

Hi,
I believe the hole that the spile follows is still round even if at any entry angle.
I would like to see a picture of these plastic spiles to hang 3 gallon buckets on? Anyone else using these same spiles with success?
I would suspect the force used to set the spile as the issue first, second might be the strength of the plastic spile deforming with weight?
These are just my opinions. May not help at all?
Regards,
Chris