Bee suit and tools

[richard8466]

Hi
Best place to buy a suit and tools needed for a beginner?
E bay?
This site?
TIA

 

[Millet]

I use these for everything apart from my bee suit..my bee suit is OZ Armour but they might be a bit expensive till you know you are going to continue beekeeping..

https://www.abelo.co.uk/

 

[Adam Bee]

I suppose it’s just a shop-around on line? Can’t remember where I got my suit, as it was a few years ago. I did get my hive tool from the dreaded Amazon, as it was cheap and I’d get it fast, but it might be better to shop bespoke beekeeping outlets as Amazon is a bit evil. You can get most things on Amazon, but it just feels wrong and many are shipped from China (check the arrival date), but why not support a local shop?

The one thing I did get was a cheap strong magnet (about the size of a new pound coin), which I drop in my suit’s pocket to hold my hive tool. It makes me feel like I’m on Star Trek, just pulling the tool off my belt that’s held there with no visible means of support.

 

[BMH]

I suppose it’s just a shop-around on line? Can’t remember where I got my suit, as it was a few years ago. I did get my hive tool from the dreaded Amazon, as it was cheap and I’d get it fast, but it might be better to shop bespoke beekeeping outlets as Amazon is a bit evil. You can get most things on Amazon, but it just feels wrong and many are shipped from China (check the arrival date), but why not support a local shop?

The one thing I did get was a cheap strong magnet (about the size of a new pound coin), which I drop in my suit’s pocket to hold my hive tool. It makes me feel like I’m on Star Trek, just pulling the tool off my belt that’s held there with no visible means of support.

Nice idea.

I use an industrial grade retractable reel that clips onto my bee suit.

My hive tool is always accessible and in easy reach and there is ZERO risk that I leave it on site as its connected to me by a kevlar cord.

 

[mjt68]

I use these for everything apart from my bee suit..my bee suit is OZ Armour but they might be a bit expensive till you know you are going to continue beekeeping..

https://www.abelo.co.uk/

I would rate the abelo beesuits and gloves, what I use. A one-stop shop will save you paying out for postage again and again (I usually go for bee equipment). The trick is planning ahead to know what you need and then remembering everything when you're putting the order together. I'm terrible at this!

Tools are the same wherever, just chuck some on whatever else you're ordering. Order two hive tools for when you lose one, two different designs if you want to see what suits you best. Otherwise look at internet auction sites for buy it now with free postage. Buy a good large and sturdy smoker though. For gloves a pair of marigolds is good enough but gauntlets might give you more confidence. Keep the marigolds in the car if you have an out-apiary - nothing like finding you've forgotten your gloves (not brave enough to go in with bare hands yet).

 

[pargyle]

Hi
Best place to buy a suit and tools needed for a beginner?
E bay?
This site?
TIA

There's no one place that's a one stop shop if you are looking to save money.

Basic items like smoker and hive tools can be picked up from places like Simon the Beekeeper on ebay.

Suit .. there are cheap ones available but they don't last - the zips usually go and they tend to be poorly made but, if you are not fully committed to beekeeping yet they can be a cheap suit to get you going. If you are certain you are into beekeeping for the long haul - buy the best suit you can afford as a good one (Sherriff, BB Wear, Oz etc) will last many years.

If you can wait then there are always sales and offers from the major beekeeping suppliers .. and they normally have offers at the likes of Beetradex (which you have missed) and other events . Unfortunately, the time to buy beekeeping kit is outside of the season .. as we are now in full swing the offers are going to be few and far between.

The best advice is to shop around... be selective about what you actually need - make a list and don't get carried away with 'gadgets'.

In terms of hives .. first you need to decide what type of hive type (timber/poly) and size (Naional. 14 x 12, Commercial, Langstroth etc.) and be certain that this is what you are going to stick with ... and stick to it. There is nothing more frustrating than mis-matched kit.

Frames - second quality in the sales - buy as many as you are lilkely to need in the first year or so - they only ever go up in price.

It's a big question you've asked and there is no one answer to it. Experience will tell you what is good and what is bad, what is good value and what isn't but it's tough when you are starting out. Try before you buy if you can.

 

[citrus]

Nice idea.

I use an industrial grade retractable reel that clips onto my bee suit.

My hive tool is always accessible and in easy reach and there is ZERO risk that I leave it on site as its connected to me by a kevlar cord.

nice idea that !!

 

[enrico]

The fact that you are a beginner has little relevance. The best suit you can afford is important for those days when your bees are feeling a little grumpy. The best ones tend to be the named varieties. My first suit lasted 25 years. My first beginners veil lasted one inspection. I got stung on the face and it went in the bin. I still have times with bees, especially other people's, when I need a bomb proof suit. It also increases your confidence loads. If you get stung, you get wary. If you get wary you make mistakes, and eventually you dread the weekly inspections.
If you can't afford it then wait until you can
E

 

[madasafish]

nice idea that !!

Agreed. Useful for reeling in wife on shopping sprees.

 

[thedozzer]

Basic items like smoker and hive tools can be picked up from places like Simon the Beekeeper on ebay.

Got my suite and hive tool as one of Simon the beekeepers deals with the hives, they are not bad and the suit has lasted 12 months so cant complain.

Agreed. Useful for reeling in wife on shopping sprees.

Or getting dragged into a shoe shop if you cant get the clip of fast enough!!

 

[BMH]

Got my suite and hive tool as one of Simon the beekeepers deals with the hives, they are not bad and the suit has lasted 12 months so cant complain.


Or getting dragged into a shoe shop if you cant get the clip of fast enough!!

The one I bought wasnt cheap but had a handy locking feature to keep things getting away from you

 

[drex]

Best advice I had on starting out was to get the best suit I could afford. Went for BB wear. Did my confidence the world of good. Ten years later still as good as new.