What did you do in the 'workshop' today

[pargyle]

Melted down the wax from some brood frames that were past their best (even by my standards !) and some frame scrapings. Just with the solar wax melter (which is now definitely past it's life expectancy and needs to be retired) and through three layers of J-cloth.

Who says it's not worth melting down old brood frames ... yes, there was a lot of slum gum left for bonfire lighting and the wax is not as bright as cappings wax but it's a better colour than some I've seen and there's nearly 3lbs of it for nothing apart from a bit of sun and some time ...

 

[Garry R]

I've never noticed a "charity bin" in our local B&Q. I shall try to remember to look next time I'm out that way. To be fair I don't go in there very much. It's easier and cheaper to get the local builders' merchant to deliver most stuff I want.

James

Apparently B&Q have a real quality control problem. A local builder found a straight piece of timber in a bulk purchase and had to have the plans for a project completely redrawn to allow for it!!!

 

[Garry R]

Continued making crown of thorns marking cages.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Running out of supers and frames so made up my Section Rack to keep the bees in my long hive busy.
I also ran out of section comb so made some from standard thin unwired foundation and used the off cuts as starter strips in some of the sections. Not sure if it will work but I have 2 chances

 

[Garry R]

Running out of supers and frames so made up my Section Rack to keep the bees in my long hive busy.
I also ran out of section comb so made some from standard thin unwired foundation and used the off cuts as starter strips in some of the sections. Not sure if it will work but I have 2 chances
Did you put in the old metal dividers between sections - you know the thin tinplate ones which went all rusty ...........

View attachment 36854
View attachment 36855

 

[Newbeeneil]

Yes the metal dividers are all in place. Chaos would occur if not!
Mine are not rusty, just a bit tarnished .

 

[Superlativesoul]

Made two national open mesh floors from timber in the garage ,very satisfying. Took delivery of a stapler/nailer and seems to work okay

 

[elainemary]

Made some wax blocks and a wax cake for the Yorkshire show - v difficult to get right, plus challenge getting it out the Pyrex dish!

Had a go at making some beeswax lumineres with leftover wax. Saw them at the national honey show last year. Create a v nice glowing effect with a tea light if add a layer of insulating material between the tea light and luminere

 

[Superlativesoul]

They look lovely ,best of luck with the show
John.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

challenge getting it out the Pyrex dish!

it's all about preparation, make sure the dish is spotlessly clean, polish the b*ggery out of it with a glass polishing cloth then, once the wax is completely cooled off put the whole lot (dish and wax) into a deep bowl of cold water and wait for the wax to float out - resist all temptation to fiddle and 'help' the wax to pop out, just wait (sometimes takes a few minutes, sometimes a couple of days).
another method is to mix some washing up liquid with a drop of water and, using your finger rub in to the surface of the mould in small circular motions (like a French polisher) until no trace of it (the liquid) can be seen

 

[elainemary]

it's all about preparation, make sure the dish is spotlessly clean, polish the b*ggery out of it with a glass polishing cloth then, once the wax is completely cooled off put the whole lot (dish and wax) into a deep bowl of cold water and wait for the wax to float out - resist all temptation to fiddle and 'help' the wax to pop out, just wait (sometimes takes a few minutes, sometimes a couple of days).
another method is to mix some washing up liquid with a drop of water and, using your finger rub in to the surface of the mould in small circular motions (like a French polisher) until no trace of it (the liquid) can be seen

Stuck it in the freezer in a container of water then put it in the fridge and went beekeeping for a couple of hours. Phew it was floating when I returned

 

[North London Bee Man]

Built a rhombus clearer ready for a day I'll be stupidly excited about and fitted some insulation I picked up from a neighbour yesterday. Started on a polycarbonate crown board from leftovers but none of the bits were the size I needed so will have to redesign.

 

[elainemary]

Can anyone pls recommend a make / model of heat gun for melting cappings? I’ve googled but so many models and features. Should I just go for the cheapest or are there other factors e.g. safety and ease of use? Advice much appreciated pls.

 

[Newbeeneil]

Can anyone pls recommend a make / model of heat gun for melting cappings? I’ve googled but so many models and features. Should I just go for the cheapest or are there other factors e.g. safety and ease of use? Advice much appreciated pls.

To be honest, I just went for a reasonably cheap one that looked robust.
I think it makes very little difference to the performance as any hot air gun will melt cappings easily. It's mostly about technique.

 

[elainemary]

To be honest, I just went for a reasonably cheap one that looked robust.
I think it makes very little difference to the performance as any hot air gun will melt cappings easily. It's mostly about technique.

Thanks I’ll do the same & buy a cheap one. Neil can you give me your top tips re technique - not done it before!
Elaine

 

[Newbeeneil]

Thanks I’ll do the same & buy a cheap one. Neil can you give me your top tips re technique - not done it before!
Elaine

To be honest I uncap using a knife now as I’ve found that the easiest for me but last year I was trying lots of different methods and tools so bought a new heat gun.
The problem I found with the method was that with new white cappings it worked well but if they were older they didn’t “pop” as you flashed across the comb and the melting wax refilled the tops of cells meaning the honey didn’t all come out when spun.
I’m sure it’s all about technique but I couldn’t get good with it and reverted to a knife.

 

[elainemary]

To be honest I uncap using a knife now as I’ve found that the easiest for me but last year I was trying lots of different methods and tools so bought a new heat gun.
The problem I found with the method was that with new white cappings it worked well but if they were older they didn’t “pop” as you flashed across the comb and the melting wax refilled the tops of cells meaning the honey didn’t all come out when spun.
I’m sure it’s all about technique but I couldn’t get good with it and reverted to a knife.

I use a knife too but I’ve developed a minor shoulder strain & uncapping with a knife (my preferred way too) seemed To agitate it….

 

[Newbeeneil]

I had a conversation with a friend just yesterday who has the same problem. She now uses this.
https://www.thorne.co.uk/processing...57xh6DiHb5lD-DvsSX-jB3sDPkWddEaMaAuGJEALw_wcB

 

[Erichalfbee]

I had a conversation with a friend just yesterday who has the same problem. She now uses this.
https://www.thorne.co.uk/processing...57xh6DiHb5lD-DvsSX-jB3sDPkWddEaMaAuGJEALw_wcB

I think @pargyle has tried this
How does your friend find it?

 

[North End Bees]

I've tried it but couldn't get on with it.
Perhaps just poor technique but it kept getting jammed up.