Gasvap alternative

[blackcloud]

I guess if someone paid full whack for the complete kit they would be underwhelmed a bit as it seems the third party lamp is a problem.
I got the bare gasvap and put my own cheapo lamp to it,trained myself (its not a plug and play sort of product-thats where I think people get themselves against a wall) how to best operate it and I have no issues whatsoever.

 

[BeeKeyPlayer]

I guess if someone paid full whack for the complete kit they would be underwhelmed a bit as it seems the third party lamp is a problem.
I got the bare gasvap and put my own cheapo lamp to it,trained myself (its not a plug and play sort of product-thats where I think people get themselves against a wall) how to best operate it and I have no issues whatsoever.

As I've said, I've used mine hundreds of times. It has steadily got worse, as if it's declining with old age. But it's not obvious to me what's wrong with it.

 

[John stockburn]

As I've said, I've used mine hundreds of times. It has steadily got worse, as if it's declining with old age. But it's not obvious to me what's wrong with it.

Have you plenty of gas?

 

[BeeKeyPlayer]

Have you plenty of gas?

Yes. The torch is excellent without the GasVap fitted.

 

[John stockburn]

Yes. The torch is excellent without the GasVap fitted.

Have you moved or disturbed the torch nozzle ? ,I have made my gas vapor idiot proof so my son and I cannot blame each other for any knocks or movement

 

[blackcloud]

Having the nozzle too far into the gasvap caused reliability issues with torches as did lighting with the dial too high.
Once warmed up I keep mine running until all the hives are completed.

 

[jeff33]

I've got about a minute and a half of mp4 video of my gas vap in use. It won't upload as I get a message too big a file. Works just great on WhatsApp though.

It just doesn't do it for me, definitely a lot less vapour compared to the first couple of hives.
I also get the same issues with the blowtorch, automatic lighter doesn't work anymore so need to use a lighter and thick heatproof gloves to handle the lot.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

Admit i have to use this year for first time, but made these caps to make handling easier.

I gave up with my gasvap for the same reasons, I was constantly fiddling with it, trying to get the temperature right, but with no certainty…..gave up when it overheated in a moment of less vigilance and de-soldered itself.
I bought an Instavap last year and in my estimation it is a game changer, the dosing system is superb and it has full digital temperature control, so absolutely no guesswork….it is also beautifully designed and built.

Expensive maybe, but that’s subjective and completely tied to time consumption in my view.

As you can tell I would thoroughly recommend

The standard gas vap is "silver-soldered" and that stuff does NOT melt in moments with a normal (as supplied) butane cooks torch or even a powerful plumbers blow lamp. What were you using to heat the gas vap? Aircon installers use "MAPGAS" torches to achieve high enough temperature for brazing or silver soldering but these are specialist applications.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

It just doesn't do it for me, definitely a lot less vapour compared to the first couple of hives.
I also get the same issues with the blowtorch, automatic lighter doesn't work anymore so need to use a lighter and thick heatproof gloves to handle the lot.

I have on occasion found a restriction builds up because of crystals adhering to the inside of the discharge tube so I cleaned it out by rodding it with the next size down copper pipe. Just a bit of running maintenance

 

[blackcloud]

The dispensing spoon supplied does that job too.
The caps can get hot and stuck so I 'polished ' them hard with some brutal 40grit abrasive cloth.I can change them easily wearing standard marigolds.

The great thing about this discussion is that without realising it everyone has flagged up that they really care about their bees.

 

[Gilberdyke John]

The dispensing spoon supplied does that job too.
The caps can get hot and stuck so I 'polished ' them hard with some brutal 40grit abrasive cloth.I can change them easily wearing standard marigolds.

The great thing about this discussion is that without realising it everyone has flagged up that they really care about their bees.

I mentioned it some time ago but the oft denigrated frame lifting tongs which sometimes come in beginners tool kits along with leather gloves can be pressed into service as hot dosing cap holders. Maybe there was some thought put into assembling beginners kits after all?

 

[markyfive]

The standard gas vap is "silver-soldered" and that stuff does NOT melt in moments with a normal (as supplied) butane cooks torch or even a powerful plumbers blow lamp. What were you using to heat the gas vap? Aircon installers use "MAPGAS" torches to achieve high enough temperature for brazing or silver soldering but these are specialist applications.

I bought the complete kit with the blow lamp included, just to ensure compatibility. Fuelled it using gas lighter re-fill aerosol.

 

[markyfive]

I bought the complete kit with the blow lamp included, just to ensure compatibility. Fuelled it using gas lighter re-fill aerosol.

*Just to ensure compatibility.......*gas lighter re-fill aerosol

 

[MeAndMyBees]

The dispensing spoon supplied does that job too.
The caps can get hot and stuck so I 'polished ' them hard with some brutal 40grit abrasive cloth.I can change them easily wearing standard marigolds.

The great thing about this discussion is that without realising it everyone has flagged up that they really care about their bees.

I care about my Bees and my Wallet too. . . Bees have cost me a fortune in 'need' this, this, that!
So after seeing the promos of the Gas Vape on YouTube etc. . .
I decided to see if I could design my own !
Primarily cheaper, and as I have several 'non conventional' Hives,
the Gas Vape was 'useful' re Butane Gas etc. BUT it didn't 'fit' my Hive requirements... Actually 'Fit' !?!
So with some thinking, several Cuppas and ordering some Cap Ends, T Junctions etc. And having Scrap (Waste) Copper Pipe to hand, I made my own version.*
My Homemade Horizontal Hive* (Langstroth uses Jumbo Deep Frames) needed a much longer Vape Tool. And my Nationals and Poly Nucs needed a shorter but non melting variant too. The Warre Hives entrances didn't mean the "Gas Vap" would work ! Doh !

So initially back of Envelope doodles : to 'how to' I purchased Copper pipe 'End Caps' and having some, I guess? Scrap Radiator,
Heating Piping, (some with Plastic covering still on it) suited my 'make my own' nothing lost, all to gain.
Initially all were Soldered when constructing, then by 'Threading' each Endpipe junction, before connecting via applied twist & turn pressure. (A bit of Solder was used only for extra oomph !) End Cap (Static) aka the 'Heated End' was attached, then was bashed with a Hammer to (bend) it 'out' of circle alignment ! Stuck likecRock.
Solder added as the connecting option in first 'prototype' But in the second versions : mainly for Belt and Braces ! And filling any 'gaps'!
Dosing Caps & all Feeder Ends were both filed 'thinner' so to be more 'lose' fitting. And by having several in use in one Treatment, meant one could be 'cooked as another cooled'. So End Caps could be removed, O/A :Filled, Heated and repeated. As Api-Bioxal has a % of Glucose within it (it being the UK's only approved Vet Med V.M O/A product.) To that of USA : using pure O/A dry Crystal's is 'approved' and doesn't Clog !
Our Vapes 'get clogged up' big time and need regular cleaning. (Guess the narrow 'Gas Vap' feeder Nozzle gets clogged quicker ?) Eeeeck.
Or in my own wider 'Pipe' version
I just 'cook' them with some heat' to burn off that residue. Wait for it to 'burn off, cool down NOT in Hive itself, but eg on a Flower Pot.
Go find my Spare, Heat that to
Api-Bioxar's Vape Temperature remit : (Sublimation into Gas.) And leave it in Hive Entrance, with damp Cloth closing of all possible 'Gasing Fumes. Do wear full PPE and a Organic Gas approved Filitered Gas Face Mask. O/A gas is Toxic Stuff !
I add the Dosing Cap with ratio of needed Medicine mg to Hive Size. And leave in Situ.
Do another, repeat. Find former, heat to clean. Then repeat. . .

Copper Pipe T Junctions are an option, but found with Treading instead, these were nice, but an extra 'cost' to by at the Pluming Store. Guess I was lucky to have lots of 'left over' Scrap Pipe to utilise. Others may have to add that to their own 'Vape' makes.
Gas Vaping works : if you know what's required, what's occurring and that you do it safely !
Ps.
Storm Isha is battering the place, so I went off to Fla, OK via YT.
Saw 'Beek Richie' show and talk about a "Jobon" pocket Butane Burner. . . OK not for O/A, but maybe a Zap of Flame might 'Clean Out' the Gas Vap Nozzle good and proper ! Jabon (Flame Burner) Seen on Amazon etc. Pocket friendly Price wise too.

 

[MeAndMyBees]

I care about my Bees and my Wallet too. . . Bees have cost me a fortune in 'need' this, this, that!
So after seeing the promos of the Gas Vape on YouTube etc. . .
I decided to see if I could design my own !
Primarily cheaper, and as I have several 'non conventional' Hives,
the Gas Vape was 'useful' re Butane Gas etc. BUT it didn't 'fit' my Hive requirements... Actually 'Fit' !?!
So with some thinking, several Cuppas and ordering some Cap Ends, T Junctions etc. And having Scrap (Waste) Copper Pipe to hand, I made my own version.*
My Homemade Horizontal Hive* (Langstroth uses Jumbo Deep Frames) needed a much longer Vape Tool. And my Nationals and Poly Nucs needed a shorter but non melting variant too. The Warre Hives entrances didn't mean the "Gas Vap" would work ! Doh !

So initially back of Envelope doodles : to 'how to' I purchased Copper pipe 'End Caps' and having some, I guess? Scrap Radiator,
Heating Piping, (some with Plastic covering still on it) suited my 'make my own' nothing lost, all to gain.
Initially all were Soldered when constructing, then by 'Threading' each Endpipe junction, before connecting via applied twist & turn pressure. (A bit of Solder was used only for extra oomph !) End Cap (Static) aka the 'Heated End' was attached, then was bashed with a Hammer to (bend) it 'out' of circle alignment ! Stuck likecRock.
Solder added as the connecting option in first 'prototype' But in the second versions : mainly for Belt and Braces ! And filling any 'gaps'!
Dosing Caps & all Feeder Ends were both filed 'thinner' so to be more 'lose' fitting. And by having several in use in one Treatment, meant one could be 'cooked as another cooled'. So End Caps could be removed, O/A :Filled, Heated and repeated. As Api-Bioxal has a % of Glucose within it (it being the UK's only approved Vet Med V.M O/A product.) To that of USA : using pure O/A dry Crystal's is 'approved' and doesn't Clog !
Our Vapes 'get clogged up' big time and need regular cleaning. (Guess the narrow 'Gas Vap' feeder Nozzle gets clogged quicker ?) Eeeeck.
Or in my own wider 'Pipe' version
I just 'cook' them with some heat' to burn off that residue. Wait for it to 'burn off, cool down NOT in Hive itself, but eg on a Flower Pot.
Go find my Spare, Heat that to
Api-Bioxar's Vape Temperature remit : (Sublimation into Gas.) And leave it in Hive Entrance, with damp Cloth closing of all possible 'Gasing Fumes. Do wear full PPE and a Organic Gas approved Filitered Gas Face Mask. O/A gas is Toxic Stuff !
I add the Dosing Cap with ratio of needed Medicine mg to Hive Size. And leave in Situ.
Do another, repeat. Find former, heat to clean. Then repeat. . .

Copper Pipe T Junctions are an option, but found with Treading instead, these were nice, but an extra 'cost' to by at the Pluming Store. Guess I was lucky to have lots of 'left over' Scrap Pipe to utilise. Others may have to add that to their own 'Vape' makes.
Gas Vaping works : if you know what's required, what's occurring and that you do it safely !
Ps.
Storm Isha is battering the place, so I went off to Fla, OK via YT.
Saw 'Beek Richie' show and talk about a "Jobon" pocket Butane Burner. . . OK not for O/A, but maybe a Zap of Flame might 'Clean Out' the Gas Vap Nozzle good and proper ! Jabon (Flame Burner) Seen on Amazon etc. Pocket friendly Price wise too.

I'm losing it. . . Loose fitting. Doh.

 

[alancooper]

Hi Jeff looks similar to the Instantvap and price wise, we have a Uk suppler for them that should make parts or issues simpler. I picked 1 up early this year and it’s excellent. Do you have any battery power tools that will ease the pain of the purchase as you can order the instantvap to fit existing batteries for some makes.

The Oxalica Pro stipulates pure OA, “not wet”, a term I cannot relate to given that the now lumpy OA stash in the garage used now in my Varrox vapouriser for a couple of years. Have you had any problems with wet OA?

 

[sean-a]

It boils off but evaporates rather than sublimate. I find that you don't get the full amount and to be honest, not sure how well it works in that state.

Sublime = Solid to Gas
Evaporate - Liquid to Gas
Gaseous OA condences back to Solid
What's the difference?

 

[sean-a]

As I've said, I've used mine hundreds of times. It has steadily got worse, as if it's declining with old age. But it's not obvious to me what's wrong with it.

Mine had a screw holdng the heat shield on which was loose. Allowed the pressure to escape as screw went into the eating chamber.....tightened the screw and back to full function!
There are no moving parts!

 

[Eyeman]

Can’t understand why folks are having trouble with the gasvap unless the design has changed since I bought an original. Been using it regularly since it first came out. Always used it with blow torch on full power otherwise nozzle can clog or slows down between vaps. Did 51 colonies spread over 3 sites in one afternoon. As most of my colonies are treated through a reversible crown board, most of the time taken was spent turning the CB over.

 

[sean-a]

Can’t understand why folks are having trouble with the gasvap unless the design has changed since I bought an original. Been using it regularly since it first came out. Always used it with blow torch on full power otherwise nozzle can clog or slows down between vaps. Did 51 colonies spread over 3 sites in one afternoon. As most of my colonies are treated through a reversible crown board, most of the time taken was spent turning the CB over.

+1