Birch Tapping Drill - sources for equipment?

[Leigh Robinson]

As the title says! Its nearly birch tapping time and I want to have my first go. Are there any sources for drills that can be used? I guess I am looking for a drill bit with hoop to run a wood rod through as a turning handle.

I have used the search and didn't find much but quite surprised its not mentioned?

If there are easier, lighter alternatives that would be good to know also.

Is this the right time for maple and other edible sap producers too?

 

[Shewie]

You want a scotch eyed auger mate, bang it in google and you should find something. There was a few on ebay last time I looked, there could be some in the classifieds on here too.

 

[JonathanD]

Someone on here was selling them a few days back.

 

[Whittler Kev]

I use a normal wood bit in a ratchet tap wrench

 

[g4ghb]

I use a small auger bit like http://www.bushcraftuk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=348304#post348304 - I can see if I can get any more if you want (I cleared the store last time I went)

They are smaller and lighter than a 1" auger and thus, I feel, less likely to harm the tree and is easier to plug and make neat.

 

[Dave Budd]

I make these little things up if it's of interest
1" auger that fits into a wooden handle. Light thana great big scotch eyed thingy. I've been meaning to make up the complete kit with tubing and what not.

 

[Whittler Kev]

I make these little things up if it's of interest
1" auger that fits into a wooden handle. Light thana great big scotch eyed thingy. I've been meaning to make up the complete kit with tubing and what not.

No price Dave?
Bet there cheaper than this
http://www.tapmytrees.com/starter-kit-with-metal-buckets.html

 

[wattsy]

yeah i'd definately be interested in one of them my scotch eyed auger is far too long to be convenient

 

[maddave]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SCOTCH-EYED-A...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_3?hash=item19ba78a381

 

[Leigh Robinson]

I would like a complete kit as long as its not too big or too pricey! Instructions supplied as a must!

Could you make that available for sale dave?

 

[Dave Budd]

No price Dave?
Bet there cheaper than this
http://www.tapmytrees.com/starter-kit-with-metal-buckets.html

No price as it might be misconstrued as trying to sell my wares here, which I'm not allowed to do coz I'm not a hobby maker I only mentioned that I make them (people are interested in different ways of tapping), didn't say that I sold them

though if you were to look at my website...

 

[Hugo]

I got a couple of old 4mm ones from a boot market.
They are many years old, should do the job just fine.

 

[JonathanD]

Nice bit of kit that Dave, might just find myself onto your homepage for a better look

 

[Thoth]

I bought a 1" scotch eyed auger from ebay a few weeks ago. War Dept 1950's stock Sheffield steel. Perfect nick - in the original packaging. Five quid delivered. There are seemingly lots available, you just need to look.

 

[phill_ue]

I disagree with sticking a massive hole into the tree. I use a smaller drill and a piece of plastic tubing. I think it is much easier to plug the smaller holes effectively.

 

[g4ghb]

how on earth do you make the spiral bit bit Dave! :You_Rock_

 

[dave53]

hi dave 53 here my1" scotch auger arrived yesterday so i went up the woods across the road from me to try it out success got about a glass full gave some to my next door neighbours 3 year old he loved it get em young i say
regards dave

 

[Dave Budd]

how on earth do you make the spiral bit bit Dave! :You_Rock_

by making a flat one and twisting it I made a longer auger from scratch a while back as a technical challenge to myself. It worked but I won't do it again I've made a few simple lip and spur bits and spoon bits on occasion too (spade bits are just too easy to make, so I've not bothered.

though these little darlings are a bit of a cheat. I bought some short auger bits, forged the tangs flat and then re-heat treated them (they now hold an edge and aren't file-sharpenable). I played with various ways of making the bits from scratch and they were all either inefficient in use or were such a pain to make that it wasn't economical

I tried the small hole and plastic tubing thing and while I agree a small hole is much nicer to the tree, it is slower to fill a bottle and I found it impossible to get a really good seal, so lost some sap down the tree Maybe a rubber hose would be better then? At the moment I have demijohn bungs and plastic tube that work with the 1" augers

 

[ocean1975]

This is my birch tapping kit

 

[littlebiglane]

I prefer to get my sap on tap