Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum
BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM. => Topic started by: contactme_11 on February 11, 2009, 05:45:48 pm
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Just curious what you all keep in your tool kits for checking hives. Might be nice to share ideas of what works for you best.
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I'm looking forward to the answers.
I carry a smoker, hive tool, frame lifter, brush, long handle needlenose pliers, oyster knife and a propane torch. Smoker fuel is in a separate bag.
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Hive tool, knife, frame rest, of course smoker (propane torch to light), hairclip queen catcher, queen cage.
...JP
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smoker, hive tool and queen cage, I got a little tool box, fits in my pockets :-D , what a load rast is carrying :roll:
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A J21 stapler and staples. Some #8 hardware cloth. A hammer. Some nails from tiny to 8p. Some 2" deck screws. A screw driver. Some burlap. A lighter. A self igniting propane torch. Some shingle shims. A hive tool, of course. A smoker. A queen catcher. A marking tube. A marking pen.
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Talk about me Twt :-D, look at what Michael is carring. Oh yeah, mine is in one of those behind the cab aluminum toolboxes on my truck. Thats just the bee stuff that is in there.
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I dont have anything in my bee box...Its scattered from one end of my land to the other...or in the kitchen...or in the computer room...or in the laundry room or on the deck....I always have to look for it if I need it !....hmmmm...its the same with all my tolls too!
your friend,
john
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Talk about me Twt :-D, look at what Michael is carring. Oh yeah, mine is in one of those behind the cab aluminum toolboxes on my truck. Thats just the bee stuff that is in there.
I thought tool box for hives is what you carry with you when you check them, understand in a truck though but with MB post, didn't know we was talking about what we have in the shop for bee's :shock: , that would be to much to list, he did say for checking hives in the first post MB, not for build some :-P !
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Hive tool, gloves, brush, escape, coffee cans for burr comb and propolis. A spray bottle of sugar syrup/water (1:1) and a dentist's kit with pics, tweezers and an angled mirror. Side of hive frame holder. Frame lifter. Velcro pant leg cuff closers for when I don't have socks on to tuck into. Veil. Entrance reducer. Denver's Sting Stopper. Powdered sugar and small sieve for shakes. Usually a camera. Sometimes a notebook.
That starts to sound like a lot but I think its a pretty easy kit to carry.
I do have a smoker and fuel but I seem not to use it that much. If I really need something I give them a little sugar water spray - it doesn't make them as angry as the smoke does.
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a self igniting propane torch, smoker, burlap bag, or what's left of it, hive tool, for checking hives.
Now for removals, I have a truck mounted tool box full, a 5 X8 trailer with ladder rack, large tool box on trailer, all full. Two empty hives, two empty nuc boxes, and my hooded jacket behind the seat, where it stays most of the time.
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toolbox? :? :roll: I carry my hive tool & smoker, gloves shoved in pockets... J
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I always considered a pair of bib overalls the ultimate tool box, never without it. I can go from working the bees to building the chicken house without changing clothes or gear. Want to Know how many times you want to use a tape measure while inspecting your newly installed packaged bees to guage comb buildup?....
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a self igniting propane torch, smoker, burlap bag, or what's left of it, hive tool, for checking hives.
Now for removals, I have a truck mounted tool box full, a 5 X8 trailer with ladder rack, large tool box on trailer, all full. Two empty hives, two empty nuc boxes, and my hooded jacket behind the seat, where it stays most of the time.
Hahahaha, that sounds like me (http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/8431/cimg3099ov9.th.jpg) (http://img119.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cimg3099ov9.jpg)
...JP
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Two hive tools.........always misplacing one while at the hives.
Smoker and fuel
Needle nose pliers
Push type brad nailer
Nails for frames
Wooden shims for ventilation
Duct tape.........to tape up gaps in clothing that bees could crawl into.
Rubber mallet
Frame grabber
Queen tube and markers
Tack hammer
Epi pen
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Hive Tool, Smoker & Fuel, Bic Lighter.
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Smoker,Propane Torch,Cut Up Burlap,Baby Powder,Queen Cage,Hive Tool,Bee Brush,Scissors
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No toolbox, just a toolpail filled with hive tool, burlap and paper, propane torch, benadryl liquid, queen catcher, towel to cover the supers when inspecting, gloves, small pocket knife, frame lifter and bee brush. All I can think of at the moment.
Don't forget the Benadryl just in case!!
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Hey Annette, get you a frame rest, you'll love it!
...JP
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Hey Annette, get you a frame rest, you'll love it!
...JP
I have a frame rest, but I never seem to use it for some reason. Will give it a try again.
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Its great for setting frames aside while checking your hives, love 'em!
...JP
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I bought a hand held metal tool box a couple years ago. It stays in the truck. I keep everything from duct tape to matches. From a baby food jar of fondant to a bottle of water. My tool box is just an extention of everything else I "may" need that day. I may find queen cells, may want to cage a queen, might get called out on a swarm call....so it's all in the truck. I even carry a extra set of clothes, extra sneakers, and toilet paper. I have extra bottles of water behind the seat, and a few granola bars. I take everything I might need while in a yard. And the tool box is a place where many things go. A small mag light to a sharpie. A marking pen to some hive staples. I may not be back at that yard for a month or two, so I take it all so I can leave knowing I dealt with whatever I needed too.
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I'd have to agree with the consensus here, Annette - the frame rest is a prime tool - try it again!
Honestly, I really like the frame lifter too, especially since I don't really like to smoke. I can remove frames regardless of how high on the frames the honeys are and when they are really heavy I feel like I have a better grip on them.
- Jess
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duct tape, smoker, hive tool, lighter and beer for afterwards!!
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Just to add: I always have a powerful pair of dollar store reading glasses 2.5 to 3.0 for deep cell looking (it's nice eye protection too) and always a tube of ORAJEL around which stops sting pain quick as anything, you'll watch a venom sac stop pumping the second it gets hit with the gel. I had a whole super of brood twist out of square once while carrying it and every frame fell to the ground - they were on me like white on rice, the gel kills the sting pain whether you get to scrap a stinger off or not, it might have been nice to have that ouchy day!
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What do you do in an outyard if the box is falling apart? Or you need to close up an entrance?
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I keep the entrance reducers up at the apiary site in case of need, with extra supers and some other stuff.
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I have some misc. size reducers, some V shaped 14 1/2 wide, 1/8 hardware cloth entrance blockers and some other odds and ends throwed in an empty deep super in the back of my truck also.
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2 hive tools
bee brush
smoker
lighter
matches
hammer with assorted nails
miniature hand saw
duct and masking tape
queen marking pen
queen cages
magnifying lenses
propolis pick
frame grip
packet of marshmallows
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Aha!!! You're gonna get a kick out of this one. This almost exact topic was started in December 2006 by Newbee101. Go to this link, there are some very cool and interesting pictures in this other thread, just to add onto what we all keep in our toolboxes, hee, hee. Have that great, most wonderful day, Cindi
http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,7209.0.html
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Maybe more important, what is in your pocket. :) I have a marking pen, a queen catcher, a marking tube, a pair of tweezers and a flashlight. :)
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Somethings I always carry with me: Leatherman tool, marking pen, hive staples, knife, and string.
I can't tell you how many times I've needed them other places than just the bee yard.
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It may not be in the toolbox, but I also make sure I carry a couple extra bottles of water. There is always a bottle handy for whatever the use.
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I don't know how some of you can get away with it, but I am absolutely lost without a roll of duct tape! That is one of man's greatest inventions!
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I don't know how some of you can get away with it, but I am absolutely lost without a roll of duct tape! That is one of man's greatest inventions!
I say the same thing about toilet paper... :-D I can do things with toilet paper, that you just can't do with duct tape... :shock:
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Hmmph..giggle Bjorn, you cracked me up with that one..Far Side images in my warped little mind! J :evil:
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Vagisil is cheaper and stronger than orajel. just get some female to get it for you if you are to shy to buy for yourself. :evil:
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Now this thread is getting .............interesting ;)
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it is especially good for the itching that comes a couple of days later.
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Itching.... :? I told you, I have toilet paper in the truck.... :roll:
:lau:
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I don't know how some of you can get away with it, but I am absolutely lost without a roll of duct tape! That is one of man's greatest inventions!
I say the same thing about toilet paper... :-D I can do things with toilet paper, that you just can't do with duct tape... :shock:
Vagisil is cheaper and stronger than orajel. just get some female to get it for you if you are to shy to buy for yourself. :evil:
I read these to comments and thought Bikini Wax and the Vagisil will ease the pain there.
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You can't keep these in your toolbox but here goes...I built these "T"s for hanging sheetrock ceilings. I only needed two but I made 5 instead. When doing a cutout you don't need to staple plastic on the ceilings. You just pad with a towel, place plastic sheathing and stand. The "T" will hold the plastic up until you are done, then just remove. I made mine adjustable so that I can go from 6 ft. to 10 ft. in height. I also keep a "scope" which I bought on the internet for too much ($250.00). Home Depot has them now for a little less and they are better. You just drill a small 1/2" hole and insert the scope. You can see if there are wires, pipes and the like. I use it to run strings from one floor to another for conduit.
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Here are a couple of pics of my "T"s.
(http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/7134/88731825ea3.th.jpg) (http://img4.imageshack.us/my.php?image=88731825ea3.jpg)
(http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/2922/57730630he6.th.jpg) (http://img4.imageshack.us/my.php?image=57730630he6.jpg)
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I like your T's. My borescope died on me recently. It was like this http://www.restockit.com/18-Flexible-Borescope-5-8-mm-Scope-(SLIPV618).html?source=froogle&Bvar5=100F1&Bvar6=100F1&Bvar7=100F1
It was 1/4" flexible hose with eye piece, was lighted and had a focus dial. The one's from HD have a viewing screen right? How's clarity with such a small screen?
...JP
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JP,
That's exactly what I have. I actually had two. The first one got stolen the day I got it in the mail. I was bringing the tools into a home I was working in and one of the tenants stole it out of my truck. I ordered the second one and that's the one that I still own. I paid ~$250.00 each. So that's a total of $500. This one is not as good as the one from Home Depot. Or at least I think. The one at HD has a screen so it is easier to see...I think. But it deffinitely saves me a lot of time when I am trying to create as little damage as possible and still see what I am doing inside the walls and ceilings. As far as clarity....ha,ha,ha...you just have to get used to it. I was taking dead mice out of a Recreational Vehicle where the mouse was still alive and crawled into a crevasse. I used the scope to see if I could find it but all I could see it was a very shallow area. You have to use it for a while to get used to it. It is also a try-and-see what happens trial and error thing. You slide the scope inside, take a look, readjust the bend on the tube, take a look, try again, etc. But it still is worth not opening the wall.
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Borescopes come in handy occassionally for me anyway. I agree, its a tool where you have to be right up on the object you're trying to see, unless you have one of the extremely high dollar ones with a joy stick that moves a lighted lens. I have a friend that has one, they are the same type instrument used on colonoscopies, cost quite a bundle, more than $40K last time I checked. His you can even make a video with.
...JP
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Yeah, they all have uses in dark places. :-D
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Yeah, they all have uses in dark places. :-D
I'm not touching that one.
...JP ;)
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In my toolbox -
wine corks for closing entrance holes
blue masking tape - it doesn't take the paint off boxes the way duct tape does
Benadryl
stapler and a few scraps of screen
hive tools
lighter
strike anywhere matches
index cards and business cards for leaving notes
thumbtacks
sharpie pens for marking frames with dates, etc (or writing BAD BOX on that rickety super)
queen catching clip (can also be used to transport queens)
queen marking pen
spare queen cages
small notebook for making hive notes
bandaids
wintergreen scented rubbing alcohol (for cleaning tools and hands between hives)