Your thoughts on sm extractors--hand crank or motorized?

[twb]

I just can not decide between the 6 frame or 9 frame radial hand crank or motorized.  Hand crank simplicity looks good to me.  No motor means one less thing that can break.  Yet with motor I can do uncapping etc. while frames are spinning.  How long do you spend cranking a 9 frame to empty the frames?  And with a maximum of, let's say, 10 hives,(I currently have only 4) is it worth the extra $ to get a motor?  Are the motors virtually trouble free?  Maybe some of you can shed the light of experience on this?  Thanks.

[pttom]

I have a 9 frame radial hand turn from Brushy Mountain and it worked great with only 8 hives, but with 25 I am going to up grade before long. It will save a lot of time not having to hand crank.

[Understudy]

I started with a plastic Chinese made hand extractor. Did fine for about a year. The extractor got  damaged when I dropped it. I replaced it with a metal one and put on a varible speed motor.

The plastic one is fine when you have just a few hives. When you get more you will want to upgrade to avoid carpal tunnel. 

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[Michael Bush]

I held out until I could afford a 9/18 motorized.  I've never regretted holding out.  A small hand crank is very time consuming and inefficient.

[Brian D. Bray]

I held out until I could afford a 9/18 motorized.  I've never regretted holding out.  A small hand crank is very time consuming and inefficient.

But think of all the calories you burn.

[deantn]

Still like mine, a plastic garbage can with a 9 frame SS setup mounted inside. Bought in late 70's from a company here in TN. that Dadant bought out about a year after they started. Runs with a drill attached to the top shaft and works fine with a variable speed B&D attached to it.Only have two hives now but a planning a few more this next spring.

[Greg Peck]

Go with the motorized one. I have extracted with both and after using the motorized one I would not buy a hand crank. So much time was saved and I was a lot less sore after extracting.

[Understudy]

A small note.

The motorized one's are nice if they have the right motor. A varible speed motor is best.
When I first bought my metal extractor with the motor it would blow out my frames. One thing you have with a hand crank is the ability to control the speed.

Sincerely,
Brendhan

[twb]

OK, thanks to you all.  It sounds like a variable speeded motorized extractor is the way to go.  Your confirmations are appreciated.