December Journal

[red maples]

Deer hunting yesterday one tree stand is on the end of a mainline branch and caught a squirrel chewing on the mainline Didn't see any deer but saw a lot of squirrels. so to day were gonna go get some squirrels for sunday dinner

[Revi]

I've been using the sugarhouse to get cast iron frying pans ready for my other small business/hobby. We have a bigger woodstove up there, so I put them in to clean them up and posted some signs up in the woods, came back and scrubbed them off with a wire brush, sprayed them with cooking oil and they looked good as new.

It's a great way to multi task.

[steam maker]

so i picked up my new vaccum pump today.. as i was chatting with the salesman i was sayin that we got plenty of time to get it ready . he looked at me and laughed,, said son we got 60 days till we start gettin ready to tap. that said i gotta lot to do. pump needs a shed and the ro will be in next week. this fulltime job thing is startin to hinder my sugarin problem better get movin

[red maples]

I've been using the sugarhouse to get cast iron frying pans ready for my other small business/hobby. We have a bigger woodstove up there, so I put them in to clean them up and posted some signs up in the woods, came back and scrubbed them off with a wire brush, sprayed them with cooking oil and they looked good as new.

It's a great way to multi task.

I did that I actually found 2 of them in the woods. in a pile of junk and what was left of a rusted out 55 gallon barrel they were rusty and nasty. took em and hit em with the angle grinder with the wire brush got them cleaned up pretty good. and put them in the oven on the cleaning mode which is 550 or what ever for about 4 -5 hours (oven got clean too!!! took em out hit em with the wire brush again. oiled them up and baked them for a few hours again. you wouldn't belive the were in the woods for that many years. the one had a little pitting on the bottom and on the handle but the cook surface was smooth. great find!!!

[twobears1224]

STEAM MAKER: i work a job thats three hours a day split into two shifts for 180 days of the year and i can,t get done what i need too...you guys with fulltime jobs are in big trouble if your not ready by now..
winter came to the north country and really messed my plans up..i,am really worryed right now.i can,t buy any tubing or fittings until x-mas so everything is kinda on hold right now because of that and the weather.all i can do is work in the work shop for now..i,ll get my door done and work on my arch if i can.

delbert

[caseyssugarshack93]

Lastnight someone took two 5 gallons pails filled with mainline tools wire tools. 5/16 tubing tools around 730 lastnight. hasnt been a good weekend. but on that note. got alot cleared out of the sugarbush this weekend.

[Amber Gold]

Casey, sorry to hear that...it sucks is an understatement. Do you have extra tools handy?

I took Thursday and Friday and tomorrow off and am getting a bunch of work wrapped up. As of now, I have all drops in on all but one mainline. I've installed 105 saddles and ran out and will probably need another 30 to finish things up. I'd estimated 500 taps, so maybe I have more than I thought?? I got one of my star lifts built and will finish the other tomorrow. Next weekend, the vac line will be run and the last of the laterals/drops (50+ taps) installed and these woods will be done. Then it's off to the RO room and SH.

[red maples]

sorry Nate. We all know that stuff is expensive!!!

Did the x-mas tree drive around today!!! Man went to a cut your own place 60 bucks for a cut your own and you had to pay in advance!!! if you didn't find a tree they give you your money back. We said the hell with that place!!!

it still in my head $60 bucks for a cut your own. Sorry you people are high!! So we went back to our friends place and bought one from him. It was still $45 but I feel better giving it to him...he needs the money!!! And he is the nicest guy!!!

he owns tree service and he took down a few trees closed to the house for me. but a few years ago he was suppose to come back with a crane to take out a few more nast poplars but he wasn't returning my calls. turned out a tree fell on one of his workers I think the kid was 19 and it killed him!!! poop happens but he was guilty and had to pay fines out the yingyang, probation and what ever else. too bad such a nice guy!!!

[3rdgen.maple]

There isnt much in this world thats worse than a thief. Nate I hope you catch the low down peice of Sh#t that took your stuff.
Finished up N. Tier deer season today. Was bitter sweet. Got a call today that my great Aunt passed away. She was a lady that always brought a smile to your face and lightened up any room she was in and will greatly be missed. She loved maple syrup. Was a suprise to all. Happy and healthy as could be at thanksgiving dinner.
Spent last two days cutting up 5 more cords of wood for the house just incase and I love being outside when the first snow of the season starts. Gonna spend a few more days hauling out some softwood logs and park them by the sugarhouse. It will give me something to do while I wait for tapping. Not long now. Lets hope for a quick mild winter, what am I thinking I live in a snowbelt where we measure snowfall with yardsticks. About 10 inches on ground now and doesnt look like the gound will freeze up again this year.

[Revi]

Nate, check out the local pawn shops. There probably aren't many tubing tools around, and the ratfinks probably went to pawn it. We have had problems too, so I know what a pain it is.

Redmaples, it's amazing how great minds think alike. We both have Phaneuf 2x6's with around 300 taps, and collect cast iron pans. We're thinking of vacuum too. How do you like it? Now that we have our crime problem under control we're thinking of installing it.
Do you have to use it all the time? I think we'd use it for weeping runs, and let the rest come down by gravity when there is a massive run. That's what i'm thinking anyway.
We're thinking of a half horse electric system or something like that.