> The equipment has never been patched, but I
> notice the seams are tinned. Could lead by a concern in using this
> equipment? Should I paint the inside of this equipment with epoxy
> paint or some such before using it? Or, given the short time that
> the honey is extracted and the short time it's in the tank, is it OK
> to use as is?
 
I really don't see any harm in it.  Epoxies are far more toxic to
many people until they are cured than the tiny (imaginary) amount of
metals thatmight be added to the honey by your equipment.
 
The key is that honey immediately coats the equipment, and that layer
stays in contact with the metal until cleaned.
 
Assuming you exract with reasonable dispatch and then wash off the
equipment, rather than scrape the last little bit for consumption, I
defy anyone to prove any metals get into the honey.
 
Regards
 
Allen
 
W. Allen Dick, Beekeeper                                         VE6CFK
RR#1, Swalwell, Alberta  Canada T0M 1Y0
Internet:[log in to unmask] & [log in to unmask]
Honey. Bees, & Art <http://www.internode.net/~allend/>