Buying an extractor: advice needed.

[astabada]

As the title says, I'm planning to buy an extractor, but have a number of questions I'm asking here as I don't have a mentor (I've attended a course, so don't worry (too much) for my bees).
At the moment I only own a colony, but I'm planning to expand the activity and have at least two more colenies next year, growing exponentially until I reach a satisfactory size for the activity.

I have a modified national and two (currently) unused Dadant-Blatt hives. My budget is unlimited on this matter, as I'd like to buy a solid, durable product (one that doesn't wabble around the room, for example).

Here are the questions:
1) is there a time in the year when extractors come at a discount price (like other equipment does)?
2) I'm still relatively young (27), and relatively fit: is it convenient for me to buy a manual extractor or should I buy an electric one?
3) Do extractors fit multiple frame sizes (in my case DB and National)?
4) Which suppliers do you advice? (pm me in case you want to give me "embarassing" information)
5) Stainless steel or plastic?

Thank you for your attention,
astabada

 

[JohnF]

Got a stainless manual one from Park Bee keeping Supplies.
Stainless is very easy to clean, I made the mistake of saying it was for Langstroth but the super frames were MD and did not fit (they took it back and I got the next size up).
There is a ball bearing in the bottom that you need to keep clean and dry after using.
I bolt it to a pallet when using as there is a bit of vibration.

 

[drstitson]

i am now the proud owner of a S/H stainless 9 frame manual for my nationals and awaiting delivery of brand new stainless 12 frame drill driven one that takes dadant super, LS brood and, with cage, dadant brood/LS jumbo.

THornes now do universal cages apparently - in my 2nd hand one it just seems that i would need 3 longer threaded rods to convert from nat to LS/dadant.

talk to clive at agrinova - see what he can offer from Giordan range.

 

[fatshark]

You can usually get a good price at the B B K A Stoneleigh show in April. I got something like a third off from Mais_mores (can't remember the brand, Italian I think). I suspect the earlier in the season it is the better the price you'll be able to negotiate ... now is probably not the best time as many will be taking supers off in the next few days/weeks.

Definitely buy stainless if you expect to use for many years. I've also used the 'bees on a budget' one from Th_ornes which was perfectly acceptable, and probably more than adequate for up to 2-3 colonies.

However, if money is tight consider joining and using one from your local association ... they often hire them out or have a lockup extraction facility you can book. I bought one, but could have purchased several more hives instead. Remember they also take up quite a bit of storage space for much of the year.

--
fatshark

 

[astabada]

Thanks for your advice, I'll try to wait for Stoneleigh then

 

[drex]

If money is not a problem go for that which you would wish to end up with. You mention expanding number of colonies, so go for motor (or drill driven). Stainless steel is most durable.

As the post above I like Agri Nova. I believe they can tailor make to your requirements. Clive is really helpful.

Keep an eye on the net. Prices at start and end of calendar year tend to be lower

 

[drstitson]

"I believe they can tailor make to your requirements."

not so much tailor make as offer alternative one-offs picked from the much wider full Giordan range i presume!!!!

 

[Davelin]

Got one from agri-nova and very happy with it. Stainless steel, takes 8 frames, radial so no fiddling and turning frames around; powered by electric drill, MUCH easier than hand cranking. Also has facility to take 2 brood frames if needed.

Would highly recommend.

 

[drstitson]

As soon as my dadant/LS 12 framer arrives from Giordan will post some pics so people can be aware of what else agri-nova may have up their sleeve if you ask clive nicely.

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

another vote for agri-nova's drill driven machine here

 

[Winker]

another vote for agri-nova's drill driven machine here

aye im going to get one for next year, me thinks

 

[drstitson]

had word last night that my 12 frame drill driven Giordan had come off the production line and is being despatched today. will post pics when it arrives.

Forgot about the Italian summer industrial shutdown when i ordered at end of July - factory closed from 1st-21st august!

 

[JohnofBlagdon]

Are the drill-powered extractors noisy? And do you have to stay there with your finger on the trigger?

Thanks in anticipation.

 

[drstitson]

"Are the drill-powered extractors noisy?"

will find out in the next week - presume no noisier than the sum of the noise of the drill plus the normal noise an extractor makes. Mons Ab will probably be along shortly with info.

"And do you have to stay there with your finger on the trigger?"

depends upon the drill used - not sure what spec the one agri-nova supplies is but the draper that i picked up on ebay has a lock on the trigger.

 

[kathrynat]

I am the proud owner of a giordan drill powered extractor. I took delivery of it last week. It is as noisy as the drill that powers it. There is no real extra noise from the extractor itself. You do have to keep your finger on the drill trigger, but that is no hardship compared to a manually driven one

 

[Erichalfbee]

I have an eight frame Giordan and you can lock the trigger.

 

[Frisbee]

I had the dubious pleasure of watching two mentees extracting via aTh****s bees on a budget plastic jobbie............excrutiatingly painless was my view. No gearing so it only went as fast as you could turn your arms and only two frames at a time. Frustration quickly set in which resulted in the frames being blown.

I have 10 hives and don't find it a problem hand turning, whereas it would irritate me no end to stand with my finger on the trigger of a drill, so Astabada my reply would be get a stainless 6 frame tangential if you don't mind hand turning or a stainless radial with it's own motor if you really have an open ended budget and don't want to turn. Whatever, they will both keep their value.

Frisbee

 

[drex]

Used my Giordan drill driven for two lots now. With the supplied drill it is surprisingly quiet and there is a trigger lock. Either I am good at loading it balanced, or it is very well engineered ( or both) as no wobble at all

 

[MrB]

Are the drill-powered extractors noisy?

Only if you select the hammer function

 

[drstitson]

"Only if you select the hammer function"

save that (or your SDS hammer with chisel bit) for your heather or ivy crop!!!