Jim Argeropoulos

After watching friends tap trees this spring, I've ordered myself some spiles and plan to take part next year.
When it comes to the evaporation phase, I know it's all about surface area. Most of my friends use the old pans on a barrel stove approach or a stack of brick/block with a fire underneath.
But I've been wondering how I might employ a j-tube burning system to do the evaporation step. Beyond adding some aluminum channelling to keep the heat on a pan longer, what modifications might I consider to make a good clean and hot burning evaporator?

paul wheaton wrote:
569) We spent over a thousand dollars attaching the last layer of wood. I passionately want to get the cost of materials for the shell to fall under $200. So this needs to be dramatically reduced or eliminated. Starting by looking at one wall: there are two poles holding up about 30 sticks. Each stick has two, rather expensive, screws holding it in place. I want to replace that with zero screws. Let the pressure of the dirt hold it in place. I do have a concern that in this case there could be bowing of the sticks - so I propose adding a pole in the middle to prevent that.

I know the round wood spans farther and looks good, but maybe this is good reason to go back to milled lumber. Then you can use nails or drywall screws.

Looks like we have a bidding war going on for the midwest. More desire than dates! How cool is that!
I attached a map showing where I've offered to host. The workshop location is across the street from a city park where the August swimming in Lake Superior is mighty fine.
No matter where we end up with visits from Ernie and Erica, it will be a great time.
If you want to come to Marquette for a weekend seminar, I'd appreciate hearing that.

I found http://www.conservationtechnology.com to have good information.
For prices I thought http://www.rainharvest.com was a good source.
Thanks
Jim

I'm part of a ski club which uses a building only in the winter. We are looking into using water catchment as the supply for the building.
The building has a metal roof, so it should work well for that. I estimate we need between 5,000 and 7,000 gallons of water. Given our annual precip, we will be fine.
I'm looking for places to purchase drain cleaners, and filters for between the tank and the usage. We don't have a large need for potable water, but we do need a few hundred gallons a year.
Thanks for any sources you can point me toward.

I'm looking to help plan and estimate a water catchment system. Searching has let me down for finding the components. Does anyone have good resoures on purchasing the hardware?
Thanks
Jim

You might start by reading the Earth Ovens book where they use that model for insulating oven floors.

I read one of the green roof books recommended elsewhere on the list. They were suggesting PVC over EPDM because it is a waterproofing and root barrier in one.

That's how I got my copy. I would have preferred a paper copy but I was too impatient. I should have waited as I enjoy paper so much more than pdf.

It was long enough ago, I don't remember how I got the download link. It's not in my inbox and I don't generally delete such things.

Can I call a truce here? This is beginning to sound like a political forum.