+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 20

Thread: Wire Twisters

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    ohio
    Posts
    106

    Default Wire Twisters

    Looking to get wire tie twister for installing mainline. Thinking I would like one for a power drill. Anyone have any experience with those and do they work OK?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Wardensville, Wv
    Posts
    326

    Default

    never used one on a drill but my step dad made one, just used a hook from the hardware store, looks too easy to over tighten or break the ties to me. I've had better success with the "manual" twist tie, last year i splurged and bought an "automatic" tie twister, I like it the best by far. Just bend on the tie, one pull up and done.
    2024 - 57 Gallons - Short season, many and varied problems remedied in short order! - No buckets!
    2023 - 38 Gallons - RO broke, Buckets didn't run, rebuilt vacuum pump mid-season, still made good syrup!
    2022 - 52 Gallons - DIY RO, 50% less fuel, no late nights in the shack!
    2021 - 48 Gallons - new pans, new arch, lots of new taps and tubing
    2020 - 32 Gallons
    2019 - 27 Gallons

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Peru, Maine
    Posts
    1,059

    Default

    I really like the CDL auto twister we have that darkmachine is probably referring to. I'm sure they all make one. I would think with a drill you would spend more time trying to go slow as to not break the ties than its worth. Plus the weight.......I'd try the auto twister first.
    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

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Williston, VT
    Posts
    615

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by darkmachine View Post
    last year i splurged and bought an "automatic" tie twister, I like it the best by far. Just bend on the tie, one pull up and done.
    They are the best I've used and I'll bet as fast as any device. I'd avoid carrying around a cordless drill in the bush.
    Ken
    Ken & Sherry
    Williston, VT
    16x34 Sugarhouse
    1,500 taps on high vacuum, Electric Releaser & CDL Sap Lifter
    Wood-Fired Leader 30"x10' Vortex Arch & Max Raised Flue with Rev Syrup Pan & CDL1200 RO
    https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinhillmaple/

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    ohio
    Posts
    106

    Default

    I’ve done thousands with auto twister and they do work well. Just Looking for something better as my old joints and muscles just aren’t what they used to be.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2017
    Location
    Williston, VT
    Posts
    615

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by ldick View Post
    I’ve done thousands with auto twister and they do work well. Just Looking for something better as my old joints and muscles just aren’t what they used to be.
    My joints and muscles beg me not to carry my cordless drill around the woods.
    Ken & Sherry
    Williston, VT
    16x34 Sugarhouse
    1,500 taps on high vacuum, Electric Releaser & CDL Sap Lifter
    Wood-Fired Leader 30"x10' Vortex Arch & Max Raised Flue with Rev Syrup Pan & CDL1200 RO
    https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinhillmaple/

  7. #7
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Vermont
    Posts
    185

    Default

    if you are looking for ease and speed look at the Maxx twin tie gun. I'm sure a lot of people don't like the price but it is like and RO once you get there you will not come back.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Location
    Verona, NY
    Posts
    411

    Default

    i built one, justbought a $5 manual twister from lowes and cut the end off. mounted it in a drill, it works ok but you have to have it set just right so you dont snap the tie. after a while i found that its decent for lower mainlines but as soon as you have something above your shoulders its a pain and its not nearly as fast as you would think since it takes more coordination to hook ties. probably better off with the "automatic " ones, they seem to tie really nice as well.
    7000 taps on vacuum, just trying to get a little better every year.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Wardensville, Wv
    Posts
    326

    Default

    I wondered weather one of those MAXX guns would work on mainline. I've seen them used for concrete work and they work great for that. As far as the price they are in the same group of items as a spin-seal machine, great if you have loads of mainline to hang, but for a small job the cost isn't worth it. That being said if you are dealing with any kind of age or health limitation, and a tool like that keeps you out making syrup it's probably worth it You could always rent it out when you weren't using it, lol.
    2024 - 57 Gallons - Short season, many and varied problems remedied in short order! - No buckets!
    2023 - 38 Gallons - RO broke, Buckets didn't run, rebuilt vacuum pump mid-season, still made good syrup!
    2022 - 52 Gallons - DIY RO, 50% less fuel, no late nights in the shack!
    2021 - 48 Gallons - new pans, new arch, lots of new taps and tubing
    2020 - 32 Gallons
    2019 - 27 Gallons

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Stockbridge,Ma
    Posts
    285

    Default

    I have 3 of the dewalt 8 volt screw drivers model #DCF682N1 that I use for installing wire ties. I made my own bits out of long 1/4 hex drive phillips bits with the stepped down shank. One of the best investments I have made for installing mainline. There is a learning curve with them but they work great.
    First introduced to making maple syrup in 1969
    Making syrup every year since 1979
    3 x 10 oil fired
    Revolution syrup and max flue pan
    Almost 1300 taps total with 900 on high vacuum
    Bought first Marcland drawoff in 1997, still going strong.

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts