Instruction manual for extractor

[iolaire]

We've bought a secondhand Thornes Bees on a Budget Plastic Extractor that came without instructions. I'm sure we will work it out but if anyone has a sheet or booklet of instructions that show how to fit frames we'd appreciate a scanned copy that we could download. I've watched the Thornes video but it wasn't very clear.

At the moment it's stripped down for a thorough clean so no hurry.

Thanks

Tez

 

[enrico]

Most importantly don't lose the ball bearing!

 

[Newbeeneil]

We've bought a secondhand Thornes Bees on a Budget Plastic Extractor that came without instructions. I'm sure we will work it out but if anyone has a sheet or booklet of instructions that show how to fit frames we'd appreciate a scanned copy that we could download. I've watched the Thornes video but it wasn't very clear.

At the moment it's stripped down for a thorough clean so no hurry.

Thanks

Tez

A quick search doesn't come up with a booklet but Thornes do good instruction videos.

 

[iolaire]

Most importantly don't lose the ball bearing!

Thanks

All the bits are safely stored in a small plastic box (I used to be an RAF radio fitter - old habits die hard)

 

[iolaire]

A quick search doesn't come up with a booklet but Thornes do good instruction videos.

Yeah it's not as clear as it might be to a beginner like me and also a beekeeper friend of over forty years couldn't see how the frames could be securely clipped in.

 

[Newbeeneil]

When I had a small tangential the frames were help by centrifugal(petal?) force.

 

[enrico]

I have an old thornes three frame manual extractor. The frames just sit on the bottom bars. National super frames only just fit without slipping off. As soon as you start turning the wheel they are fine and from then on the wax holds them in place. If it is like mine I kept meaning to put another bottom rail in but it has been going for 35 years and I still haven't got round to it! With regards the ball bearing, it might not have been there in the first place so ...... You cant put bits in a box that were missing in the first place

 

[iolaire]

When I had a small tangential the frames were help by centrifugal(petal?) force.

That makes sense, thanks

 

[iolaire]

I have an old thornes three frame manual extractor. The frames just sit on the bottom bars. National super frames only just fit without slipping off. As soon as you start turning the wheel they are fine and from then on the wax holds them in place. If it is like mine I kept meaning to put another bottom rail in but it has been going for 35 years and I still haven't got round to it! With regards the ball bearing, it might not have been there in the first place so ...... You cant put bits in a box that were missing in the first place

Very true, there's a bearing in a race at the top and nothing at the bottom. if it was there it's stored...

 

[pargyle]

You can use a loop of cable tie at the top of the cage to loop around the top lug of the frames. This keeps them upright and makes life a little easier.

There should be a ball bearing in the recess at the base of the extractor where the spindle sits... if its not there check the packaging or the bits you have stored ... its only a 4 or 5mm diameter so easily mislaid.

 

[iolaire]

You can use a loop of cable tie at the top of the cage to loop around the top lug of the frames. This keeps them upright and makes life a little easier.

There should be a ball bearing in the recess at the base of the extractor where the spindle sits... if its not there check the packaging or the bits you have stored ... its only a 4 or 5mm diameter so easily mislaid.

Hmm! it's probably still sat there in that case...

 

[enrico]

Hmm! it's probably still sat there in that case...

Ha! So when you put the RAF radios back together did you often say.... I wonder where that bit came from! Sorry, just made me smile

 

[iolaire]

Ha! So when you put the RAF radios back together did you often say.... I wonder where that bit came from! Sorry, just made me smile

No, never! but I know guys that did and ended up on a tech charge.

 

[Sam G]

We also have one of these (no hard copy of Instructions were ever provided, we just watched their video!)
I'm not a fan as we use langstroth mostly and whether it's just this particular extractor that wasn't manufactured well or the actual design, one side catches on the lugs and prevents it from spinning. We have to cut about 3 to 5mm off our lugs to extract then put screws in them to hang back in the hive. It claims it fits frames of any size, Langstroth or National and I don't believe you can alter the height of the cage - though I'd welcome any advice