Extractor

[JordanM]

I'm new at this and dont want to spend any money does anyone know a different way to extract honey. Or does anyone know where i can get an extractor under $50.

[steveouk]

you might be able to find one second hand or build your own. but know most extractors are $100+ the better ones seem to be in the region of $250-450 depending on the number of frames you want to extract.

[rdy-b]

I'm new at this and dont want to spend any money does anyone know a different way to extract honey. Or does anyone know where i can get an extractor under $50.

:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D ;) 8-)

[Moonshae]

Try crush and strain, that's probably your best bet.

[Understudy]

You can build your own.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[Brian D. Bray]

I'm new at this and dont want to spend any money does anyone know a different way to extract honey. Or does anyone know where i can get an extractor under $50.

Shop or ask around.  Getting a working extractor for $50.00 is going to be hard.  I use crush and strain for the 1st couple of years and then think about obtaining an extractor.  In the meantime you might stumble into a deal.  I'm limiting myself to 6 hives as that is all I need for teaching handson beekeeping and I'm handicapped so it's all I can handle.  With that few hives I don't need an extractor--it is chunk and crush and strain for me.

[indypartridge]

My first advice is to get involved with a local beekeeping group. Michigan has a number of active groups and several of them offer beginning beekeeping classes. Plus, you'll have an opportunity to find some mentors. While online forums such as this are great sources of info, much of beekeeping is "local", and it's very valuable to know some local beeks.

http://www.michiganbees.org/whoswho.htm
http://www.sembabees.org/nonnavpages/beeschool.html

Back to your question, an extractor is an expense you can put off for now. Although "crush and strain" is one option, another option is to borrow an extractor. That's where knowing other beeks comes in handy! 

One group here in Indiana that I'm part of holds "extraction parties". We meet at a local church with a big kitchen, bring our frames of honey and share extracting equipment and then share in the clean-up. I also know some beeks from whom I can borrow an extractor.

[jsmob]

You may want to check with your local bee supply store. Ours here in town rents extractors, and the tools you need for uncapping. One may do the same thing near you.

[johnnybigfish]

The first time I got honey was by getting burr comb that i had to clean out and put it in a big pot..(Ok,...more like a qt pot).
ALL i did was melt the wax in this pot and steer it up till it was all melted....Then later, after it cooled, the wax had separated to the top and the honey went to the bottom..When the wax was good and hard I just poked a hole along one side of the pot and let the honey run out!..The worst part is getting the pot cleaned..I boiled water in the waxy pot till the wax turned liquid again and then dumped it on my railroad ties I have around my place.
your friend,
john

[Sean Kelly]

Dadant sells a cheap chinese extractor for $100 but I hear it sucks.  Local bee clubs ususally have ones that you can borrow or check out (sometimes there's a waiting list).
Sometimes you can find them on craigslist, but they go like hotcakes.  I also did crush + strain which works great plus you get lots of wax.
I cant remember where I found it, but I saw plans online for an extractor you can make out of a garbage can for under $50 in parts.
Don't forget about the "Economy Stimilus Package" you'll be getting from uncle sam!  Take $300 from it and get a good one from Mann Lake (I love mine!).

Sean Kelly

[dbee]

I built one out of a small barrel and two bicycle rims,I power it with a cordless drill.I can spin 10 small frames at a time.Cost me about $75.00 I used spare parts I had around.Works perfect.Also use a plastic tote for my uncaping tank.Screwed a2x4 across the top and put a screw from the bottom to put the frame on.Also use screen trash can with paint filters on it to filter out of the uncaping tank.The only big money I spent was for the hot knife.

[Michael Bush]

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesharvest.htm

[Kathyp]

i got lucky and got one with one of my bulk buys.  try keeping an eye on craigs list and put a 'wanted' add on there.  both my buys come from there and were folks getting out of beekeeping.

[Michael Bush]

If it was me, I'd crush and strain and keep an eye out for a bargin on a used extractor.  Eventually one will come along.