frames

ballardbee · January 06, 2009, 09:38:46 PM

Howdy all,
new to the forum.
I was wondering if any of you know where to buy good priced frames. Or do you make them yourselves. I can't imagine some of the bigger apiaries buy at full retail.
Presently I have 4 hives and plan to add about 6 more.
Thanks

Robo · January 06, 2009, 10:18:56 PM

You just missed Brushy Mountains free shipping, which is when a lot of us stock up on frames. It is best to shop around as shipping plays a big part in the total cost. The cheapest price may not be the cheapest cost depending on where you live.

BjornBee · January 06, 2009, 11:07:20 PM

ballard,
Where are you from?

ballardbee · January 06, 2009, 11:44:14 PM

responding to the where are you from...Seattle
I will also look into the Brushy Mountain. And Yes, shipping does play a big cost in it.

Brian D. Bray · January 07, 2009, 01:25:16 AM

Ballard,

Google Western Bee out of Poulson, MT. The shipping rates to Western Washington isn't that bad and if you buy in lots of 50-100 frames the discount will almost cover the shipping. If you can get them on sale it's even cheaper.
Most of the bee equipment suppliers in Washington are sub-agents for Bushy (Cedar Gleen Bees) or Mann Lake Ltd (Belleville Honey) and have to mark up above catalog prices in order to make a profit even after getting quanity and agent discounts due to the shipping charges.

TwT · January 07, 2009, 09:21:20 PM

well its all in connections, I had a friend call me the other night telling me he found a guy that sales frames assembled with kelly foundation that if I order over 300 frames for $1.20 a frame, good deal here, all you do is put it in the hives, its stapled and glued.

ballardbee · January 07, 2009, 10:02:14 PM

A $1.20 a frame is a great deal.
If he ever has that deal again could you post it?

justgojumpit · January 08, 2009, 10:50:07 AM

frames with foundation at Orr Bee Supply (a new company) $1.55
Frames without foundation: $0.55 - he will even custom make foundationless frames if you buy enough

I think the quantity discounts are 100+ 10% / 200+ 12% / 300+ 15%

great service too!

They're located in North Carolina, I think

http://orrbeesupply.web.officelive.com/hiveaccessories.aspx

good luck!

justgojumpit

ballardbee · January 08, 2009, 01:40:22 PM

thanks everyone for the info

rickomatic · March 28, 2009, 01:41:44 AM

I decided to go with Pierco one piece frame/foundation and bought a bunch directly from them. With shipping and no sales tax (I'm in WA too, ballard) the price was pretty good compared to what I've seen locally or through other online suppliers. You have to buy full cases though. Since this is my first year I only got one case each of deeps (52) and mediums (72).

Michael Bush · March 28, 2009, 10:58:55 AM

PF100 and PF120 one piece plastic frames and foundation from Mann lake is $1.95 and $1.65 respectively in small quantities. If you buy a minimum of 180 of them they are $1.30 and $1.05 respectively. And you don't have to build them. And they are 4.95mm cells.

http://www.mannlakeltd.com/ListProduct.asp?idCategory=27

bberry · March 30, 2009, 10:07:52 PM

Also check with your local farm supply. Ours sells unassembled frames for around about a buck-way cheaper than catalogs plus shipping.