Who makes the best national frames and/ or best value national frames

[highgate]

Dear all,

I was wondering who people use to buy their national frames from and whom do you believe has the best quality and/ or value.

 

[Angry_Mob]

I always buy seconds as they are much better value epically when on sale.

I've noticed a few small differences between the Maisemore and Thornes where the Thornes appear to have a wider slip of wood used to attach the foundation along the top bar but they all do the same job.

The Thornes seconds seem to have more knots than the Maisemore frames and I've had a single broken bottom bar although I haven't made overly many yet so time will tell if it's a one off.

For the price of seconds I'd buy either but I'd favour the Maisemore seconds given the choice.

 

[simonforeman]

I bought 50 Maismore brood and 50 Maismore super frames in the sales at Christmas.... Brood frames great and no issues. The super frames do have quite few knots, these are no issue unless they are where you need to nail the bottom bars on. I've had 2 or 3 break but no big issue.

 

[colinc]

Had the same with thrones brood seconds. Lost 2 out of 50 due to knots splitting with the nail gun. I chanced it but probably could have saved it by predrilling and using a hammer. Wasn’t worth the time though


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[highgate]

So consensus is to buy seconds. I use 14 by 12 brood box so was worried about using seconds as in case they break.

 

[linoleum bonypart]

Just made up some lovely manley supers from bee equipment @£5/10

 

[Hachi]

Over the years I bought Thornes seconds and reject rate would be about 0.5%. Started buying Maisie's and wont be buying anymore. reject rate has rocketed to almost 10%. To some this is acceptable but 2nds to me have knots and are a bit rough and ready not completely unusable and as such, amount to expensive kindling.

Thornes for me everytime now.

 

[Levitt53]

I bought some seconds from Maisemore this winter and am really pleased with them. I find the better made ones are very hard to snap the bottom bar bit out of then you have to get a Stanley knife to them. The cheaper ones tend to snap off very easily.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Started buying Maisie's and wont be buying anymore. reject rate has rocketed to almost 10%.

you must just have been unlucky then.

Made up well over a thousand Maisie's second quality over the winter, one top bar rejected and maybe 2 bottom bars (wedges don't count as they just need an extra nail)
Same with preceeding years.
Found that the Thornes ones always need attention when putting together or risk side bars splitting.

 

[Curly green fingers]

All mine come from thornes but I wouldn't buy seconds not because I've got money to burn but because I like only the best quality for my girls same goes with my other girls wife and daughter.

 

[colinc]

All mine come from thornes but I wouldn't buy seconds not because I've got money to burn but because I like only the best quality for my girls same goes with my other girls wife and daughter.

Awesome reply. Love this. I need to plan ahead and use the sales more.


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[highgate]

Thanks for all the feedback. Has anyone tried any of the others? There are a few others that I looked at. Although saying that bought a bee suite from Simon the Beekeeper used it once and the zipper broke the second time I used it.

Have become weary of a similar problem for the girls.

 

[Amari]

Dear all,

I was wondering who people use to buy their national frames from and whom do you believe has the best quality and/ or value.

Wooden frames? What a faff! Been using plastic for several years.

 

[Swarm]

If you want really good frames, National Bee Supplies. Really nice frames but don't expect them to be cheap. Maisee seconds do it for me.

 

[Newbeebeekeeper]

Thanks for all the feedback. Has anyone tried any of the others? There are a few others that I looked at. Although saying that bought a bee suite from Simon the Beekeeper used it once and the zipper broke the second time I used it.

Have become weary of a similar problem for the girls.

I had the same issue with my zip on my bee suit from Simon and not great customer service so im done with him

 

[Briarfield]

I like Abelo frames.

No problem with them and good value.


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[Hivemaker.]

I like Abelo frames.
No problem with them and good value.

Think they are manufactured by Maisimore.

 

[Briarfield]

Think they are manufactured by Maisimore.

Hard to tell, but cheaper IIRC.


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[highgate]

I had the same issue with my zip on my bee suit from Simon and not great customer service so im done with him

Hi Newbeekeeper, now that I am back I have just sent the a "what should I do next/ how can I send back for replacement" email. Will let you know how it all goes when I hear back.

 

[highgate]

I like Abelo frames.

No problem with them and good value.


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They do seem good value, was just looking at the site and £12 for 14 by 12 seems reasonable.

Have marked the site to look through it at a later time.