Beeswax

[Fox]

My wife has signed us up with 'Gee's Bees'..we'll have our first hive here soon...so I may have my own wax soon..

http://www.geesbees.ca/

I will have to pick your brain on this, you can learn first

I was told to get a hive or two but it is hard to find any information.

[muskrat trapper]

I will have to pick your brain on this, you can learn first

I was told to get a hive or two but it is hard to find any information.

There is a course in the Winter at Algonquin College (contact Lacelle Apiaries in Carleton Place) and another in Apple Hill in the Spring. Check out the Ontario Beekeepers Assoc. Tech transfer Unit for more info. I'd suggest you get a copy of the Ontario Beekeepers Manual. There is a beekeeping store in Toledo that should carry it - www.busybeebeekeepingsupplies.ca . The sell very good starter hives. If you join a local beekeepers assoc. they may have an extractor you can borrow or rent once you're set up.

Just a small bit of advice - beekeeping is now a fad with the tree huggers so there is lots of info on the Internet that is total BS. Stick with the Ontario Beekeepers Manual and the OMAFRA recommendations for treating diseases and you will be fine.

[MikePal]

I was told to get a hive or two but it is hard to find any information.

There is a guy in East Oxford that has a 'Bee' building full of equipment etc. He used to keep bee's for many years. I plan to pick his brain once we get the intro course from Gee's Bee's and then hopefully get a bunch of used stuff off him.

I've been bartering my labour with him for years, so this project will be worked off with no hit to my wallet.

[line052]

OddMott (ODD MBR) is tending Bees and making frames if I am not correct. He is local to Arnprior and has honey right now for sale and for bears. I am sure he has Beewax as well.

[northernontario]

I've been at it for 7 years now... 30+ hives... Pretty much self-taught.

Not sure I like the whole "lease a hive" concept. It's a great money-maker (for the person who actually owns the hives), but it's targeted at the backyard beekeeper who lives in town, and there are clear rules about distances to property lines. Some exceptions can be made for those rules, where no buildings exist on the other side of the property line for a distance... but as I said, it's being marketed for people who live in town.

[MikePal]

... but as I said, it's being marketed for people who live in town.

Oh yea...for the 'urban' goupies. My wife works with a few of them and she got a 'bee' in her bonnet...so no talking her out of it

It'll be a one shot deal for the training.

We are out on 100 acres in the middle of nowhere, so the bees will be happy to see the acres of wild meadow flowers and the vast flower gardens my wife has...should make great honey.

[line052]

If OddMott comes Mike maybe you can chat with on the 17 Sept. Quite the little operation he has going right now.

Oh yea...for the 'urban' goupies. My wife works with a few of them and she got a 'bee' in her bonnet...so no talking her out of it

It'll be a one shot deal for the training.

We are out on 100 acres in the middle of nowhere, so the bees will be happy to see the acres of wild meadow flowers and the vast flower gardens my wife has...should make great honey.

[Tony Mo]

Since you have a lifetime supply of bees wax you may be looking for other uses.
How about one for a wood finish

1 part melted bees wax

1 part boiled linseed oil (you buy it at the hardware store as BOILED...don't buy raw linseed oil and boil it yourself...it's not really boiled but has additives so it dries quicker)

1 part turpentine

Wipe on untreated wood and work it into the pores. Wait 10-15 minutes, wipe off excess
Put on multiple coats to get a good build up and the colour you like
I store mine in a glass mason jar
Great for workbenches, gunstocks etc

[MikePal]

Since you have a lifetime supply of bees wax you may be looking for other uses.
How about one for a wood finish

Thanks Tony...I've heard of using it, but never knew what the recipe was. Sounds like it would be fluid enough to work in a nice peice of hardwood. I have some Cherry I was going to make into a mounting plaque. I'll give this a try. A small project first time out as it were.

excellent info !!

[northernontario]

Thanks Tony...I've heard of using it, but never knew what the recipe was. Sounds like it would be fluid enough to work in a nice peice of hardwood. I have some Cherry I was going to make into a mounting plague. I'll give this a try. A small project first time out as it were.

excellent info !!

Ends up as a paste. I made up a mixture to fill a pint size mason jar. Screw the cap on tight to keep the solvents sealed in. Quick sand on the handles of outdoor tools to scuff it up, then rub the paste in... wait a minute, and rub it smooth.