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Thread: 3/16 Tool

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    CT
    Posts
    247

    Default 3/16 Tool

    Hi All,

    New to tubing and need advice on a 3/16 tool.
    I plan to tap 50-60 trees and am assuming a tool will be necessary.
    This said, what do you suggest relative to cost/value?

    All help is appreciated.

    Thanks,

    Bryan
    2024 - 160 taps, Shurflo 4048. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 Raised Flue. 5x400 RO.
    2023 - 121 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 20 gallons.
    2022 - 103 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 23 gallons.
    2021 - 77 taps on Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 22 gallons.
    2020 - 70ish taps on Shurflo 4008. Mason 2x4 XL. DIY R.O. ~24 gallons.
    ______________________________________________
    Trout Brook Valley
    Weston, CT

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2011
    Location
    Southern Ohio
    Posts
    1,349

    Default

    If you can weld or have a friend who can, make your own. MIne cost me less than $50.00 and new ones start at ~175.00 - 300.00 Search the threads there are several homemade examples on here
    125-150 taps
    Smokey Lakes Full pint Hybrid pan
    Modified half pint arch
    Air over fire
    All 3/16 tubing
    Southern Ohio

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oneida NY
    Posts
    11,544

    Default

    If you don't weld, a one handed tool will suffice for under 100 taps. You will likely want a holding device. For that buy or make a tool, 2 pieces of wood or plywood with a slot in each that can be gently forced over the tubing to be held, and have a 2-3' piece of cord join them. You can then push one on the tubing either side of where you want to add a fitting such as a tee, and the ends will stay within reach. Such tools are also sold, but they are easy to make. I think most of them use 1/4" or 5/16 thick stock, wood or aluminum and about a 1/8" diameter cord to join them. Just lightly round the edges so the tubing is not scored.
    In fact, while I use a high end 2 hand tool (LOAC) when installing new tubing I carry such a holder and a 1 hand tool when finding and fixing leaks.
    The one hand tool I use for repairs is exactly like the one used in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z35z6oZDz4A by Vermont Proctor Maple at about 8:30 minutes in.
    Last edited by maple flats; 11-03-2020 at 09:59 AM. Reason: added video
    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.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2018
    Location
    Freeport,ME
    Posts
    78

    Default

    50-60 taps you can do by hand with a thermos and some hot water. We have done it the past 2 years that way. With that being said a tool makes life MUCH easier!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Location
    Esko,MN
    Posts
    290

    Default

    At the IMSC in Duluth last week, there was a new tool called a line viper. The owner said the tool is made for 5/16 but has been working on 3/16 tubing. They are doing some additional testing on the tool. It's a one hand tool which I was able to buy at the convention for $105. The website is Lineviper.com. I have no relationship with the company or owner.
    Chad

    2014: 12 taps, 5 gal buckets
    2015: 15 taps on bags
    2016: 150 taps: 100 on bags, 50 on 3/16" natural vac, 2x8 AUF/AOF Homebuilt Arch, 2x8 SL Drop Flu & Auto Draw, SL Propane Canner/Bottler
    2017: 225 taps: Built Lean to, Added SL hood, preheater, concentric exhaust, SL SS 7" SB Filter Press
    2018: 180 taps: Added Shurflo to 50 - 3/16", Auto fill sensor to head tank
    2019: No tapping
    2020: 175 taps
    2021: 300 taps, homemade RO and releaser
    2022: 600+ taps

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    New York Porters Corners
    Posts
    28

    Default

    I purchased the line viper last year. 5/16 was sent instead of 3/16. They corrected this immediately. I am left handed and the tool works well for me. We leftys are used to adjustinng to tools. Sped up my time getting everything hooked up. Previously I was walking around with a thermos of hot water and using my hand to push fittings on. Real slow. I Run about 40 taps. It is a nice piece of engineering and will use it for sure this year.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    Nashville, MI
    Posts
    939

    Default

    I bought a 3/16 one tool from maple tech tools for $70.00 and the tubth tool Maple flats is talking about to join the tubing together for$15.00. This will be my first year using them on tubing. I'll have 50 taps.
    2004 - 2012 2x3 flat pan 25 to 60 taps
    2012 2x3 new divided pan w/draw off 55 taps
    2018 - didn't boil surgery - bought new evaporator
    2019 new SML 2x4 raised flue high output evap. 65 taps
    made 17 gal. syrup
    2020 - only put out 53 taps - made 16.25 ga.l syrup
    2021 - Didn't work out
    2022 - 25 taps on bags / 8 taps on 3/16's line - late start

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

    Default

    That tubing tool is available here: http://www.bascommaple.com/search/TUBTH/
    It is likely available from others too.
    The TUBTH holds both 3/16 and 5/16, each in the appropriate slot.
    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. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Fond du Lac, Wisconsin
    Posts
    1,080

    Default

    I purchased the line viper last year for my 3/16 lines and am very happy with it. I have to take down my lines each year. I start new each spring instead of trying to restring the old lines. Starting new takes less time and avoids the problem of plugged fittings. The time saved and better yield more than make up for the extra cost on the 375 taps. The viper is light weight and the fittings go on pretty easy.
    Smoky Lake 2x6 dropflu pans and hoods on homemade arch
    Smoky Lake 6 gallon water jacked bottler
    Concentric Exhaust
    250 Deer Run RO
    325 taps

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Peru, Maine
    Posts
    1,041

    Default

    I just bought a 2 handed 3/16" tubing tool from Maple Tech for $175. The one with the cutter is a little more but I don't like that cutter style so got one without it and will use the clippers. We only have one 3/16" line with around 32 taps so I didn't want to spend that but after using 2 handed tools, I find it hard to use anything else and not get frustrated.
    Last edited by mainebackswoodssyrup; 10-19-2020 at 08:31 AM.
    305 taps on 2 Shurflo's, 31 taps on 3/16" and 229 taps on gravity. 565 in all
    Mountain Maple S3 controller for 145 of the vacuum taps
    2x6 Darveau Mystique Oil Fired Evaporator w/ Smoky Lake Simplicity Auto Draw
    Wesfab 7” filter press

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