When are hivelocks worthwhile?

[omnimirage]

In case people aren't sure what I'm referring to, I'm talking about these:

http://www.qualitybeekeepingsupplies.com.au/index.php/catalogue/content/19-hive-locks

I haven't been using them mostly due to their cost. I'm coming to find a lot of my home-made lids are warping, and from I've gathered, having a pressure placed on the top of the hive can help hold it together. Since then, I've been placing bricks ontop of my hive, but not sure if it'd be best to buy hivelocks instead.

Someone suggested to me to get some wire, and build individual locks on all my supers, to lock them all together. Seems like it'd work well but is perhaps a bit too time intensive.

[Joe D]

The only time I have ever tied down any of my hives was when a hurricane was coming.  To keep it together I put a tie down strap around it and pulled it tight.


Good luck to you and your bees,

Joe D

[azzkell]

Like Joe I have only used ratchet straps to secure lid and supers together.  Have once used heavy duty tent pegs and rope to secure a hive down.
All the best
Aaron.

[Anybrew2]

I have a few Emlocks not enough for all my hives as they are so expensive. I only use them if I move my hives which is rarely,generally I put a brick or rock on top and that does the job good enough.

Cheers
Steve

[Bush_84]

+1 on ratchet straps. We had a nasty tornado producing thunderstorm come through. Tipped over two of my hives. Ratchet straps prevented any damage to the colony.

[paus]

I use ratchet straps they  are very economical  and easy to use.  I had to cut the hooks off one of my ratchets because my puppy chewed it up, I riveted it to the ratchet with no hooks.  This is much better than fooling with trying to hook and ratchet at the same time, I may do some more like that.

[little john]

Ratchet straps are probably the most versatile.  I buy-up any unloved rachets seen at boot (bring'n'buy) sales for almost no money - usually the straps themselves have perished from UV.  Then I fit a single length of UV-resistant strapping to the ratchet using epoxy resin - which is much easier than trying to sew through the strap.  About 1.5" of overlap is enough - never had one fail yet.

A much cheaper option than ratchet straps are used by Russian beekeepers - just a short length of cunningly folded steel rod and a plain strap - I'll dig out some photos is anyone's interested.

But - if you want the cheapest of all possible options, consider using a rope tourniquet - that costs next to nothing ... just a length of rope and a stick.

LJ

[omnimirage]

I have a few Emlocks not enough for all my hives as they are so expensive. I only use them if I move my hives which is rarely,generally I put a brick or rock on top and that does the job good enough.

Cheers
Steve

I thought they were sometimes called emlocks, wasn't sure if my memory about that was off. I'm going to be moving 9 beehives, I have 3 emlocks already, so have been considering buying another 6 for the move... I think I'll just see if I can buy these ratchet straps at my local hardware store, and use the emlocks for the biggest hives that I want to strap down the most.

[BeeMaster2]

I have ratchet straps on all my hives that are on my trailer at the farm. They work real well.

Jim

[Acebird]

I use ratchet straps they  are very economical  and easy to use.  I had to cut the hooks off one of my ratchets because my puppy chewed it up, I riveted it to the ratchet with no hooks.

Usually the straps are longer than a wet week.  If the hook gets damaged just double the strap up to make a loop and  put both of the free ends into the winding mechanism.

[little john]

For beekeeping use there's no need for hooks - just glue one end to the ratchet, and use the strap as one big 'loop':



LJ

[BeeMaster2]

The first ratchets didn't have hooks, all they had was the strap. I have a few of them. They are shorter than the ones with hooks
Jim

[Acebird]

I wouldn't trust glue for an exterior environment or for any strap that has nylon in it.  If you can't sew by hand you can staple the heck out of it.

[Oldbeavo]

Go onto Ali Express, China, you can find Emlock with steel strapping for about $4 USD.

[omnimirage]

Can you link me to anything OldBeavo? I went to the local hardware store, but the ratchet straps were too expensive. Consumers face extrotionate prices here.

[Jim134]

I just use ratchet straps. They are about the same price as you original product posted. At least in the USA.


             BEE HAPPY Jim 134 

[little john]

I wouldn't trust glue for an exterior environment or for any strap that has nylon in it. 

I take it you're not a sailor then, Brian ?  All modern boats are either made or held together with epoxy or polyester resins, and with very few exceptions all cordage is now synthetic.  Boats, of course, stay outside permanently - unlike straps occasionally used to hold hives together ...
LJ

[Oldbeavo]

Hi OM
Try this website

https://huakaifengju.en.alibaba.com/
I think they may call them hive locks as well as emlocks

Cheers

[BeeMaster2]

Is the price really 50 cents a piece?
That is a really good deal even if you have to order 100 of them.
Jim

[Acebird]

I wouldn't trust glue for an exterior environment or for any strap that has nylon in it. 

I take it you're not a sailor then, Brian ?  All modern boats are either made or held together with epoxy or polyester resins, and with very few exceptions all cordage is now synthetic.

This is true LJ but the strength member is fiber glass or carbon fiber not nylon.  Some synthetics can be glued, nylon is not one of them.  Silicone rubber would be the best choice for gluing fabric because it can flex.  Epoxy would be the last choice because it doesn't flex very well.  Sewing is by far the best choice followed by stapling or riveting and then wrapping the joint with vinyl tape.
Nope, I am not a sailor but I have sailed.  I would think all sailors would know how to sew.