Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: tyb on January 27, 2007, 07:48:27 pm

Title: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: tyb on January 27, 2007, 07:48:27 pm
 Get a piece of 1"x1" wood about 30" long and 4 x 4" flat-head nails. Drill 4 holes for the nails and hammer them right in. The two end nails should be 16 3/4" apart to fit within the frame end-bars. The other two nails should be evenly spaced between those two. Then hammer the ends of the nails flat on an anvil and file the ends square. Twist the nails with pliers so that the flat ends are at a right-angle to the bar. Then drill a hole vertically through the bar, about 1 1/2" away from the 3rd nail to take a 1/4" bolt with a nut underneath.  Last step is to make a switch - get a piece of spring-wire from an old chair or bed and cut a piece about 5" long. Straighten it and twist one end under the head of the bolt. Make a little wooden knob for it and you have your switch.  It should be fitted so that when you press it down with your thumb while you are holding the bar in both hands, the spring wire contacts the flat head of the end nail and activates the electric current. Then attach 2 lengths of lightweight insulated electrical wire, one to the head of an end nail and the other to the head of the bolt. Soldering is best, but tight twisting will work OK. Stand it on the workbench and ensure that the two centre nails are not longer than the two end ones which carry the current. The two middle ones are to hold the wire down when it buckles with the heat.  Finally, get a cheapo car/motorcycle battery charger 6V or 12V and clip the leads onto the two wires of your new embedder. Just need to press the switch and let it go to get the right amount of current to embed perfectly. A nearly-dead car battery works OK instead of the charger.
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: tyb on January 27, 2007, 07:53:18 pm
IMG_0892.jpg I posted an attachment photo but it doesn't seem to appear -any suggestions how to get my photo showing, please? The detailed instructions for building this device will be a lot easier to follow with a picture.
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: Understudy on January 27, 2007, 08:08:07 pm
What is the url for the photo? url is the website address of the photo.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: tyb on January 27, 2007, 08:16:58 pm
I have already tried to post the URL but I wasn't allowed to as a newbie due to 'spamming issues'. Aarrgghh -what do I do now? The photo is really helpful. I thought I followed the correct procedure for attaching the photo -selected a jpeg from my browser and clicked post. What have I missed?
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: Understudy on January 27, 2007, 08:18:20 pm
Message me the url. As long as it is legit I can post it.

Sincerely,
Brendhan
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: tyb on January 27, 2007, 08:21:55 pm
Thanks Brendhan, I've sent you the URL.
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: tyb on January 27, 2007, 08:33:44 pm
Did you get my messages, Brendhan? Not sure I did it right -still a newbie at using this site.
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: Understudy on January 27, 2007, 08:37:39 pm
I replied to your message.
Sincerely,
Brendhan
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: Understudy on January 27, 2007, 08:40:09 pm
(http://images.trademe.co.nz/photoserver/29/34918429_full.jpg)
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: tyb on January 27, 2007, 08:42:39 pm
Yippee!
Thanks, Brendhan!
Cheers, Elisabeth.
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: Finsky on January 28, 2007, 12:34:01 pm

That is too complicated.

You have intallation that you have made a loop via holes. Then you give circuit from heads 10 seconds.

You may use auto accu charger or
circuit where is 1000 W apparatus inside circuit.

You nee not that nail system at all.

Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: tyb on January 28, 2007, 03:31:33 pm
The electrical details could probably be improved upon, but overall the device is easy to construct and very satisfactory to use. Each frame takes about 3 seconds to process  - not 10 seconds. It would be easy also to embed both wires in one step and in fact some commercial beekeepers here use this device in that way. Having four nails ensures that the wire is evenly embedded along the full length as the two middle nails prevent the wire buckling when it heats up. It takes up very little space -in fact it hangs on 2 nails on the wall when not in use. I really like using it and I have found over many years that beginners find it easy and have success with every frame instead of those disappointments where the wire cuts through the wax foundation.
If you have the time, Finsky, perhaps you could give us more detail about the electrical system you mention in your post. What is 'auto accu charger'?
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: Finsky on January 28, 2007, 04:38:19 pm
. Each frame takes about 3 seconds to process  - not 10 seconds.

What is 'auto accu charger'?

I may twist thermostat heater to 2000 W but it heat too quickly the wire, and wires are too easy to go through the wax.  3 seconds are absolutly too fast.

When you put that apparatus on wires, it takes a lot time.

Sorry auto means a car  car battery loader. Seem to be in your picture. You just put the heads to touch frame wire ends and wire melts into wax.


You put ordinary heat blower in the circuit and with wats you may set up how quickly you want to heat the wire.

http://www.spexpress.fi/images/smd-160c.jpg



Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: tyb on January 28, 2007, 05:01:40 pm
3 seconds is the time taken to put the wax in the frame and embed it. I certainly do not put the current though for 3 seconds! - only for a fraction of a second. 3 seconds is the total handling time for that frame to be processed.
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: tyb on January 28, 2007, 05:19:39 pm
re "You just put the heads to touch frame wire ends and wire melts into wax." Yes, this method does work, but there is a tendency for the wires to buckle when heated and as a result the wire is not evenly embedded along its full length. That is the reason why I prefer this method.
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: Finsky on January 28, 2007, 05:24:54 pm
re "You just put the heads to touch frame wire ends and wire melts into wax." Yes, this method does work, but there is a tendency for the wires to buckle when heated and as a result the wire is not evenly embedded along its full length. That is the reason why I prefer this method.

Yes I understand that. It helps when the room where you operate is 25C - 30 C warm. When foundation is warm it rest evenly on wires. Two wires are more easy than 3 or four.

But you are right. I thought that it may be good system when wire soaks into wax evenly.  But warm foundation helps much.
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: tyb on January 28, 2007, 05:46:09 pm
Our summer temperature here is 25-30 C but I also do this work at other times of the year when the temperature is around 16C and it works just as well and it is easier to fit the wax foundation into the groove of the top-bar when the wax is firm at this temperature. In summer the foundation tends to bend while inserting it but in winter the sheet is more rigid. Of course at much lower temperatures there would be a problem as the wax becomes brittle and can break easily.
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: Finsky on January 28, 2007, 05:59:12 pm
when the temperature is around 16C and it works just as well

In summer our room temperature is about 20C and it is impossible to melt wires evenly into wax. But I put 2000 w heater to blow and it takes a while when room is warm.
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: Michael Bush on January 28, 2007, 06:12:43 pm
http://www.bushfarms.com/images/WireEmbedder.JPG

Here's mine.  I bought an embedder from Walter T. Kelley but it wasn't getting the ends embedded at all and often missed spots in the center. I added all the silver metal pieces between their brass ones and now it works perfectly.  I like that I turn the switch on and them off while still holding the wire in the wax.  After the wire has cooled I lift the embedder.
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: Finsky on January 28, 2007, 06:22:16 pm

But tyb, thanks!

I thinked over and I find much good in it.  I got an idea from you system.  I make  smaller one  two inch wide system, and if some part does not go into wax, I may prepare those areas.
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: tyb on January 28, 2007, 09:15:36 pm
That will be interesting! Please post here when you have made this -I will be interested to hear how well it works. : )
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: tyb on January 28, 2007, 09:28:16 pm
Hi Michael, that system looks similar to the one I use, but I find the very simple switch on mine useful in that you can control the exact time the current goes through the wire simply by how long you press down with your thumb whereas with an On/Off switch you don't have that degree of control -it's either on or off.
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: Robo on January 28, 2007, 10:02:05 pm
Same principle as mine.  Except mine has pieces of sheet metal instead of nails making it easier to put on the wire than the tip of a nail.
(http://robo.hydroville.com/albums/Misc/DCP_0003_003.jpg)

And I use a 12V door bell transformer instead of a battery charger,  once again, same principle though.

(http://robo.hydroville.com/albums/Misc/DCP_0004.jpg)

I commend you on your inginuity to use common parts that you had on hand.
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: tyb on January 28, 2007, 10:17:47 pm
Thank you Robo! I like your system very much and intend to make one the same, out of interest. By the way, the nails on my embedder are hammered flat at the ends so there is no pointed tip to the nail -very similar to your pieces of sheetmetal. Thanks for sharing the photos -it's an elegant device!
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: Finsky on January 29, 2007, 02:03:23 am

With the 1000 W heater in the circuit you have one advantage. When you touch wire it gives sparcles but peg will not burn.
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: Kirk-o on February 16, 2007, 06:17:24 pm
Can you Purchase one of these from Brushy?
kirk-o
Title: Re: NZ Invention Electric Wire Embedder
Post by: Finsky on February 22, 2007, 02:08:44 am
.
I have thinked over and I make a 2 inch wide system with which I repair my wirings if melting have not succeeded in first time. Otherwise my system is very fast. ---Foundation in it's site and then circuit to two heads of wire.