How to make an uncapping tank for beekeeping for under $20

The bucket and drains system we used for uncapping honey frames just wasn't large enough to catch all the cappings. It was messy at best. So I bought some Sterlite container tubs and some plastic screen door mesh and made a larger, more efficient uncapping tank. It compares in size to the name brand uncapping tanks costing as much as $185.
It's a simple build and if you can't cut the wood needed yourself you can substitute wood from the lumber yard or hardware store.
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[@VicFerrari3]

Great design, and video. Thanks for sharing.

[@CleanSlateFarm]

Thanks for watching and commenting. It still works like a charm too!

[@rockplz]

Great vid - thanks

[@CleanSlateFarm]

Thanks for watching!

[@winstonhowerton3677]

you didn't show how you secured the mesh screening !!! how did u do that?

[@theweekendhomestead]

Very cool, now I just need to get some bees

[@CleanSlateFarm]

Thanks for watching! People tell us we make great honey. We tell them the bees make the honey and all we do is steal it from them.

[@kthomestead9155]

Very good video -- instructional and to the point. One question though, you mentioned putting the nail in to "hold the frame." How does that hold the frame? Do you lean the frame against it to uncap the honey? If you could clarify that for me, I am good to go!

[@CleanSlateFarm]

Atrium Base Shop Bingo! The nail is to rest the frame on while cutting off the cappings. Thanks for watching and commenting. Let me know how it turns out

[@kkinnersley]

Now THAT'S how you make an instructional video. Very clear, easy-to-understand directions. Very straight to the point. Too many videos, they talk to slow and it takes forever to get to the point. Great video. I'll be making one of these!The only question I'd have would be regarding the mesh. The video shows you measuring and cutting the mesh, but then what? Did you just lay is in the bottom of the upper tank? Or did you attach it somehow? Does it just provide a screen for the 4 holes you drilled with the hole saw?Thanks

[@CleanSlateFarm]

kkinnersley Thanks so much for the compliment. I'm glad I'm getting better at the instructional videos. Even a blind squirrel gets a nut once in a while. :) The mesh just lays in the bottom of the upper tank so it can be removed easily for cleaning and wax removal. It covers the whole bottom but is only needed for the holes. When draining the tank it also helps to tip the upper tank a bit to one corner so the honey drains better. Drill the holes as close to the corners and/or the lowest point as possible to make that easier. I found, after taking the mesh out, using a rubber spatula to squeegee the honey toward the hole works well. Clean up is fast also. Just hose it down with the garden hose. I never put any wax laden honey in the kitchen sink to avoid build up in the house drains and lines. Fixing that would be a video I don't want to make. Thanks so much for watching and commenting. Please share if you'd like!

[@kristinfrancis7798]

I may have missed something - but did you just lay the mesh in the bottom of the top bin or is it fastened somehow? Just wondering if it would slip and move around if not fastened in some way. And would it be okay to add more than just the four holes in each corner to allow the honey to drain through faster?

[@CleanSlateFarm]

Kristin Francis tip bin over the holes. Honey will help keep it in place. Thx!!

[@garyshaffer68]

Nice job. U could have used a queen excluded on the bottom. And not used the window screen. Thank for sharing.

[@CleanSlateFarm]

Yuppers, that's another idea though I like the smaller screen. .Thanks for watching and commenting

[@dannykraft4946]

What type of mesh did you use?

[@CleanSlateFarm]

Danny Kraft just regular old screen door screen. Plastic, not metal. When I rinse everything I don't want the screen to rust. Thx for watching!

[@inthewoods6857]

20 if you have the tools..

[@danholtbk7008]

2024 price - $35.00. Bidenomics.

[@CleanSlateFarm]

A British friend once said to me, "Americans are so insular." After chewing on that for a while I thought it to be an odd comment from someone who lives on an island. But you know, we are quite insular as witnessed by the lack of knowledge and understanding of several things. For instance, many if not all European countries are experiencing inflation and higher prices as well. Some are worse than ours. What's more, they are also experiencing insane illegal immigration numbers. Dozens if not hundreds of people drowning in the Mediterranean trying to make their way to European countries. I'm not going to debate the merits of Trump or Biden. Not that I like Biden or hate Trump. I don't really like either of them. And that is the grand brilliance of our democracy, isn't it? I have the God-given right to say that publicly with no fear of retribution. And you do as well. We, you and I, don't have to like one or the other...or either! We don't owe it to our country to like them. What we do owe our children, our family members who fought in wars protecting these rights, and this awesome freaking country with all of its incredible opportunities and yes, flaws, is to be informed. Informed about our Bill of Rights, Constitution, electoral process, judicial system, and world history. We owe it to them to form our own opinions and not borrow someone else's. This will take effort and the gained benefit will be directly proportional to the effort expended. Until we (you and I) are informed and understand these and the challenges it will take to protect, not change them to someone's liking we are in for a rough ride. That is a guarantee. Everything else is just a distraction. That's a guarantee as well. TL/DR: We aren't the only country in this pickle. Most of the world is in the same boat. It's a worldwide problem. Be informed before casting blame or be quiet. I apologize to anyone who came to watch the video and ended up reading this political submission. Let's get back to beekeeping.

[@danholtbk7008]

@@CleanSlateFarm I didn't come up with the term Bidenomics. Do you know who did? Joe Biden. He's the one taking a premature victory lap for a failing economy. Facts are indisputable. Inflation is raging and Biden is the one in charge for the past 3 1/2 years (Well, maybe he's not). Every time someone says something negative about Biden the response usually includes Trump. Why?

[@bigleo122]

Literally making this now. Thx for the video.

[@lyndadraper8684]

Thank you for this idea 👍

[@CleanSlateFarm]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching.

[@TechnoTinker]

I built one like yours after watching several videos. Yours was the most straightforward, and it works great. I had a bit of trouble finding mesh I liked that was that wide. I tried using overlapping strips, but they wanted to slip. I may try fastening them together on my next harvest. Thanks!

[@CleanSlateFarm]

TechnoTinker thanks. Simple is best. Try using plastic screen door mesh. I think it’s called pet proof.

[@ericriddle6519]

Do you just lay the plastic filter/net in or does something hold it in place

[@CleanSlateFarm]

Hello Eric. It just lays in place so it can be rinsed after your done. Thanks for watching. How are your bees doing?

[@ericriddle6519]

@@CleanSlateFarm I started late last fall with beekeeping I started with 2 hives went into winter with 3 now back to 2 it is very interesting learning about them and what all can be done with honey and the wax

[@petermcfadden9426]

Good explanation, easy to follow. Thanks from Conwy Beekeepers, North Wales, UK.

[@CleanSlateFarm]

Thank you, Peter. I try to keep it simple. How's beekeeping in Wales? A bit rough here lately but we're managing to keep on.

[@larryseliger9544]

When I saw the price of one and I thought build your own. Came up with the idea of using the same tubs you used but had no idea how to build one. Thanks for the great plans.

[@CleanSlateFarm]

Necessity is the mother of invention. Save a buck or two and DIY! Thanks for watching.

[@robertwilkey8178]

Can you tell me where you found your plastic tubs? Thanks

[@CleanSlateFarm]

I got them at Amazon...here is a link (we receive a small fee from this link) but I have seen them at a Dollar Store recently. Thanks for watching and commenting

[@texnichols]

Where did you buy those tubs with the little guides for the support wood?

[@CleanSlateFarm]

Dollar Store or Dollar General...one of them as I recall. Thanks for watching.

[@amyhubbs7491]

good idea, but is it just my computer or is this audio really quiet?

[@CleanSlateFarm]

Maybe a combination of both...the mic I used wasn't the best. I've since upgraded. Thanks for watching!

[@roncapetz2299]

Nice video for doing the job. Why not show the finished product and how it actually works? That should be the starting point to capture interest, mine at least.

[@CleanSlateFarm]

I was building it in anticipation of the honey harvest so I didn't have anything to use in with. It does work well though and I use it every harvest. Thank you commenting and watching. How many colonies do you have?

[@kehoto]

Great video with a simple design. The materials used make it so cheap. I just need to spend a 1000 dollars on the two types of saws you use and I should be good ;-)

[@CleanSlateFarm]

I know! The DIY tool shop is the most expensive of all. Thanks for your comment and good humor!

[@danholtbk7008]

But then you can use those tools to build a house.

[@fishmut]

The only thing I might add to this is those plastic containers will only last a couple of years then there done, they fall apart, maybe better quality containers so it lasts longer .