Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: newbee101 on December 31, 2006, 05:41:56 pm

Title: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: newbee101 on December 31, 2006, 05:41:56 pm
I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I'm bored.....
(http://www.acmepainting.com/tools.jpg)
Frame grip (used once)
wine corks
entrance reducers
bee escapes
rubber bands
matches
hammer
robber screen
EpiPen
cotton (for smoker I never use)
hive tools (3)
dental pick
magic marker
swiss army knife
straps
push pin tacks
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Finsky on December 31, 2006, 06:05:08 pm
This is mine, almost. The rest are in the sedan, somewhere.

(http://www.missouritrading.com/images/knives_redhandle.jpg)
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: newbee101 on December 31, 2006, 06:25:11 pm
 I dont see no propolis on them there hive tools...... 
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Michael Bush on December 31, 2006, 07:55:47 pm
Italian Hive tool
J21 Stapler
Staples
#8 hardware cloth
tin snips
Smoker
Burlap
Self igniting propane torch
BBQ lighter
Duct Tape
Queen catchers
Queen cages with candy
Queen marking pens (last year's and this year's colors)
Tweezers (for catching attendants)
#8 push in cage
Frame grip (cast molded handle)
Leatherman wave (in my pocket actually) which has:
  Saw
  Serrated blade
  Regular blade
  3 sized of straight screwdrivers
  1 size of phillips screw driver
  can opener
  file
  pliers
  scissors
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Michael Bush on December 31, 2006, 08:35:11 pm
And a bee brush... :)
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: newbee101 on December 31, 2006, 08:46:06 pm
oh yeah, and I got an old honey jar for burr comb
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: amymcg on December 31, 2006, 09:03:24 pm
Two hive tools
1 roll of duct tape
lighter
smoker
pine shavings
gloves, leather gauntlets and latex
entrance reducer
pocket knife
Ginsu Knife
Cell measuring guide
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Kirk-o on January 01, 2007, 10:52:52 am
I have pretty much the same thing except I keep a sack of dried horse turds for
smoker fuel
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Cindi on January 01, 2007, 11:00:52 am
Kirk, ha the dried horse turds, for sure, easy to manage, good size, much better than a cow pie for sure.  Great day.  Cindi
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: sean on January 01, 2007, 03:15:49 pm
1 hammer
extra hive tool
1/2 inch nails
Smoker
matches
lighter
old newspaper
cardboard
1 machete
combination knife/pliers/file/ screwdrivers
gloves
jar for wax
long sleeveshirt
veil
tool box is an old cardboard box(just in case)
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Apis629 on January 01, 2007, 07:20:10 pm
I don't have a toolbox.  I usually would just grab my jacket, gloves, veil, smoker, matches and hive tool.  If I was checking on the TBH, I'd bring a hunting knife.  I'd get the smoker fuel from the location of the hives.
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Cindi on January 02, 2007, 12:20:33 am
Sean, what on earth would you use a machete for when you go and see the bees.  The only thing that I could possibly use that would resemble this device would be a pair of scissors to cut the grass.  LOL.  Great day.  Cindi
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: tereads on January 06, 2007, 03:17:53 pm
What are the wine corks for?

Mine:
matches
lighter
extra hive tool
hammer
staples
crumpled newspaper & twine
bee brush
frame grip
spray bottle of alcohol
spray bottle of sugar water
jar to collect wax
gloves
smoker



I use a 5 gallon bucket with a contractors bucket boss (canvas pullover with tool pockets)

Oh, yeah:  the best thing I've found is the electric garden cart (the neuton) since my hives are downhill from the house and shed

happy new year,
Terry
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: mick on January 06, 2007, 09:42:15 pm
(http://i10.tinypic.com/2lix5vl.jpg)

Thats all I have. :-D
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: newbee101 on January 06, 2007, 10:57:56 pm
Quote
What are the wine corks for?
For when I loose the one in the bottle! :-D
It is to plug up top entrances when needed.
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: sean on January 07, 2007, 07:20:18 pm
Sean, what on earth would you use a machete for when you go and see the bees.  The only thing that I could possibly use that would resemble this device would be a pair of scissors to cut the grass.  LOL.  Great day.  Cindi

Aah cindi. machete serves a variety of purposes.

1) protection: area is isolated but this is jamaica, anything can happen it keeps me safe from man,centipedes           and tigers
   
2) I use to dig holes when i am planting stuff
3) To chop what eve bushes may be in my way
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: michelleb on January 07, 2007, 07:21:53 pm

Basic Getup:
Cheap canvas tool bag from Harbor Freight
Italian hive tool
Standard hive tool
Smoker
Cotton/denim
Paper bag of mini pinecones
Long-necked lighter
Standard lighter on a lanyard
Gerber Multitool
Hammer
Hive Staples
Can of starter fluid (ether rolls--for the bees, not for me)
Jar
Duct Tape

I do keep a stash box with my bees to lighten the load. It's where I keep stuff like a few extra frames, frame hanger, hive tools, etc.

And machetes are a pretty common sight in Jamaica. Stuff grows fast there! Fact is, I keep three or four machetes at the camper in my Oregon outyard, to hack grass around the fronts of the hives in Spring to keep open space or clear paths through the brambles. 
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: sean on January 07, 2007, 07:37:24 pm
"And machetes are a pretty common sight in Jamaica. Stuff grows fast there"

can i assume that you have been here michelleb
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: newbee101 on January 07, 2007, 07:46:47 pm
Sean,
 Is it true or just a rumour, that if you place your hives in the right place, you can get some "ganja" honey.
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: sean on January 07, 2007, 08:31:20 pm
Sean,
 Is it true or just a rumour, that if you place your hives in the right place, you can get some "ganja" honey.

Naah. they would bee too high to make it back home
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: newbee101 on January 07, 2007, 09:45:54 pm
 :-D
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: michelleb on January 07, 2007, 11:06:36 pm
Sean, as a matter of fact, I did the budget touristy thing back in 89. Seawind Hotel in Montego Bay, the falls at Ocho Rios, and of course Jenny's Favorite Cakes outside of Negril....(and the leap off the cliff at Rick's, but not necessarily in that order...) Some side-trips we took were pretty memorable, too, like the Quest for Doritos.

Where do you live in Jamaica?
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: TwT on January 08, 2007, 02:02:11 am
all I got in my tool box is "TOOLS",,,, aint thats why its called a tool box??  :lol: just kidding!!!!!!
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!! Aint I a Stinker!!!!!!
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: sean on January 08, 2007, 08:24:00 am
Sean, as a matter of fact, I did the budget touristy thing back in 89. Seawind Hotel in Montego Bay, the falls at Ocho Rios, and of course Jenny's Favorite Cakes outside of Negril....(and the leap off the cliff at Rick's, but not necessarily in that order...) Some side-trips we took were pretty memorable, too, like the Quest for Doritos.

Where do you live in Jamaica?

i am in spanish town which is on the southern side of the island. Hope you had fun while you were here.
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Cindi on January 08, 2007, 09:54:36 am
My toolbox is simple and can fit in my hands.

I leave my hive tools and the plastic container for collecting burr comb, scrapings, etc. at the beeyard, so I don't bring them along each time.  I leave the baby powder there too, in a ziplock bag.

What I bring each time I go up:

Smoker (I check it each time to make sure it is full of CLEAN burlap, no burlap used at my place that has been treated with oil as some old burlap junk is.  I get the burlap that has been treated with coconut oil instead, it is cheap and emits an extremely clean smoke, no black smoke, pure (if you can call smoke pure), blue/grey smoke


BBQ lighter
Bee brush (I don't like to leave it outside, the bristels get hard with changing temperatures)

That's it.  I can't think of anything else that I bring along, I go up there as simple as I can.

Great day.  Cindi
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: leominsterbeeman on January 08, 2007, 08:13:51 pm
Bee suit
Smoker
Gloves (2 pair)
Extra Veil
Awl
Toothpicks
Compass
Queen Catcher
Hammer
Stripping tool
Small Blue Lighter
RegulAR Blue lighter
orange lighter
2 large scripto lighters
Sasil Twine
Bee brush
Small metal strainer
2 standard hive tools
2 hook end hive tools
3 utility knives
Frame rests
Epi Pen
Benadryl
frame gripper
duct tape


But from looking at this list... I need to remove some utility knives and lighters and add a Sharpie.
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: sean on January 08, 2007, 09:50:41 pm
Bee suit
Smoker
Gloves (2 pair)
Extra Veil
Awl
Toothpicks
Compass
Queen Catcher
Hammer
Stripping tool
Small Blue Lighter
RegulAR Blue lighter
orange lighter
2 large scripto lighters
Sasil Twine
Bee brush
Small metal strainer
2 standard hive tools
2 hook end hive tools
3 utility knives
Frame rests
Epi Pen
Benadryl
frame gripper
duct tape


But from looking at this list... I need to remove some utility knives and lighters and add a Sharpie.


Aahm why so many lighters?
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Cindi on January 08, 2007, 10:49:34 pm
Right, upon a second or third thought, there are actually a few other things that do head up my way with me to see the bees.  MY BEE JOURNAL pre-notes, I always take a note or two as I go through the hives and then the next morning I write them down more formally into my bee journal.

This upcoming year I think that I am going to have a plastic baggy attached to each colony with notepaper inside each one.  That way I can write down and keep a record with each hive and then enter this data into my bee journal weekly or bi-weekly.  Well that is the plan, but we all know how plans tend to go, the intention is good, but does the follow-through always occur???  Probably not with me.

I do keep a few other things up in the apiary and they are:

-  a flyswatter, for killing bad bugs, like the yellowjackets (my arch enemy)
-  toothpicks (there for the chance that I might need to pull out ropey gooey junk to identify AFB if I think that it may be present)
- a stainless steel narrow putty knife in case I need some fine work with scraping
- an extra hive body with all apparatus except combs

I think that is about it.  Great day.  Cindi
 
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: leominsterbeeman on January 09, 2007, 02:44:37 pm
Quote
Aahm why so many lighters?

I have so many lighters becuase I look in my bag and don't see a lighter, so I get another lighter.    It's not until I actually clean out my beebag that I actually see what I have.

Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Queen Bee on January 13, 2007, 07:47:45 pm
I have lg. hive staples, tacks, nails, hammer, smoker fuel, bq lighter, entrance reducer, two hive tools, bee brush, notebook and pen, gloves,two sheets of newspaper, Alexander type veil and a strip of old demin. Queen Bee
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Kev on January 14, 2007, 09:30:46 am
Cindi said: "I leave the baby powder there too, in a ziplock bag."

What's the baby powder for?

Kev
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Cindi on January 14, 2007, 10:20:43 am
Cindi said: "I leave the baby powder there too, in a ziplock bag."
What's the baby powder for?

Ah, come on, you know its for baby's rear ends...LOL. 
Actually, an old beekeeper from our beeclub told me one time when he was helping me to catch my first swarm (they turned out to be very hot and angry tempered bees) that bees really like the smell of baby powder and do not take offence to it.

It may be along the same line thought about rubbing lemonbalm leaves (citronel, which can be derived from lots of sources), on your hands too, they like the smell and prefer it to the smell of a sweaty hand.  Apparently bees DO NOT LIKE the smell of sweat.  Be it human or animal.  Maybe that is why they have been known to sting livestock that venture too close to the hive.  I know that horses smell very strongly (and absolutely wonderful) when they are sweaty, (I love the scent of horses).  About sweaty hands, he also said that a pail of cool water should be kept near the bees to plunge the hands into it prior to working with the hands to close the pores.

A book that was written many, many years ago, that I have read over and over, author, Eric W. Kelsey, advised anytime working with the bees to ensure that you do not stink of sweat.  Now this is quite unlikely, considering usually working with the bees involves work, or maybe working and then going to see bees.  Most people sweat (they may not know that they smell, but evidently the bees can tell this odour).

So, anyways, sorry for carrying on...I keep baby powder at the apiary, I have not been yet stung on the hands since implementing this lovely smelling talc, I even enjoy it.  I don't wear gloves working the bees.

I grow many plants of lemonbalm close to the apiary as well, so will next year use that too.  I also heard that in times gone by that beekeepers would lay a branch of lemonbalm around the hive to calm the bees, or rub the leaves on the hives.  I have no experience with that, but, but it does make sense to me.  Hope this clarifies why I like to keep baby powder at my beeyard.  Great day.  Cindi
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Kev on January 14, 2007, 06:19:24 pm
Cindi said: "I leave the baby powder there too, in a ziplock bag."
What's the baby powder for?

Ah, come on, you know its for baby's rear ends...LOL. 
Actually, an old beekeeper from our beeclub told me one time when he was helping me to catch my first swarm (they turned out to be very hot and angry tempered bees) that bees really like the smell of baby powder and do not take offence to it.

That's a relief I was afraid your bees had a rash. My next question was going to be "How do you get them to hold still long enough to powder their bee-hinds.  ;)
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: sean on January 14, 2007, 06:38:47 pm
Cindi said: "I leave the baby powder there too, in a ziplock bag."
What's the baby powder for?

Ah, come on, you know its for baby's rear ends...LOL. 
Actually, an old beekeeper from our beeclub told me one time when he was helping me to catch my first swarm (they turned out to be very hot and angry tempered bees) that bees really like the smell of baby powder and do not take offence to it.

That's a relief I was afraid your bees had a rash. My next question was going to be "How do you get them to hold still long enough to powder their bee-hinds.  ;)


insert "smiley face" here
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Trot on January 14, 2007, 07:40:20 pm
Heee, I'm waiting for your answer to Kev... :)

About beebalm/lemonbalm? 
If it don't work... At least it makes for a happy bees in your yard!


Regards,
Trot
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Cindi on January 14, 2007, 08:37:31 pm
I like the "bee" words, so many "b"s in our language.  Great day.  Cindi
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: buzzbee on July 30, 2007, 09:46:25 pm
Cindi,
You mentioned resurrecting the toolbox topic since we haven''t seen it in a while,so here it is!
I'm sure some newbees will appreciate it! :lol:
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Cindi on July 31, 2007, 10:44:01 am
Ken, excellent, so great to have the "mods" that keep our forum alive!!!!   Add the little flashlight to the list in our minds.  Another one that I have found to be so useful is a cold bucket of water.  It makes the soft goey propolis that gets on my fingers turn harder and I can rub my fingers together to get the excess off before going into the next goey hive and it is great if my hands get sweaty.  We all know that bees don't like sweat!!!!   :)Have a wonderful day, best of life.  Cindi
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: doak on July 31, 2007, 11:32:56 am
Sorry folks, don't have a tool box. I have a five gallon bucket with a caddy that wraps around and fastens with velcro. It has several pockets. I have baby powder, bee brush, hivetool, gloves,two wood chisels, a curved short knife, 3 home made minipulating cloths, several 1/2x1/2x 1 in blocks, and bee-quick when I am going to take honey.
I don't load mine down with a hammer, nails, pliers, staples, or any of that other stuff that has to do with repair jobs.
I have my fuel in another bucket
doak
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: buzzbee on July 31, 2007, 06:10:53 pm
Don't know bout that doak!Sounds like a toolbox to me. :lol:Tools of the trade that is.
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: mgmoore7 on July 31, 2007, 06:21:50 pm
A few days before I got my bees, a neighbor gave me a Dewalt soft tool bag.  He works at Home Depot and gets freebies every once in a while.  It has been perfect for my bee stuff.

I am very new so still working on filling it up:

Hive tool
Gloves
Long lighter
lighter
propane torch
smoker
veil
frame grabber
pocket knife
Magnifying glass
3x5 notebook of paper
Pen
sifter
powdered sugar with scoop
screen with frame to lay over box when sugaring

Wow, that is more than I thought it would be.

I also bring a empty nuk to set the 1st frame in
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Michael Bush on July 31, 2007, 10:21:40 pm
I second the flashlight.  It's really nice for seeing eggs etc.

Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: JP on August 01, 2007, 12:01:21 am
When I'm in the bee-yard, all I really need is a hive tool, smoker with fuel (Burlap), propane torch to lite fuel, a frame holder, that I hang on the side of hive body, great for putting frames aside for inspections.

I have gobs of stuff which most here mentioned for doing removals, such as queen catchers, queen cages, scrapers, sheetrock saw, hammer, cut-off saw, sawzall, bee-quick, burlap, propane torch, rubber bands, pheremone, swarm traps, 2x 10 sections for putting back 2x 8s, 2x10 & 2x12 sections, nails, thumbtacks, camera, rolls of plastic, bee-vac...
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: beeginner on August 01, 2007, 01:48:47 am
Let me see I have off for the ticks  :-D Smoker a shotgun :) hive tool. toilet,paper just in case Cant for get that lol and good old tape  And not telling what I have in that thing I have not took ever thing out in 2 years lol. Never know might be 1,000 dollers in that thing just from doller bills. And the gun is for snakes lateley we have a lot of rattlers and copper heads sence there has been no rain.
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: FordGuy on August 11, 2007, 11:00:27 am
This is mine, almost. The rest are in the sedan, somewhere.

(http://www.missouritrading.com/images/knives_redhandle.jpg)

so which one of those knives is your queen catcher?
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: indypartridge on August 13, 2007, 08:47:40 am
Italian Hive tool
J21 Stapler
Staples
#8 hardware cloth
tin snips
Smoker
Burlap
Self igniting propane torch
BBQ lighter
Duct Tape
Queen catchers
Queen cages with candy
Queen marking pens (last year's and this year's colors)
Tweezers (for catching attendants)
#8 push in cage
Frame grip (cast molded handle)
Leatherman wave (in my pocket actually) which has:
  Saw
  Serrated blade
  Regular blade
  3 sized of straight screwdrivers
  1 size of phillips screw driver
  can opener
  file
  pliers
  scissors

One of the fun moments at HAS was in the bee yard when Michael bragged about his self-igniting propane torch, which of course promptly failed to work. And he still doesn't have matches or a lighter on his list...   :-D
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Cindi on August 13, 2007, 10:06:21 am
Ha, now that is funny, that good old Murphy's law in the premium!!!  That would be quite an embarassment.  Have a wonderful day, beautiful life, Cindi
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Michael Bush on August 16, 2007, 08:44:52 pm
>Michael bragged about his self-igniting propane torch

I got it working later.

>And he still doesn't have matches or a lighter on his list...

You didn't notice that I had those in my pocket?  I haven't been without matches or a lighter in my pocket since I was eight...  I don't need them in my toolbox.
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: TwT on August 18, 2007, 10:14:03 pm
I bet kirko has a copy of MB e-book in his toolbox  :-D ;)
Title: Re: "Whats in your toolbox?"
Post by: Cindi on August 19, 2007, 11:53:40 am
Ted, now that is a good idea!!!!  Have this wonderful day, best of our life.  Cindi