My plan 2022/23

[Swingpure]

I took the metal pieces to the welder and he welded it all up as I waited. The light was failing, but I tried the grate “stand” in the fire box and then added the new grate. I was very pleased.

In the first picture, it is an overhead look at the firebox, showing the stand and the concrete shelf at the back of the firebox.

The second picture shows the grate in place, fitting perfectly how I wanted.

The third picture shows the 4” opening below the grate. The width of the opening is not what it will be when it is operating, it is narrow for winter storage mode.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0a5p...46iTxfxLGDnIFw

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0969...L9HiGgGKdjUmvQ

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0a6t...7PgkgNSmhUJpWQ

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[Pdiamond]

One thing you might be able to do with the roof jack and pipe is get it started, make sure it is in the right direction, in the house where it is warm and pliable. Get it close to where it needs to go on the pipe that way you won't have to fight with it outside. As for as the base portion that should bend into place and screw down pretty well. Come summer you can always caulk around it.

[Swingpure]

One thing you might be able to do with the roof jack and pipe is get it started, make sure it is in the right direction, in the house where it is warm and pliable. Get it close to where it needs to go on the pipe that way you won't have to fight with it outside. As for as the base portion that should bend into place and screw down pretty well. Come summer you can always caulk around it.

What I thought I would do is to put the double wall pipe on the single wall pipe, then climb up on the roof and mark the roof line and slope with a felt pen on the double wall pipe.

I then would go into the house or heated garage and slide the boot Jack just above the line that I drew. I would then climb back on the roof, add butyl tape to the edges of the boot, lower the double wall pipe with the roof Jack on it, down onto the single wall pipe, then screw the boot jack to the metal roof and add caulking to the outer edges of the boot jack.

[berkshires]

I took the metal pieces to the welder and he welded it all up as I waited. The light was failing, but I tried the grate “stand” in the fire box and then added the new grate. I was very pleased.

In the first picture, it is an overhead look at the firebox, showing the stand and the concrete shelf at the back of the firebox.

The second picture shows the grate in place, fitting perfectly how I wanted.

The third picture shows the 4” opening below the grate. The width of the opening is not what it will be when it is operating, it is narrow for winter storage mode.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0a5p...46iTxfxLGDnIFw

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0969...L9HiGgGKdjUmvQ

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0a6t...7PgkgNSmhUJpWQ

Attachment 22803

Attachment 22804

Attachment 22805

This looks great! Or should I say grate?

GO

[Swingpure]

I have had some taps in since Christmas and made some syrup at that time. Since then there was one day where some sap unexpectedly ran. In the 5 gallon pails barely a bottom full, but in the collection barrel perhaps a gallon. It immediately froze and has remained that way. This coming week, there looks to be a flow day and maybe a couple other slight flow days.

My guess is that the frozen sap at the bottom of the pails and barrel would still be good having been frozen. Is that a good assumption?

[aamyotte]

I have had some taps in since Christmas and made some syrup at that time. Since then there was one day where some sap unexpectedly ran. In the 5 gallon pails barely a bottom full, but in the collection barrel perhaps a gallon. It immediately froze and has remained that way. This coming week, there looks to be a flow day and maybe a couple other slight flow days.

My guess is that the frozen sap at the bottom of the pails and barrel would still be good having been frozen. Is that a good assumption?

That frozen sap should be good. I've seen on this forum where some producers freeze excess sap and boil it later on.

[Swingpure]

Well today my silicone roof jack was delivered from Amazon. I also shoveled off almost 2 feet of snow off of the sugar shelter in preparation for when I install the basestack and stove pipe through the roof.

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0a9k..._4CUtyqd669U8w

My pan may have been welded this afternoon, it was supposed to be done if all went well, but I have not heard either way. I really hope that sometime next week I get the pan, float box and basestack and basestack base. Time is getting closer.

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[Brien]

Thats taking a while for that pan to be fabricated. I remember when you ordered it a long time ago. Is it because you were just so low on the list, that he is getting to it now. Or he was waiting for material to build it?
Sounds like you will get it just in time.

[Swingpure]

Thats taking a while for that pan to be fabricated. I remember when you ordered it a long time ago. Is it because you were just so low on the list, that he is getting to it now. Or he was waiting for material to build it?
Sounds like you will get it just in time.

I heard from the pan maker this afternoon and the pan was finished yesterday and the base stack, base stack base, float box and pan cover will all be finished tomorrow and I will pick them up at 4 pm on Monday. Colour me happy! I will have a few weeks to get it all rigged up before I go all in on tapping.

I am not great on roofs, but I will find a way to do it, I just need a day when it is not snowing to get up there, metal roofs are very slippery when they are wet.

My butyl tape to go around the edges of the roof Jack should arrive tomorrow and I will pick up some clear roofing sealant that is good to be applied down to -15° C, so I should get a good seal on the flashing.

There actually may be some minimal sap flow this coming week on the my early taps. I will be interested, particularly on Tuesday to see how they are all flowing.

[Swingpure]

Feeling good about getting my pan and stuff on Monday, I went out in a snowstorm and walked the lines by my house and my immediate neighbour’s. I wore snowshoes and the snow was deep. I was debating walking the lines twice, but there is 50 cms (20”’) of snow in the forecast for the next two weeks, so I will do it again closer to tapping time.

I have to admit now knowing when I am going to get the pan, float box, basestack, basestack base and pan cover, has changed my mindset. The uncertainty of not knowing was starting to weigh on me.

We are a few weeks away from tapping here yet, but I will be ready when the time comes.