Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: twintrades on June 19, 2011, 01:29:12 AM

Title: Cheap bee vac ideas ?
Post by: twintrades on June 19, 2011, 01:29:12 AM
I was thinking about the 5 gallon bucket ideas. But i cant find enuf info to make one.

Im not against other ideas either. Shoot me with all your info. Pics or links are welcome also. I tend to be more of a pic person.

THanks again guys/gals
Title: Re: Cheap bee vac ideas ?
Post by: joebrown on June 19, 2011, 05:50:04 AM
This is the best way to make one in my opinion! Why suck them up in a bucket when you can suck them up in a hive body full of frames!


http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/bee-vac/ (http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/bee-vac/)

Title: Re: Cheap bee vac ideas ?
Post by: twintrades on June 19, 2011, 11:07:02 AM
I can get a bucket for less than frames.
Title: Re: Cheap bee vac ideas ?
Post by: asprince on June 19, 2011, 11:37:37 AM
The hive body and frames you suck them into will be their new home. Vacuum motor from discarded shop vac, section of used pool vacuum hose, some scrap wood and about one hour of your time. Simple and works great. I have built several and hived hundreds of swarms with mine and killed very few bees.

Good Luck,

Steve
Title: Re: Cheap bee vac ideas ?
Post by: twintrades on June 19, 2011, 12:16:11 PM
As of now i dont have a spare hive frame. Im going to try and find one if anyone in the area has one. would a small shop vac work ? ( $20 one from wallyworld)
Title: Re: Cheap bee vac ideas ?
Post by: Tommyt on June 20, 2011, 11:53:11 AM
would a small shop vac work ? ( $20 one from wallyworld)
Yes
  Also if you have no extra hive box or frames
Just build the vacuum above,make a Box same dimensions of your hives
If your using the vacuum just to collect more bees?
You take and do a paper combine from your homemade empty box onto a
framed Hive box.
I know it will be said if you can build a box you should just make it a Hive box  :-D
Either way you still use it,as the vacuum containment box ,less frames
I GUESS lol

Tommyt
Title: Re: Cheap bee vac ideas ?
Post by: twintrades on June 20, 2011, 09:43:03 PM
Haha yes in the last post i ment to say hive box ..... Durrr moment i guess
Title: Re: Cheap bee vac ideas ?
Post by: okbees on July 11, 2011, 03:11:45 PM
Here is a 5 gal Bee Vac that we made and use it at least 2 times a week on cutouts and sometime on swarms.   OOOPS, can't post the link on here.  Sorry....if you want the link just email me.  [email protected]
Title: Re: Cheap bee vac ideas ?
Post by: twintrades on July 11, 2011, 04:50:46 PM
I made one. I workes really well.

2 5 gallon buckest with holes cut out with a large hole saw. Then screening over the inner buckets holes 4 sides get holes and screen. The outer bucket has only holes on the sides. THe holes line up and when you twist the buckets together you can adjust the suction. Worked just perfect. cheap 10.00 HD bucket vac.

Best thing is when your done. Just tap the bucket on a firm surface. And quickly remove the vac , snap on the lid that came with the bucket. ( lid had screen covering all the flat surface.) That way there is plenty ventation.

When i got home I just treated the bucket like a new pakage of bees.

Ill have to make a build thred on it.
Title: Re: Cheap bee vac ideas ?
Post by: okbees on July 11, 2011, 05:53:43 PM
That sounds just like the design I posted on Beesource forum a while back with the link to the pics on how to make it.
Title: Re: Cheap bee vac ideas ?
Post by: twintrades on July 11, 2011, 06:45:37 PM
HA Ha i thought it was you. Yep i did the same design. Just didnt have a large enuf hole saw. SO i opted for a 1 inch spade bit and drilled a line down turnd out like yours justa little more work. Its a great idea and works good to boot !
Title: Re: Cheap bee vac ideas ?
Post by: okbees on July 11, 2011, 06:54:42 PM
I am glad it works for you.  I wish I could get a link on here so others can make one.  Thanks again.
Title: Re: Cheap bee vac ideas ?
Post by: yockey5 on July 12, 2011, 05:30:05 PM
I would like to see the link on here too.
Title: Re: Cheap bee vac ideas ?
Post by: okbees on July 12, 2011, 05:43:12 PM
Here is a design that I made...   https://picasaweb.google.com/111863660513010434468/BeeVac

Hope it works for you also....thanks
Title: Re: Cheap bee vac ideas ?
Post by: twintrades on July 12, 2011, 05:45:04 PM
yup thats the one !
Title: Re: Cheap bee vac ideas ?
Post by: yockey5 on July 12, 2011, 05:55:42 PM
This is just too cool! I will have to attempt to make one for myself.