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Thread: Broke my Tapping Bit

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    CT
    Posts
    275

    Default Broke my Tapping Bit

    Hi All,

    I broke my tapping bit today...
    Does anyone know where I can get a decent one in CT (or the Hudson Valley)?
    Thanks,
    Bryan
    2025 - 160 taps, Shruflo 4048. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 Raised Flue. 5x400 RO - 30 gallons
    2024 - 160 taps, Shurflo 4048. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 Raised Flue. 5x400 RO - 19 gallons
    2023 - 121 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 20 gallons
    2022 - 103 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 23 gallons
    2021 - 77 taps on Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 2020
    __________________________
    Trout Brook Valley
    Weston, CT

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2015
    Location
    Saratoga, NY
    Posts
    531

    Default

    Gah, that's the worst — I now buy two at the start of every season from SmokyLake for that exact reason. I'm technically in the Hudson Valley but quite far from you, almost on the Vermont border...this place carries tapping bits: https://g.co/kgs/wYf6cdH
    --
    2015: 8 bucket taps (7 red, 1 sugar) on DIY barrel evaporator
    2016: 13 taps (bucket and tube) on block arch and hotel pans
    2017: SAME
    2018: 25 taps on 2x3 flat pan and resurrected barrel arch
    2019: 25 taps...same setup plus DIY 3x150gpd RO filter
    2020: 50 taps, all buckets..."new" oil tank arch setup
    2021: 100 taps (50/50 buckets/3-16 tubing) on 2x4 divided pan
    2022: 150 taps (50/100 b/t) on 2x4 pan with sap warmer pan
    2023: SAME
    2024: 150 taps, added single-post 4x40 RO system

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Feb 2022
    Location
    Essex Junction, VT
    Posts
    348

    Default

    I got my 5/16" bit barely used from a larger producer (compared to me... still not large) who had switched to something smaller, if you happen to know of any producers near you. Just one idea. No idea where the nearest supply store is to you, if any. In an emergency of course use a new, sharp regular wood bit or overnight something from amazon (you probably already thought of those options as plan G and F).
    2024: 28 taps, 7 gallons. RB5 purchased but not opened :-(
    2023: 30 taps, 17 trees, 11 properties, Sugar Maple & Norway. 2x3 flat over propane & kitchen finish. ~11(!) gallons.
    2022: 9 taps, 5 trees, 4 properties. 3 hotel pans on 3 Coleman 2-burner stoves burning gasoline; kitchen finish. ~3 gallons.
    2021: 2 taps, 1 sugar maple. Propane grill then kitchen finish. ~Pint.
    All years: mainly 5/16" drops into free supermarket frosting buckets. Some plastic sap buckets hanging on 5/16 sap-meister.

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