I've got a 5/16" two-handed tool and I'm wondering if I can just put a little duct tape on the jaws to reduce them down to 3/16". Looking for some opinions and/or experience.
Thanks
Do I really need a 3/16" tool??
I've got a 5/16" two-handed tool and I'm wondering if I can just put a little duct tape on the jaws to reduce them down to 3/16". Looking for some opinions and/or experience.
Thanks
You can split a piece of 5/16 and put it over the 3/16 and it should work fine. I have the 5/16 tool with the auto adjusting clamps and with a little grinding it works on both.
Jake
smoky lake 2x6 drop flue SSR on homemade arch
235 taps on 2 gast 1550s and lappiere releasers
24x12 sugar house
2019 Kubota L2501 work horse
Split the 5/16.
Works like a charm.
2010 - barrel stove & a steam table pan. 10 - 12 trees
2011 - same deal as the year before. My son is now hooked along with me.
2012 - Took over the garden shed and set up a Mason 2x3. Hoping to tap 30 - 50 trees. Ended up with 100 taps out.
Finished the season with 16 gallons made
2013- - Purchased a Smokey Lake 2 x 3 Hybrid pan. WOW, what a difference!!
I have a 3/16 two handed tool, but a 5/16 one handed tool. Like others said, I just use a 2" long chunk of 5/16 tubing sliced lengthwise and slide it over the 3/16.
Noel Good
1998 to 2009: 15 taps on buckets, scavenged fire pit and pans
2010: New 2x4 SS flat pan w/preheater
2015: New to me Lapierre 18x60 raised flue, new shack, new everything!! 59 taps 23.75 gallons
2016: 85 taps 19 gallons
2017: Purchased 2.5 acres and tubed half with 3/16. 145 taps total 49.25 gallons
2018: 200 taps (162 on 3/16ths 38 on buckets) New NextGen RO 63 gallons
2019: 210 taps 73.5 gallons
2023: 210 taps 89.75 gallons
www.wnybass.com
made my own 5/16 tool and made duct tape work for me. i have a rod coupling cut in half for grips. took 4 pieces of tape on each jaw and that seemed to be enough. id hate to have to switch that out alot tho if doing both sizes. never tried the 5/16 cut in half but then again im making my own tools so i dont need to.
2016 7 taps= 1-2 gallons of syrup
2017 135 taps making 17 gallons syrup
2018 75 taps =50 gallons syrup
2019 70 taps making 20 gallons. Single 4x40 RO
2020 bought 40 acres installed 250 tubing taps, 100 bags. 70 gal
2021 500 taps with guzzler. 80 gal syrup + sold sap
2022 600 taps 27 gal sap per tap on guzzler!!! 110 gal + sold sap
I bought a 5/16 single side tool when I started this business. Made my own 5/16 2 sided tool year before last. Splitting the 5/16 and slipping it over the 3/16 works perfectly. Cut the 5/16 lengthwise and widen one end of the cut to form a V will help get it on and off the 3/16 easier. If I'm wearing gloves I tuck each split piece inside a glove against the heel of my hand. Keeps them "handy"... Sorry I couldn't resist...
2010 - barrel stove & a steam table pan. 10 - 12 trees
2011 - same deal as the year before. My son is now hooked along with me.
2012 - Took over the garden shed and set up a Mason 2x3. Hoping to tap 30 - 50 trees. Ended up with 100 taps out.
Finished the season with 16 gallons made
2013- - Purchased a Smokey Lake 2 x 3 Hybrid pan. WOW, what a difference!!
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