Let it begin!!

Some of our plans have changed and we didnt have much time to get our things together. We are tapping our own trees this year, instead of just helping out on others.  I couldnt decide which heat source I wanted to go with, propane or wood. We are only doing 20 taps and aren't going too crazy. I did end up deciding this week we are doing wood and made a simple cinder block arch today. If we had known all along that we would be tapping our own trees. I would have made myself one of the sweet arches that I made for sale last year.  We tapped yesterday and checked this afternoon. Not much doing but weather wasn't prime either. We ended up with a gallon or so of sap so nothing worth cooking.  We did want to do a test boil on the arch to see how it was and what we need to tweak before the real stuff is on.  We had a good boil in about 25 minutes and hard boil in 30-35. This being said, I am not the best fire starter and some of that time was me trying to get the fire going. Gasket for the top is in order this week. Flue slots on the front plate, and dividers in the pan are also called for. Overall I'm satisfied with the start and look forward to the fun we will have this season.

Shop pics

 A good friend of mine designed this label for me and we just received them back from printing. We are excited to have these on our pans from now on!!

 I got this idea from another blog of a fabricator who also works with stainless. Thought the concept was great. Saves paper, laquer thinner wipes it clean.

 This pan is for the same friend who designed the logo. He is a photographer and I thougt he would like the perspectives and abstract pics of this phase of the pan.  Its a 3 x 4 continuous flow pan with a draw off box.

A little fun

Thought I'd post a fun picture.  This fall I tried my biking skills in Cyclocross and found it to be one of the most exciting type of bike racing that I've done so far.  European influence in this sport is proven through the ringing of bells. You've probably heard them in the Olympics when held in European countries.  Well the size of the bells is typically small and have a mid to high pitch sound.   A friend of mine and I had the idea, while watching our first cyclocross race, to make the MEGA BELL.  I acted on that and came up with this. The common sized bell is pictured in front of the bell I made.  My family rang, as best they could, as I raced in Milwaukee and man is it loud!!  It turned some heads and got some serious attention. It measures 22" tall and weighs 15lbs. Made of 14ga stainless and then grained by hand.

Finishing pans/ hydrometer cups

Things have been steady around the shop and its been a while since I've posted pictures so here we go.

Stack of 15 x 15 finishing pans waiting to be polished and have fittings welded in. There's another stack behind but I was trying to be creative with the best angle(trying not to catch the shop clutter in the picture)

Showing one of the stages of a partial order of some hydrometer cups for a customer. These are 1.5 x 9 that this customer prefers. I do also offer the 2 x 8 cups. These will all have handles welded on and be polished before shipping.

New Year Sale

I have run specials on a couple of my pan sizes and now its time to run the 2 x 2.  From now til January 8 I am offering them for $230. Normal price on the 2 x 2 is $250.  Be sure to mention this post to get in on the deal.  I do also have stainless valves available for $25 each. I found a new supplier this year and these are even better than last year's valves.  Both are good quality but I like these better.

Recovery

Happy new year...early.  Well anyway, I hope you had a great Christmas with families and friends. I know it is usually hectic trying to fit all the visits in. 

My wife is still in the hospital recovering and we are hoping she will be home today or tomorrow. Praise the Lord the surgery went very well and the doctor was very pleased with the results. Luckily I have some great friends who have been available to help in the shop while I was away with my wife.

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas to everyone!! I hope you enjoy this season with friends and family. Remember what this season is for and that Christ is Christmas.  

We did enjoy our day yesterday with my mom, dad and brother. Lots of traveling and eating...good combo.  Dylan and Parker will be in the Christmas morning program at our church then off to Grandma and Grandpa's house for yet another Christmas.  This year we are really enjoying the time with family and relaxing before Abby's surgery on Tuesday.  Thank you for your notes and emails letting us know you are praying. They have been encouraging.   God has been good to us through everything!!

Time to finish my coffee and get going.... have a great day everyone.