poly or wooden hives?

[Swarm]

Thanks for all the answers, have 2 wooden so thought I might give poly a try, have looked at the p..... are they top or bottom bee space? do the others all mix and match with the wooden ones as p...... says theirs do?

The paynes you could run BBS or TBS with or without the runners. The sienty is offered as BBS with runners, I'd argue that is not an option due to no recess cut into the bottom edge of the box. Others here are using them BBS but I've had no real answer to the problem of the box sitting directly on top of frame lugs below.
It may mean converting supers but swienty on TBS looks the best option IMO. It is sold in the flat and the joints push together with a great fit, no glue required. It is far neater and less cumbersome than the paynes and offers a much better grip for lifting.
Nowt majorly wrong with the paynes apart from its bulky size and central bar, precisely where you want to put your hands on an already poor grip.

 

[Alabamaeee]

The major difference for me is the quality of the poly, Sw@enty is much tougher.

Whooshing, the outside dimension of the P@ynes is too large (500mm x 500mm) to fit a standard roof and I don't think it's possible to fit their BB to a wooden floor either but have not tried it.

They are better priced as a complete hive compared to the Sw@nty.

Then there is Bee H1ve SuPPl13s which I think only do poly Nationals.

Maybe you could start with a national wooden hive and then in time try a poly that can be mixed with the wooden parts. No matter what equipment you start with it will grow, and don't forget that if you have one hive you will need at least a spare brood box, floor and roof to be able do swarming control.

 

[mbc]

This year I am getting another nuc of local bees

 

[whoosling]

Again thanks for the many answers, I've decided to get the p......... as everything I've had from them so far has been good quality and no hassels with comunication,plus of course all your good advice on here. I just need to keep my fingers crossed (with my sometimes bungled beekeeping anitcs) that I'll have enough bees to fill it!!!!

 

[Erichalfbee]

I don't think it's possible to fit their BB to a wooden floor either but have not tried it.

Easy enough to modify a wooden floor.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

Easy enough to modify a wooden floor.

Yeah: by popping a Paynes brood box on top. No mod needed: just a slight fiddle to line up since Outside size of floor is smaller.

 

[Erichalfbee]

This is what I did with a bit of strip wood each side of the floor. The Paynes box locks on and although fore and aft movement is still possible it is less likely .....to my mind

 

[Swarm]

Yeah: by popping a Paynes brood box on top. No mod needed: just a slight fiddle to line up since Outside size of floor is smaller.

What is a floor other than a few bits of timber, some wire mesh and a little imagination? Easy enough to make floors.

 

[REDWOOD]

Ha that depends if your making JBM floors