i uncapped & extracted 4 frames this morning. this is an old root manual 2/4 frame exractor. my frames have the end pins & are not cross wired. i did not get carried away while spinning the frames. the 1st 2 went fine. the 2nd 2 got stuck to the baskets & the comb seperated from the frames. is this normal with unwired frames? the temp. in the exracting room was around 85 deg.
i now have some loose comb that still has honey in it. when you press comb what is used to do the pressing? since i have a small amount can i use a potato masher?
you can crush it or you can put it back in the colony, let them repair it and try again
Yes, use the masher and then strain the honey and comb bits.
Quote from: rober on July 03, 2012, 02:54:42 PM
... the 2nd 2 got stuck to the baskets & the comb seperated from the frames. is this normal with unwired frames?
How did you extract the frames?
For tangential extractors, the usual method is to put the frames in; extract about 1/2 the honey in Side A; flip the frames; extract all the honey from Side B; then flip again, and finish extracting Side A.
I've never wired frames and have only had a few blowouts when I cranked a bit too vigorously.
i may have spun the 2nd 2 frames too fast. they are beyond repair. it's a shame too. i hate wasting drawn comb. the baskets in this extractor pivot so you do not have to turn the frames around. you just spin in the opposite direction. i'm wondering whether i can turn the baskets so that they are perpendicular to the cylinder & clip them together which would convert it to a radial (?) extractor.
You could try it but balance and positioning of the baskets may defeat you. If they don't give it a spin. Combs blwo out. It happens and teaches us to be more gentle. When I moved up to a twenty frame radial, I did seriouis damage to my 6 1/8 frames wired with medium brood foundation! When one blew it might take half the extractor with it! These things teach us to use better equipment and be careful!