Author Topic: I Bought an Extractor, an OLDIE, have questions. (Read 11276 times)

DayValleyDahlias · « **on:** February 08, 2009, 06:06:45 pm »

Hello Bee Friends,

Today my DH and I drove up to San Mateo ( about 1 1/4 hours North ), bought a "Little Wonder" hand extractor. $150.00 got us the extractor, a bee suit, 2 veils, a pair of gloves, hive tool, uncapper ( hand ), and a custom made stand. Also some used Pierco frames which I have trhown in the recycle bin.

It looks well used and smells musty inside. Please have a look and tell me how to get it squeaky clean.

Many thanks!

Kathyp · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2009, 06:11:23 pm »

everything can be scrubbed and then rinsed with a weak bleach solution...the rinsed again and allowed to air dry. the rust in the basket is more of a problem. you probably need to find out if there is a paint that is food grade. there must be something. some kind of enamel paint that would not degrade or chip?

rdy-b · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2009, 07:02:36 pm »

Quote from: kathyp on February 08, 2009, 06:11:23 pm

everything can be scrubbed and then rinsed with a weak bleach solution...the rinsed again and allowed to air dry. the rust in the basket is more of a problem. you probably need to find out if there is a paint that is food grade. there must be something. some kind of enamel paint that would not degrade or chip?

http://www.betterbee.com/prodinfo.asp?number=EP2&variation= RDY-B

JP · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2009, 07:29:40 pm »

I would try to find someone who could sandblast the basket, then paint it.

...JP

DayValleyDahlias · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2009, 07:30:46 pm »

You guys rock, thank a million! :piano:

DayValleyDahlias · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2009, 07:31:16 pm »

P.S. can the basket be removed?

MustbeeNuts · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2009, 07:36:27 pm »

If you can get a large plastic bucket, put water in it to cover the basket, add a package of baking soda, then take a car battery charger that is a few amps . take a metal rod and stand it in the water connect to the positive side of the battery, the other end contacty the basket. in a few mins you should see bubbles , it will remove the oxidization from the basket and overnight the rust is gone, you will then have to paint it with food grade paint but it will remove all the rust, the inside of the extractor, well like above add bleach and water, I also used dish soap, took a steel wool and cleaned the crap out of mine, one thing at the bottom there is a bearing, you have to pour boiling water into that slowly to remove the grease and nastys in there, then repack with nice grease from your bee supply house or if your like me I jammed it full of crisco. and it worked great. anything with rust can be deoxinized in the above manner. I gotta telL you onE more thing ,,DONT PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE WATER WHILE ITS PLUGGED IN . SHOCK !!!!!

MustbeeNuts · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2009, 07:37:55 pm »

Quote from: DayValleyDahlias on February 08, 2009, 07:31:16 pm

P.S. can the basket be removed?
[/quote

Most of it tears down for cleaning, there is a allen head set screw taht will let you take it down to a basket, but the heavy cross piece stays on.

I have one just like that and it was in the same shape, it cleaned up real good and works like a charm.

DayValleyDahlias · « **Reply #8 on:** February 08, 2009, 08:19:46 pm »

Using a battery charger the positive lead hooks to metal rod, the negative lead hooks to basket? The basket is under water. Sorry but I a little confused.

If you can get a large plastic bucket, put water in it to cover the basket, add a package of baking soda, then take a car battery charger that is a few amps . take a metal rod and stand it in the water connect to the positive side of the battery,

The battery charger?

the other end contacty the basket.

The other end of the rod?

in a few mins you should see bubbles , it will remove the oxidization from the basket and overnight the rust is gone, you will then have to paint it with food grade paint but it will remove all the rust, the inside of the extractor, well like above add bleach and water, I also used dish soap, took a steel wool and cleaned the crap out of mine, one thing at the bottom there is a bearing, you have to pour boiling water into that slowly to remove the grease and nastys in there, then repack with nice grease from your bee supply house or if your like me I jammed it full of crisco. and it worked great. anything with rust can be deoxinized in the above manner. I gotta telL you onE more thing ,,DONT PUT YOUR HANDS IN THE WATER WHILE ITS PLUGGED IN . SHOCK !!!!!

Brian D. Bray · « **Reply #9 on:** February 08, 2009, 09:49:15 pm »

I think I would start with a simple steam cleaning and see what's left. Then select the best method for removing anything left after the steam cleaning. Coating the inside with a food grade epoxy will help preventing further corrosion in the futher. Oil moving parts with a food grade grease if a brass bearing is not used.

contactme_11 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 09, 2009, 10:44:43 am »

Quote from: JP on February 08, 2009, 07:29:40 pm

I would try to find someone who could sandblast the basket, then paint it.

...JP

+1000

JP · « **Reply #11 on:** February 09, 2009, 10:56:06 am »

Quote from: contactme_11 on February 09, 2009, 10:44:43 am

Quote from: JP on February 08, 2009, 07:29:40 pm
I would try to find someone who could sandblast the basket, then paint it.

...JP

+1000

Just to sandblast the basket, $1,000.00 ???

...JP

Irwin · « **Reply #12 on:** February 09, 2009, 11:02:12 am »

Quote from: contactme_11 on February 09, 2009, 10:44:43 am

Quote from: JP on February 08, 2009, 07:29:40 pm
I would try to find someone who could sandblast the basket, then paint it.

...JP

+1000

:? :?

Kathyp · « **Reply #13 on:** February 09, 2009, 11:59:22 am »

you'll only have gritty honey for the first season :-D :-D

wayne · « **Reply #14 on:** February 09, 2009, 08:17:13 pm »

Dip the basket in a bucket of vinegar overnight then pressure wash. Warm the clean dry basket in an oven or even the sunlight and then "paint" with parafine or bees wax.
That's how the "poor folks" used to do their home made extractors.

Cindi · « **Reply #15 on:** February 09, 2009, 11:38:23 pm »

Quote from: wayne on February 09, 2009, 08:17:13 pm

Dip the basket in a bucket of vinegar overnight then pressure wash. Warm the clean dry basket in an oven or even the sunlight and then "paint" with parafine or bees wax.
That's how the "poor folks" used to do their home made extractors.

Ooh, I like that thought, it sounds very wonderful, pure and clean.....have that great and most wonderful day, healthy attitude. Cindi

Brian D. Bray · « **Reply #16 on:** February 09, 2009, 11:48:12 pm »

Quote from: Cindi on February 09, 2009, 11:38:23 pm

Quote from: wayne on February 09, 2009, 08:17:13 pm
Dip the basket in a bucket of vinegar overnight then pressure wash. Warm the clean dry basket in an oven or even the sunlight and then "paint" with parafine or bees wax.
That's how the "poor folks" used to do their home made extractors.

Ooh, I like that thought, it sounds very wonderful, pure and clean.....have that great and most wonderful day, healthy attitude. Cindi

Cindi if you don't want to move "that old thing" bring down here. I'll be happy to fix it up. I used to have one very similar back in the days....
What do you want in $?

Cindi · « **Reply #17 on:** February 09, 2009, 11:58:02 pm »

Oh Brian, we will talk. I don't know what I want for it. Remember, this came from an old bee pal when I purchased all of his equipment. He was moving from 10 acres to a condominium (that must have almost broke his heart). I know that he said his Wife paid $300 for it a few years ago. It is a relic. I haven't paid him anything for it yet, I told him that I had no clue what the value would be, nor what I would/could ever get for it if I tried to sell it for him. We will talk, Brian, think about this for me. Give me a PM one day. I would bring it down to your place, or we could one day meet in the middle, probably do lunch or something like that. Have that great day, love and live our great lives, off to watch House!!! Cindi

DayValleyDahlias · « **Reply #18 on:** February 10, 2009, 01:13:12 am »

Anyone here have an idea as to how old this extractor may be?

Cindi · « **Reply #19 on:** February 10, 2009, 12:09:01 pm »

Sharon, I think that yours is the same as mine, the fellow I got mine from called it a "little wonder" too. I don't think it is that old, maybe 10 years. Look at my pics here and tell me if it seems the same as yours? I would be very interested to hear the age if someone knows. Have a great, most wonderful day, health. Cindi

DayValleyDahlias · « **Reply #20 on:** February 10, 2009, 11:19:09 pm »

Cindi, yours looks to be newer than mine. Check out the first photo on my initial post. Looks OLD, but I dunno, I forgot to ask the kid...gonna start cleaning her up tomorrow! A good job for a rainy week!
:rainbowflower: :rainbowflower:

rast · « **Reply #21 on:** February 11, 2009, 05:40:10 pm »

The process MustBeNuts described is called reverse electrolysis and works very well. I have used it for years. He means to remove the basket and place it in a plastic bucket that will hold enough water to cover the basket. The basket and the metal rod with the + cable hooked to it must not touch. It will be nasty covered with the rust from the basket the next day. The process does not remove any good metal, just the rust. It will also be black where the rust was.

DayValleyDahlias · « **Reply #22 on:** February 12, 2009, 01:52:51 am »

We have the reverse electrolysis going on right now, it is really working well! Thanks !!!!!!! Yay

Ross · « **Reply #23 on:** February 14, 2009, 10:25:07 am »

Little Wonders have been made a long time, going back to before they were made in stainless.

rast · « **Reply #24 on:** February 14, 2009, 11:17:23 am »

Well, you've had two days now. How is it coming?
Never mind, found the other topic/post.

DayValleyDahlias · « **Reply #25 on:** February 14, 2009, 11:56:56 am »

Yup the reverse electrolysis really worked great!

MustbeeNuts · « **Reply #26 on:** February 14, 2009, 02:52:29 pm »

Well its good you figured it out, I knew how in my mind, lol its just hard for me to explain it. I have that problem lots. Anyway glad it worked out with the added instructions.

DayValleyDahlias · « **Reply #27 on:** February 14, 2009, 11:52:17 pm »

MBN, especially the "don't get shocked part"!!! AAAAAAAAHHHHH heehee

jdesq · « **Reply #28 on:** February 15, 2009, 10:45:53 am »

I have that same extractor- It works great!!! You got yourself a good deal.

DayValleyDahlias · « **Reply #29 on:** February 15, 2009, 11:55:44 am »

Thanks jdesq! Hopefully there will be a lot of surplus this year!

hollybees · « **Reply #30 on:** February 15, 2009, 12:06:30 pm »

Quote from: DayValleyDahlias on February 12, 2009, 01:52:51 am

We have the reverse electrolysis going on right now, it is really working well! Thanks !!!!!!! Yay

Ok, I just have to try this little trick.....I just have too!

MustbeeNuts · « **Reply #31 on:** February 15, 2009, 12:39:47 pm »

I learned to do it with old car parts from the junk yard, if you restore an old car or get a used part, its always so rusted up, well sandblasting takes away good metal along with the rust. and some older parts like door skins and fenders you don't want to loose any good metal. It works really good for that stuff too. You just have to turn the part and keep it submerged when you are working on each area.

hollybees · « **Reply #32 on:** February 15, 2009, 12:46:15 pm »

I assume you can't touch the part with the metal rod....right?

MustbeeNuts · « **Reply #33 on:** February 15, 2009, 01:51:46 pm »

Absolutely not. do not touch the metal rod to the part. rod in water, do not touch the part. connec the neg. to the part.