crush and strain vs extracted

gmcharlie · February 28, 2009, 06:40:51 PM

Does anyone have any actual data on crush and strain vs extracted production totals.... I keep hearing numbers of wax vs honey... but has anyone done some side by side comparisions on more than one hive???? I have been acrush and strainer, but this year built my own radial extractor (getting too dang many to crush) froma new washing machine (timed cycle should be handy!)
Anyhow... wondering if there is any real numbers out there or just guesses? Seems to me the wax is a byproduct and totals would be the same... that said I almost never get wax after mid aug.......

riverrat · March 01, 2009, 11:59:47 AM

Imo You would get less from crush and stain as compared to spinning. The wax will retain a certain amount of honey. But when you factor in the bees having to rebuild the comb every year there is no comparison extraction far out weights the crush and strain method.

Flygirl · March 01, 2009, 03:45:57 PM

You built an extractor from a washing machine?? Cool ~ was it economical or did it end up costing more in the long run (money wise). I'm an artist & like to make stuff from recycled materials but sometimes I get carried away & it costs me more time & money ~ but it's the process & not outcome times that's more important.

It's so satisfying to create something unique like this ~ good job. Can you post pictures? FG

Understudy · March 01, 2009, 08:47:04 PM

Quote from: gmcharlie on February 28, 2009, 06:40:51 PM
I have been acrush and strainer, but this year built my own radial extractor (getting too dang many to crush) froma new washing machine (timed cycle should be handy!)

And your honey comes out whiter than white. ;)

I have thought about using a washing machine. The idea is nice but I bought extractor and then discovered if I don't have a speed control motor and a variable speed drive that it was just bad. If I do a washing machine I will make sure I can control the speed.

In you crush vs strain. I know there is some math out there that says extract produces some more honey, but not that much. The main savings is in labor.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

gmcharlie · March 01, 2009, 08:56:58 PM

I will post some pics one of these days.... basicly remove the drum and make a frame rack. most machines have 3 speeds and a timer built right in, so I am axious to test it. I just removed the drain pump (cleaned everthing real well..) the outer tub is just a plastic tub with a sloped bottom..... 2 draw backs.... it will only take deep supers or smaller, and the bottom of the fram is only 4 inches out of center so not sure how well the bottoms will spin........

Brian D. Bray · March 01, 2009, 11:57:02 PM

Easy way to control of the speed on the extractor is with a ramp switch. HFT sells one for about $15.00 they call it a rotor control switch. It allows the user to vary the amps going to the motor, the more amps the faster it goes.

iddee · March 02, 2009, 12:07:17 AM

Brian, are you saying router control? That's what I use on my bee vac. It works on the upper half of the motor rpm's, but lugs the motor and makes it heat on the lower rpm's.

Brian D. Bray · March 02, 2009, 12:21:09 AM

Quote from: iddee on March 02, 2009, 12:07:17 AM
Brian, are you saying router control? That's what I use on my bee vac. It works on the upper half of the motor rpm's, but lugs the motor and makes it heat on the lower rpm's.

Yes, my mistake I meant router control. It will heat a bit at the lower rpms due to voltage/amphere inversion but it does work. The imiportant part is the ramping ability. A large rheostat would probably work better, if you can find one. Try the rheostat off of a washing machine, it has to deal with the same loads.

oldenglish · March 02, 2009, 01:00:12 AM

I bet you could build a press far easier than converting a washing machine.

TwT · March 02, 2009, 06:04:20 AM

I have been looking at this one for a month or so now, always wanted a wax press for when I do removals and that sort of thing. easy to get wax from capping also
http://equinoxextracting.com/detal.php?s_Categoria=1&s_Id=19

gmcharlie · March 02, 2009, 09:42:23 AM

Quote from: oldenglish on March 02, 2009, 01:00:12 AM
I bet you could build a press far easier than converting a washing machine.

Depends on your capibilities. the washing machine conversion took about 4 hours to design and fab and an hour to assemble.... also depends on your end goal. which method you decide to use...... neither one is particularly difficult if you have the tools... If you don't have teh skils/tools neither is within your reach.

my-smokepole · March 02, 2009, 12:09:24 PM

gmcharlie how about some photo. Or do you have a link to the biuld.
David/toledo

gmcharlie · March 02, 2009, 02:27:29 PM

I am on the road right now, it will be a cpl weeks before I get back to my regular computer.

SlickMick · March 02, 2009, 11:37:54 PM

Does anyone have a design for a press that can be used for crush and strain? Does it have to be Stainless steel or can it be like a timber wine press?

Brian D. Bray · March 03, 2009, 12:03:48 AM

Quote from: SlickMick on March 02, 2009, 11:37:54 PM
Does anyone have a design for a press that can be used for crush and strain? Does it have to be Stainless steel or can it be like a timber wine press?

I use may cider press. One press is as good as another for crush and strain.

TwT · March 03, 2009, 08:36:12 PM

watch this video, you may have seen it but it is about honey pressing. you need widow media player. look at the wood press they use.

http://mkat.iwf.de/iwf/res/mkat/metafiles/04000028020220000000_lo.asx

Cindi · March 03, 2009, 08:44:12 PM

Ted, hmmm....I have w media player, but the site didn't load, wonder why. Beautiful day, great health. Cindi

TwT · March 03, 2009, 08:47:13 PM

my fault, its should work now

Cindi · March 03, 2009, 08:58:09 PM

Ted, wow!!! what an enlightenment!!! I only could watch about 18% of the video, for some reason the buffering stopped, and the site froze, I got to the part where the dude was almost finished cutting off the comb honey.

Wow, like I said enlightening. I never actually realized how bee skeps worked, quite a simple method actually. Anyways, a great view, thanks for getting it. Have a wonderful, most awesomely great day, life, health. Cindi

TwT · March 03, 2009, 09:04:42 PM

the link to these video's and more are here on this site http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,2098.0.html

to watch all the skep video's just go here http://mkat.iwf.de/index.asp?Language=en

type "skep" in the search blank and you should see about 10 video's dealing with a whole year of skep beekeeping.

I have all these video's saved on my computer and watch them all the time. there are other good video's also just follow the instructions on the Video Library page on what to type into the searh blank and off you go. they are real enjoyable. it is amazing on how they catch swarms from the skeps.