GRAFTING TOOLS

[eaglesbee]

IM GOING TO BE BUYING A GRAFTING TOOL BUT I DO NOT KNOW WICH ONE TO GET THIS WILL BE MY FIRST GRAFTING TOOL THERE ARE A FEW OUT THERE WHAT DO YOU ALL US AND LIKE THE BEST AND WHERE DO I GET IT?
THANKS KNIGHTAUCTION@MSN.COM

[bjerm2]

I like the betterbee.com no graff queen rearing kit. All you do is keep the queen in the compartment for about 5 days and you have larva that is only a day old. My eyes arn't all that great but this has given me lots of great queens that are fully developed without straining my eyes to see them.
Dan

[D. Murrell]

Hi Guys,

First grafting tool --- get the Chinese grafting tool. A blind man can graft with it :>)

Regards
Dennis

[jean-marc]

eaglesbee:

I'm kinda partial to the chinese grafting tool. It's like Dennis said. The advantage is if the larvae are well fed and swimming in apool of jelly then you can slip the point of the tool below the larvae and graft it even though you may not be able to see it. The larvae you cannot see (depends on your eyesight) are the ones of the appropriate age. Good luck

Jean-Marc

[James Burke]

Like any other aspect of beekeeeping, you're sure to have an assortment of answers...each as individual as the beekeeper themselves. Ask 100 beekeepers and you'll most likely get 101 different responses.

I use a bone curette for grafting. It's one of those tools that you'd rather avoid at the dentist's office, but it works great for grafting. The spoon end is very large and scoops up a lot of royal jelly as well. It's double ended and accommodates either a left or right handed user. I use a "00" artist's paint brush to transfer the larvae from the curette into the queen cup.

It's a two-step process, but it works well.

I found one similar to the one I use on ebay. I do not know nor do I represent the seller, so be cautious.

These are popular items at flea markets, so keep an eye out for bargain as they usually cost $30.00 brand new.

Happy Grafting,

Jim


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3839897826&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1#ebayphotohosting

[Hook]

IM GOING TO BE BUYING A GRAFTING TOOL BUT I DO NOT KNOW WICH ONE TO GET THIS WILL BE MY FIRST GRAFTING TOOL THERE ARE A FEW OUT THERE WHAT DO YOU ALL US AND LIKE THE BEST AND WHERE DO I GET


Reply--> Well, I'll tell you what I did. I figured, that I was not sure if I was going to be able to graft or not, so I did not want to spend money on something I might not be able to use!
I took a large paper clip, flattened about 1/2 inch of one end, and bent it over with needle nose pliars, about 1/16 inch from the end, at a 90 degree angle. I then took my wifes fingernail file, and smoothed the whole thing out, and rounded all of the edges. Unwind the rest of the paperclip, and form it to your hand, so it is comfortable. Then graft away. Total cost: $0.005 maybe!

After I made several grafts, I purchased the chinese style grafter, and I'll tell you what, I much prefer the one I made, because it is formed for comfort and graftability. I have found, that many homemade things/gadgets, are often better than those you can buy.

I have heard many people use a toothpick, formed with their teeth to graft with. Anything to accomplish the task at hand will do.

I also have a graftless kit, but the thought of waiting around 5 days for eggs to hatch, or just grafting newly hatched eggs right now, became almost a no brainer to me. The thing with grafting, is practice. Don't expect good grafys your first time. Your acceptance percentages will increase as you get better. Practice, practice, practice. And happy grafting!

[eaglesbee]

WHAT IT THE BEST WAY TO PRACTICE AND KNOW YOU HAVE DONE IT RIGHT I KNOW DRONES ARE A GOOD WAY BUT THEN WHAT ????? THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT INFO

[James Burke]

I sent a reply to your PM. Hope it helps.

Jim