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Thread: Western MA - My drill finger is getting itchy

  1. #21
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    chester, ma
    Posts
    905

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    Wise words, Sean.
    2016: Homemade arch from old wood stove; 2 steam tray pans; 6 taps; 1.1 gal
    2017: Same setup. 15 taps; 4.5 gal
    2018: Same setup. Limited time. 12 taps and short season; 2.2 gal
    2019: Very limited time. 7 taps and a short season; 1.8 gals
    2020: New Mason 2x3 XL halfway through season; 9 taps 2 gals
    2021: Same 2x3, 18 taps, 4.5 gals
    2022: 23 taps, 5.9 gals
    2023: 23 taps. Added AUF, 13.2 gals
    2024: 17 taps
    All on buckets

  2. #22
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Chesterfield MA
    Posts
    488

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    Still getting things in order in the shack. More tubing in the woods this weekend. Was 23 overnight and we are lucky to see the mids 30's for a short period of time during the day. Seems to be slow going up in Chesterfield. Still hopeful to tap for Valentines Day......no pun intended
    1st Year Turkey Fryer Guru-10 taps and No Clue
    2nd Year Warming Pans on a Barrel Unit-25 taps Still No Clue
    3rd Year 2 X 3 Divided Pan on a NEW Homemade Barrel Unit-45 taps Starting To Learn
    4th year (2017) Mason 2 X 3 Inside Small Shack-85 Taps I Think I'm Addicted!!

  3. #23
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    chester, ma
    Posts
    905

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    Take your time John! Looking at the long term forecast, they're now predicting that all of Feb will be colder than average. Then again, that could change - just a week ago they said it would be warmer than average, so who knows.

    Anyway you look at it, seems like I tapped way too early. First week I got around 3/4 gallon per bucket. Hopefully I got a little more over the last weekend and into Monday, but it's going to be so cold the rest of the week and going into Monday, I'm not even going to bother to make the drive to boil this weekend. Everything should stay frozen and fine. I'll drive up during the next warm spell to boil. I knew I was jumping the gun, I just didn't expect to be penalized so much LOL. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
    Last edited by berkshires; 01-30-2018 at 10:50 AM.
    2016: Homemade arch from old wood stove; 2 steam tray pans; 6 taps; 1.1 gal
    2017: Same setup. 15 taps; 4.5 gal
    2018: Same setup. Limited time. 12 taps and short season; 2.2 gal
    2019: Very limited time. 7 taps and a short season; 1.8 gals
    2020: New Mason 2x3 XL halfway through season; 9 taps 2 gals
    2021: Same 2x3, 18 taps, 4.5 gals
    2022: 23 taps, 5.9 gals
    2023: 23 taps. Added AUF, 13.2 gals
    2024: 17 taps
    All on buckets

  4. #24
    Join Date
    Feb 2014
    Location
    blandford ma
    Posts
    104

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    I got my pan sweetened that's about it for now Manbey a run on Thursday

  5. #25
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Location
    chester, ma
    Posts
    905

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    Quote Originally Posted by sweetwater sugar shack View Post
    I got my pan sweetened that's about it for now Manbey a run on Thursday
    Nice! Sounds like your trees around Westfield are producing pretty well for you already?
    2016: Homemade arch from old wood stove; 2 steam tray pans; 6 taps; 1.1 gal
    2017: Same setup. 15 taps; 4.5 gal
    2018: Same setup. Limited time. 12 taps and short season; 2.2 gal
    2019: Very limited time. 7 taps and a short season; 1.8 gals
    2020: New Mason 2x3 XL halfway through season; 9 taps 2 gals
    2021: Same 2x3, 18 taps, 4.5 gals
    2022: 23 taps, 5.9 gals
    2023: 23 taps. Added AUF, 13.2 gals
    2024: 17 taps
    All on buckets

  6. #26
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    westfield ma
    Posts
    438

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    all ive seen so far is a few drips from a broken limb on a maple tree next to my shop that lasted about 5 mins before freezing up again and thats in the direct sun, so im keeping up with my regular day job for now.... to cold over night in my area for good long lasting runs thru the day
    Last edited by WESTMAPLES; 01-31-2018 at 03:13 PM. Reason: been out in the cold to long
    2x6 leader WSE with AUF, hood,preheater
    waterguy RO
    leader 16 gal custom water jacketed canner
    10 in short stack wes fab filter press
    540 taps on tubing with vac & always adding
    2- benders running 25" hg from GAST vac pumps
    few stainless bulk tanks
    1978 chevy 1 ton 4x4 dually
    IH T340 dozer with 6-way blade

  7. #27
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Chesterfield MA
    Posts
    488

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    Can't wait to see what they say THIS week for the month of February forecast.........may not want to see it
    1st Year Turkey Fryer Guru-10 taps and No Clue
    2nd Year Warming Pans on a Barrel Unit-25 taps Still No Clue
    3rd Year 2 X 3 Divided Pan on a NEW Homemade Barrel Unit-45 taps Starting To Learn
    4th year (2017) Mason 2 X 3 Inside Small Shack-85 Taps I Think I'm Addicted!!

  8. #28
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oneida NY
    Posts
    11,544

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    Mine looks like no sap anytime soon, may even be March this year before it flows
    Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
    Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
    Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
    After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.

  9. #29
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
    Location
    westfield ma
    Posts
    438

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    usually the weather in my area evens out right at the` sweet spot ` around mid to late feb but im also accounting for taphole life using CV spouts keeping in mind the general area that my season may come to the buddy end.... the weathermen guesses at the weather all the time, but if i guess then end up wrong = money and time lost. keeping a eye on the long term forcast the way its been- looking day after day, definitely helps ease the excitement of wanting to go out and tap everything thats for sure
    2x6 leader WSE with AUF, hood,preheater
    waterguy RO
    leader 16 gal custom water jacketed canner
    10 in short stack wes fab filter press
    540 taps on tubing with vac & always adding
    2- benders running 25" hg from GAST vac pumps
    few stainless bulk tanks
    1978 chevy 1 ton 4x4 dually
    IH T340 dozer with 6-way blade

  10. #30
    Join Date
    Aug 2015
    Location
    Chesterfield MA
    Posts
    488

    Default

    Anybody have enough to boil yet??? I think I'm still a couple weeks away from tapping..........
    1st Year Turkey Fryer Guru-10 taps and No Clue
    2nd Year Warming Pans on a Barrel Unit-25 taps Still No Clue
    3rd Year 2 X 3 Divided Pan on a NEW Homemade Barrel Unit-45 taps Starting To Learn
    4th year (2017) Mason 2 X 3 Inside Small Shack-85 Taps I Think I'm Addicted!!

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