Decision made

[beeker]

Long post I'm sorry.
I made the same mistake as most in their first couple of years, I started with poly 14x12 which I got on with ok, but a bit cumbersome at times. Then I bought some standard national in a mix of poly and wood through the year as and when needed, usually urgently or because they were bargains, the same with frames, and I made up some eke/extensions so I could fit 14#12 frames in either box. And like most I got in a real pickle at times, trying to make things fit.

Now had three summers like that, expanding sometimes faster than I liked, losing a few that I missed swarming, and luckily escaping any serious disease issues so far, but having so much enjoyment along the way.

In line with budgetary responsibilities, my queens were mostly swarm captures, and generally spicy feisty, just not too pleasant, though I did have some nice ones too, so I requeened most , deliberately last year from my nicest hive, in hindsight I should have spread this over a longer period, and spread the risk of poor matings in rubbish weather, but I didn't (big lesson) and almost all became drone layers, or just didn't do anything . And I will have lost a good % though this, , plus another that was entirely my fault (a sad lesson learnt) though I do have enough to split when spring arrives and they are ready.

In amongst some 2nd hand boxes, was one box with odd dimensions, that I used not realising till later it was a langstroth deep, and that one box became my favourite to inspect. I could see the attraction and thinking of many here wishing they had started with langstroth, but were quickly in too deep to change.

Roll onto this winter, low hive numbers, and two van loads of serious bargain level langstroth kit. Plus Murray + Sarah coming almost to my door with his made up frames, And the decision was made so much easier for me. So this year will be about swapping across to langstroth, I'm thinking double brood, with langstroth below nest split between the two, and national Frames supported in the box till I can work them out the sides. I will make up some coverboards to go between the two types.
If all goes to plan, (though I'm sure it won't be plain sailing) by the end of year I'll be in langstroth solely, and back where I was last autumn.

Any advice welcome to make the swap easier.

I couldn't have done any of this without the help here, so freely given. So thank you all.

Or having amazing bosses at the trout fishery I work at, who have given me apiary space, and most importantly storage, and workshop space
Mark

 

[Amari]

In amongst some 2nd hand boxes, was one box with odd dimensions, that I used not realising till later it was a langstroth deep, and that one box became my favourite to inspect. I could see the attraction and thinking of many here wishing they had started with langstroth, but were quickly in too deep to change.
I will make up some coverboards to go between the two types.
If all goes to plan, (though I'm sure it won't be plain sailing) by the end of year I'll be in langstroth solely, and back where I was last autumn.

I swapped the other way! In 1972 I attended a beginners' course at Sparsholt agri college, Hants. Theory evenings alternated with workshop sessions where we built our own Jumbo Langstroths and I used these (in Cheshire) until 2000. I then moved 200 miles and swapped to Nats. Being past the first flush of youth I found the Jumbos too heavy to lift and the hand-holds on the Nat boxes give a better grip than the routed recesses of the Langs.