What did you do in the Apiary today?

[Tremyfro]

A lovely surprise today....I had a weak nuc at the end of last year with a dodgy queen...they couldn't decide whether they liked her or not...so I put her in a nuc to sink or swim. They were fed and fondant was added after Xmas and they were treated for varroa. Today....bees were flying! So somehow they have made it so far....here's hoping they get through to spring proper.

 

[Erichalfbee]

Good news. Fingers crossed.

 

[BrianO]

The following shows the value of this forum

Reading posts other day, can't recall thread but IIRC ....Swinton Apiaries posted a reply to effect that observing small amount of coming and going at a hive entrance does not necessarily mean all is "Happy Out" inside.

Then thought about a one of my Cedar Nationals I have on Brood and half that I gave ( not enuf ) fondant to a while back ,I hightailed it up to the Apiary and opened it , and low and behold ...

Healthy vibrant Bees but an empty fondant bag, so slapped on a kilo bag had pre warmed.

Happy Days , reckon just caught them in time, another lesson learnt, year 3 and reckon in year 33 I'll still be learning.

Was chuffed to at least remedy that , we will see how goes but if had lost them would have been annoyed about a silly mistake... They are important critters to me .

So BIG Thanks Guys for all the advice and help !!!!!!

9 colonies all ... To now.... ( I know..!!. ) present and correct !

 

[Robbo8916]

Little butterflies in the belly as I have paid the deposit on my first nuc of the year this morning! Exciting times!

Got all the stuff out to knock frames together (or at least try) and realised that Thornes don't include frame nails if you order more than 50 frames. So put everything away and sat back down to order some.

Having a wander up to the farm later to make a final decision as to whether they're going on the solar farm or elsewhere on the property. Trees have been planted in the new orchard project so thats an exciting step too.

All seems to be coming together quite nicely. Good times

 

[Millet]

Little butterflies in the belly as I have paid the deposit on my first nuc of the year this morning! Exciting times!

Got all the stuff out to knock frames together (or at least try) and realised that Thornes don't include frame nails if you order more than 50 frames. So put everything away and sat back down to order some.

Having a wander up to the farm later to make a final decision as to whether they're going on the solar farm or elsewhere on the property. Trees have been planted in the new orchard project so thats an exciting step too.

All seems to be coming together quite nicely. Good times

Just nip along to you local DIY shop and buy a pack of panel pins the thinner the better to avoid splitting the wood.

 

[Cussword]

Just nip along to you local DIY shop and buy a pack of panel pins the thinner the better to avoid splitting the wood.

I think panel pins will rust, that's why you need the gimp pins.

 

[REDWOOD]

Brads from a nail gun will do the job if you can be bothered splitting them apart but gimp pins are better

 

[andyphibb]

we always glue and pin our frame legs to the top bar and use a jig to make sure they are square, might be an over kill but we have had the odd frame come apart in the extractor. All the the best and keep us posted

 

[bpmurray]

I concreted in the posts from the fence around the hives - the fence had been blown over by the storms and I'm trying to make it strong enough to withstand another windy winter. I was going to cut out the parts for a few nucs, but it has now started raining and I have a sneaking suspicion that sawdust would not be appreciated inside the house. I think I'll just double-check my measurements instead.

 

[Goran]

Yesterday snow, then it melted. Last night frost.. Peaches and apricots started to open the flowers.. Bees awaited first sun after clouds, then they started to pour out on the meadow and in the forest. Strong buzzing around. Gave some fondants on the second apiary.

 

[Millet]

I think panel pins will rust, that's why you need the gimp pins.

If panel pins will rust so will gimp pins as they are more or less the same. if you don't want rust stainless steel is the way forward.

 

[Into the lions den]

If panel pins will rust so will gimp pins as they are more or less the same. if you don't want rust stainless steel is the way forward.

We keep a stock of both gimp pins (20mm 19G) and zinced panel pins (25mm 18G) and (20mm 18G).

The zinced ones are far better (for resisting corrosion) than bright steel (the standard quality) and a good tradesmans supplier should be able to supply you. They commonly don't go smaller than 17G and it is advisable not to take them and look around for the thinner ones.

Should normally be between 3 and 6 pounds for a 500g box.

We recommend the 25mm panel pins for most hand frame making jobs, nut the 20mm ones if you are going for narrow topbars. We actually use 38 or 42mm 18G brads by air nailer for big frame making jobs.


G is gauge......bigger the number the thinner the nail.

The gimp pins we only use for wire anchoring.

 

[Millet]

That is a total waste of time typing your reply, i can 100% guarantee that thin panel pins will do the same job as gimp mask pins as well as staples from a nail gun or something fired from mars, please don't try and do a oliver on me . a nail is a nail fire the thing in job sorted, why try to complicate something that is not rocket science.

 

[Poly Hive]

Woo temper. ITLD probably knows more than the rest of us put together.

I did nothing in the Apiary but I sourced storage and moved my kit out of the MIL.s property as it is now sold. Did a last clean up there ready for the new owner and comforted the wife as she said goodbye to her childhood.

Been a rough day.

PH

 

[fatshark]

That is a total waste of time typing your reply, i can 100% guarantee that thin panel pins will do the same job as gimp mask pins as well as staples from a nail gun or something fired from mars, please don't try and do a oliver on me . a nail is a nail fire the thing in job sorted, why try to complicate something that is not rocket science.

Not my experience at all ... gimp pins can be readily pulled out of frames and aren't too secure. In contrast, those driven in with a nail gun are there to stay. I'm not saying that panel pins won't do the job ... they will, just that the two I list are very different in my experience.

 

[Millet]

Woo temper. ITLD probably knows more than the rest of us put together.

I did nothing in the Apiary but I sourced storage and moved my kit out of the MIL.s property as it is now sold. Did a last clean up there ready for the new owner and comforted the wife as she said goodbye to her childhood.

Been a rough day.

PH

No temper from me Mr polystyrene hive dood, .
I just hate the way some folk talk down on others through a key board, on any subject.

 

[Into the lions den]

That is a total waste of time typing your reply, i can 100% guarantee that thin panel pins will do the same job as gimp mask pins as well as staples from a nail gun or something fired from mars, please don't try and do a oliver on me . a nail is a nail fire the thing in job sorted, why try to complicate something that is not rocket science.

1. Not sure what it is you are unhappy about, nor that you are responding to me directly.

2. Whilst your was the bit I quoted, it was a response to the thread, not you specifically.

3. I happen to agree with you, the little fairy gimp pins are inadequate for several purposes, and will rust at least as readily as normal panel pins.......hence our spec being for zinced.


Also..........a nail NOT just a nail. It should be the correct type for the purpose, and UK traditional advice builds a frame that is actually too weak and inadequately nailed for serious work. The nails/brads/pins we use are meant to last. If they are too small (as in short) the frames pull apart too easily. However, as you say, they should be thin, as thin as you can get really.


PH...don't worry...I have a VERY thick hide.

 

[Goran]

Woo temper. ITLD probably knows more than the rest of us put together.

I did nothing in the Apiary but I sourced storage and moved my kit out of the MIL.s property as it is now sold. Did a last clean up there ready for the new owner and comforted the wife as she said goodbye to her childhood.

Been a rough day.

PH

Regards,
accept it as it is as you can't change it and move on. I have a lot such feelings unfortunatelly..

 

[Millet]

1. Not sure what it is you are unhappy about, nor that you are responding to me directly.

2. Whilst your was the bit I quoted, it was a response to the thread, not you specifically.

3. I happen to agree with you, the little fairy gimp pins are inadequate for several purposes, and will rust at least as readily as normal panel pins.......hence our spec being for zinced.


Also..........a nail NOT just a nail. It should be the correct type for the purpose, and UK traditional advice builds a frame that is actually too weak and inadequately nailed for serious work. The nails/brads/pins we use are meant to last. If they are too small (as in short) the frames pull apart too easily. However, as you say, they should be thin, as thin as you can get really.


PH...don't worry...I have a VERY thick hide.

Exactly . a nail

 

[Swarm]

comforted the wife as she said goodbye to her childhood.

Been a rough day.

PH

Ouch That is a sad day, PH. It's true that nothing lasts forever, oh but sometimes you don't half wish it did.