For the folks of Betterbee, W.T. Kelley, Dadant, Brushy Mt., etc :?. I am curious as to who makes them, are they made inhouse or is there some secret facility :evil: that makes the frames for most or all of these re-sellers. I am looking for frames whose top bar has no cuts ( I want a solid top, no wedge nor groove, nor slot ) I did check with W.T. Kelley, they do not do such things even though a well known Beek here implied that he has bought such frames in the past. Anybody here know who these woodworkers are that make the frames and woodenware :?
BH
I know it doesn't help you, but BetterBee get's them somewhere out of Canada....
Have you tried some of the woodenware-only shops like Humble Abode? They are really nice to deal with, I'm sure they could lead you in the right direction if they can't help.
Quote from: Robo on October 26, 2009, 11:43:55 AM
I know it doesn't help you, but BetterBee get's them somewhere out of Canada....
Have you tried some of the woodenware-only shops like Humble Abode? They are really nice to deal with, I'm sure they could lead you in the right direction if they can't help.
Rob,
Well there's a name I have not heard of for some time, Thanks :-D
BH
Can't speak for all of them, but Walter T. Kelley makes their own. Dadant owns Western Bee Supply who makes theirs. The rest I'm not so sure of, but I called all of them trying to get them to custom make frames for me and Walter T. Kelley was the only one who would simply leave out the groove in the top bar for me. No one else would even talk price.
Quote from: Michael Bush on October 26, 2009, 08:14:54 PM
Can't speak for all of them, but Walter T. Kelley makes their own. Dadant owns Western Bee Supply who makes theirs. The rest I'm not so sure of, but I called all of them trying to get them to custom make frames for me and Walter T. Kelley was the only one who would simply leave out the groove in the top bar for me. No one else would even talk price.
Mike,
I did talk to WTK a few weeks ago on this matter and unless I got a girl who did not know better, they don't do such a thing :(
I did however spoke with the folks up at Humble Abodes in Maine today ( Thanks Robo ) and they said they're willing to do it for me. :)
If Kelley still does it, I'd be happy to call them again, but who would I ask for so that I don't get the dummy again. :?
BH
You make want to call Beeline Apiaries and Woodenware
Email:
[email protected]Phone: 814 585 4699
They manufacture their own woodenware.They are located in Bedford,PA
Quote from: buzzbee on October 26, 2009, 11:41:22 PM
You make want to call Beeline Apiaries and Woodenware
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 814 585 4699
They manufacture their own woodenware.They are located in Bedford,PA
Thank you, another for my contact list :-D
Try Humble Abodes. They will make frames without cuts on the top bar. They also make some nice supers. Reasonable prices and quality workmanship. They have a website.
Quote from: camero7 on October 27, 2009, 03:22:55 PM
Try Humble Abodes. They will make frames without cuts on the top bar. They also make some nice supers. Reasonable prices and quality workmanship. They have a website.
Thanks for the feedback, I contacted them yesterday about what I wanted and they will get back to me when the job is completed next week, funny they did not want the money up front :?
Walter T. Kelley has been reorganized in recent times. They used to make their own frames, but I can't say they do at this moment.
this is who I deal with now, good price on large orders, me and a buddy got 5000 ordered now, they build their own. we get them assembled, and still pay a lower price than other suppliers not assembled. if only we could find a deal on foundation :'( , but since their prices are close across the board on foundation we get it from W T Kelly, they just have the best IMHO!!
http://www.orrbeesupply.com/
Quote from: BeeHopper on October 26, 2009, 11:03:53 AM
For the folks of Betterbee, W.T. Kelley, Dadant, Brushy Mt., etc :?. I am curious as to who makes them, are they made inhouse or is there some secret facility :evil: that makes the frames for most or all of these re-sellers. I am looking for frames whose top bar has no cuts ( I want a solid top, no wedge nor groove, nor slot ) I did check with W.T. Kelley, they do not do such things even though a well known Beek here implied that he has bought such frames in the past. Anybody here know who these woodworkers are that make the frames and woodenware :?
BH
Like every thing else, probably made in China.
Steve
Quote from: asprince on October 27, 2009, 11:27:55 PM
Quote from: BeeHopper on October 26, 2009, 11:03:53 AM
For the folks of Betterbee, W.T. Kelley, Dadant, Brushy Mt., etc :?. I am curious as to who makes them, are they made inhouse or is there some secret facility :evil: that makes the frames for most or all of these re-sellers. I am looking for frames whose top bar has no cuts ( I want a solid top, no wedge nor groove, nor slot ) I did check with W.T. Kelley, they do not do such things even though a well known Beek here implied that he has bought such frames in the past. Anybody here know who these woodworkers are that make the frames and woodenware :?
BH
Like every thing else, probably made in China.
Steve
All of Humble Abode woodenware is made in Maine from Maine pine trees
http://humbleabodesinc.com/
BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)
Humble Abodes sent me 100 medium frames with the uncut top bar last week and I did some experimenting with the table saw this weekend, it looks like it will work for me. I do have one caveat, the top bar just did not have enough meat to make a good 45 deg. bevel cut, maybe another 1/8" would be perfect. Anyways, I know now that HA will do custom work.
BeeHopper
I also got 100 frames with a plain top bar from Humble Abode... they were great with great service. I use a 45° router bit and it works great to put a wedge on the bars.
I spoke to Sean at Walter T. Kelley and I'm quite certain they do make their own frames.
It takes a piece of stock approx. 1 1/8 x 1 1/8 in. to make a top bar with a complete 45 deg. bevel. I have made quite a few and they work well. The bees are not really fussy as to what they have when the circumstances are right.