CV Tap Removal - Uh Oh...

[bryankloos]

So my buddy who was following me with the hammer apparently was overzealous.
When I went to pull my CV spouts, a fair amount of them broke off at the tip, leaving the plastic spout in the tree.

Am I correct in that they were driven too far into the tree?
Should I expect the tree to heal over the plastic tips?
Is this a common thing?

Going forward, what is the best method to remove spouts at year end?

Many Thanks,

Bryan

[therealtreehugger]

This is the first year that I used a "real" tapping bit, and not just any old drill bit I had laying around, and I was very surprised to see how easy they came out. Most I could literally pull out by twisting without a lot of umph. Did you use a "real" tapping bit? When I did not, they were a bear to get out. I did not use CV taps though.

I might be afraid, in a few years when they heal over, that you would hit the plastic when drilling. Maybe you should re-drill the holes to get the tips of the taps out? It might make a bigger hole, but I think would be better in the long run? ????

[bryankloos]

I did use a proper tapping bit. I'm still thinking they were pounded in too far...

I'm hopeful when/if they heal I will be able to recognize the scars as I have from last year.

This was my second year...

OOPS!

[Bruce L]

Our son used to follow me tapping in the check valves,he would get too overzealous and break some off. Now my wife does all the tapping in,after 1000’s and 1000’s she has yet to break one off. You can take a long 3” screw,screw it in through the check valves,then you have something to pull with the hammer. That’s how I did it when my son broke them off,but it wasn’t a great number of them either

[bryankloos]

Its just the tip...
and they broke off deep.
I'm guessing they will heal over.

[maple flats]

If one or several break off, just leave it, the tree will grow over it. However, if several break off either they were set too hard or you are pulling them incorrectly. The maple companies make a tool for the removal, but I made my own. I used the cheapest version of a Stanley Wonder Bar, when I got them I paid $1.89 at Big lots (several years ago). At that time a real wonder bar was well over $10. I then used a 1/2" sanding sleeve on a Dremel arbor, the type that grip the arbor by tightening a screw to expand a rubber sleeve, locking a sanding disc in place. Then I used it to grind a slot about 1/2" deep in the little V groove on the short end of the tool. It wore out a disc in about 1.5 slots, but I made 4 such bars to pull taps in about 10-12 minutes. To use it, just push the groove around the neck of the spout, behind any shape that is larger, and with the simple flick of the wrist the tap pops out. Some years maybe 2-3% loose the tip in the hole, leave it, most years that may happen on 1 or 2/1000 taps. If more than that the taps were set too hard. When installing a tap, use a light weight preferably plastic hammer (Or I use the flat side jaw of a 7" pair of lineman's pliers). Swing gently and listen, the sound will change to "thunk" when set. Don't hammer them in any more.

[GeneralStark]

What are you using to remove them?

[bryankloos]

scraped knuckles...

[tcross]

if you're twisting them while pulling them out, they will break. i'd get a spout removal tool for $15-$20 and you won't likely break another one.

[DrTimPerkins]

If the tip comes out in the tree, just leave it alone. It will not cause any problem to the tree. The wood (taphole) will NEVER fill in regardless, so having a small piece of plastic isn't a problem in terms of tree healing. Trying to remove it is likely to cause more damage. If a drill hits it later it won't damage the bit.

If a spout barrel snaps off, try using a spout puller instead of a hammer. If it is flush with the tree, leave it alone. If it sticks out beyond the bark, put a screw into it and use that to pull it out.

When we see breakage it is because of people using a hammer. Hardly ever happens with a spout puller unless you try to twist them sideways. Polycarbonate spouts really do "stick" in the tree, so when they come out it can be with a real snap.