Hello

Delmer · February 05, 2009, 09:27:08 PM

Hello from the mtns of North Carolina, just getting started. I've bought a beginners kit and will be taking my first class this weekend. Looking forward to the adventure and some honey (hopefully) this summer.

dhood · February 05, 2009, 09:45:33 PM

Welcome Delmer, good to see all these Carolina folks getting in. :-D

pdmattox · February 05, 2009, 10:08:30 PM

Welcome to the forums.

Delmer · February 05, 2009, 10:24:31 PM

Thanks- I'm looking forward to the forum. Quick question. I have a deep body brood frame now that I bought. Can I build more of these to make the supers? or should I build mediums? is the differncee mainly the weight when they are full? thanks again

Danny

dhood · February 05, 2009, 10:31:51 PM

Yes weight is the issue, you will get a different answer from everyone one here about which ones to use. :shock:

I've decided to go with all 10 frame deeps, even for honey supers because it is cost effective. I't is much simpler if you chose either mediums or deeps and stick with it. That way all your equipment is a standard size.

Delmer · February 05, 2009, 10:41:15 PM

Awesome thanks.

The boxes themselves should be easy to build. The frames look like they will be tough to replicate. Do the side pieces need to be tapered or can they be straight?

Brian D. Bray · February 05, 2009, 11:29:44 PM

Quote from: Delmer on February 05, 2009, 10:41:15 PM
Awesome thanks.

The boxes themselves should be easy to build. The frames look like they will be tough to replicate. Do the side pieces need to be tapered or can they be straight?

If you leave them the same width all the way down the bees will glue the frames together all the way down. This can result if a situation where the wood of the end bar splits while the beekeeper is trying to pry the frames apart. Been there, done that.

iddee · February 05, 2009, 11:32:40 PM

Hello from another Carolinian. The deeps and mediums are the same for honey other than the weight and amount of time and honey it takes to fill them. A medium frame takes the same amount of time and effort to extract as a deep, but only yields 2/3 as much honey. I never owned a medium or shallow until I passed 55 y/o.

You can drive down the street to Marion and buy the frames fully assembled, deeps or mediums, for .60 each. Can you build them for that??

Delmer · February 06, 2009, 09:17:07 AM

Thanks for the info. no I don't think I can put them together for that price. I'm just trying to start out as inexpensively as possible. Just trying to save a little $$. I'm going to a beekeeper's class at Warren Wilson College this weekend, maybe your friend from Marion will be there, it's just over the hill.

I ordered a beginners kit from Brushy Mtn. How much more stuff/equipment will I need? From reading the book that came with it, It looks like I'll need some supers, a queen excluder and an extractor. The extractor is the expensive part. Any other equipment recommendations?

Thanks again for the helpful advice.

Danny

1reb · February 06, 2009, 08:15:33 PM

Hello and Welcome Danny
There is alot of great information on the forum !!
The members here are willing help and answer your questions, all you need to do is to ask
Johnny

iddee · February 06, 2009, 08:16:03 PM

Sent you an email.

BULLSEYE BILL · February 07, 2009, 12:49:29 AM

Welcome to the board!

This is where you ask five different keepers and get six different answers.

Ask your self if you want, or are able to lift 90 pounds of box and honey off a hive stacked head high, or whether you would rather lift fifty pounds. Being a youngster and in good health it might not matter, now.

I opted to go with all mediums until I bought Honey Super Cell, but those are for broods only and are static, they will not be moved except for rotating in the early spring.

Boccyman · February 07, 2009, 04:29:22 PM

Welcome to the forum - lots of good information here! I use deep hives for bottom brood chambers and medium supers. As the hive builds I'll add a second deep brood chamber and, depending on growth, season, heath, etc., I'll consider a split in the fall - making sure there's enough time to introduce a queen (or let them supercell and grow there own). Did this last year and it worked out just fine. Good luck with everything!

Delmer · February 07, 2009, 08:16:03 PM

Quote from: iddee on February 06, 2009, 08:16:03 PM
Sent you an email.

iddee- did not get your email, try [email protected]

thanks

Delmer · February 07, 2009, 08:24:11 PM

Just finished my first day of a four day class- holy smokes, lots of info. It is being put on by the local bee club and ag extension service, had 175 students - I had no idea now popular this would be. Most folks there agreed it would be better to buy equipment rather than try to build it myself- so, I guess I'll buy the first round.

Thanks for the input

iddee · February 07, 2009, 10:17:36 PM

All is well that ends well.

I have now sent it through the link. If you don't get it this time, PM me your phone number and I'll call you.

Cindi · February 08, 2009, 12:38:14 PM

Danny, welcome to our forum, that is great you found us. This will be a place where you can learn, ask questions, tell your stories, tales and experiences, we love to listen. Stick around. Have a great and most wonderful day, attract great health. Cindi