Poly warning.

[johnandyrob]

If the mbk national hives are like the langstroth they sell their will be no problems with design density or service received. I have 10 langstroths from mbk( not all in use yet) and Im more than happy with them

 

[BBG]

The Swienty nucs on display today at Stoneleigh look good but are expensive and no one is stocking them in the UK (wonder why they had them here then?)

I have some MB nucs and they have been fine.

I 'thumb-nailed' the Swienty stock and found them less resistant in comparison with the Modern Beekeeping Poly. Not much, but noticeable.

I have MB nucs and hives and they look and feel fine.

 

[mexbigshow]

Hi Poly Hive, I'm new to this site and the world of beekeeping, I've joined my local bka and attending apiary meetings, reading books and looking in on this forum, but still can't decide on which hive to invest in. Almost definitely going down the poly route, and I thought my only decision was national or langstroth which I've been looking at on the MB site.
Your latest post seems to suggest the quality of these hives isn't all that it could be, so where else can I source a decent poly hive in UK?

Thanks

Dave

hi sussex bee , i am new to this site and came across your question about decent poly hives, i picked 1 up off ebay for £65 it is a langstroth and i think it is excellent and it is really solid so i would check ebay out for 1, it has floor with landing board moulded to the front, hive entrance reducer made from timber, air vents built into floor plus covers for winter, brood box and deep super with adjustable metal fastners, moulded handle groves and roof with air vents plus covers for winter and solid plastic edges for the frames to sit on.

 

[Poly Hive]

Hmm 100000 units. I doubt it. I would be surprised if there were that many in existence. I don't doubt that you were told that figure rooftops but I hae ma doots.

My issue with the design is the over lap. I have seen it before in timber and it was not a great success and so I wonder if it will really work in poly. If it breaks it is not going to look too good not to mention will it take more of the side away with it?

As for not mixing timber and poly provided the ID's are the same, there is no issue. I have been mixing them for over twenty years with no issues and no leaks either. Provided the ID is the same the outside makes no odds.

I am told that Denrosa have floors broods and roofs in stock as of today, and there will be supers along shortly.

As for density I am told the manufacturer is briefed on the spec and does a run. His concern is the average so there will be units with a higher density than the magic 100gms/liter and some a bit less. So long as the target is the 100gms all should be well. Beware anything less.

I have no financial interest in any maker. I just want people to get good value for their hard earned cash and if I see what may be an issue should I just ignore it (on the basis of good manners) or damn well be honest and get slated for it?

So, be honest, which would you prefer to read? The spin or the honest opinion?

BTW I pointed out to Swienty they were missing a good trick on their floors.

PH

 

[Black Comb]

So where can we buy the Swienty nucs on display?

 

[Poly Hive]

Ask Swienty. I am not a rep.

PH

 

[tidymeup]

I will be honest and say I have no problem with the lip around the edge at all, and I am not sure it would be easy to break as it's a pretty shallow lip. then again anything is possible.

I have 7 of the MBK units with supers and feeders and think they are just fine, they work with my other wooden hive components just fine.

Although I see no real differences apart from the lip with other hive designs they work just as well. The one big difference I found was the ease in which to buy and the prompt sorting of orders and postage. If I have had any queries the customer service has been excellent.

 

[johnandyrob]

I have no financial interest in any maker. I just want people to get good value for their hard earned cash and if I see what may be an issue should I just ignore it (on the basis of good manners) or damn well be honest and get slated for it?

So, be honest, which would you prefer to read? The spin or the honest opinion?



PH

Honestly? I would rather you flagged it up and left it at that or asked people who have purchased the product. The thing is that you have a lot of respect on this forum i have bought some poly hives partly because of your advise and comments on the forum. So to go on about a product without having used it is a bit unfair especially when your taking about some ones livelihood
Regards
Andrew

 

[Monsieur Abeille]

I've a poly nuc from MB, and based on the quality and service alone they would be my first point of call if/when I ever decide to get a poly hive.

However I quite understand that others have had good experiences with alternatives and would wish to champion them. Its a free market kids, lets make up our own minds, seperating any false marketing and scaremongering from the facts and valid opinions.

 

[Poly Hive]

Do you have to use a product to see if it is suitable for your needs or not?

The answer to that one for me at least is no. You go into a shop and look at various items and you make a decision that most if not all of them are no use to you. We all do it pretty much on a day to day basis.

As for reviews and livelihoods, LOL, my business is under on line daily review. some are bad, most are rather good and I have no right of reply either to some of them, so I am rather more aware than most of the potential pain in that arena.

However we have had some very useful heads ups from reviews, areas that we were quite unaware of needing addressing so they are a very useful tool for our business, and I would imagine should be for other businesses too.

I review not out of malice, though I have been on the receiving end of some of those, but from a desire to see people get best value.

PH

 

[johna]

I have just taken delivery of 10 of M B'k'ping nationals - they are of very dense poly and as for breaking off the overhang at the base of the b'box and supers - you would have to do some serious abuse to them and realy try hard.The one advantage of the overhangs is that to paint the hives you just stack the boxes in as high a stack you can manage then spray the lot in-situe all round.Let the stack dry ,then second coat.Finaly pull apart ,inspect and touch up any areas you missed.Then paint the roofs,floors and feeders independantly.I used a cheap Cl-rks sprayer,not one you would spray a car with but it handled thinned out smooth "Weathershield" fine.
The advantage P.H. of the design is that it allows me to continue to use my cedar supers in the event I run out of poly ones.I can also continue to use my travel screens when moving the bees to the OSR.

 

[Poly Hive]

Every national poly should allow the use of timber supers.

If not it is not much use eh?

PH

 

[Haughton Honey]

Then paint the roofs,floors and feeders independently.

I didn't think that the rapid feeders to fit the MB National were available yet?

 

[johna]

I didn't think that the rapid feeders to fit the MB National were available yet?

You're right,still waiting for those but the rest is now painted 2 coats Weathershield green.Just about to rehouse the bees - just a bit too windy at the moment (20mph and gusting higher).