WBKA Spring Convention

[Tremyfro]

And never even said hello.........................

Ha ha...everyone should have worn a nameplate with their forum name....I haven't met anyone yet.....but next time..JBM...or we could wear caps with Beekeepers Forum printed on them....I bet everyone on here will buy one and it would raise funds for the forum too.....
I won't have to pay to get in either....as the wrist bracelet won't come off and I can't get the scissors to work in my left hand! ...I'm sure it will last until next year!
It was a good day out....and even discovered that Cardiff and Vale club meet at their apiary in the next village. So I will be sneaking in there to learn more about our local bees.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

on examining them was disappointed to find they have no bee space between frame and feeder so thought better of getting some

That is quite concerning, but for the price I thought I'd get one for my collection and give it a go I acquired a nuc like that some time ago - no space between roof and frames - a piece of terram over the frames seemed to do the trick.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I won't have to pay to get in either....as the wrist bracelet won't come off and I can't get the scissors to work in my left hand!

ah, wasn't me who put that one on then - usually end up putting it on the watch hand whilst wresting the money out of the vic................err punter's right hand

 

[Hivemaker.]

As to the pile of maisy poly nucs, I was hoping I'd be making my own dent but on examining them was disappointed to find they have no bee space between frame and feeder so thought better of getting some

Not seen one up close, is there no bee space above the frames in the nuc box?

 

[Tremyfro]

We bought one...it has an eke and a feeder. Actually I quite like it. I see what you mean about top bee space....a shaped shim perhaps? Since I have nationals and 12x14 frames...it will be useful. I am going to paint it pink...as I got a large tin of paint from the reduced shelf in Homebase...someone had it mixed.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Not seen one up close, is there no bee space above the frames in the nuc box?

Well, to satisfy everyone I dug around and got out my trusty twelve incher (I don't use it as a rule ) and popped up to the shed for a check - about 2 or 3 millimetres between top of frames and bottom of feeder/inside of nuc roof

 

[mbc]

Well, to satisfy everyone I dug around and got out my trusty twelve incher (I don't use it as a rule ) and popped up to the shed for a check - about 2 or 3 millimetres between top of frames and bottom of feeder/inside of nuc roof

Not enough for a bee space then but enough for a good fix of propolis/glue making separating them difficult, especially with the lip between boxes. A simple sheet of polythene as a crown board will sort it but I prefer a bee space so it's a bit annoying. I suppose the frame rest could be hacked out but butchering new equipment is never satisfying.
I wander how difficult it would be to alter the tooling?

 

[Hivemaker.]

Well, to satisfy everyone I dug around and got out my trusty twelve incher (I don't use it as a rule ) and popped up to the shed for a check - about 2 or 3 millimetres between top of frames and bottom of feeder/inside of nuc roof

Thank you, JB... not a good design at all.

 

[mbc]

Thank you, JB... not a good design at all.

It's such a shame

 

[Hivemaker.]

It's such a shame

I expect the problem will be rectified in the molding process at some stage.

 

[Jimmy]

Not enough for a bee space then but enough for a good fix of propolis/glue making separating them difficult, especially with the lip between boxes. A simple sheet of polythene as a crown board will sort it but I prefer a bee space so it's a bit annoying. I suppose the frame rest could be hacked out but butchering new equipment is never satisfying.
I wander how difficult it would be to alter the tooling?

about having to butcher new kit.

Would a 3-4mm eke be better so as to allow better access to the feeder? Access at the moment is through a perpendicular slot across all 6 frames. Does silicone sealant melt polystyrene? Would be easy to put an eke of silicone to lift the feeder.

 

[mbc]

I expect the problem will be rectified in the molding process at some stage.

I hope so, when it is I might be interested

 

[REDWOOD]

Here is a before and after on the Maisemore stall. (The other stalls were going as fast, but were not in such good positions for photography.)

These photos were taken 5 hours apart, the stall was refreshed several times during the course of the day... and pre-orders were dispensed from a lorry outside.

(Apologies - photos are in the wrong order... it wasn't a returns day!)

I Am guilty of a bit of that, great day and met the usual mates, although those yet to meet, shame about the bloody fire alarm though

 

[Swarm]

Just getting into interesting chat about shortcomings of Wally Shaw's reactive swarm control but I was under starters orders....husband itching to get home so will come on my own next year and stay longer.

Yes, it will be interesting to compare notes, we will definitely give this method a try this year.

 

[itma]

...
I wander how difficult it would be to alter the tooling?

It is relatively straightforward to remove metal from the mould (to build up more plastic) - it used to be done by spark erosion. Harder (ie more expensive) to add metal to the mould so as to remove plastic.

Hence two options would be to EITHER add plastic to increase the height of the box rim above the frames (to extend it to a proper top beespace) OR to increase the height of the 'rail' that the frames rest on, reducing that topspace to near zero, but simultaneously increasing the beespace between frames and ledge. {I have no idea what that space might currently be - and thus what it would become.}
Since the feeder is going to cover the frame lugs (and has no bottom beespace provision) I'd hope that they might extend the topspace to a full beespace.

Has anyone attempted to give Maisemore any feedback on this?

 

[mbc]

Has anyone attempted to give Maisemore any feedback on this?

Only saw it yesterday and its a Sunday today, I may call tomorrow.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Heads up on Maisemore flat packs

Has anyone attempted to give Maisemore any feedback on this?

Probably try and have a chat with Eric tomorrow when I call about another matter.

**For all those who bought flat pack boxes from Maisies, if you haven't done so already have a quick check - luckily I was bored today and decided to put a few supers together. Three of the twenty I pre-ordered (must have hit the zero button accidentally ) had no bottom rails but four top rails.**​

 

[REDWOOD]

You had more wood than you payed for then

 

[Erichalfbee]

Three of the twenty I pre-ordered (must have hit the zero button accidentally )

Have you got room in your chamber of secrets? .......I spotted a few boxes with your name on the Thorne bus.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Have you got room in your chamber of secrets? .......I spotted a few boxes with your name on the Thorne bus.

Only two - some QX's for me and the association and a few broods. Had five from Maisies though and he bet me they wouldn't all fit (obviously hasn't seen an experienced customs officer at work!) it's all in the packing, and space for the two boxes from CWJ and the odd on the day bargin!
It is getting a bit crowded in the chamber of secrets now - and the overflow shed is full - eyeing up the old pigsty and the disused top of the garden toilet now - think the mower and rotavator may have found a new home!