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Post by knave on Jan 20, 2020 7:26:39 GMT -5
He keeps growing the business trying to accommodate the need. At 250 colonies right now working by himself, he does pretty good for a ‘59 model.
He tells the buyer when it’s not his honey but it is still labeled the same.
As local as he can find it. Usually finds it down around LaCrosse somewhere.
Buying 110 gallons of honey or more is a chunk of change.
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Post by RickB on Jan 20, 2020 9:17:47 GMT -5
Flint knappers heat up and mix beeswax, pine tree sap and charcoal to make a hard resin. It is then used to haft knife blades to a handle and arrows to a shaft.
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Post by knave on Jan 20, 2020 9:21:28 GMT -5
Awesome. Sounds like the ad will work on RTH then.
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Post by knave on Jan 20, 2020 11:05:38 GMT -5
Slight change in pricing, when it’s processed he can trade it for bee equipment at market price. Currently at $5.60/lb. So the unprocessed cappings will be $3/lb for now. Thanks.
Evan
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Post by MsAli on Jan 20, 2020 18:53:00 GMT -5
He keeps growing the business trying to accommodate the need. At 250 colonies right now working by himself, he does pretty good for a ‘59 model. He tells the buyer when it’s not his honey but it is still labeled the same. As local as he can find it. Usually finds it down around LaCrosse somewhere. That is no lie. I was wondering if he even makes a profit on that. Seems it might be better to add more hives  |
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Post by knave on Jan 20, 2020 19:04:58 GMT -5
MsAli he doesn’t really make a profit but it keeps the accounts happy through the lean months. He has kept adding hives through the years. Bee yards are also an issue.
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Post by MsAli on Jan 20, 2020 19:58:41 GMT -5
MsAli he doesn’t really make a profit but it keeps the accounts happy through the lean months. He has kept adding hives through the years. Bee yards are also an issue. It's really interesting to me. I may have to pick his brain later. One last question. What strain of bees? |
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Post by 1dave on Jan 20, 2020 20:04:59 GMT -5
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Post by aDave on Jan 20, 2020 20:18:49 GMT -5
Still needs to be heated and filtered to get pure light yellow wax. How would one do this, if you know? |
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Post by knave on Jan 20, 2020 20:25:33 GMT -5
MsAli he doesn’t really make a profit but it keeps the accounts happy through the lean months. He has kept adding hives through the years. Bee yards are also an issue. It's really interesting to me. I may have to pick his brain later. One last question. What strain of bees? Black ones and yellow ones... I guess basically carniolian and Italian. I plan to order 50 Rufer (Minnesota) Hygenic queens at $29.00 each. And may I say, that’s an expensive bug! |
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Post by knave on Jan 20, 2020 20:33:49 GMT -5
Still needs to be heated and filtered to get pure light yellow wax. How would one do this, if you know? Yes aDave a simple way is to put the cappings in an old large pot with some water and cook it. The heavier honey is soluble with water and gets absorbed by it. The propolis will also sink (I believe). The molten wax will float on the surface where it can be ladled off and strained through a paper towel or disposable shop rag. When done filtering the rag becomes a tool to start your next campfire. |
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller 
Member since June 2011
Posts: 4,060 
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Post by gemfeller on Jan 20, 2020 20:36:06 GMT -5
Who knew? The Secret Life of Beeswax. Very informative and interesting.
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Post by aDave on Jan 20, 2020 20:39:40 GMT -5
How would one do this, if you know? Yes aDave a simple way is to put the cappings in an old large pot with some water and cook it. The heavier honey is soluble with water and gets absorbed by it. The propolis will also sink (I believe). The molten wax will float on the surface where it can be ladled off and strained through a paper towel or disposable shop rag. When done filtering the rag becomes a tool to start your next campfire. Got it. But, this way you lose the honeycombs if I understand correctly. I don't have a need, but I've asked some neighbors if they do. How many pounds of the wax do you think you're dealing with? |
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Post by knave on Jan 20, 2020 20:49:24 GMT -5
Today he told me about a simple design to do it on a large scale.
55 gal drum, a 240v heater band around the barrel 12” off the floor. Fill the bottom 1/3 of the barrel with H2O. Shovel cappings in, when it all melts and separates open the valve that is just above the water line to let out all the molten wax out and filter it.
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Post by knave on Jan 20, 2020 20:51:12 GMT -5
aDave this isn’t honeycomb. It’s dry wax crumbles. Looks kind of like grits. Point is you want to get it fairly pure so your candle can burn clean or so there isn’t a surprise dead bee in someone’s lotion. Lol.
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Post by knave on Jan 20, 2020 20:53:07 GMT -5
THATS $1,450 USD for 50 BUGS!!!
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Post by knave on Jan 20, 2020 21:03:13 GMT -5
Beeswax also makes a great saw lube Can you explain this to me? |
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Post by aDave on Jan 20, 2020 21:07:26 GMT -5
aDave this isn’t honeycomb. It’s dry wax crumbles. Looks kind of like grits. Point is you want to get it fairly pure so your candle can burn clean or so there isn’t a surprise dead bee in someone’s lotion. Lol. Thanks for clarifying. I had a particular picture of this being honeycomb which I've seen on different craft items such as candles. This stuff might even be better than I was thinking if someone was looking to melt it down. Thanks for the edification. |
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Post by knave on Jan 20, 2020 21:24:50 GMT -5
I had an order come in on pm for 65 lbs. we can do 1 lb if someone wants.
He has two 55 gal barrels of the stuff.
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Post by MsAli on Jan 20, 2020 22:05:37 GMT -5
Beeswax also makes a great saw lube Can you explain this to me? When cutting metal beeswax helps the saw blades glide smoothly through the metal without 'catching', making sawing much easier and suppose to help prevent breaking and prolong the blade life |
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