Gear guide · 6 products

Tapping bits and drills for maple sugaring

Bit diameter must match the spout: 5/16 in (19/64 in counts as 5/16).

Our pick

Top pick: 5/16" H2O Tapping Bit ($25.00, bascommaple.com) - the only bit read with stated depth marks at the extension-recommended 1.5-2 in
Budget pick: Tap My Trees 5/16" Drill Bit ($11.80); Picks rest only on diameter (5/16 in) and the depth-mark feature; no cutting-performance data exists on this project.; What would change it: A maker stating steel type, flute design or a sharpening claim backed by a spec; any hands-on comparison.

Disclosure

Gear pages contain affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Nobody on this site has tested these products; recommendations rest on manufacturer specifications, extension-service guidance, price and availability on the dates shown.

What matters

How to judge tapping bits and drills

Each criterion names the extension or manual source it comes from; 'synthesis' marks our own reasoning.

1
Bit diameter must match the spout: 5/16 in (19/64 in counts as 5/16).
UNH; NAMSPM2 p.85 fn 29 · verified
2
Maple-specific bits are 'designed to pull out more shavings from the tap hole'; any clean, sharp bit works.
UMAINE-7039; UMAINE-7036 · verified
3
Dull bits make ragged, oval holes that leak and harbor microbes; keep spares and sanitize (1 oz bleach per pint water, rinse) - never put bleach in the hole.
NAMSPM2 p.84-85 · verified
4
Depth control: 1.5-2 in into wood; bits with a depth mark or a taped stop help.
UMAINE-7036; NAMSPM2 p.87 · verified
5
Cordless drill 18 V or more; bring a spare battery.
NAMSPM2 p.85; CORNELL-NB p.26 · verified

Products

6 tapping bits and drills we looked at

Specs are from the maker's or dealer's page; 'unknown' means it wasn't stated. Prices are the dealer's on the date shown; Amazon prices aren't shown here because Amazon's rules require live data.

Tap My Trees

5/16" Drill Bit (3/8 in shank, black)

diameter:: 5/16 in
shank:: 3/8 in

$11.80at tapmytrees.com, 2026-10-05

Suits: First season

View at tapmytrees.com →

Verified on the page: name, price, diameter, shank

unbranded

Maple Tree Tapping Drill Bit, 5/16 Inch (Amazon listing)

diameter:: 5/16 in

⚠ Listing snapshot only; maker unknown

Price on Amazon

Suits: First season

View at amazon.com →

Verified on the page: name, price

unbranded, sold by Bascom

19/64" Canadian Tapping Bit

diameter:: 19/64 in (the '5/16 class' size used with some makers' spouts)

⚠ Only for spouts specified as 19/64 in

$18at bascommaple.com, 2026-10-05

Suits: Serious backyard, Small sugarhouse

View at bascommaple.com →

Verified on the page: name, price, diameter

unbranded ('come down from Canada ... designed to drill into frozen wood'), sold by Bascom

5/16" Canadian Tapping Bit

diameter:: 5/16 in
made in:: Canada (retailer statement)

$22at bascommaple.com, 2026-10-05

Suits: First season, Serious backyard, Small sugarhouse

View at bascommaple.com →

Verified on the page: name, price, diameter

H2O Innovation (Leader)

5/16" H2O Tapping Bit (laser depth lines at 1.5 in and 2 in)

diameter:: 5/16 in
depth marks:: 1.5 in and 2 in

$25at bascommaple.com, 2026-10-05

Suits: First season, Serious backyard, Small sugarhouse

View at bascommaple.com →

Verified on the page: name, price, diameter, depth marks

Vermont Evaporator Company

7/16" Tapping Bit

diameter:: 7/16 in ('compatible with our Aluminum Spiles')

⚠ 7/16 in conflicts with current 5/16 in guidance (UMAINE-7039)

$55at vermontevaporator.com, 2026-10-05

Suits: First season

View at vermontevaporator.com →

Verified on the page: name, price, diameter

More gear

Other categories

LuckySap · free on iPhone & Android

Log every run. Know your season.

LuckySap is the maple syrup tracker for iPhone and Android: a sap-flow outlook for your trees, a quick log for every collection and boil, and season stats you can compare year to year.