found bee source, newb ? about equipment

[malabarchillin]

Hello,
I found a beekeeper really close to me. He has 150 hives.
He will sell me a hive (single hive body,top and bottom) with 10 frames of
brood,honey,bees and queen for $100.
I think that this is a good deal. I do not want to wait until
spring to order bees. These are Russian. When I re-queen
I may get Italian queen.

Question: I thought it would be cheaper to buy 'starter kit', but
after pricing individual things that I may but seperately.
A full hive (2 brood chambers,3 suppers,top and bottom boards
is over $200 plus shipping.
I have all the woodworking tools (and skill) to build the hive and
buy plastic frames. Is it cheaper to build ?
Thanks Mike

[rdy-b]

I dont know where you are shopping for wooden ware but inless you get free wood you end up about the same cost plus your time. wood working can be very satisfying and enjoyable but very hard to compete with mass production ;) I still build some stuff anyway you probably will also even if you buy from supplier the budget grade is always very serviceable and the bees dont know the difference do your self a favor and do not buy the plastic frames to start with they are just a short cut and everybody has some but nobody loves them.factor cost with wood bound and see where you end up (frames are to important dont buy substandard your experience will be more rewarding) RDY-B

[JP]

Mike, that's a very good price, if the bees look healthy, and I would inspect them first, every frame, its a good buy. Most 3lb packages are 60 bucks or more, and that's just for your bees.

[bluegrass]

Building my own boxes is cheaper, my mediums cost me 3.88 to build and can cost anywhere from 7.50-12.50 each to buy.
Frames are easier to just buy.