maple tapping bits

[bison1973]

Are the special maple drill bits worth the extra money? Any advantages? Is there a difference between them and what you can buy at the hardware store.

[hard maple]

The helix angle on the flutes is greater, which in turn makes a faster cut.
The tip is a 90 degree split point
I found a similar drill in MSC for 6.00 but it has a 118 point
There is a huge difference between these and your typical twist drills

[bison1973]

But are they any better as far as sap yeild is concerned? Or any other advantages?

[VtSugarhouse]

Your bits which are designed for tapping trees make a much cleaner hole and much less chace for leaks. Typically they do not wander when making a tap hole either.
I use the ones designed to do the job and have no vaccum leakage.

[Russell Lampron]

They drill a smoother hole and do it very fast. Try one you'll like it.

Russ

[maplecrest]

hey russ thanks for the input on the canadian bits. i put the drill on high and got twice as many holes per battery. and solved the soft maple issue. took a bit to get used to the speed. never tapped with a drill that fast before in my 35 years of tapping

[Russell Lampron]

High speed, full throttle, push (gently) into tree, pull back out and release trigger. Nice clean hole. Insert tap, on to the next one.

Russ

[maple flats]

I bought 2 maple bits from a Leader dealer, they will not cut a hole without pulling back out and going in again, to remove the shavings, these were a bad investment. I do not know who made the bits but I do not like them. As I start drilling they go in about 3/4-1" and stop cutting, I pull back and push in again, about same again for the next 3/4-1". I try to drill about 2" into the wood and it takes 2 or 3 tries. This is rediculous. The bits were new and look right but no cut. (yes, they are sharp) I have gotten tapping bits at the Verona Maple Conf in years past and they cut fast and in 1 try.

[maple flats]

Where do you get the Canadian bits? do you have a part # for the 5/16 or 19/64 size?

[royalmaple]

I got mine from lapierre, I'm sure the maple guys might have them in stock. It was 25-26 bucks. Works very very well.

Not sure if you guys have tried this, but I will brace my left shoulder against the tree, bend my arm and help brace the drill. THen run the drill with my right hand. Try it. Helps get a very secure grip on the drill and you will turn yourself into a human drill press before you know it.

[peacemaker]

they are wicked fast and the will clog i find like royal said steady it but i also take the put it in the drill measure your depth you want and the take a dowel cut it for whats left and then drill it it will work as a stop .. i also found i keep eithier a brass brush or a plastic one and keep the bit clean

[super sappy]

The Gov sent me one last year and I love it. Fast speed and do not push hard. use a piece of tubing for a stop. I think that if you are forceing it you are doing it wrong.-just my 2 cents

[Russell Lampron]

I got my bit at Bascoms. It said Canadian on the bin that I got it out of and only says 5/16 on the bit. It was well worth the $21 I paid for it.

Russ

[gmcooper]

I had my Bascom catalog handy here.
The numbers for 19/64 Canadian bit for use with battery drills BT5C
The 5/16 Canadian bit is BT7C
Each were $20.00