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Thread: Shack on a budget

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
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    ledyard, ct
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    Default Shack on a budget

    Needing some help here, trying to plan a sugar shack for a small hobby. I do around 45-50 taps maybe make 8 gallons with a W.F. mason 2x3 evap. I want to build something I can maybe take down and store every spring, I was thinking just something to keep the rain and snow off me and out of the evap. In the past I used a 10x20 tent but steam was everywhere and then would start to rain inside from the condensation. I was thinking of maybe building just a frame and a metal roof but trying to figure out how to get the steam out without building an actual cupola. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
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    Lancaster NH
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    I boiled in an open sided tin roof shack for 20 years, I stacked wood for the sides, had 1 foot of pitch it was 12 by 16. steam found its way out. It was cozy until the wood got used up and wind kicked up. Just finishing up my new sugar house now.
    44 27'08/71 27'56
    300 totalish taps 250 on tube and bosworth sap sucker
    50 bucket and bags about 40-50 gallons a season
    on a 2 by 7 home made evaporator and sugar shack
    1st gen circa 1966 still learning stuff

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
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    ledyard, ct
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    Thank you, so did you just let the steam go up the pitched end of the roof, did you have and condensation drip back down?

  4. #4
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    Mar 2011
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    The steam went out the sides mostly. I have some pictures I will try to dig them up and post. Condensation was minimal but the snow on the roof melted and dripped pretty heavy but it dripped out side on the low end. I was going to put a gutter up but never got to it.
    44 27'08/71 27'56
    300 totalish taps 250 on tube and bosworth sap sucker
    50 bucket and bags about 40-50 gallons a season
    on a 2 by 7 home made evaporator and sugar shack
    1st gen circa 1966 still learning stuff

  5. #5
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    Dec 2014
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    ledyard, ct
    Posts
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    Quote Originally Posted by MapleCamp View Post
    The steam went out the sides mostly. I have some pictures I will try to dig them up and post. Condensation was minimal but the snow on the roof melted and dripped pretty heavy but it dripped out side on the low end. I was going to put a gutter up but never got to it.
    Oh thanks much, going to try it

  6. #6
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    Dec 2014
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    ledyard, ct
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    Quote Originally Posted by MapleCamp View Post
    The steam went out the sides mostly. I have some pictures I will try to dig them up and post. Condensation was minimal but the snow on the roof melted and dripped pretty heavy but it dripped out side on the low end. I was going to put a gutter up but never got to it.
    Pictures would be awesome

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Lancaster NH
    Posts
    150

    Default Shack pics

    20201016_100520_1602860078132_resized.jpg20201016_100557_1602860075192_resized.jpg20201016_100627_1602860072325_resized.jpg

    This is what I used to boil in and a pic of the one I hope to have done soon, good luck James
    44 27'08/71 27'56
    300 totalish taps 250 on tube and bosworth sap sucker
    50 bucket and bags about 40-50 gallons a season
    on a 2 by 7 home made evaporator and sugar shack
    1st gen circa 1966 still learning stuff

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oneida NY
    Posts
    11,578

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    To make one you can take down will require it to be light weight unless you have a tractor with a bucket or access to one or a team of helpers. I suggest you set 4 poles permanently, one at each corner, then build the 4 removable sides and 2 roof panels that can each be removed, one at a time. On the roof I suggest however that you use plywood under the steel roofing. Then leave the peak open a few inches on one side and extent the roof to over lap that open portion by 6-10" to minimize rain/snow getting in. Build a door in one wall, maybe a window (could even be greenhouse plastic) in the other walls. You might want a cable across the 2 side walls at midpoint to prevent spreading.
    I built a shooting house that way, but just 4'x4'. The roof was wired on, using 14G tie wire, 2 ties at each corner as were the 4 corners. I never did take it apart.
    Last edited by maple flats; 10-16-2020 at 10:37 AM.
    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
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    Dec 2014
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    ledyard, ct
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    Quote Originally Posted by MapleCamp View Post
    Attachment 21568Attachment 21569Attachment 21570

    This is what I used to boil in and a pic of the one I hope to have done soon, good luck James
    Pretty cool

  10. #10
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    Dec 2014
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    ledyard, ct
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    Good info to add with MapleCamp

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