January Journal 2008

[jemsklein]

well i was out side all day today working on the evaporator got the fire brick in and the pans all nice and clean got all the tanks cleaned and ready to go all i need to do is wait for the time to tap and collect

[ennismaple]

Has anyone ever used a tier like the phone co. uses to tie their lines??? Has anyone ever seen them?? They wind the phone wire onto the hugh tin wire as they move them along.. Would this work??? You alll have me wondering.

Andy

We've used one - but it makes your mainline REALLY heavy. Lots of sags and extra side ties or posts to keep things flowing downhill because of how much stainless wire it uses. You're better off using the usual galvanized ties that everyone else uses. We've also used plastic zip ties and black electrical tape. The zip ties are OK but if a limb goes over the mainline dozens of them on either side of the limb will break. Electrical tape lasts a few years and then becomes brittle and falls off.

Theron - I like the update on your pics. I took a bunch of pics of our finished tank house but had some memory stick problems and lost them all. I should have more to update everyone on our progress in the new bush after the 20th. I noticed you're using the insert plugs at the end of your mainlines. We've used them for years but we're planning to use a ball valve at the mainline ends in the new bush. The insert plug will leak after a few years of removing it to wash your mainlines.

[PATheron]

Andrew- Ill be 38 in a couple of months. My grandfather got me started with a homeade barrell evap he used in his lawn in town. My dad and he made it and I can actually remember them doing it. He had some big old sugarmaples in his lawn. My grandfather had a large syrup operation when my dad was a kid on the farm. When gramps got older he sold the farm and moved to town. Thats where I got introcuced to syruping. Ennis- I think im going to use the valves there too. Ive just gotten so overwhelmed that I stuck them in there just to make things operational for this year. I figure I can fine tune after season. It looks like I may be done a little early with my stuff but I wasnt sure how close to season Id be when I got stuff ready to go. Im hoping to be pretty much done in a couple of weeks maybe three. Everything takes longer than I think it will. Im looking foreward to seeing pics of your tank house. Theron

[Dave Y]

I took a day off yesterday from the bush and went on my own Pa Maple Tour.
I went to troy Pa. to pick up a couple of tanks for the woods. We visited with four different sugar-makers. The first stop was at Shiloh Maple In Ulysses. A beautiful 3 story timber frame building. The next stop was at Sugermasters operation. Everyone should have such a nice operation as his. Two rigs in a row and a very nice sales area. Plus more stuff than an one man should have. the next stop was to pick up the tanks in Troy, the main reason for this road trip.This gentleman has a small shack with a 4x12 . plus something everyone should have, a band saw mill. The last stop was at Patheron's. The photos of his sugarhouse does not do it justice. Theron has done a very nice job building his operation from the ground up. It was a very enjoyable day meeting nice people that are excited about showing you there operations. Each operation is the same only different. Every one is making the same product, but approaching it in a different way. It was a great trip! Now back to work.

[maplecrest]

headed out yeaterday tubing tool in one hand and chainsaw in other, on the east and north side the ice was still on the trees. woods littered with branches. walking was impossible on the ice [forgot ice creepers]. was still sawing after dark. will finish today. my arms and feet never hurt so bad from sawing and carrying everything. decided to get a [turkey slicer] saw for days like that, that is light weight. problem with those little saws is i will cut my self. these swings in weather temps and the high winds and ice are doing my trees in more than global warming temps in the winter months. that causes the thunder storms and high winds and ice.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Mapleking has a buddy that wraps his mainline with one of the gizmos the phone company uses the best I can remember. He has a little canyon to go over and uses it in that location if I can remember correctly and I think he is happy with it.

[brookledge]

I have used lashing wire from the utility co. to make my own wire ties. Usually do it while watching tv. Makes me feel like a lady who knits while watching tv. I also make my drop lines while watching tv.
But any ways the reason I like using lashing wire is it is stainless steel wire and will never rust. The galv. wire ties are ok but tend to rust a little where the wire twist together.
I looked into a lashing machine that the utility co uses but are pretty expensive. It would be nice to know somebody that would let you borrow one to use. All you need to do is pull the lashing machine along as you walk.
Keith

[3% Solution]

Good morning everyone,
Just thought I would post an update.
Stopped by the metal shop yesterday, the major parts of our evaporation enhancement unit are all soldiered together.
Just need to find a day to get with Ken to put it together and pipe it up, check for leaks and bring it home.
Oh yeah got to pay for it!!!
I know my updates are pretty much small compared to some of you folks, but they're updates to a small addictive hobby!!!!!
I can think of worse hobbies though!!!!!
PATHERON - nice looking sugar house and setup. I can tell you take a lot of pride in what you are doing and how things look and that is appealing to the customer.
What your grandfather did for you I am trying to do for my grandson and I think it is working!!!!
Ibby- how are those Amish folks doing, are they going to give you a hand this year?
A few more weeks and we'll be tapping here, can't wait!!
Get your snow shovels out, here it comes again!!!!!
Everyone stay safe and keep in touch.

Dave

[PATheron]

Dave and 3%. Thank you very much for the compliments. 3%- Im very interested to see how your steamaway works. Keep me posted. It will be very interesting to see how much it speeds up your boil rate. With the cost of a new equivalent unit it would be great it it speeds up your boil for a fraction of the cost. Those lashers you guys are talking about we use at work for telephone/communication type work. The one we have is extremely heavy. Ive had the same thought but I think A guy would have to see about a lighter weight one. It would be real fast but only problem is if it breaks like you guys are saying it would unwind. Have a happy Theron

[jemsklein]

ok every one i just added more photo's of my evaporator and more