My plan 2022/23

[Pdiamond]

Gary. we've got about 2 inches so far. The weather report says we are supposed to have snow all week long and into the weekend.

[DRoseum]

Thanks

Do you check the ph with ph paper?

Do you neutralize it with water or some other solution?

Thanks

Gary

Yep. Citric acid works to nuetralize it and can also be used for acid wash of RO. Granular citric acid is readily available amazon.

[Swingpure]

Yep. Citric acid works to nuetralize it and can also be used for acid wash of RO. Granular citric acid is readily available amazon.

Thanks, I just ordered both on Amazon.

[needmoremaples]

I've neutralized with vinegar. Don't run that thru the RO tho. I do washes at home in my garage. I use a 10 gallon stainless pot and I put it on a burner to help warm it up. My soap is chemically set to stop where I need it at 11 mph (I think) circulate that til it hits 113F and I leave it soak for as long as I can. Push water into the Ro til my tank is full, neutralize and dispose of the soap water. Then flush the rest in the same manner for 20 min. I've never used citric to neutralize but do have some now as I did my first soap\acid\soap wash. I like the dowel idea on the drill bit. Tubing on the drill bit gets all mashed up and goes deeper than you want it to. Haven't tried a drill stop.

[Swingpure]

I like the dowel idea on the drill bit. Tubing on the drill bit gets all mashed up and goes deeper than you want it to. Haven't tried a drill stop.

Thanks. I am hoping the dowel works, but I did buy an inexpensive drill stop set on Amazon as back up. I might try both with a regular drill bit on a piece of wood, prior to tapping.

Last year was my first year tapping. Although it went well, the tapping auger was so aggressive, it was hard to stop at the right depth. My hope is the dowel or stopper will allow me to go quickly in and out, a nice smooth round hole.

[needmoremaples]

Tapping bits are effortless and drive themselves in. Highly recommended over any other bit. Last for 1000's of tap holes.

[Swingpure]

Tapping bits are effortless and drive themselves in. Highly recommended over any other bit. Last for 1000's of tap holes.

Thanks

I do have tapping bits, they did cut effortlessly, sometimes they felt that they kept wanting to pull you deeper. As I got more experienced, I would brace myself a little better to stop that.

[bigschuss]

Thanks

I do have tapping bits, they did cut effortlessly, sometimes they felt that they kept wanting to pull you deeper. As I got more experienced, I would brace myself a little better to stop that.

Not sure what tapping bits you bought, but you should not have to brace yourself? My 8 year little girl can easily tap our trees by herself. No dowel. No stop...roughly 2" deep. The fact that your bit is pulling itself in to the point that you need to brace yourself and make a stop for the bit to prevent this...??? Something doesn't sound right.

[DrTimPerkins]

,, but I did buy an inexpensive drill stop set on Amazon as back up.

A very cheap and effective bit stop is a piece of 5/16" tubing cut to the proper length and slipped over the drill bit, leaving 2" of bit exposed for tapping.

[Swingpure]

Not sure what tapping bits you bought, but you should not have to brace yourself? My 8 year little girl can easily tap our trees by herself. No dowel. No stop...roughly 2" deep. The fact that your bit is pulling itself in to the point that you need to brace yourself and make a stop for the bit to prevent this...??? Something doesn't sound right.

The bits were purchased from CDL. Sometimes they did want to “pull” themselves in. That was my experience on some of the trees. There is no issue going into the tree, just stopping it at the right spot on occasion was an issue.

With my stops, whether it be the dowel, or a drill stop, or 5/16 tubing, it will not be an issue this upcoming season. 111 days to go.

I envy you that you started maple syruping while your kids are still young and can participate.