Send a PM to member BoBn -> http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php?action=profile;u=6244
I believe he was one of the early prototype users and I believe appeared in a number of advertisements for it.
Let us know what you find out.
Hi Robo,
Thanks for the PM.
I did a video ad for them. They are a young couple and were in one of my bee school classes that I taught. They also have several inventions that are not bee related.
I started keeping bees (by accident) in 1976. I had 12 hives around 1979 - 1982. Since then, I have kept 2 or 3 or a half dozen. I am by no means a big beekeeper. Over the years, I have brought observation hives into elementary schools, helped several 4-H clubs start hives, taught bee school classes to new beekeepers, and helped a bunch of folks with their bees.
I rarely use smoke, but when I use smoke, I find that a slight waft of smoke and some patience to wait for a few minutes (a few minutes is a long time) is all that is needed. In the past, I have had some hot-tailed bees and I think that the same is true with those bees too.
Smoke disorientates the bees. That is what it does. It is not a good thing to do, but sometimes it is necessary. It requires judgement.
My smoker that I had (and still have) is a 1977 Walter T. Kelly. It is not galvanized and is rusty. It has no guard around the firebox. I have patched the rotted out bottom with a tin can lid. It came with an internal (soupcan) chamber that has been replaced many times. It has a few holes in the bellows, but still works.
So, now you know that I do not use much smoke. Many times I have gone to help new beekeepers with a hive inspection and have them light a smoker and set the smoker aside where it is handy if needed. Usually I can get through a hive without thrashing and bashing look at the core of the brood nest and put everything back together without much disturbance. I often mash a bee or 2 putting all the supers back together (sometimes none!) and I often get a sting on my hand. Usually the smoker is just starting to really get fired up when it is not needed.
The electric smoker has a battery pack that powers a fan and and electric heating unit. Pine shavings work great in the electric smoker. You can get a bale at a sawmill or a livestock feed store.
The heating unit smolders the shavings. It takes about 10 - 15 seconds to get smoke. There should not be any flames coming out the spout.
The smoker I can bring with me and never use.
When I do use it, it works. It is similar to a cordless drill. It saves time.
Some people swear by them and some people swear at them. I haven't had any problems with mine.
BoB