[GOHoney]

After looking at the hives this morning it has become obvious I am going to need to get an extractor. I tried to lift two supers off one hive at once and decided that was not a good idea. Very heavy! I have a lot of $$ in the bees this year so not a lot left for an expensive extractor. Looking to spend around $200. Suggestions would be appreciated to make sure I don't buy a piece of junk.

Thanks

 

[jamneff]

Crush and Strain or find a bee club near you that might rent an extractor. I personally crushed and strained about 75lbs off 2 hives 2 weeks ago and than found out my bee club lends out their extractor to members and you just have to make sure its clean on return.

 

[Commander147]

Check Craigslist - for a rental also - Thats how I found the guy that I rent the extractor from.

 

[beesohappy]

I've used a fork and just scraped down my plastic foundation langstroth frames. That was only one supper and it worked out great. Then you could let it sit for a day or so and then scoop off the wax and the little bit of honey you might get from the capping floating to the top into a paint filter. I used a five gallon bucket with a drop in paint filter. Wouldn't you know it I loaned my honey extractor out to a friend just before that.

 

[GOHoney]

I spent a lot of money to get the bees going this year and trying to limit the costs now. However I want to do thing the correct way. I have 8 hives active 6 of which are doing a good job of building honey. If all works out I will have 10 supers to process. And things are going good. I seen from this years build up of my first two hives installed on drawn comb thanks to my loss last year. There are three supers on each of those hives I want to save my comb for reuse. What I am looking for is recommendations on a good two frame extractor.

Thanks

 

[tomkat]

I made a honey press if you're interest I will post picture. My only cost was the threaded rod and a flange and a nut.

 

[GOHoney]

Please do Tomkat.

I made a honey press if you're interest I will post picture. My only cost was the threaded rod and a flange and a nut.

 

[beesohappy]

If I was in your shoes I'd look really hard at the Maxant two frame model. Whats really cool about it is you can upgrade the the basket for not to much money when you need to extract more frames in the near future.

Check it out here: http://www.maxantindustries.com/extractors.html

Great product and made in the USA. It's a win win!

 

[cdevier]

Ask at your bee club. Someone will have one that you can use.
Charlie

 

[Coach B]

Ask at your bee club. Someone will have one that you can use.
Charlie

Most folks in most bee clubs are pretty friendly. I'd like to think you'll have several that will invite you over to extract with them for a year or two until you can save up. We had five different guys extracting on my friend's extractor one year. Two have since bought their own. My buddy actually likes others using his for a few supers-it means he has helpers, and he gets a little extra honey out of the uncapping tub as well.

 

[Michael Bush]

I would try to borrow one. Crush and strain is not more work. I can crush and strain faster than I can extract with an 18 frame radial as far as my work. A two frame extractor is a LOT more time and work than crush and strain... But if you can borrow an extractor you can have all of that drawn comb to increase your yield next year.

 

[GOHoney]

Thanks guys, I'm going to talk to the members at the next meeting.

 

[MichiganMike]

I spent a lot of money to get the bees going this year and trying to limit the costs now. However I want to do thing the correct way. I have 8 hives active 6 of which are doing a good job of building honey. If all works out I will have 10 supers to process. And things are going good. I seen from this years build up of my first two hives installed on drawn comb thanks to my loss last year. There are three supers on each of those hives I want to save my comb for reuse. What I am looking for is recommendations on a good two frame extractor.

Thanks

Well stated, to me the issue is how to save the comb not how to get the honey. Actually I have no idea what I am going to do with the honey. Crush and strain advocates seem to be all about the honey. As for two frame extraction being more work, well what good is a hobby if you can't enjoy the process, extraction is part of the process if you use foundation. High volume is obviously a different issue.

 

[Jon B]

Check with your local bee club. Most clubs have extractors that you can barrow or rent. Also check with some local beekeepers. Some of them will be willing to extract your supers for a small fee.

 

[Robbin]

I bought one on ebay for 319. Stainless, 4 deeps or 8 Meds. Worked better than I expected. I didn't want to spend the money either, but decided I'd buy one I could use in the future and get use out of it this year. I think it was well worth it....

 

[Wolfer]

I saw some on e bay yesterday or the day before in the 200.00 range

 

[KQ6AR]

Wait until you can afford a Maxant, for now extract with another beekeeper in you're area.

 

[GOHoney]

I have a little left in the budget yet. I figure I have a few weeks and have been reading about the extractors available in my price range. I am leaning towards the Maxant. If I want to upgrade it down the road I can.

Thanks all.

 

[clyderoad]

The extractor may not be available when you want it. it's best to first check with maxant regarding availability as they have had delays in shipping extractors during honey extraction season in the past.
The delay, if there is any, is understandable IMO as this is probably their busiest time of year.

 

[GOHoney]

I will call them tomorrow clyderoad.