The knife was placed in hot water to heat. Once heated, it was used for removing caps from individual cells in one sweep across the frame. This exposed the honey before the fame was placed in the extractor.Metal uncapping knife with wooden handle.uncapping, knife, metal, beekeeping, beechworth honey

This was used for removing caps from individual cells in one sweep across the frame. This exposed the honey before the fame was placed in the extractor.Metal uncapping knife with wooden handle.uncapping, knife, metal, beekeeping, beechworth honey

This was used for removing caps from individual cells in one sweep across the frame. This exposed the honey before the fame was placed in the extractor.Metal uncapping knife with wooden handle. Two broken metal attachments extend from handle.uncapping, knife, metal, beekeeping, beechworth honey

This was used for removing caps from individual cells in one sweep across the frame. This exposed the honey before the fame was placed in the extractor.Metal uncapping knife with wooden handle. Electric power cord is attached to end of wooden handle.electric, uncapping, knife, metal, beekeeping, beechworth honey

This was the Robinsons family brand, registered by Alan + Keith Robinson. Heated in fire, it was used to burn an impression into a pine beebox. It has always been a legal requirement that bees be identified to a particular owner. This allows the owners to be contacted in event of complaints or disease outbreak, among other things. Metal branding iron with head. Label reads R52branding, iron, beechworth honey

Smokers are used to calm bees. This is done by putting some kind of fuel into the chamber (pine needles, hessian, anything that smokes a lot when it burns), lighting it, then puffing the bellows to bring forth the smoke. The smoke has a calming influence over the bees, and helps stop them from stinging. The guard around the outside is to prevent burns via contact with the hot chamber.Metal circular canister with spout and metal struts which connect the canister to bellows. Bellows are constructed from leather and wood. Object is broken; bellows and canister are not attached.smoker, bee, beekeeping, beechworth honey

48 pages, illustrated.publication, australian, honey, board, beechworth honey, publication, australian, honey, board, beechworth honey

The queen bee cage is designed to hold a queen bee, and up to three or four escort worker bees. The design allows for adequate ventilation, and has a spot for 'queen candy' -candied honey- to block one end. The queen is placed in her new hive inside the cage, and once the queen candy has been eaten through -allowing her access to the hive- the hive has become accustomed to her smell and accept her. Bees could be sent through the post in this cage.Metal Queen Bee cage encrusted with debris and rust. Very old.queen, bee, cage, beechworth honey

Wooden 'Ideal' type hive box containing seven frames. Frames are broken and fragile. Each frome has four segments. Two metal handles attached.hive, box, ideal, frame, beechworth honey

30 pages, illustrated.publication, secrets, honey, pot, australian, institute, beechworth honey, publication, secrets, honey, pot, australian, institute, beechworth honey

This tin holds 60 pounds of honey. All honey used to be stored and transported in tins, manufactured to industry standards. The tins were eventually replaced by 44 gallon drums, which would hold 300 Kg of honey. Now, plastic food-grade pallecons are used; they hold 1500 Kg.Four gallon honey tin. Metal, rectangular tin. Rusted. Small handle on top. Circular hole in corner on top.four, gallon, honey, tin, beechworth honey

This tin holds 60 pounds of honey. All honey used to be stored and transported in tins, manufactured to industry standards. The tins were eventually replaced by 44 gallon drums, which would hold 300 Kg of honey. Now, plastic food-grade pallecons are used; they hold 1500 Kg.Four gallon honey tin. Metal, rectangular tin. Rusted. Small handle on top. Circular hole in corner on top.four, gallon, honey, tin, beechworth honey

Stack of four gallon honey tins. Four tins high, three tins wide, two tins deep.stack, four, gallon, honey, tin, beechworth honey

Lids for four gallon honey tins. Five stacks of heavily encrusted metal lids. Lids very rusty and show evidence of use wear and exposure to water and/or air. There are 45 lids in total.lids, four, gallon, honey, tin, beechworth honey

Screw-in metal lids. Rusty with evidence of use wear and exposure to water and/or air. Five in total.screw, lids, beechworth honey

These beeswax moulds are second-hand bread tins from a baker. Beekeepers would re-use anything suitable for melting blocks of wax, this is an example. These weren't so good, the wax was a bit hard to get out.Two long rectangular beeswax moulds joined together with metal struts. Heavily rusted, contains evidence of much use wear.beeswax, moulds, beechworth honey

These beeswax moulds are second-hand bread tins from a baker. Beekeepers would re-use anything suitable for melting blocks of wax, this is an example. These weren't so good, the wax was a bit hard to get out.Four rectangular metal moulds joined together with metal struts. Heavily rusted, contains evidence of much use wear.beeswax, moulds, beechworth honey

Frames are uncapped with an uncapping knife, and placed into a holding spot or basket. The handle is then turned, spinning the frames inside. Eventually, the centrifugal force drains the honey from the frames. The honey can be poured from the drum via the tap. The empty frames go back into beehives to be filled with honey again.Antique two frame manual extractor. Metal 44 gallon drum with external tap, handle and hole. Inside; rotating two-frame honey extractor. The two frames are attached to a square metal structure. Each frame is only attached by one end. Each frame is a rectangular metal construction with square wire panels on two sides. Internal frame rotates freely. Other two sides and base solid. On top of drum is a hand-driven metal crank for turning internal frames.two, frame, hand, manual, extractor, honey, beechworth honey

Antique wax melter made by Pender Bros. Pty Ltd. Wooden wax melter on heavy metal frame. At the back is a metal chute/cylinder with a tap. Lots of metal-work on the back- looks like an attachment to run through hot water. On side is a wooden baseless box with a lid. Inside wax melter is four strong metal compartments.wax, melter, beechworth honey, wax, melter, beechworth honey