3/16 Tools

[SkunkWorks]

I bought a 3/16" One Hand Tubing Assembly Tool from Leader. The vice grip part holds the tubing fine, however the fork is fumbly with the fittings such that one needs to guide the fitting to keep the hose barb on the same axis as the tubing during insertion.

Any advice on a better tool?

[maple flats]

Yes, a 2 hand LOAC. I had used others for about 15 years, 1 hand and 4 different 2 hand tools and got along fairly well with them, but then I tried a 2 hand LOAC. Wow, what a difference, they align perfectly, the 5/16 version adjusts to do 3/16 very quick and easy, it never needs adjusting unless you are going to a different size tubing, the clamp mechanism is very fast and simple, the tool is far lighter and they require less effort to push the tubing onto the fittings. I can't speak for the LOAC 1 hand, it looks to maybe not align as perfectly, but I've never used one. I like the LOAC 2 hand so well, I bought a second one and sold my 3 old conventional 2 hand tools, I did keep one 1 hand conventional, I do 5/16 repairs with it or when used on 3/16 I need carry a 2" or so length of 5/16 with the side slit open. Just slip it over the 3/16 and it works good with 3/16. I make up 3-5 such pieces in case one gets lost. I sometimes when looking for leaks, use the 1 hand tool, but when setting up lines or just changing drops it's always the LOAC. (I do not own stock in LOAC, but maybe I should)

[SmellsLikeSyrupNH]

I hate the one hand tool, its my 1st season using it and I feel like it was a big waste of money, bought it in the hopes of saving a few bucks and ended up having to buy the 2 handed anyway. The one handed certainly works but its not easy and takes some fumbling around on every use. I'll just end up selling it or leave it in the shed.

[VTnewguy]

The 3/16 can definitely be a pain joining. I found it best to keep the line end short as possible to help it line up. I will also give a vote for the LOAC 2 handed tool. It's a joy to work with.

[Hop Kiln Road]

I've had really good luck with the one handed 2 clamped 3/16 tool. Compact a easy to carry too. Only problem is deciding what to do with the $200 of savings over the LOAC. M says I should pay her half now.

[buckeye gold]

I agree VTnewguy I have found keeping the ends short on the 3/16 is better. once you get them past the ridge you can adjust the clamp and finish. In warmer weather it is not as much an issue, but I found doing repairs in the cold I done better with short exposed ends

[cjf12]

I find my 2 handed tool from CDL more of a "2 hands stomach and tree" tool. And even at that I wish I had an extra hand at times.

[buckeye gold]

Yeah my wife asked me one day how I got all those bruises on my stomach and thighs. I told her my girlfriend was playing rough....her reply was, "I know better than that no other woman would put up with an old goat like you".

[tgormley358]

Based on the strong recommendation in this thread of the two handed LOAC tool for both 5/16 and 3/16, I looked into buying one from H2O Innovation. They say LOAC has changed the design so that it can’t do both sizes any more. Does this ring true to those who have this tool? Did you buy them very recently?

[Windy Acres]

The adjusting nuts are different on the 3/16 tool, but it's still definitely worth the extra cost, I used one once and immediately order one for both sizes, fixing tubing is 10x easier with the loac tools

[Super Sapper]

I have not used the LOAC tool but did get the hot end system this year after my 2 handed tool was stolen with my 4-wheeler. It has made adding drops a lot easier.

[maple flats]

I bought my second one in January and it was one that was ordered because my dealer had sold out. I do not know what the date of manufacture was nor do I know if he ordered it direct or from a distributor who may have had it a while. The new one works exactly like the one I've had for a few years.

[VTnewguy]

Based on the strong recommendation in this thread of the two handed LOAC tool for both 5/16 and 3/16, I looked into buying one from H2O Innovation. They say LOAC has changed the design so that it can’t do both sizes any more. Does this ring true to those who have this tool? Did you buy them very recently?
We bought ours 2 years ago. That's too bad if it doesn't handle both sizes anymore. I still would go with it. Easy to work with.

[tgormley358]

As a small producer I decided to buy the cheaper two-handed 3/16 tool (60% less than the LOaC) sold at CDL over the weeekend and used it yesterday on a couple lines. One lesson learned for newbies like me — I noticed that the 3/16 tee connectors can easily get crimped if you’re not careful, enough to severely slow sap flow. Usually it was when the tubing wasn’t going on straight and I pushed to hard to get it on instead of lining it up. Patience is a virtue here, as I had to cut out and replace a few of them, and. I’m a little worried that I left some of them crimped without noticing. Last year I had some smaller lines of 5/16 that never ran well, now I’m wondering if this was the reason.

Another newbie lesson, since last year my process for cutting in tees was to first cut the line, then line up both ends in the tool’s vice jaws, then install the tee. This is hard when you have tension on the lines obviously. The better way it seems to me is first grab the line with the jaws open, then cut out the section in between, then install the tee. Duh!

Tom

[maple flats]

"cut out the section in between"? Why, just 1 cut after clamping both sides, open the tool place the T and close the handles. I don't remove a piece unless there is a chew or other defect. If the tubing starts to get a little loose I keep pulling the lateral to subsequent drops until I can remove a length long enough to use for another drop line.

[Goggleeye]

I don't know if this is the right place for this, but I built my own 3/16 tool, and it works like a charm. I couldn't see spending so much on the various models available, and I was worried that fabricating a simple one that didn't remain parallel through the swing would be a problem. Turned out to be a non-issue, though. I can one hand it easily if my cutters are in my pocket and the fittings or drops are within reach. I made it for less than $25. Materials were 1 conibear trap setting tool (20 inches long), 2 6" vice grips (cheapies), and 2 threaded rod connectors. I can provide more details if anyone is interested. I couldn't imagine putting up line without it. 19483

[tgormley358]

That makes sense too Dave. Thanks. I cut out a section because I started by clamping the tubing with the handles open about 2”, enough for the tee to fit in. Made my work last night way easier. It makes more sense though as you’re saying to clamp the tubing With handles mostly closed together and just cut once.

I’m chuckling a little because my professional life is process improvement in healthcare, where I teach and encourage every staff member to find and try small improvements to improve care safety, quality, and efficiency every day. As a maple sugaring guy I’m the learner not the teacher and learning what it’s like find and implement my own small improvements

[DMF]

I have a home-made 5/16 tool which works great. When I went to 3/16 tubing, I bought a LOAC. It works better. 3/16 tubing has issues by the nature of the size. To me, it is definitely harder to work with than 5/16 but the LOAC tool makes it easy. I cut a small section out as it tightens the line somewhat as I go along.

[buckeye gold]

There is nothing like having a tubing tool for sure. I started with tubing last year and done it all with hot water and hand pushing. Pull aparts, clogs and chews were an exercise in frustration. If it was a spot on tension I have spent 20-30 minutes trying to repair a line. So this fall I made a 3/16th two handed tool....it was like a gift from God. Take today as example. I walked my lines, because I haven't gotten out of the shack for 10 days and was sick some. I had one plugged tee, a pull apart and two squirrel chews. I had them all fixed and back to the house in less than an hour and that included walking the rest of the lines. That would have been 2 hours of frustration and I'd have come in pi##ed off last year. So if your on the fence, get off and get or make a tool, you'll never regret it.