new to beemaster.

[PalmerLakeColo]

 ;) will need advice on 8 frame ware, you guys. any suggestions or recommendations?

[Vance G]

Welcome!  8 frame is not a bad way to go.  Having just realized that 61 is old and it is not going to get better, I wish I had them.  Only trouble is, you have to have those special narrow bees to run in that style.  Mann Lake, Western Bee supply would be good places to enquire on pricing.   There also used to be a woodware producer out of Montrose Colorado.  Check there. 

[Michael Bush]

I run all eight frame mediums.  I changed over despite having to cut hundreds of boxes and thousands of frames down.  I have never regretted it.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beeseightframemedium.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#uniformframesize

[JackM]

I have purchased and made only 8 frame stuff.  I only have my bee packages on order tho, so I am so new it is mute what I have to say.  But what others have said, and my physical disabilities require I keep the weight down as much as possible and I am only doing this for a hobby.  I would expect most to say if just starting out, 8 frame is the way to go unless you are big time commercial.

[FRAMEshift]

  Only trouble is, you have to have those special narrow bees to run in that style. 

Uh, Vance I'm sure you are joking here but new beekeepers can be confused by random comments like that.   :-D   There are no special bees required for 8 frame beekeeping.

[Country Heart]

  Only trouble is, you have to have those special narrow bees to run in that style. 

Uh, Vance I'm sure you are joking here but new beekeepers can be confused by random comments like that.   :-D   There are no special bees required for 8 frame beekeeping.

    Thanks for the clarification...had me doing a double take, what?

[backyard warrior]

I have eight frame equipment myself not because of the weight im fairly young yet and have quite a bit of strenght but i went with it because i read in a book that 8 frame equipment is used alot in cut comb operations the bees tend to work up instead of sideways and also its less airspace for them.  I am kicking around buying 10 frame deeps for my brood chambers and going with eight frame mediums for my supers to allow more room in the brood chamber.   Chris

[Vance G]

Yes narrower bees was a joke.  Just thought we need another debate since the rancor over small cell is dying down hopefully.  Your reason for 8 frame supers is as good as any, but don't make yourself headaches by having two sizes of boxes.  Just not neccessary.  Merry Christmas.

[L Daxon]

I used to have 10 frame decades ago but went with all 8 frame mediums this time around and am very happy with it that way.
I, too, think 8 frame is better for overwintering as the cluster will tend to move up, not so much side to side. Also easier to get a full capped box of 8 frames than 10 for harvesting.

And I think the advantage of having all medium equipment cannot be over stated.  Being able to pull any frame from any box and use it in another  box/hive is a huge advantage.

And Merry Christmas to all!

[FRAMEshift]

but don't make yourself headaches by having two sizes of boxes. 

And I think the advantage of having all medium equipment cannot be over stated.  Being able to pull any frame from any box and use it in another  box/hive is a huge advantage.

I agree.  You can waste so much time with incompatible frames/boxes.  I use long hives with deep frames.  But if I were doing Langs it would be with 8 frame mediums.

[T Beek]

Went to 8 frame in my Lang hives (all mediums) a couple years ago by modifying the 2 outside frames, basically turning them into follower boards that now can be used to house NUCs, swarms, small colonies, queens (someday?). 

Love the versatility 8-)

thomas