I was new to the syrup fun this year as well. We made a home made arch and bought pans off of the classifieds on here. Sounds like your son does have a good amount of ambition. Below is a link to a syrup supply store in Okemos, which is about 15 minutes east of lansing. A saturday drive could let you see the stuff first hand and I have found the prices good and they are very willing to help. I am hoping to go to the open house they have in the fall. You will find all kinds of great help on here, just post your questions and be prepared to answer questions about your questions before you will get real help. I only plan on making syrup for myself and family so no help to the selling stuff but there is a business section on the forum that could help you greatly. I will keep an eye out for any help that a novice may give you and chime in.
http://www.sugarbushsupplies.com/
Latitude:N 41° 54' 56.4415"
Longitude:W 84° 17' 6.4561"
2018
sold barrel cooker
bought 2 mason 2x4
adding Vacuum
Adding RO, running Lines 5/16 and 3/16, jumping to close to 200 taps, making sticky..
2017, attempting to add float box and bunch more
taps and run a few lines.
2016 rookie season. 70 taps, Kubota tractor, 55 gallon
Barrel and funnel for collection.
wood fired oil drum cooker.
2x3 evaporator pan w/18" Sq pre-warming pan.
3 sided carport sugar shack.