Hives

[Chriszog]

I Have the chance to purchase two re conditioned Smith Hives at a good price, but from my reading and speaking with others most people favour the National. What do you guys think is best for a complete newby? Buy now or wait till the Spring? These will be my first hives!

 

[Erichalfbee]

Knowing what I know now I would start again with poly Langstroth.
You can get bees on Lang frames fairly easily these days.

 

[Swarm]

I Have the chance to purchase two re conditioned Smith Hives at a good price, but from my reading and speaking with others most people favour the National. What do you guys think is best for a complete newby? Buy now or wait till the Spring? These will be my first hives!

Same size frames, just the Smith has short frame lugs. There are more options with Nationals regarding choice.

 

[Blacky50]

Have you joined Bedfordshire Beekeepers? They offer good discounts on frames for members but only Nationals as that is what most members use.

 

[Chriszog]

Hi Yes I have and am doing the course in the new year!

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Did the offer of the smith hives come from withing the association? common enough in a lot of socieities I believe for newbies to be offered kit that noone else will touch

 

[linoleum bonypart]

Buy new nationals in the Xmas sales...no importing of diseases

 

[Chriszog]

Did the offer of the smith hives come from withing the association? common enough in a lot of socieities I believe for newbies to be offered kit that noone else will touch

No, from an old Beekeeper I met who had a mix of National and Smith hives.

 

[Chriszog]

Buy new nationals in the Xmas sales...no importing of diseases

Where are these sales on and when?

 

[B+.]

Where are these sales on and when?

Chris
This is the sort of thing your mentor should advise you on.

When you have completed the beginners course, you will be better placed to make a decision on what size hives you want to buy. Remember that a smaller footprint will mean the stack of boxes will be taller. Don't automatically assume that a National hive is automatically right for you. Get some experience of other hive dimensions first.

The main sale is the BBKA Spring convention on 8th April 2016 (http://www.-------------/news_and_events/spring_convention_2016) but Bedfordshire Beekeepers Association, like others, operates a members trading scheme where you can buy frames/foundation/etc throughout the year.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Where are these sales on and when?

Thornes will have their online/mail order sales shortly after Christmas.Then the Beetradex exhibition at Stoneleigh Saturday 5th March.Then as B+ said - the Welsh convention 0n March 19th (pre order and collect on the day - or just turn up and join the Melee) where you'll get the same bargins from Thornes and Maisemore's as you will at the National convention at Harper Adams 8,9,10 April.
as a beginner I'd be very circumspect about buying from auctions and bring and buy sales unless you have someone with you who knows his/her stuff and can help you sort out the good stuff from the disease riddled piles of firewood which seem to abound at these events

 

[linoleum bonypart]

Making flat pack hives is an enjoyable winter pastime....

 

[Hivemaker.]

Making flat pack hives is an enjoyable winter pastime....

It is surprising how many beekeepers get no enjoyment whatsoever from doing that.

 

[B+.]

It is surprising how many beekeepers get no enjoyment whatsoever from doing that.

Times change HM. Not everyone has the tools to do proper woodwork anymore

 

[Hivemaker.]

Times change HM. Not everyone has the tools to do proper woodwork anymore

You don't need proper tools to put flat pack hives together.

 

[For want of a better word]

Glue gun ?

Nos da

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

You don't need proper tools to put flat pack hives together.

all you need is a hammer and a trysquare or tape measure - the trouble is in this day and age, by what I can see most people struggle to use a spoon properly let alone a hammer!

 

[Erichalfbee]

I love making frames

 

[Tim.S]

Sounds sad enjoying making frames up but I know what you mean - I find it a great way to switch off from the stresses of the working day. I'm sure that when you have a few thousand to make up the novelty wears off very quickly!

 

[For want of a better word]

all you need is a hammer and a trysquare or tape measure - the trouble is in this day and age, by what I can see most people struggle to use a spoon properly let alone a hammer!

What do you use the spoon for ?.. curious

Yeghes da