This thread has been so useful to me!
I have kept away from poly's because I didn't want to start afresh with different equipment, I have only been using them for nucs, now I see they are interchangeable with wooden ones I will be getting some, thanks everyone!
E
Most National poly makes take 'individual' approaches to the standard.
Generally they (all those without a lip on the box's top surface) are interoperable with wooden bits -- but you have to watch the details - particularly top/bottom beespace (which can't really be altered on a poly).
Some have
standard internal dimensions (and are bigger externally - the only problem being that a wooden roof won't fit directly on a bigger poly box).
Others have
standard external dimensions (but the thicker poly walls mean the inside is smaller - only 10 not 11 frames). I reckon that the 10-frame poly boxes would be an interestingly *lighter* option for those keen on double brood.
However, the point needs to be recognised that even the bigger (500mm square externally, standard 11 frames internally) boxes from Paynes and Bee Hive Supplies can go in the middle of a wooden stack and go under a wooden roof - just as long as the box immediately below the wooden roof is a 460mm square box (like a wooden one).
Paynes poly floor (unmodified) takes 460mm square boxes (like wooden ones) or a Paynes poly brood box - only. It won't even take a Paynes super direct onto the floor without modification.
Paynes and BHS are the only real sources of poly 14x12's that I am aware of. (They both do ordinary National deeps as well.)
My impression is that BHS are better quality, but a definite notch more expensive than, Paynes. The BHS roof is very good, but I don't really like their floor. Paynes boxes are adequate, and the bees do well in them - but the hand (finger!) holds are barely adequate for a heavy (full) box.
I have one Paynes hive overwintering on a (Thorne) wooden floor and stand. Seems fine. I'll likely be building a few of my own wooden floors with an undershot (Dartington-style) entrance, along the line of JBM's version.
Avoid raised lips, non-standard beespace and be prepared to go your own way on details like mouseguards, and then you can easily interoperate wood and poly (but I'm not intending to be buying more wooden boxes!)
