Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: sc-bee on October 11, 2016, 12:59:57 AM

Title: Stirring with a drill motor and paddle
Post by: sc-bee on October 11, 2016, 12:59:57 AM
Not a DIYer so limited on tools. What size drill motor do you recommend to stir 1:1 or 2:1 in a 5 gal bucket. Am I looking at a certain RPM or a certain size? 1/2 drill I guess would be better? I guess a cordless would work and I would be more likely to use it elsewhere/
Title: Re: Stirring with a drill motor and paddle
Post by: splitrock on October 11, 2016, 06:58:09 AM
If your water is hot enough it will dissolve easy enough you shouldn't need electricity, just a wooden spoon will do imho.
Title: Re: Stirring with a drill motor and paddle
Post by: Dabbler on October 11, 2016, 07:45:44 AM
How much syrup will you make at a time?
I only have one hive this year and I just use a kitty litter jug and shake a 1/2 gal of hot water on my way to the hive.
If you are doing 4 gals at a time, I can see where a drill motor and mixing bit would be helpful.
IMHO  Even 2:1 syrup is thin enough that a 3/8 drill should have enough power to work well.
Title: Re: Stirring with a drill motor and paddle
Post by: AR Beekeeper on October 11, 2016, 08:35:31 AM
Go with the 1/2 inch, most of the large mixing paddles would require it. 
Title: Re: Stirring with a drill motor and paddle
Post by: Acebird on October 11, 2016, 09:32:59 AM
The size of drill depends on the stirring implement you use.  A typical paint stir is about 3 inch in dia.  You can use a 3/8 battery powered drill.  If you go to a mortar mixing blade you need a drill that can shift to a lower speed.  Still can be 3/8.
Title: Re: Stirring with a drill motor and paddle
Post by: yes2matt on October 11, 2016, 03:58:55 PM
I make mine in a 5-gallon bucket.  I have one of those hand held shower heads on a hose to fill it. Straight hot tap water isn't really hot enough, I do a pan of water on the stove to help it out. I stir it with a piece of 3/4 pvc pipe, it's 3 or 4 ft long so I dont have to bend so much.