[Aspera]

I recently took the plunge and decided to move away from comb honey production and bought a large extractor (Maxant) for medium super extraction. The uncapping plane that I also bought works for a few frames and then develops a char. Also, it frequently mangles the comb more than the uncapping fork (German made, plastic handle). Am I using my uncapping plane wrong? Should I have bought an electric knife? I only have 13 hive that produced about 28 lbs (crush and strain, comb) a piece in years past. I suppose I could just use the uncapping fork, but this seems foolish.

 

[JP]

Something seems amiss. Perhaps you have it adjusted too deeply. You could also cool it off some, say every other frame, dipped in water.


...JP

 

[Swobee]

Make sure it's hot and keep it hot. Let it sit for a few seconds to reheat if it starts to drag and damage comb. I like the plane so much I recommend it to everyone. Lay your frames flat on a uncapping tub or similar set-up. Make sure the gap between blade and guide isn't too great, heat it up and gently draw it over. I lay them flat for ease of working the frames. I am much faster with it than a knife and dig in far less, doing less damage to comb than I did with the knife.

 

[Aspera]

Thanks. I will re-adjust the depth setting. By flat, do you mean horizontal or vertical?

 

[Elwood]

I found that if I go too fast it will drag some comb away with it. When I go a little slower it works much better