first purchases for beekeeping

[BigRog]

OK
Made my first purchases for Beekeeping
Beekeeping for Dummies (Great cover pic John!)
Sent out a money order for a copy of Beekeeping in the Midwest ($7.00 incl shipping)
A 4' x 2' piece of 1/8" hardware cloth.
Beth how big a piece did you need?

[golfpsycho]

Kind of hard to see through a book when working your bees.  Might I suggest a veil and smoker?  Hope things are improving on your end and you get the bees picked up soon

[BigRog]

Those are the next two buys
I am trying to figure out which smoker to get
Is there really that much of a difference

[golfpsycho]

I don't know if you need to spend the extra money for the stainless steel model.  If you had a whole grundel of hives and were constantly working them, it's a small price to pay.  But since you will probably only be in your colony once per day.. bahahahahahahaha.... oh heck.. get the top of the line if you can afford it.  It will last a lifetime

[BigRog]

I almost forgot
I sent out a money order for a bee brush too!

[Bee Boy]

I would reccomend a hive :P   Hey whats the hardware cloth for?

[buzz]

For a smoker, I would go with the large stainless steel one. I have the small one, and am always having to add more burlap while doing inspections.

[Beth Kirkley]

Hey Roger-
The amount of hardware cloth you need depends on how big of a stand you're building. You going to go ahead and do a two hive stand? Or larger even?

The hardware cloth comes in three sizes that I've seen - 2 foot, 3 foot, and 4 foot. Two and three foot are the most common. My hives are 20"x18", so the two foot wide is plenty. Then it just depends on how big of a stand. The two hive stand needed two pieces no smaller than 20"x18", so a length of 3 feet was enough.

When I made the large brood box hive, I also used a piece that was 2'x3'.

Beth

[BigRog]

It's going to be a one hive stand
I got four feet, it's 2 foot wide

[Beth Kirkley]

One thing to mention Roger. If you get a suit, and can afford it, get the cotton suit. The poly blend is pretty hot to work in. If you can't afford the cotton, and not even sure about the cost of the other (poly blend) remember that somewhere in these post is a veiled jacket with padded back and shoulders for about $30.

Beth

[Robo]

Here is a link to the jacket Beth mentioned

http://www.geocities.com/lettersoup/beekeepingjackets.html

I don't own one, but quite a few people have nothing but praise for it.

AS far as smokers,  they all work the same.  Even the cheapest one will most likely last you a lifetime if properly cared for.   I would recommend on that has a guard with a hook though,  it is very convenient to hook it on the hive body, and eliminates the need to set it on the ground near dry grass. :shock:

[BigRog]

I have a beekeeping supply 20 min from me.
(I found out that there are about 200 beekeepers in Richmond)
They have a Medium stainless smoker with a guard for $42
That sound about right?
I'm thinking even if it's a little high, I like to support local businesses and it would be a good way to establish my self with them.

[Bee Boy]

Man I wish I had a beekeeping supplie place near me. :?  That way I wouldn't have to pay all those outrageous shipping charges.

[buzz]

My supply place is about 30 miles away, and he sells Dadant products for just a little over retail.