Finally tried my low-budget extractor

[Sundog]

First let me explain.  I am a semi-retired printed circuit board / electromechaincal designer with two hives in my backyard, a Lang and a KTBH.  Beekeeping is stricktly a hobby.  I enjoy tinkering and making sawdust in my garage and I do not sell my honey nor give much away.  I first learned about bees from my 6th grade teacher and neighbor, Mr. Englehart.

My first harvest (last July) was crush and strain, then I got to thinking about a low-budget extractor.  One thing in my favor is that I have suppliers nearby so I didn't get beat-up on shipping (shaft, bearings, plastics).  I don't think my concept would hold up under heavy commercial use, but that's not an issue for me, and I am already contemplating improvements.  It will only spin four medium or shallow frames radially, and four deeps tangentially due to limitations on the drum diameter.

So I pulled four frames from my Lang and and spun almost a gallon of honey out of them, and yes, I used a variable torque AC drill (the cordless was just for the video).  I am really amazed how well the bees cleaned-up everything after I put the pieces out on the patio.

Happy to answer questions, PM me if you like, spare me the flames.

Having  fun!

http://s865.photobucket.com/albums/ab218/Sunchaser01/Bee%20Stuff/?action=view&current=DSCN1202.mp4
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab218/Sunchaser01/Bee%20Stuff/DSCN1194.jpg
http://i865.photobucket.com/albums/ab218/Sunchaser01/Bee%20Stuff/DSCN1188.jpg

[Joe D]

Looks like it should work fine, Sun Dog. 



Joe

[AllenF]

As long as it spins round and round, that's all that matters.   Looks good. 

[BlueBee]

Looks good Sundog.  Now how about laying out a motor controller for us on a PCB  :)