Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: MollySuesHoney on June 06, 2008, 11:26:47 PM

Title: Rauchboy
Post by: MollySuesHoney on June 06, 2008, 11:26:47 PM
Alright, I'm going to retire my 1950's Woodman.  She is a thing of beauty.  Well used.  Well loved and in perfect working order.  Yeah, it has some creosote and honey stains.  The finish has a great patina.  She is graceful when compared to smokers today.  She is a 10" x 3" Beauty with original bellows. But, she is ready for the shelf to be admired as a workhorse, friend and piece of art.

So, I ordered a Kelly 10".  I've been using it for a week and it is okay.  But, I miss the ol' girl.  I've been seeing the Rauchboys mentioned on the net and I am wondering are they worth it?  Is the workmanship like the old girl?  Is it one that my grandson could use?  Are any of you using them? 
Title: Re: Rauchboy
Post by: Michael Bush on June 07, 2008, 12:28:48 PM
The Rauchboy is stainless steel.  It has an improved design for draft, but  one that is easily duplicated by cutting a soup can for any other smoker:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesmisc.htm#smokerinsert

It will last as well as any stainless steel smoker, which is a lot longer than a galvanized one.
Title: Re: Rauchboy
Post by: Moonshae on June 08, 2008, 08:30:17 PM
Quote from: Michael Bush on June 07, 2008, 12:28:48 PM
The Rauchboy is stainless steel.  It has an improved design for draft, but  one that is easily duplicated by cutting a soup can for any other smoker:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesmisc.htm#smokerinsert

It will last as well as any stainless steel smoker, which is a lot longer than a galvanized one.


Michael, does that homemade can insert work better than the table-like things that come standard inside smokers?
Title: Re: Rauchboy
Post by: Robo on June 09, 2008, 09:03:26 AM
The only compliant I have about the Rauchboy is the lid is a pain to get closed and stay closed.  It has a very small lip (maybe 1/4") while most others have 1/2" or more.   Other than that it has been a good smoker.

I think I would by a good stainless steel smoker and do the soup can insert myself.