Small time extractor

[aircooled]

I am really small time. I had two hives and this year, want to startup another, so three total. Last year, did crush and strain, but I really don't need the wax and want my bees to spend time making honey and brood, not wax, so I really want to try to keep comb for them. Anyway, I want to use an extractor (I am too impatient to wait for honey to drip out), but don't want to spend a fortune. I have looked at the plastic one that dadant sells and the ones from brushy mtn (deluxe vs 9 frame radial that they offer). Does anyone have a recommendation for me? Thanks!

-mike

[Brandy]

I used a small 4 frame hand crank tang. for many years. I think until I got up to 20 hives. That was a lot of turning and cranking but for the 3-6 hives you have shouldn't be a problem. 4 fr. Little Wonder. I think now they even have the different baskets so it can be changed out to a 6 frame radial and power added down the road if you want. Just depends how much $$ you want to spend or time cranking.

[dcross]

I would either get the plastic one, or the Ranger radial. I wouldn't buy a Little Wonder when the Ranger is only a hundred bucks or so more. You can put nine frames in the Ranger, it just takes a little more "arm":)

The plastic ones are a pain, I would probably go with crush and strain for another year while saving to go with a Ranger or something similar instead.

Watch ebay and craigslist, put an ad in the local paper...

[xC0000005]

I would build your own raidal honey extractor (http://www.voiceofthehive.com/VotH/15_1_Voice_of_the_Hive-Roll_Your_own_Extractor.htm) IF I couldn't rent one from a club or borrow one from a friend. It's what I did, and it works well. Your mileage may vary.

[MAXANT]

So many variables and features. You have to ask yourself how much time are you looking to save, and what is your budget? :shhhh:

[Sundance]

Like xc said......... look into a bee club. There should
be options around you.

If buying Dcross said what I would do as well. Get
the Ranger. The extra money is worth it in performance
and service life. Not to mention they don't deprecate
much when you go to resell (if you ever do).

[magnet-man]

Get the plastic one from Dadant. I have it and is a very good value. You can motorize it with a plug in drill.

[USCBeeMan]

I would build your own raidal honey extractor (http://www.voiceofthehive.com/VotH/15_1_Voice_of_the_Hive-Roll_Your_own_Extractor.htm) IF I couldn't rent one from a club or borrow one from a friend. It's what I did, and it works well. Your mileage may vary.

Man, am I ever glad I came across your instructions! I found that same website myself last summer. I purchased a 55 gal metal drum (held olive olive) to use. That's as far as I have gotten. But your input has given me hope and motivation to get it done in the next couple of months. I measured the drum and it looks like I will need a 24" rim. A 19 inch rim would be too far out from the walls of the drum. Need to find me some old rims. Might go to a bike shop and see if they have any for sale.

Since the drum is metal, I will have to cut the bottom out from the edge. Willl use the top as the bottom so that I can use the cap as the tap. Plan on using a skil saw with a metal cutting blade to cut the drum open. Will also have to make some kind of stand to sit the drum on so that I can drain the hone from the bottom.

Guess I will have to try and wash the drum out before attempt to cut it open. Don't know if it would explode with fumes/odors from olive oil.

[dcross]

Be careful with metals and honey. It's acidic and can corrode some of them.

[RayMarler]

If using a metal drum, painting it with CamCoat paint should do well.

[USCBeeMan]

That was my thougt too..... using CamCoat.

[Hobie]

Look at the Classified ads for area bee groups. And not just local... a short drive , or even paying shipping, is fine for a bargain. My extractor came from a guy out by the Finger Lakes. Even with shipping, it was a good deal.