Hey at least this is free entertainment and better than some of the crap on TV.
Sometimes this forum reminds me of a bunch of old church Ladies......crucifying everyone else while extolling their own righteousness, and serving their own agenda. But at the end of the day everyone is helpful and good people at heart. So let's just adjust our panties and move on. A simple answer would have sufficed; such as, The cheap cut rate membrane will not hold up under the rigors of Maple syrup production and you will get poor if any support, a dealer purchased membrane is worth the extra cost.
We all done things in the name of saving money that bit us in the butt....In the words of that wise man Bob Marley, "don't worry be happy"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oo4OnQpwjkc