What is the best brand tapping bit,what is your preference.
Tapping Bits
What is the best brand tapping bit,what is your preference.
What spouts are you using? The bit needs to be correct size for the spout
Sugaring for 45+ years
New Sugarhouse 14'x32'
New to Me Algier 2'x8' wood fired evaporator
2022 added a used RB25 RO Bucket
250 mostly Sugar Maples, 15% Soft Maples. Currently,(110on 3/16" and 125 on Shurflo 4008 vacuum, 15 gravity), (16,000 before being disabled)
1947 Farmall H and Wagon with gathering tank
2012 Kubota with forks to move wood around
Most any tapping bit made for maple production will work. Standard drill bits are not appropriate. We tend to use Bolduc or Lapierre bits. Max of about 2,500-3,000 taps, then time for a new bit. Make sure they are the right size for the spout you intend to use.
Dr. Tim Perkins
UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
https://mapleresearch.org
Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu
I've tried a few over the years. The bits I've liked best have been from Lapierre the best and of those I like the gold one the best I think its titanium. All about the same price $15 or so. Some are longer I don't see the point in having one longer your only drilling 1.5-2 inches and if your drilling good holes your making sure your squared up and not reaching.
Jared
I have used Leader, Lapierre and CDL bits, all seemed good. I had one worker who broke the bit he was using and rather than using another tapping bit which I had in a fittings box, he went and bought a common hardware store bit. That was horrible for drilling tap holes.
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.
Thanks for the reply.I didn't like the tapping bit I used last year,just ordered a lapierre & a bolduc bit. Good luck with your season.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
