Homemade taps- going deep down the rabbit hole

[crzypete]

I bought an extra 12 buckets this week and needed taps for them. The only ones I can get locally are 7/16, but I keep reading about the advantages of 5/16" taps, so I knew the only solution was the stupid one! Got to make my own! With a bit of visual research of what is out there and measuring my existing 5/16 taps I was able to quickly design and prototype a decent looking tap and hook. Fortunately I have a bunch of stainless steel around, these are made from 1/2" diameter alloy 303, which is similar to 304, but easier to machine.

Anyways, I thought I would post here to show the process I used, even if it is not something that is doable by most members.

The first step was drilling the hole, I used a small production lathe for this that has a lever tailstock to easily pull the bit in and out for frequent chip clearing. I drill the bodies from each end and used a 3/16" drill.

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The next step was reducing the body side to just below 3/8" to allow the hook to slide on.

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And after that, using whats called a taper attachment to add the 3 degree taper to the spout. I also rounded the end over at this moment to make it smooth and easy to insert.

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Last step was to cut an angle into the front to make sure space didn't try to run back along the tap.

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Here is my completed run

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[crzypete]

I did not take good photos of creation of the hooks, and didn't have stainless flat stock of useful gage or stainless round of a bendable size, so I made them out of regular steel. I suspect I will remake them for next year.

The hook in this photo is my prototype, I shortened it a bit for my mini production run.

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and tapped....

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Hopefully these work adequately. If so I will be tempted to make more for next season. I enjoy running my lathes and it was not a cumbersome amount of time or material to make these. Definitely not paying myself a fair hourly wage, but certainly being entertained!

Pete

[Run Forest Run!]

Now THAT'S impressive!

[Big_Eddy]

Throw that old galvanized pail away. Time to make some aluminum ones :)

[red dorakeen]

That's really nice work.

[littleTapper]

Awesome! The joy of making something, especially something useful, is one of the best parts of life. Great work!

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

[Snappyssweets]

Wow, That is really nice looking.
I am seriously impressed now.

[amaranth farm]

Radio Silence.

[raptorfan85]

Machining and sugaring in the same post, a man after my heart lol.

[crzypete]

Thanks everyone! Glad my insanity is not wasted on you....

Big Eddy, I am too much of a rookie to know if you are serious that galvanized buckets are no longer preferred? Not sure I'd go aluminum, hate welding that stuff, maybe stainless.....

RaptorFan, perhaps Maple syrup as tapping fluid? anyone experimented? Dark cutting oil replacement?

Any ways, the taps were quickly put to use today as it was in the 40's and we were getting a pretty nice drip. I found that on some of them, the sap was running back up the tap and down the tree. I pulled those and cut the angle a bit steeper and longer and put them back in and they are all performing now. I will alter the others come end of season.

Pete

[Big_Eddy]

Thanks everyone! Glad my insanity is not wasted on you....

Big Eddy, I am too much of a rookie to know if you are serious that galvanized buckets are no longer preferred? Not sure I'd go aluminum, hate welding that stuff, maybe stainless.....


Pete
Pete
I'm serious. Get rid of the galvanized buckets. Replace with Aluminum or food grade plastic. (Stainless would be fine too).
Lead and zinc leach out of galvanized. Neither are good for you, especially when concentrated 40x