Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: Robo on March 27, 2008, 11:14:21 am

Title: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Robo on March 27, 2008, 11:14:21 am
I've had a bee vac design in my mind for almost a year now but never got around to putting saw to board.   Finally spent a day and got one built.  I always found the bee vac to be one of my essential tools, but seemed to have issues with emptying the bees into a new hive.  So the main principle of this bee vac is not to have to dump them when done. :-D  You can see all the details here -> http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/bee-vac/

(http://www.bushkillfarms.com/gallery2/d/153-2/IMG_1009.JPG)
Title: Re: My newly designed bee vac
Post by: Jerrymac on March 27, 2008, 03:01:27 pm
A problem I had with my sliding door was rolling bees and squishing them through between the floor and the back wall. Thought about putting a little plastic lip or something on there. Never did. I am going to redesign the inner box.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v225/Jerry-mac/Bvac008.jpg)
Title: Re: My newly designed bee vac
Post by: Agility Mom on March 27, 2008, 06:05:16 pm
This looks really good. I have always wanted a bee vac so maybe now I can make one. Does the vac have to be any particular power?
Title: Re: My newly designed bee vac
Post by: Jerrymac on March 28, 2008, 08:36:11 am
You don't want it too powerful. Just enough to barely pull the bees off the comb.
Title: Re: My newly designed bee vac
Post by: Robo on March 28, 2008, 08:36:36 am
Does the vac have to be any particular power?

It has to suck strong enough to break the bees grip on the comb.   Mine says 5HP (peak).  You should always have a by-pass in your vac so that you can adjust the suction at the hose.  Too much suction and you can kill the bees when they hit the inside of the vacuum.
Just like the saying, "Driving fast doesn't kill you, it is the sudden stop that does".
Title: Re: My newly designed bee vac
Post by: JP on March 28, 2008, 09:01:48 am
Rob, looks good, does it work for honeybees also?  :-D

I could have used this the other day on a cut-out I did that had old unusable comb, and comb that was spray painted red. Great idea, I think that it could work for honeybees, looks like it anyway. Have you tried it yet? :-D Great job!


...JP
Title: Re: My newly designed bee vac
Post by: Angi_H on March 29, 2008, 02:58:58 am
I would love to have one of those. And sure could have used one on that last cut out. But with my hubby being a firefighter It looks like him building me one wont bee till the cows come home and that will be a while. I love the design you have done. So you have the frames already in the boxes as well. I would love to have the plans for it but like I said before getting hubby to build me one will be forever. I still dont have my kitchen done from going on 3 years ago. And my other turkey grow out pen is not done as well as the other quail cage is not built. It would be nice though and I like the idea of just being able to bring them home and letting them settle and go to bed. And check back later on them.  Yup would be nice. (hubby wont let me use his table saw) So maybe one of these days I will get one. Looks nice  and easy.


Angi
Title: Re: My newly designed bee vac
Post by: buzzbee on March 29, 2008, 07:45:09 am
Great setup Robo,
Might encourage me to o build one.
Title: Re: My newly designed bee vac
Post by: Robo on March 31, 2008, 09:41:28 am
Rob, looks good, does it work for honeybees also?  :-D

Have you tried it yet? :-D Great job!

I hope it works ;)

Haven't had a chance to try it yet.  Have a removal all lined up,  just waiting for the weather to co-operate.

Though this hasn't stopped people from wanting one.  I already have orders, but told them I won't ship any until I test it out.  I guess folks find it more practical than that pyramid hive :shock:

Title: Re: My newly designed bee vac
Post by: JP on March 31, 2008, 10:42:23 am
Rob, looks good, does it work for honeybees also?  :-D

Have you tried it yet? :-D Great job!

I hope it works ;)

Haven't had a chance to try it yet.  Have a removal all lined up,  just waiting for the weather to co-operate.

Though this hasn't stopped people from wanting one.  I already have orders, but told them I won't ship any until I test it out.  I guess folks find it more practical than that pyramid hive :shock:



Let us know how it works out, it looks awesome!


...JP
Title: Re: My newly designed bee vac
Post by: Cindi on April 02, 2008, 10:33:53 am
Rob, wow!!!  You have put alot of thought into this project and you did it!!!  Yeah, that is one impressive looking system,  :) :) :)  Have the most beautiful and wonderful day, Cindi
Title: Re: My newly designed bee vac
Post by: Angi_H on April 02, 2008, 10:46:10 pm
How much would you charge to build one. All it is is a top and bottom right. TO place on the 10 frame hives right? How about a nuc one? Anyway I am trying to figure out how I am going to work out getting one.


Angi
Title: Re: My newly designed bee vac
Post by: mudlakee on April 10, 2008, 08:26:18 pm
Ok I want one also. I will come and pick it up  Tony
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: magnet-man on January 04, 2009, 11:21:42 pm
My wife uses a shop vac hooked up to her industrial surger to suck the thread into the thread cutter. Ended up hooking up a lamp dimmer to control the noise and suction. Might be a good idea to keep the noise down when collecting your own swarms by your house. The less the neighbors know about your bees the better.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: gmcharlie on February 06, 2009, 11:36:31 am
I love it,  gonna make me one too,  I am going to try the Dewalt cordless vac though so it becomes a bit more portable!
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Cockatoo on March 19, 2009, 10:20:54 am
Oh my goodness.
That looks like a box of VERY angry bees just waiting to happen.
Reverse it and it's a firehose of angry bees!  :-D
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: MustbeeNuts on March 29, 2009, 10:52:05 am
Rob, didn't see any plans for your new beevac on your site, any plans on putting one up? or did I just miss it. I'm not creative at all. Basically wood building impaired.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: asprince on March 29, 2009, 11:15:08 am
http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/bee-vac/

I personally can not say enough good things about Rob's bee vac design. We have built two and they work fantastic. We have collected 35 swarms this year, all with the vac. We just vacuum them straight into the hive body. Very few bees get killed.

Steve
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: ArmucheeBee on March 29, 2009, 11:22:36 pm
I used my bushkill vac last week on a hive in a crawl space.  same exact designed but I probably killed 1/2.  at first my vac was not enough then i taped the hose joints and it picked up some more suck!  i guess it was too much.  i was using an eight foot corrugated hose on the sucking end, same on the other.  is there a location to buy smooth hose in GA steve?  how's that queen doing?  and what are doing with all those swarms?
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: asprince on March 29, 2009, 11:33:29 pm
You need a way to adjust the flow. You want just enough suction to pull in the bees.

Sucked up three more swarms today.

The queen is doing great.

Steve
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Robo on March 30, 2009, 12:11:31 pm
I used my bushkill vac last week on a hive in a crawl space.  same exact designed but I probably killed 1/2.  at first my vac was not enough then i taped the hose joints and it picked up some more suck!  i guess it was too much.  i was using an eight foot corrugated hose on the sucking end, same on the other.  is there a location to buy smooth hose in GA steve?  how's that queen doing?  and what are doing with all those swarms?

Couple of things to keep in mind.   You want to use as minimal suction as possible.  I usually set it so it doesn't quite have enough suction to pull them off the comb/cluster and use the tool on the end of the hose to cokes them free.  Also DO NOT suck up bees that have honey on them when doing a cut out.   You will end up with a sticky ball of dead bees.  Of course it is all relative,  a few with a little honey on them is OK, but don't go crazy. Also make sure you keep the vac out of the sun and remove the top to give ventilation.  Although overheating is not as much of a problem with this design verses the box in a box design, it is still possible.

 I use the corrugated hose, as do many others who successfully use the design,  so merely switching to smooth hose is not going to solve your problem.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: ArmucheeBee on March 30, 2009, 12:37:24 pm
got it.  one problem was not having the vac/box near me.  i was in the crawl space and had to squeeze through a 13x13 in. opening in the floor.  the homeowner was turning the vac on and off.   

do you all use the attachment that is long and slim and can fit between combs?  mine is about 2.5x.75 at the very end.  i try to use this before cutting the comb.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Highlandsfreedom on May 09, 2009, 06:13:50 pm
great idea!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: troutstalker2 on June 13, 2009, 09:22:23 pm

   I have a vac thats 2 peak horsepower, do you think that is sufficient for this application?

  Thanks, David
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: asprince on June 13, 2009, 09:38:36 pm
Yes. Watch for areas that will leak.


Steve
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Robo on June 14, 2009, 01:34:04 pm
I have heard some folks having success with as small as 1.5HP

The smaller the motor, the more you have to be concerned with leaks and it also limits the length of hose you can use.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Greywulff on June 14, 2009, 03:35:38 pm
Really good idea Robo, just one thing. I've looked around local stores yesterday and a vac's in Ireland are rated in Volts ie; 1000v, 1200v, 1400v and up to 1800v was the biggest I've seen so far and all corded vac's, The hand held (portables) are 14v 18v like the cordless drills etc but they only have a battery life of 10-20 minutes rubish really. Does anyone know what size I should look at as I don't know how to convert Volts to HP. Cheers.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: asprince on June 14, 2009, 06:40:54 pm
Greywulff, are you sure the ratings are in volts and not watts? If that is the watt rating, multiply that number x .00314 for HP.

1000 x .00314 = 3.14 HP


Steve
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Greywulff on June 15, 2009, 05:09:00 am
Good job your awake  :'( yes you are right it is watts sorry I'm not eletrically minded. Thanks for the conversion Rate.  :-D 8-) :-D
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: handymandave on July 11, 2009, 04:15:30 pm
Thanks for the good info and careful work.
As a professional woodworker, it looks quite straightforward. I will build one as soon as I get a break in the paying work! LOL!
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: David LaFerney on September 23, 2009, 08:15:22 pm
Really good idea Robo, just one thing. I've looked around local stores yesterday and a vac's in Ireland are rated in Volts ie; 1000v, 1200v, 1400v and up to 1800v was the biggest I've seen so far and all corded vac's, The hand held (portables) are 14v 18v like the cordless drills etc but they only have a battery life of 10-20 minutes rubish really. Does anyone know what size I should look at as I don't know how to convert Volts to HP. Cheers.

I know this is an old thread, but...

Google will do all kinds of conversions like that for you if you just enter it into a google search.  For example if you google  1000 watts in horsepower You get this -    
1000 watts = 1.34102209 horsepower 

It works for all kinds of things - converting stones to pounds,  years to seconds, parsecs to light years.  Oodles of usefulness.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: USC Beeman in TN on November 28, 2009, 11:17:45 pm
Purchased 1 from Robo earlier this year.  He did a rush order for me and I sure appreciated it!  Have used it 4 times on cutouts and 1 time to get the bees out of a water meter.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: asprince on December 02, 2009, 10:45:19 pm
This looks like a good start for a bee vac.

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Wet-Dry-Vacuums/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5Zb8pi/R-202017218/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 (http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Wet-Dry-Vacuums/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5Zb8pi/R-202017218/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053)


Steve
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Robo on December 02, 2009, 11:21:43 pm
This looks like a good start for a bee vac.

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Wet-Dry-Vacuums/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5Zb8pi/R-202017218/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053 (http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Wet-Dry-Vacuums/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5Zb8pi/R-202017218/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053)
(http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/300/31/31da3444-2bdd-43f7-a772-f0f800886db7_300.jpg)

Steve

I actually took a look at one the other day.  Besides being under powered and too small diameter hose,  the thing has a full size filter that takes up at least half the bucket :roll:
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: montauk170 on May 13, 2010, 03:23:50 am
Hi, newbee here and found your wonderful design.

Got a question, why not reverse the IN and OUT?
Right now you have sucking in from the bottom.
If you put the mesh on the bottom, and suck from top,
then wouldn't adding framed combs from a removal to say the second upper deep easier since
the bees will all be at the bottom?
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Robo on May 13, 2010, 07:32:13 am
If you put the mesh on the bottom, and suck from top,
then wouldn't adding framed combs from a removal to say the second upper deep easier since
the bees will all be at the bottom?
Not following your logic,  if you sucked the bees into the top,  they will be in the top hive body not the bottom.   By using the cut-out shim,  brood frames can easily be added to the upper hive body and the bees in the lower hive body can easily be rejoined with the brood (and queen if you found her) on site by pulling the shim screen.
Quote
Got a question, why not reverse the IN and OUT?
Mainly because any debris you suck up will be dumped on the top of the hive, an issue with using the box in a box type beevac.  By sucking in the bottom, all the debris lays on the bottom board and does not end up all through the hive.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: montauk170 on May 13, 2010, 04:01:54 pm
I guess it was late and I was thinking the vacuum would be so strong it would suck the bees towards the other end. I guess it's just enough so the bees can hang onto the frames.
Thanks!
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: The Bix on May 13, 2010, 04:33:11 pm
Robo, I built one of these things a few months ago, I used it to capture my first swarm.  It worked great, thanks for the design and the effort to post it.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: The Bix on May 20, 2010, 11:14:56 am
Here's some video of the Robo's design in action.  It's a little limited as I was by myself collecting this small swarm.  Early in the first video you can see me going back and forth to regulate the vacuum to get it just right.  When I was done and pulled the bottom off, I found zero dead bees.  Thanks again Robo:

Harris' Bees meet John's Bee Vac (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkg4sD2n5zg#)

Harris Bee Swarm & John's Bee Vac (Part II) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skyKskA9bDM#)

I combined this small swarm with a struggling hive.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Dave360 on September 15, 2010, 09:13:18 pm
Just wanted to thank you Robo built one in may worked great

   Thanks for sharing your knowledge   

    Dave
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Robo on September 27, 2010, 09:36:22 pm
Great, glad to hear it.   Thanks for the feedback


rob....
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: PeeVee on November 03, 2010, 07:38:48 pm
Rob,
I constructed a vac this summer as per your directions. Used it on two removals and thought it was great  :-D

On thing I learned early on, if I needed to shut off the vac for any reason, be sure to have something to plug the end with. I did have some issues with lingering bees in the hose when I was done. A few raps and they went in.

Thanks!

-Paul VanSlyke - Deposit, NY
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: jdpro5010 on March 12, 2011, 09:06:27 pm
How do you attach the hose to the box?  Do you glue the connector to the wood or do you just simply plug it in with a tight fit?  Phil
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: G3farms on March 12, 2011, 09:20:48 pm
Mine just plugs in with a snug fit. I used a hole saw and a little sanding t make a good fit.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: jdpro5010 on March 13, 2011, 11:20:09 am
Thank You
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: GWDawg1 on April 24, 2011, 08:43:51 am
I put one together yesterday.  Going to put the finishing touches on it today.  I had a old Ridgid vac assembly that died on my so I could scavenge parts from it.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: rbinhood on May 07, 2011, 09:59:14 pm
Just one slight change will much improve your design.  I have been using almost the same setup with the exception of I took the motor of a Shop Vac Hang Up Mini and cut the bottom of the flange off so it would fit down snug on the top cover and put my suction hole in the bottom of a medium super.  Now I don't have to drag around the vac and extra hose, plus I took the frame from an old backpack leaf blower and removed the motor and fan and can mount my vac to this and take it with me up a ladder with no problem at all.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: divemaster1963 on May 30, 2011, 11:18:34 pm
I used my bushkill vac last week on a hive in a crawl space.  same exact designed but I probably killed 1/2.  at first my vac was not enough then i taped the hose joints and it picked up some more suck!  i guess it was too much.  i was using an eight foot corrugated hose on the sucking end, same on the other.  is there a location to buy smooth hose in GA steve?  how's that queen doing?  and what are doing with all those swarms?

Try usingg smooth bore hose. you can get it at lowes or homedepot. or a pool supply house. that is want i use on mine.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Robo on May 31, 2011, 07:20:22 am
I used my bushkill vac last week on a hive in a crawl space.  same exact designed but I probably killed 1/2.  at first my vac was not enough then i taped the hose joints and it picked up some more suck!  i guess it was too much.  i was using an eight foot corrugated hose on the sucking end, same on the other.  is there a location to buy smooth hose in GA steve?  how's that queen doing?  and what are doing with all those swarms?

Try usingg smooth bore hose. you can get it at lowes or homedepot. or a pool supply house. that is want i use on mine.

Changing to smooth bore hose is not going to solve his problem.   I have 100's of people using regular 2-1/2" shop vac type hose with a minimal mortality rate if suction is set correctly,  AND you do not suck up too many bees covered in honey.   A large portion of those killing lots of bees are not being careful when cutting comb and getting the bees covered with honey.   

Shop vac type hose is actually quite smooth on the inside and I find hose diameter is of greater importance that the smoothness of the bore.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: G3farms on May 31, 2011, 07:52:23 am
Robo I am with you totally on this one. I find that the larger bore hose is the way to go, I feel like it tumbles the bees less. Negative pressure or suction is also very important, it should be set to where it just overcomes a bees flight, and I don't mean sucking them out of the air from 10 feet away. When suctioning bees off of comb you need to be extra careful since you can pull unripened honey out of the cells which will in turn coat the bees and the inside of the hose. Once the bees are coated in honey they are almost for sure doomed, it takes another bee to clean a honey soaked bee up.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Jim134 on May 31, 2011, 01:37:11 pm
This is the new designed for Rodo BeeVac
 
http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/ (http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/)

    BEE HAPPY Jim 134  :)
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: James M. Wagner on June 15, 2011, 02:44:50 pm
where can I find the plans to build the bushkill bee vac? Thx. -james
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: G3farms on June 15, 2011, 06:58:57 pm
http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/bee-vac/ (http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/bee-vac/)

not really plans but with a little imagination you can adapt to it.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: yockey5 on June 15, 2011, 07:55:34 pm
I am interested in having one made. Any chance of this?
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: asprince on June 15, 2011, 07:59:24 pm
I am interested in having one made. Any chance of this?

I see that you are hopelessly lost.......where are you located?


Steve
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: AllenF on June 15, 2011, 08:54:02 pm
Folks are lining up right now with vacs to sell................. :-D
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: James M. Wagner on June 15, 2011, 09:37:15 pm
G3farms: "not really plans but with a little imagination you can adapt to it."

I guess my imagination generator is kaput. I can't really make heads or tails out of those pictures which is why I wanted a picture I could use, that is a drawing. The narratives describe things I just am not seeing in the pics. -james
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: AllenF on June 15, 2011, 10:33:35 pm
http://www.youtube.com/user/bushkillfarms (http://www.youtube.com/user/bushkillfarms)   --videos

http://www.beevac.com/ (http://www.beevac.com/)   --for the non builders

http://www.beesource.com/build-it-yourself/bee-vac/ (http://www.beesource.com/build-it-yourself/bee-vac/)  --pics for others just to be fair

But there are tons of homemade vacs on this site if you do a search for them.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: yockey5 on June 17, 2011, 07:38:48 am
I am interested in having one made. Any chance of this?

I see that you are hopelessly lost.......where are you located?


Steve

Hudson, Indiana close to Michigan and Ohio borders.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Judy in in on July 31, 2011, 12:32:48 am
I've used my new Bushkillfarms vacuum 4 times now. I lose very few bees, as I try not to use too much suction. It's so much nicer to do a cut-out without angry bees on your veil. If one of the girls gets mad, she gets a ride in the hose!

Thanks, Robo!
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Robo on July 31, 2011, 08:12:08 am
@Judy,

Gad things are working out well for you.  Thanks for the feedback.  May you have continued success.

robo..............
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: caseydennison on September 29, 2011, 12:27:16 pm
First time to see a bee vacuum. lol looks very interesting none the less. i bet it gets the job done!
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: gregted on October 01, 2011, 08:08:24 am
Nice job Robo,

Just found your design and love it. It never ceases to amaze me how clever some people are. Look at a problem and find a solution.

Aut Viam Inveniam Aut Faciam ... I will either find a way, or make one.

Good stuff.

Greg
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Intheswamp on October 21, 2011, 10:26:25 am
Rob, I have some questions regarding the purpose of the slanted bottom.

I've seen where you've stated that the bee's arrival into the bottom is basically a gentle arrival being as the bee is going from the restricted vacuum of the 2-1/2" hose into the 20x14x? (8-frame mediums for me...maybe two stacked...13"?) cavity of the bottom box where the vacuum (and thus wind/turbulence)  will decrease to a very low pressure that the bees can handle easily.  With that understood I don't see the slanted bottom as being there to give the bees a sloped landing surface rather than a "wall" to slam into.

The questions I have (for now<g>) are:

Is the slanted bottom intended to encourage the bees to move upward?
Is the slanted bottom an engineering design to aide the air-flow?
What would be the consequence of not having a slanted bottom?
Do you hang any frames in the lower bee box (maybe to the sides) to give the bees somewhere to cluster/hang during the cut-out?

I've watched the three videos of yourself detailing the features and use of your vac design and I'm pretty well sold on the idea.  I thought at first the bucket-vac would do me ok (I still like Rick Hall's bucket design), but the functionality of the Bushkill design keeps drawing me in. ;)  Of course, my inapt skills as a woodworker may hinder me in this project...but, if I can move some other projects to the side this winter I'll have a vac by spring. :)

Sorry to bother you with questions that are probably very evident to most folks. (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-confused001.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php)
Ed
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Robo on October 21, 2011, 10:32:31 pm
The questions I have (for now<g>) are:

Is the slanted bottom intended to encourage the bees to move upward?
I would say it is more there to aid them moving upward and direct them towards the back of the box and away from the inlet.  Bees will naturally move up,  but keeping them from clustering near the inlet reduces clogging.
Quote
Is the slanted bottom an engineering design to aide the air-flow?
I don't believe it has any benefit the air flow, especially when there are frames in the box.
Quote
What would be the consequence of not having a slanted bottom?
I know some folks have built them with flat bottoms and I have not heard any issues.
Quote
Do you hang any frames in the lower bee box (maybe to the sides) to give the bees somewhere to cluster/hang during the cut-out?
If it is a warm day I'll add frames with water before I start.   If you add frames, make sure you put in at least 9.  Otherwise you stand a good chance of having them twist and fall off the frame rests when you move the hive.  If you only want to put comb on the outsides, at least put foundationless frames in the middle to keep things in place.

Rob....
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Rex Smith on December 30, 2011, 06:31:50 pm
Rob (or anyone else who has made the Bee Vac),

Do you leave the motor filtered when in use as a bee-vac?  I would presume so - if using the vac as a standalone... But what about when installed as an integrated motor on the hive-body?  Just wanted to make sure.  I've got an old extra 4hp small shop-vac that I was toying around with using for the purpose.

Thanks,
Rex S.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Robo on December 30, 2011, 06:57:03 pm
No filter when using an integrated vac.  Use it as you would in "leaf blower" mode.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: jredburn on March 11, 2012, 10:58:09 pm
I built a vac from a set of plans on another web site that was a box inside of a box.  The inner box was open sides with hardware cloth and lined inside with the soft foam they use as lining in silverware drawers.
The vacuum would suck the bees up against the hardware cloth and hold them there.  This cut down the air flow and the vac would stop working.  I ended up working with the bees all over me and the table.
I cant use the bushkill vac system because I use Top Bar hives
Has anyone ever used or seen a cyclone type vacuum?
 I would really like to talk to you if you have.
Regards
Joe
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Intheswamp on April 16, 2012, 09:01:27 am
Joe, you might look at this vac.  Simple and neat design and appears to work.  I use Langs and would rather have the Bushkill vac, but with no woodworking equipment set up I'm considering putting together one of these...

https://plus.google.com/111863660513010434468/posts/5C1dNwCPjLQ

Best wishes,
Ed
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: G3farms on April 16, 2012, 11:44:37 am
Joe...........

Build a couple more of the inside catch boxes, when one gets full you can switch it out for an empty one.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: JP on April 16, 2012, 12:08:26 pm
Joe, you might look at this vac.  Simple and neat design and appears to work.  I use Langs and would rather have the Bushkill vac, but with no woodworking equipment set up I'm considering putting together one of these...

https://plus.google.com/111863660513010434468/posts/5C1dNwCPjLQ

Best wishes,
Ed

In my experience, a canister type vac is a bad design. Vacs work best when the bees can spread out or upwards. The wider and longer the catch box is the better. Look at the design posted, its plenty deep but the bees wind up stacked atop each other which leads to stress. Some colonies become more stressed than others when they're vacuumed. Add really warm weather & you have a recipe for disaster.


...JP
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Intheswamp on April 16, 2012, 03:03:12 pm
Thanks for the feedback on that, JP, I respect your knowledge and hands-on experience in this.  Like I said, I'd much rather use Robo's vac but I don't currently have the capability to build it.  I've got a question about the bucket, though...what if it was lain down on it's side with screen wire attached to the inside for the bees to climb on...maybe a couple of combs attached inside the far end away from the vacuum motor?  Better?

Thanks,
Ed
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: JP on April 16, 2012, 05:35:24 pm
Thanks for the feedback on that, JP, I respect your knowledge and hands-on experience in this.  Like I said, I'd much rather use Robo's vac but I don't currently have the capability to build it.  I've got a question about the bucket, though...what if it was lain down on it's side with screen wire attached to the inside for the bees to climb on...maybe a couple of combs attached inside the far end away from the vacuum motor?  Better?

Thanks,
Ed

Better, but with the bucket design just make certain you have adequate ventilation. Plastic can get pretty warm on a hot day. Make certain your inner catch box is rigid so it does not collapse on the bees when turned on its side.


...JP
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: ShaneJ on April 16, 2012, 07:35:48 pm
Ed, did you see the pics of the Robo bee vac I made? I don't have the cutout shim or slide out lid, but I managed to make what I did with simple tools. And I have zero wood working skills.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: JP on April 16, 2012, 07:49:01 pm
Just so y'all know I now am the proud owner of two Bushkill bee vacs. Schawee and I have used the one he built last season and this season. I used mine for the first time three days ago with Emil. That video has been posted in Honey Bee removal.

Because I do quite a few removals as most of you know by now I definitely needed two. Very impressed with the design. I can tell Rob put a lot of thought in coming up with the final product.


...JP
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: AllenF on April 16, 2012, 07:51:49 pm
So JP, have you replaced you old box style bee vac with the Bushkill vac?   
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: JP on April 17, 2012, 01:03:13 am
So JP, have you replaced you old box style bee vac with the Bushkill vac?   

I like Rob's design very much!


...JP
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: PeeVee on April 17, 2012, 09:49:58 pm
I've had super good luck with Rob's design. Easy to add on the brood frames after the collection process. Couple days later I rearrange the body and ready for the next removal. Bad thing is, if I was as busy as JP, I would need a couple more of the "base" parts!
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: D Semple on April 20, 2012, 12:21:53 pm
I have two of your Bushkill bee vacs and like them a lot, especially for inside removals.


I've found it very handy to have a couple of extra screen shims to let me reunite bees with boxes of brood several times during very large cutouts.

Geat design,

Don

Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: divemaster1963 on April 22, 2012, 01:56:25 am
My box in a box started to fall apart ( particle broad ). so today I was making topbars for 75 frames I needed for three cutouts this week and I was looking around my shop at some popular sticks I had dried out in the drying pile and decide to make one. I had problems cutting the angle for the slant bottom broad so I just used some 1/2 x1/2 stripes to mount the 1/4 sheet of wood I planed down. I looks good. for the screen divider I ripped some 3/4 x 3/4 and split one end and used some no.8 screen. bend the edges to stiffen it up and it works good. made the top and placed the mesh in a groove and added my 3 hp shop vac. to the top I going to use the smaller hose to get good suction. Now to make some extra bottoms or some extra screen dividers so I can change boxes during the cutouts. I'll place the second divider on the bottom so I can put it in when removing the bottom. I think it may work and keep loose bees to a minim. 

john
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Rex Smith on August 12, 2012, 05:28:33 pm
I am one of those unfortunate souls who must have sucked up way too much honey along with the bees on my last two cutouts.  I wound up with about 3.5" of dead bees in the bottom of the collection box from yesterdays' cutout job.  (shaking my head)

A quick question, though on the cutout shim...  My current top screen is made from #8 hardware cloth.  When I got home, some of the poor bees had stuck their eyes/heads through the mesh, and could not retract from the mesh of the hardware cloth.  Is this a sign that I had too much suction?  Or should I change over to aluminum screen window mesh that has smaller openings?   What sized hardware cloth is generally (and successfully) used for the removable cutout shim?
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: David McLeod on August 12, 2012, 06:42:59 pm
They got to hot. Try misting them with water or give them a drawn frame with water.
I changed the hardware cloth out for a trimmed propolis trap.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Rex Smith on August 12, 2012, 06:59:24 pm
Thanks David - I'll do that on the next one....   (plus I've got my hose soaking in a tub of water to clean out the sticky from the inside of it)


They got to hot. Try misting them with water or give them a drawn frame with water.
I changed the hardware cloth out for a trimmed propolis trap.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: G3farms on October 03, 2012, 09:18:41 am
If the inside of your hose is sticky you were sucking up honey and nectar. I try hard not to vac too much on the face of unsealed honey comb, you will pull out the honey and nectar. Once the bees are cover in the sticky mess they will drown in it.

When they over heat they will be a black looking greasy mess from where they have puked up what was in their stomachs.

Number 8 hardware cloth (1/8" opening) works good for the cut out shim. Sounds like the openings are a bit larger than 1/8".

You only need enough suction to keep the bees in the hose, if they sound like a hand full of gravels going down the hose you will have dead bees in the bottom of the bee vac, mostly broken in half.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Rex Smith on October 04, 2012, 01:55:44 am
My last 3-4 uses of the vac have been 100% successful.  I had indeed sucked up honey from a cutout - so the inside of the hose was sticky.  Once that was taken care of - I reduced the suction, and have had great success with the vac.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: PLAN-B on May 30, 2013, 01:42:20 pm
I haven't played with the vac described in this blog, but made a bucket vac that took all of an hour and a half to throw together and I am pleased with it so far... Not saying its better, but for someone who might have limited woodworking tools it's a runner-up....
(http://s23.postimg.org/hnw9x1j93/image.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/hnw9x1j93/)

(http://s23.postimg.org/rwor2v7av/image.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/rwor2v7av/)

I know it's not your design but thanks for posting the idea Moots
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: ScooterTrash on June 23, 2013, 11:37:15 am
my 8 frame bushkill vac is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow, I have 2 cut-outs scheduled this week. Been looking forward to this for a while.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Robo on June 23, 2013, 11:44:14 am
my 8 frame bushkill vac is scheduled to be delivered tomorrow, I have 2 cut-outs scheduled this week. Been looking forward to this for a while.

Good Luck!   My advice would be to start with very little suction and increase it until you find it working sufficiently.   On the first one, stop often and slide the top cover open and inspect the bees. You will be much better off spending a little longer the first time and getting use to the vac.   As much as I talk about not using too much suction,  I still get too many people with a lot of dead bees their first time because they used too much suction.   The efficiencies of the BBV does not include sucking them up fast than other bee vacs,  it is the less stress and manipulations after they are sucked up.

Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Leather Jim on June 23, 2013, 11:55:59 am
Works great!!
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: OldMech on August 20, 2013, 04:39:33 pm
There I go, thinking I was original again...
   I made mine with all the vac parts in the top so I can use the hive body AND the bottom board. pop the top/vac assembly off, drop the inner cover and lid on. Remove the entrance board and the hive is set. Put the board on the entrance of another empty hive, drop the vac onto it and its ready for the next cutout/swarm..

   I have found in trying to perfect this, that I do not get a lot of debris on top of the frames when the Suction is adjusted correctly so that I do not kill bees. Light debris, like leaves may go in, but heavier stuff, wax, sticks etc do not. The six inch chamber above the frames allows the vacuum to dissipate. Everything that goes into the chamber falls on top of the frames, including the bees, and as a bonus, I can carry it with one hand. (empty)
   I also use a simple ratchet strap to bind mine together. I am all about simplicity..  after a hard day of sweating, I really appreciate the simplicity of the design. Once I get the bees home, it takes five minutes to remove the vac from the hive, drop the cover on, and unscrew the entrance board. It really saves time and allows me to get to that rum and diet cherry coke that's waiting for me beside my chair, overlooking the pond, in front of my house, with my fishing pole laying beside that.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: trapperbob on September 19, 2013, 10:07:17 pm
My last cutout convinced me I should have one of your vacs . I'm really excited lol it arrives tomorrow . Afraid I won't get to use it till next year but I can't wait.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: mdax on September 19, 2013, 11:20:51 pm
I dig my BushKill vac
(http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g236/mdavid01/PaintedBeeVac_zpsf9b6e057.jpg)

I was thinking how awesome it could be as a "non lethal" tool for law enforcement; put the vac into blow mode, stick the hose through a window and flood a room with angry bees.   
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Robo on September 19, 2013, 11:35:08 pm
mdax,

Nice 8-framer.  Ilike the paint job.   How long is that hose, and where did you get it?
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: trapperbob on September 21, 2013, 01:16:52 am
I see in the pic of your vac Robo the vac has the muffler on it does it really dampen the sound very much or was it a waste of money?
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: mpickard on November 14, 2015, 01:31:24 pm
Robo - Ridgid Tools has a 2-1/2" x 20ft locking Hose kit - VT2522, which is what it looks like mdax is using.  I bought one myself just for the bee-vac I'm building based on Bushkill's Bee Vac design.

*DISCLAIMER* I work for Emerson (don't know if I necessarily need to disclose that, but since Ridgid is an Emerson company... even though I am not involved with that division) comments are my own personal comments and not related to my employer.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: Robo on November 14, 2015, 02:03:02 pm
Robo - Ridgid Tools has a 2-1/2" x 20ft locking Hose kit - VT2522, which is what it looks like mdax is using.  I bought one myself just for the bee-vac I'm building based on Bushkill's Bee Vac design.

*DISCLAIMER* I work for Emerson (don't know if I necessarily need to disclose that, but since Ridgid is an Emerson company... even though I am not involved with that division) comments are my own personal comments and not related to my employer.

Thanks for the insight on the 20ft hose,  that will be ideal for most.  I'll add a link to it from my website.   Personally I have been very happy with the Ridgid vacs, and although we support Shop Vac as well,  I always recommend the Ridgid when asked.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: divemaster1963 on November 18, 2015, 12:11:27 pm
I built one have been using it for 5 years . Great design .I have made 100 bottoms for mine. Now that what I use for bottoms for all my hives. Bees seem to love just rhw hole for a entrance. I made slide flaps so I can adjust entrance size but they do sell the round entrance wheel for them.

John
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: superbee on December 29, 2015, 12:10:13 pm
Robo,

I wanted to thank you for your bee vac.  I am currently have 6 of them used for removals.  I figure I get a good 25 large cutouts before I have to fix something.  The design and build is great.  I have tested the bee vac on hundreds of cut outs and it helps me save more bees faster.  Thanks again Nick from Super Bee Rescue and Removal.
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: LKBruns on December 29, 2015, 06:07:46 pm
I built a similar design this summer.  I am looking forward to trying it out this spring.  I plan on trying it with wasp first, until I figure out how much suction I need
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: BeeMaster2 on December 29, 2015, 10:08:39 pm
LK,
Set it so that it just barely sucks in the bees. Much more than that and you will have problems.
Jim
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: LKBruns on December 30, 2015, 01:30:36 am
Thank for the tip.  I'll post pictures and let y'all know how it goes
Title: Re: Bushkill Bee Vac
Post by: BeeMaster2 on December 30, 2015, 08:18:24 am
Looking forward to seeing the pics.
Jim