Author Topic: Got my dipping pot!! (Read 15255 times)

Doby45 · « **on:** May 13, 2009, 10:00:49 pm »

I can not even begin to describe how close to impossible it is to find a container suitable for dipping hive bodies and supers. I looked at every possible container, some would work but were more expensive than having one built, other were cheaper but could not be made to work. But now I have gotten my custom made 24" X 18" X 24" pot/cauldron/tank/vat/whateva you wanna call it.

The picture below shows a super in the tank. The tank will hold 3 supers, 2 hive bodies or an untold number of bottom boards/tops.

I painted the outside of it with high temp BBQ paint, suppose to be good up to 1200* and I only need about 250*. Not worried about the inside since the first time I melt the wax and rosin it should pretty much cure the inside.

Robo · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2009, 10:08:36 pm »

Looks like you can actually fit more supers in. Just turn them on end and put them inside the ones you have stacked.

Any idea how much it is gonna cost for the rosin and wax to fill that thing :?

Michael Bush · « **Reply #2 on:** May 13, 2009, 10:23:40 pm »

Nice.

1reb · « **Reply #3 on:** May 13, 2009, 10:46:32 pm »

it look great
Johnny

Doby45 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 14, 2009, 12:09:19 am »

I have actually been pricing the filling of it. :-\ But I have figured out a way to be a wax/rosin ninja and not have to buy AS much in the beginning. I plan to go to my local Army/Navy surplus store and get one of the rocket ammo cans. It is about 12"L by 16"W and 36"D, this I plan to cut to just over 24" long and set in the center of the main pot. I will then fill it with sand. It will act as a space taker upperer and the sand will absorb the heat and should be able to help me keep the temp constant. And if I want to eventually take it out (after buying more wax and rosin) then I can just remove it and set it aside. I am looking at approx $150 to fill it. Rosin from MannLake and parrafin from some of the candle supply places. I can get the parrafin for almost a $1lb shipped.

Robo · « **Reply #5 on:** May 14, 2009, 08:37:39 am »

Well good luck, looking forward to more pictures of it in action :-D

mgmoore7 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 14, 2009, 02:25:28 pm »

I got a quote for about $200 to have a tank similar to yours made. I still want to do it but not willing to put the $500 or so total cost to get it started. Maybe later. For now, paint it is.

Doby45 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 14, 2009, 06:52:27 pm »

Quote from: mgmoore7 on May 14, 2009, 02:25:28 pm

I got a quote for about $200 to have a tank similar to yours made.

I would say that is the standard quote as that is what I was quoted. I am looking to expand and in the long run the cost of having to replace 10-20 hive bodies covers the cost of the pot. That is also why I was looking for people reasonably local to me that might want the benefits of having dipped woodenware without having to belly the up front cost. It would also help me recoup my cost. ;) I already have a few people interested but I am sure more interest will come in the fall and winter when people are doing more with prepping for the next year and not so much current hive management..

mgmoore7 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 14, 2009, 07:02:14 pm »

Quote from: Doby45 on May 14, 2009, 06:52:27 pm

Quote from: mgmoore7 on May 14, 2009, 02:25:28 pm
I got a quote for about $200 to have a tank similar to yours made.

I would say that is the standard quote as that is what I was quoted. I am looking to expand and in the long run the cost of having to replace 10-20 hive bodies covers the cost of the pot. That is also why I was looking for people reasonably local to me that might want the benefits of having dipped woodenware without having to belly the up front cost. It would also help me recoup my cost. ;) I already have a few people interested but I am sure more interest will come in the fall and winter when people are doing more with prepping for the next year and not so much current hive management..

I too have tried to get a few to be interested but I am not confident it is going to work out. I have one person that said he definately wants to contribute but not sure how much he wants to put in yet and the others methods I have tried to get some interest have turned up none. If I were not trying to some degree to make these bees pay for themselves, then I may just do it but I am really trying to run this like a business and only do things that I have money for and stop the endless hole in the pocket that these bees have been so far.

Doby45 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 14, 2009, 07:27:58 pm »

I could not agree with you more. Everything myself and my friend have done so far has been paid in cash, so there is no "debt" on this stuff. We also are going at it slow but intelligently. I see dipping as a way to extend the life of my woodenware into the next millenia and therefore the return on investment highly outways up front cost. If you only ever plan to have 5 hives then it is NOT a smart move due to costs, but I would say once you hit the 50 mark your equipment has paid for itself. Same goes with our extractor, we have not gotten it yet but we plan to get one of the powered 18frame jobs for just under $1000. One of the maxant ones for 10K would be ridiculous and would have to be paid for by bee production but the $1000 one is a reasonable investment on a piece of machinery that can be used for a long time. :-D

mgmoore7 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 14, 2009, 07:46:14 pm »

Quote from: Doby45 on May 14, 2009, 07:27:58 pm

I could not agree with you more. Everything myself and my friend have done so far has been paid in cash, so there is no "debt" on this stuff. We also are going at it slow but intelligently. I see dipping as a way to extend the life of my woodenware into the next millenia and therefore the return on investment highly outways up front cost. If you only ever plan to have 5 hives then it is NOT a smart move due to costs, but I would say once you hit the 50 mark your equipment has paid for itself. Same goes with our extractor, we have not gotten it yet but we plan to get one of the powered 18frame jobs for just under $1000. One of the maxant ones for 10K would be ridiculous and would have to be paid for by bee production but the $1000 one is a reasonable investment on a piece of machinery that can be used for a long time. :-D

Yes, well, I am at 6 hives now and will be up to about 12 within 30 days if my queen run is successful. So, I have a ways to go. I have to consider how many bees, queens, boxes, frames, containers that $500 would purchase. The reality is that my $ should be going toward things that can have a ROI in the realitive short term. I completely agree that the long term should be considered but not to the detriment of eating in the short term. :)

I was fortunate that I was giving a nice 4 frame tangiel extractor for free last year. That extractor can be converted to a 9 frame radial and powered if desired for about $300 I believe.

My experence has been that keeping just a few hives just ends up beeing very expensive honey and another hobby I don't need. There is no economies of scale and thus I am expanding. Hoping to build up these6 to 12 hives, sell a few for some cash to buy more boxes, buid up the remaining for our late summer/fall flow, and then split again and go into winter (if I can call it that) with about 20 hives. That will put me in a much better position to actually make enough honey next year to fill the demand I have been getting now. I should be able to sell some nucs from splits as well.

Doby45 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 14, 2009, 08:22:11 pm »

Well dangnabit Matt, if you weren't so far away we could dip your stuff for ya. ;) I see nothing at all wrong with your business model and I am sure you will do well. Our hope is we can get our hives split before winter and go in doubled up as well.

gaucho10 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 17, 2009, 08:40:05 am »

I'm sorry Doby45, but wouldn't using a small can of melted wax and a paint brush work just as well to seal a wooden box? Am I missing something here?

mgmoore7 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 17, 2009, 08:54:11 am »

Quote from: gaucho10 on May 17, 2009, 08:40:05 am

I'm sorry Doby45, but wouldn't using a small can of melted wax and a paint brush work just as well to seal a wooden box? Am I missing something here?

No it is not the same. The process of dipping the woodenware in the hot wax gets the wax deep in the wood. Much more than just a surface treatment.

cundald · « **Reply #14 on:** May 17, 2009, 12:10:05 pm »

Doby45,

What method are you going to use to preheat the woodware before dipping.

cundald

gaucho10 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 17, 2009, 01:45:47 pm »

I was under the impression that if you take furniture wax, as an example, the wax seals the wood just fine. The wax just needs to get rubbed in so as to penetrate the fine wood pores. Oh well...you learn something new every day.

longrangedog · « **Reply #16 on:** May 17, 2009, 05:19:25 pm »

Doby45, Been considering building my own. I'd like for you to dip some supers for me so that I can see what the dipping does. I hate to paint. I also have some fire units you may be interested in to use to heat your wax/rosin. I'm close (Douglasville and Cartersville). jsdabbs@yahoo.com

Doby45 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 17, 2009, 05:27:01 pm »

Quote from: cundald on May 17, 2009, 12:10:05 pm

What method are you going to use to preheat the woodware before dipping.

Had not planned to pre-heat the supers nor do I think that you have to.

Quote from: longrangedog on May 17, 2009, 05:19:25 pm

Doby45, Been considering building my own. I'd like for you to dip some supers for me so that I can see what the dipping does. I hate to paint. I also have some fire units you may be interested in to use to heat your wax/rosin. I'm close (Douglasville and Cartersville). jsdabbs@yahoo.com

Once I get the rest of the materials (rosin & wax) I would be more than happy to dip some for ya. I will keep in touch and let you know once I have everything.

mgmoore7 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 17, 2009, 06:00:40 pm »

Quote from: Doby45 on May 17, 2009, 05:27:01 pm

Quote from: cundald on May 17, 2009, 12:10:05 pm
What method are you going to use to preheat the woodware before dipping.

Had not planned to pre-heat the supers nor do I think that you have to.

Quote from: longrangedog on May 17, 2009, 05:19:25 pm
Doby45, Been considering building my own. I'd like for you to dip some supers for me so that I can see what the dipping does. I hate to paint. I also have some fire units you may be interested in to use to heat your wax/rosin. I'm close (Douglasville and Cartersville). jsdabbs@yahoo.com

Once I get the rest of the materials (rosin & wax) I would be more than happy to dip some for ya. I will keep in touch and let you know once I have everything.

You don't have to preheat the eq. You put it in the wax/rosin that is heated to 250-350 degrees F. It fries it like french fries. This puts the wax deep in the wood from inside and out. It leaves the wood looking natural and will likely not ever have to be redone unlike paint.

cundald · « **Reply #19 on:** May 17, 2009, 07:19:41 pm »

What is the source of your information for the no preheating method, I would like to look into it more.

cundald