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  At the risk of beating this subject to death, I'll stand by my statement
that it is not worth owning an extractor until you get quite a few hives,
unless you get great enjoyment out of using it. (I don't). Small extractors
are messy and slow; you have to have some way of settling or straining the
honey. If you do it outdoors, you're apt to  have robbing bees; if you do it
in the kitchen, you're begging for divorce.
   When I first started, I rented a crank-type extractor for my first
experience. Bursitis cured me of that.  Then I've gone through the various
stages with small motorized ones, turning over frames, and breaking comb,
etc.
   Today, I've got a 50 frame radial, with a nice chain uncapper, tanks,
pumps, filters, etc, and I can crank out a barrel of honey in just a little
while. Several other beekeepers use the system as well.
   I bought the whole system pretty cheap from a bankrupt beekeeper (plenty
of them around), and still wonder if it is cost effective. If there were a
good commercial setup within a couple hours, I think I'd still be money ahead
to load my supers on the truck, and let someone else do it for 10 cents a
pound. The bigger outfits can run a pickup load of supers in a couple hours,
and there isn't a lot of mess.
   Now I have to look hard at the costs, because I don't have an outside job
to support my beekeeping. I suspect those who countered my position do.
Whatever floats your boat....
   If a beginer still wants one, and doesn't want to spend close to a grand
for the extractor and accessories, there are a lot of small extractors
floating around at good prices. Our state ag department publishes a market
bulletin, and advertises three or four a year, along with uncapping knives,
etc. Check the bearings when you buy used. One of mine had a bad bearing at
the base, and when I found one that fit, it cost half as much as the
extractor did. For a buck apiece you can get nice pails at the local donut
shop. Your local soft drink bottler usually has a variety of plastic barrels
that can be used as tanks. Pantyhose makes a good cheap strainer.
   I don't want to waste a lot of time telling everyone what they already
know, but, when I was a beginner, I wish someone had told me some of this.
Also, check your local health regulations, if you are going to sell any of
your product.   Good luck!
Dave Green, Eastern Pollinator Newsletter, PO Box 1215, Hemingway, SC  29554