embedding foundation

[Ted n Ms]

Maybe this shoud be on the equipment forum i don't know,but here goes.
I have used several things to heat the wire for embedding wax foundation,six volt battery, battery charger, lawn mower battery,etc. Today i tried a twelve volt transfomer this works great. What you guys use.:)

[iddee]

Walter T. Kelley transformer.
Walter T. Kelley embedder.
Why waste time and money for experiments, when the correct tools are so readily available?

[BEES4U]

100% Pierco with excellent results!
Regards,
Ernie lucas Apiaries

[Ted n Ms]

The transfomer cost nothing and i have more time than money. When i get to where i am wasting my time I will get out of hobby bee keeping,thanks
Ted N Ms:)

[iddee]

If your time is that expendable, come to work for me. I can use some free labor. ;)

[Docking]

I roll mine in... I like the idea of the transformer.... checked the w. t. kelley book.. I'm going to make mine as well... I sell them every week for 1/6 their price.

[Michael Bush]

Walter T. Kelley transformer.
Walter T. Kelley embedder.

[Drifter]

Here is what I have found works well for me to keep the foundation flat when embedding the wire . I use a piece of glass one each side I had cut for it . Place a piece on each side when heating the wire and let it cool before lifting it away . Before I had some really warped up and now is flat as a fritter .

Drifter

[beegee]

I have a Kelley transformer, but I haven't gotten the hang of it. I tried a 12-volt transformer, toy train transformers and the BetterBee small wheel embedder, used hot. I haven't used a large spur embedder in a long time, but I might go back to it.

[pcelar]

In Europe we used to use 12 volt car battery and touch wires for a split second. Job done.

[Budvar]

I had a (older...1991 or so) battery charger with 6v/12v switch. Works pretty good on the 6v. I've read elsewhere on this board that the newer chargers won't work, there is some cutoff built into the device for safety.

Also, I made the frame holder http://beesource.com/plans/formboard.htm

It will keep your frame and foundation steady while you're working/melting. I found that pushing down slightly on the length of the wire with a small piece of thin wood helped.

I interweave the foundation between the wires. My German visitor thought that was strange, that you should just imbed everything on one side.

[Michael Bush]

Keep in mind you need a foundation board to do it on so there is something flat and solid behind it. Interleaving sounds like too much work. If it's embedded correctly it should be in the the wax anyway. I added some feet to the Walter T. Kelly one as I couldn't get it to embed consistently across the whole frame until I did. But after that it worked well. Also keep in mind you don't want so much current that it goes too quickly and is too difficult to get it embedded without melting through. Nor do you want so little current that you get impatient waiting for it to get hot.

[shylock3]

I'v had good luck with a soldering iron. You have to get your speed right or you'll burn a hole in the foundation. I had very little success with an embedder.

[mike haney]

i have KELLY EMBEDER AND ONE THING I LEARNED IS THE COPPER CONTACT STRIPS HAVE TO BE KEPT CLEAN OF WAX AND OXIDATION AS DOES THE SOLDER CONTACTS OF THE SWITCH. sorry for the cap lock being on:( good luck,mike