Hive Equipment

rail · April 26, 2011, 02:50:04 AM

In everyone's opinion, who manufactures the best hive equipment; Betterbee, Brushy Mountain, Walter T. Kelly, Mann Lake, Miller Bee Supply, Dadant or any other?

Charles

Dexterjc · April 26, 2011, 03:20:57 AM

There is no perfect answer. Certain things like smokers and bee suites may truly be better than others (made in china usually means cheap). But as far as woodenware goes, whatever is most conveniently located near you. That way you have stuff that fits together. That's my 2 cents.

Michael Bush · April 26, 2011, 06:10:09 AM

I have woodenware from Dadant, Walter T. Kelley, Brushy Mt, Miller Bee Supply, Western Bee Supply, Mann Lake, and Betterbee. There was nothing wrong with any of it. Most of my equipment is from Miller. They gave me a good deal on straight run eight frame medium boxes with no handles on the sides, just the ends. I have no complaints about any of them.

iddee · April 26, 2011, 09:10:28 AM

Agree with the above completely, but I do favor Walter T. Kelley for wax foundation. It just seems to be a bit better than the others.

VolunteerK9 · April 26, 2011, 11:10:21 AM

Ive noticed subtle differences between the different manufacturers, but not enough to discourage me from buying from any particular one. The only things that I wont ever purchase again, are the one piece plastic frame and foundation from Mann Lake. They are made with small grooves in the end bars which make perfect hiding places for SHB where I live. Probably not that much of an issue up north, but here in the South, not a good thing.

njoylife10 · April 26, 2011, 01:24:40 PM

I'm with everyone else. I've bought from dadant, western bee, and brushy. Not to mention home made stuff too. They have all been great and work together well.

njoylife10

AllenF · April 26, 2011, 10:10:43 PM

Shop for price. And make sure you add in for the shipping in the cost. Cheaper means you get to buy more.

Brian D. Bray · April 30, 2011, 07:04:47 PM

Quote from: AllenF on April 26, 2011, 10:10:43 PM
Shop for price. And make sure you add in for the shipping in the cost. Cheaper means you get to buy more.

And don't overlook seconds. Small blemishes doesn't degrade bee hive components that much and can often be had for half the price of premium or commercial grade equipment. I usually buy my frames as seconds, out of an order for a hundred frames I might lose a total of 3-4 because of large knots, bad wood grain, or splinters but but at the price I still get 96 frames for the price of 50. Mann Lake and Western Bee are more prone to offer second sales and each as a yearly 5 super special that gets you 5 complete supers, including frames and foundation, for about 2/3 the cost of buying individually.

ncsteeler · May 04, 2011, 08:29:14 AM

This guy in Booneville makes pretty nice equipment.

New Cypress Beekeeping Equipment (Boonville NC)

Date: 2011-04-25, 8:30AM EDT
Reply to: [email protected] [Errors when replying to ads?]

Long Lasting Bald Cypress bee equipment, All equipment assembled, Cove type hand holds. Commercial Hive Bodies $13, Select Hive bodies $16.00, Meduim Supers#1-$11, #2 $9.50, Bottom Boards Screened or solid $10, Covers $13.50, Inner Covers $8.00, Complete hive less frames-Select $46.50, Commercial $43.50 Phone 336 367 7131

Location: Boonville NC