3/16 Tools
I bought a 3/16" One Hand Tubing Assembly Tool from Leader. The vice grip part holds the tubing fine, however the fork is fumbly with the fittings such that one needs to guide the fitting to keep the hose barb on the same axis as the tubing during insertion.
Any advice on a better tool?
Yes, a 2 hand LOAC. I had used others for about 15 years, 1 hand and 4 different 2 hand tools and got along fairly well with them, but then I tried a 2 hand LOAC. Wow, what a difference, they align perfectly, the 5/16 version adjusts to do 3/16 very quick and easy, it never needs adjusting unless you are going to a different size tubing, the clamp mechanism is very fast and simple, the tool is far lighter and they require less effort to push the tubing onto the fittings. I can't speak for the LOAC 1 hand, it looks to maybe not align as perfectly, but I've never used one. I like the LOAC 2 hand so well, I bought a second one and sold my 3 old conventional 2 hand tools, I did keep one 1 hand conventional, I do 5/16 repairs with it or when used on 3/16 I need carry a 2" or so length of 5/16 with the side slit open. Just slip it over the 3/16 and it works good with 3/16. I make up 3-5 such pieces in case one gets lost. I sometimes when looking for leaks, use the 1 hand tool, but when setting up lines or just changing drops it's always the LOAC. (I do not own stock in LOAC, but maybe I should)
Dave Klish, I recently bought 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.
I hate the one hand tool, its my 1st season using it and I feel like it was a big waste of money, bought it in the hopes of saving a few bucks and ended up having to buy the 2 handed anyway. The one handed certainly works but its not easy and takes some fumbling around on every use. I'll just end up selling it or leave it in the shed.
2022 4x40" RO, Welch 1397 Vac Pump, 3 Guzzler Pumps, Lapierre Releaser, 1100 taps
2021 Twin Baby Boys, Close to 650 taps
2020 Upgraded RO to 2 post and 7GBS Pump. 265 taps
2019 Smoky Lake 2x6 raised flue, Autodraw system, Maple Jet Filter Press, a beautiful new bride to be my sugaring partner :-)
2017 Expanded Sugar Shack, new 2x6 with float box, NEXTgen Maple RO, 250+ taps, still on sap sacks
2016 Sugar Shack, 2x6 evaporator, 160 taps, all on Sap Sacks
2014 110 taps
2013 35 taps
The 3/16 can definitely be a pain joining. I found it best to keep the line end short as possible to help it line up. I will also give a vote for the LOAC 2 handed tool. It's a joy to work with.
CDL 2.5*8 Venturi with all the bells
Leader Clear 5 bank filter press
Memprotec 350H RO
600ish taps and looking for more.
I've had really good luck with the one handed 2 clamped 3/16 tool. Compact a easy to carry too. Only problem is deciding what to do with the $200 of savings over the LOAC. M says I should pay her half now.
Bruce Treat
825 Sugar Maple Taps
3/16 w/ DSD .225 Spiles
H2O RO
H2O 2.5 X 8
Bow, New Hampshire
I agree VTnewguy I have found keeping the ends short on the 3/16 is better. once you get them past the ridge you can adjust the clamp and finish. In warmer weather it is not as much an issue, but I found doing repairs in the cold I done better with short exposed ends
125-150 taps
Smokey Lakes Full pint Hybrid pan
Modified half pint arch
Air over fire
All 3/16 tubing
Southern Ohio
I find my 2 handed tool from CDL more of a "2 hands stomach and tree" tool. And even at that I wish I had an extra hand at times.
Yeah my wife asked me one day how I got all those bruises on my stomach and thighs. I told her my girlfriend was playing rough....her reply was, "I know better than that no other woman would put up with an old goat like you".
125-150 taps
Smokey Lakes Full pint Hybrid pan
Modified half pint arch
Air over fire
All 3/16 tubing
Southern Ohio
Based on the strong recommendation in this thread of the two handed LOAC tool for both 5/16 and 3/16, I looked into buying one from H2O Innovation. They say LOAC has changed the design so that it can’t do both sizes any more. Does this ring true to those who have this tool? Did you buy them very recently?
2022 is season 7
2016: 20 taps on buckets, 4 gallons on a borrowed 2x3.
2017: 32 taps on buckets, 8 gallons of syrup, on a "loaner" Lapierre 19x48.
2018: 80 taps. First time tubing. New 10x12 sugar shack, Lapierre 2x5. Made 17 gallons
2019: 100 taps. 22 gallons. Added a small RO 50 gph.
2020: 145 taps, 30 gallons, sold half. Murphy cup is a great addition.
2021: tapped Feb 23, 150 taps, 35 gallons.
2022: 200 taps. I lost 50, added 100. Having fun but short season?
The adjusting nuts are different on the 3/16 tool, but it's still definitely worth the extra cost, I used one once and immediately order one for both sizes, fixing tubing is 10x easier with the loac tools
A&A 2x8 raised flue with hoods and preheater, converted to oil with carlin 201 for 2021
8x12 kitchen
8x12 canning room
H20 7.5 1200 Econox for 2018 added 2nd membrane for 2020
H2O 10" filter press half bank
H2O 2430 gallon storage tank
700+ 5/16 on vacuum, 1000+ on 3/16
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
