BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER > EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS

? using hot wire to uncap

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malabarchillin:
Hello,
I just ordered an extractor, but not a uncapping knife.
In the past I built a 'hot wire' foam cutter (looks like a scroll saw).
I used single strand stainless fishing leader and a variable battery charger and it worked really well.
I am thinking of making a wand with the hot wire, but assume that the melted wax will resolidify on the other side of the wire. I am trying to think of a non-stick material to put right behind the wire to give the wax time to cool as I cut. Has anyone here tried this method ? I am sure that the hot wire will easily and cleanly go through the wax.
Regards
Mike

Michael Bush:
My guess is the wax behind the wire will be so thin the extractor will blow through it easily.

alfred:
I would love to see your device once you have made it. I was thinking of the same type of thing. Some kind of hot wire. Seems like it would cut right through cleanly. Not sure how to do it.
Variable battery charger? Could you post pictures?, and or plans?
Thanks, Alfred

malabarchillin:
Thanks for the reply Mike,
You are probably correct, there is not much wax there.

Alfred:
I have a old 12 volt battery charger that allows me to vary the amount of charging current.
I just adjust the current for the amount of heat I want in the wire.
In Walmart fishing dept they sell single strand stainless leader material cheap.
I was looking on the net for a photo for you. Here is a link to give you a idea.
I have no affiliation with this business (just looked for a pic).

http://www.hobbylinc.com/htm/woo/woost1435.htm
http://www.mossfoam.com/images/SixGun.jpg
They appear to use a walwort for a power supply. People often use ni-chrome wire, but
leader material is cheap and easily obtainable.
Mike

alfred:
Thanks for the info.
Alfred

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