I've only got 15 hives but I can see more in the future and am planning accordingly. I started out with a hand held blower, bread knife, and a 2 frame reversable extractor 6 years ago. It worked well when I started but as I grew, I quickly outgrew my extracting capacity. I updated to fume boards, a solar wax melter, 2 heated uncapping knives and stations, bought and restored a used Dadant 20 frame extractor, and found an old extractor tank that now serves as a settling tank. I bought as needed and as the earnings showed up in the bank. At this point I don't see being able to justify anything else until I get well above what I've got.