Proper care of the hive tool

tillie · May 28, 2007, 10:19:03 AM

I'm curious about how everyone maintains their hive tool - I find that I wash mine in the kitchen sink to scrub off the propolis about every third time I use it but I don't do anything else. Is it a tool that should have the edge oiled? sharpened?

(Now that I'm getting into all of this construction, etc. I want to maintain my equipment properly ;) )

Linda T in Atlanta

Michael Bush · May 28, 2007, 10:24:24 AM

My maintenance consists of keeping it in my back pocket.

There are times that shaper would be nice, but sometimes sharper catches and splits the wood which can be hard on the equipment where dull doesn't cut the wood. But it does get into the crack easier if it's sharp. I have had both sharp and dull and it's a tradeoff.

Understudy · May 28, 2007, 11:20:51 AM

Tillie:

Time to grab an empty 5 gallon bucket and use it as a tool box. If you want to screp the crud off you hive tool another hive tool and you can use that to help keep the hive tool clean . I on the other hand just take it and run it against the top of the fence and that is it.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

doak · May 28, 2007, 12:23:40 PM

Caution, Tillie,
Use some item to scrape your tool before washing. The glue and or wax could cause problems in your plumbing, If not washed out of the system and hot water softens it to the point so it would become sticky and cause build up in the pipes. The only time I wash mine is to get the honey off.
doak

imabkpr · May 28, 2007, 03:23:11 PM

To clean and disinfect the hive tool place it in your smoker. Heat it to a point where the wax melts. Wipe it off with, I use burlap. Charlie

Mklangelo · May 28, 2007, 03:57:01 PM

I rinse mine in water about every third time I use it and throw it in the trunk of my car.

:)

Jerrymac · May 28, 2007, 07:19:27 PM

I rinse the sticky off of mine every now and then and it is around here somewhere. Sure don't want to put petroleum based oil on it.

tillie · May 28, 2007, 09:03:16 PM

It's the "throw in the trunk of the car part" that I haven't tried yet, but I'll bet it helps - especially on a really hot day in the bee suit.

Linda T

Brian D. Bray · May 28, 2007, 11:21:49 PM

Once the hive tool becomes covered with a fine coat of road dust from being in the trunk even propolis won't stick to it. The trouble then is finding amid everything else.

trapperbob · May 28, 2007, 11:24:38 PM

I put mine in the smoker as well if there is any possibillity of disease this should more than do the job. and if you want you can rinse it off after and dry with what ever is handy.

Zoot · May 28, 2007, 11:55:38 PM

In the realm of trim carpentry, a hive tool is known as a moulding bar due to it's unmatched excellence in removing old mouldings, as a lever, a temporary shim, etc. Mine has been in use for about 30 years for all of the above in addition to it's uses as a hive tool. Other than occasionaly scraping off wax I do nothing to it other than appreciate it for it's versatility.

Doorman · May 29, 2007, 11:52:20 PM

Here's how I do it. Buy new hive tool, use it three times. leave it laying in the grass at a yard you don't visit much. Buy a new hive tool, use it three times, leave it on tailgate before driving home, Buy new hive tool. Find first hive tool while mowing. Repeat as necesary.

Good luck
Greg

Michael Bush · May 30, 2007, 07:35:13 AM

If you go to lay the tool down and it stays stuck to your glove, use the other hive tool to scrape off the propolis.

Kathyp · June 02, 2007, 10:52:39 PM

you are supposed to clean it?? i leave mine by the hive and let the rain rinse it off.....

annette · June 03, 2007, 01:05:39 AM

I just take dish liquid and a scrubby pad and get it sparkling clean each time I use it. I clean it at an outside sink so not much worried about the propolis getting into the drain. There really isn't much stuff on it anyway. If I clean anything inside the hive with it, I just scrap it against a brick laying on the ground.

I keep everything very clean and even wash my beekeeping suit almost each time I use it. Just like things clean.

That's just me
Annette

Kathyp · June 03, 2007, 01:14:32 PM

you are supposed to wash your bee suit?? :(

Mici · June 03, 2007, 01:53:02 PM

Quote from: annette on June 03, 2007, 01:05:39 AM

I keep everything very clean and even wash my beekeeping suit almost each time I use it. Just like things clean.

That's just me
Annette

now, don't want to be rude or anything, but first can i ask you something. what do you do when you wear your bee-suit? i mean...no i don't mean, i just don't get it.
it's nice to be hygenic but....

once a year would be too much, at least i'd say so.

the only time i got a stain on anything cloth related, was when i smeared some pollen pattie to my hat.

Kathyp · June 03, 2007, 02:37:52 PM

Quotethe only time i got a stain on anything cloth related, was when i smeared some pollen pattie to my hat.

is this some kind of trick that i missed? what is the purpose of this maneuver?

Mici · June 03, 2007, 02:46:20 PM

Quote from: Mici on June 03, 2007, 01:53:02 PM
the only time i got a stain on anything cloth related, was when i accidentaly smeared some pollen pattie on my hat.

you sure did miss something :-D

annette · June 03, 2007, 06:49:04 PM

I always seem to get some yellow stuff smeared on my suit each time I go into the hive. (Pollen??).

But the main thing is I get extremely hot in that suit and it ends up wet, here and there. Also I just like to start with a clean suit whenever I visit the bees.

Annette