Seeking opinions on this starter kit...

[hatrabbit]

I'm about to take the leap and think this starter kit looks pretty complete... do you experts think it looks good?  Any of your input will be greatly appreciated.

[Joe D]

 
Would need a little more info.

Joe

[gardeningfireman]

Break down the cost of each item. It is usually cheaper to buy what you need separately, unassembled.

[hatrabbit]

Oops, I guess I can't post a link or pic on here.  The kit is from Dadant, costs 159.50, and includes:


M58101 HONEY OF A HOBBY BEGINNER KIT NO 1
[M58101]
Hobby Kit No. 1 contains everything necessary for the beginner to start that first colony of bees except the bees themselves. Unassembled kit with the best grade wood. Bees not included. Paint the outside of the body only.
Kit contains:
1 - standard beehive unassembled
1 - all purpose hive tool
1-entrance reducer
1 - bee smoker to calm bees
10 - 9 1/8 inch grooved top bar frames, unassembled
1 - protective bee veil
10 - sheets plastic based foundation
1 - sting resistant gloves
1 - entrance feeder
1 - book First Lessons in Beekeeping
1 - assembly instructions
1 - smoker fuel 1 lb.
1 - telescoping metal cover, unassembled
1 - inner cover
1 - bottom board, unassembled
As your colony grows we recommend Hobby Kit #3 for the additional items needed for production of a honey crop.
Ship wt. 39 lbs.

[Kathyp]

M58101 HONEY OF A HOBBY BEGINNER KIT NO 1
[M58101]
Hobby Kit No. 1 contains everything necessary for the beginner to start that first colony of bees except the bees themselves. Unassembled kit with the best grade wood. Bees not included. Paint the outside of the body only.
Kit contains:
1 - standard beehive unassembled
1 - all purpose hive tool
1-entrance reducer
1 - bee smoker to calm bees
10 - 9 1/8 inch grooved top bar frames, unassembled
1 - protective bee veil
10 - sheets plastic based foundation
1 - sting resistant gloves
1 - entrance feeder
1 - book First Lessons in Beekeeping
1 - assembly instructions
1 - smoker fuel 1 lb.
1 - telescoping metal cover, unassembled
1 - inner cover
1 - bottom board, unassembled
As your colony grows we recommend Hobby Kit #3 for the additional items needed for production of a honey crop.
Ship wt. 39 lbs.

you don't need expensive wood.  paint makes it all good.
wouldn't use plastic or the entrance feeder.  you can check beekeeping books out from the library for free or do research on the internet.  smoker fuel is all around you. 

also, entrance reducers are easy to make.  you might consider the LARGE smoker.  the kits usually come with a small. 

instead, i would get a couple of deeps and one honey super OR for the sake of keeping all your equipment the same size, 3 mediums. frames.  i prefer wax foundation if you are using foundation, some like plastic.  hive tool. large smoker.  bottom board.(consider screened).  inner cover.  migratory cover.  your feeder can be a jar with holes poked in the lid and placed over the inner cover.  i would also consider a jacket/hood combo rather than the veil. 

where else have you shopped? 



 

[Vance G]

starter kit is code for this guy is stupid and doesn't know what he needs so we can get rich off of him.  

Depending on which direction you are headed for boxes, you need to start with three 6 5/8 boxes and thirty 6 1/4"  frames or two 9 5/8 boxes and twenty  9 1/8" frames.  Bigger boxes and frames provide cheaper volume to house bees.  You decide what is important to you.  A bottom board and a cover can be made by anyone with any tools and a measureing tape.  PM me for simple plans or their is a how to build location on this location.  An inner cover can be a sheet of plastic or in my case not used.    You need a veil, you need a smoker, you need some gloves, the cheapest ones are nitrile chemical gloves but they are hot and your hands stink after getting them sweaty in them, buy them at the hardware store.  You need a hive tool.  The old traditional one is cheap and a great tool.  Now that will price out an awful lot cheaper than any 'honey of a sucker kit'.  If you want to feed your bees, a zip lock baggie is the best feeder available for a dime.  With the leftover money get a good bee suit.  You can get one with a veil and take that off the list above.   You have a rack full of bee books on this bee source location.  The list I gave you will get you to July.  By then you will know if you need  more equipment and are in for the duration.    It may not make you a cool guy with a KIT but it is all you need to start.  

[BlueBee]

I agree with Kathy and Vance that there are other routes an experienced bee keeper would likely take.  However this is a hobby that you really don't know what you're going to prefer until you have actually used the parts. 

I don't see anything too egregious with the starter kit.  Nobody is going to want the entrance feeder, but how much does that really add to the kit cost anyways?  Couple dollars?  The kit makers probably just throw that in as an extra/bonus to attract the customer.  If you're only raising 1 hive and there aren't a bunch of other bees in the area, the entrance feeder might work.

If you're the type of person who is a DIYer and wants to spend time analyzing all the options in bee keeping, and building parts, then the kit is probably not a good idea.  If you're the type of person who prefers a turn key solution with everything you'll need (initially) at your finger tips, then the kit might be a good choice.  We don't know what kind of person you are hatrabbit.

[calrow99]

Hello..  I bought a pair of Home Depot PVC blue gloves ($6.00) and have had no stings on the hands...  great bee gloves.

[indypartridge]

I suggest that you read a bit on different hive configurations and decide which way you want to go.  Many beekeepers prefer using all mediums for boxes because it allows interchangeability, and is lighter. 8-frame equipment has become very popular in recent years.

Michael Bush makes some good points for beginners and equipment here:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnewbees.htm

I also recommend changing your profile to include your location. On several occasions I've seen people post about the high cost of shipping after they've had equipment sent across the county, not knowing they lived within a short drive of a supplier.

[Michael Bush]

>Kit contains:
>1 - standard beehive unassembled

This will ten frame deeps and I want eight frame mediums.
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#uniformframesize
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#lighterboxes

>1 - all purpose hive tool
I gave all mine away.  I only use the Italian hive tool.

>1-entrance reducer
Any old block of scrap wood will do for an entrance reducer... it is worth nothing...

>1 - bee smoker to calm bees
It will be a small smoker which will be difficult to light and keep lit.  I would buy the large smoker.

>10 - 9 1/8 inch grooved top bar frames, unassembled
Wrong size.

>1 - protective bee veil
I NEVER wear just a veil.  I would buy a jacket with a zip on veil.

>10 - sheets plastic based foundation
Wrong cell size, wrong frame size.  I'd just turn the wedge sideways and use no foundation...

>1 - sting resistant gloves
I wear a jacket and some regular buckskin gloves tucked into the sleeves.  They are much easier to get on and off.  I have several pair of these and have not worn any of them in a decade...

>1 - entrance feeder
I never use these as they cause robbing.

>1 - book First Lessons in Beekeeping
Not a bad book.

>1 - assembly instructions
You can find instructions for free on some other forums... and probably this one (although I haven't looked).

>1 - smoker fuel 1 lb.
Burlap is the best.  Anything laying around will do.  I have bought this and could never get it to light...

>1 - telescoping metal cover, unassembled
I don't like telescopics anymore (and this one is ten frame).  I make a simple one:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beestopentrance.htm and I like it better.

>1 - inner cover
Since I quit using the telescopic I quit using the inner cover.

>1 - bottom board, unassembled
Again, I want an eight frame one... and then I'd redo it into a feeder:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesfeeding.htm#BottomBoardFeeder

>As your colony grows we recommend Hobby Kit #3 for the additional items needed for production of a honey crop.

Which, if you went with all eight frame mediums, would just be more eight frame mediums...

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesoptions.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesnewbees.htm

[JackM]

I think you need to read Michael Bush's book that is free online ( http://bushfarms.com/xstar.htm ), or purchase a full version that is in a consecutive order.  I am expecting my first package of bees in less than a month, but much of what I purchase was not in any beginners kit after reading several publications.  I strongly advise reading Michael's book and "The Backyard Beekeeper"

I went with all 8 frames.  I made all my stuff, but have the time and inclination and tools to do so.  I am going to go foundationless.  I got a full suit as I am not sure if I plan on getting serious about cutouts or not...partly due to my physical ability.

Anyhow, I think you may end up not changing gears mid stream if you read those two publications, no matter which direction you go.  You should have time before bee season if you get it on.

[bassnbees]

It is MUCH easier to begin in medium epuipment than to convert after a season or two.  Listen to Michael Bush.  I am a regular voyeur on the site and his advice is spot on. 

I'd Buy
3 mediums with frames and foundation (you can go foundationless later)
screened bottom board...or make one
inner and tele cover...or make one per Michael
hive tool
veil
gloves
feed in cheap baggies
a GOOD smoker...when the cheap one goes out mid inspection you'll wish you had

Just my two cents.  I started 4 years ago and now use only one or two items from my "starter kit"

[sterling]

I'm about to take the leap and think this starter kit looks pretty complete... do you experts think it looks good?  Any of your input will be greatly appreciated.

Are you good and confused yet? :-D :-D
Reading M Bush's book is good advice before you buy anything.

[AllenF]

Ask 3 beeks a question and you will get 4 different answers.   I will say buy want you think you will need.  Develop a like for half of it.   Use that half.   Trade the other half off.   Everyone does it a little different.   And remember, once you start, it will become addictive and you will end up will too much bee crap.   Trust me on that.   Gotta love it.    :-D

[bulldog]

>1 - bee smoker to calm bees
It will be a small smoker which will be difficult to light and keep lit.  I would buy the large smoker.

i will second that. my small smoker is a pain to keep lit, unless you resort to drastic measures.
i bought it before i knew any better and now i'm stuck with it.

[sterling]

>1 - bee smoker to calm bees
It will be a small smoker which will be difficult to light and keep lit.  I would buy the large smoker.

i will second that. my small smoker is a pain to keep lit, unless you resort to drastic measures.
i bought it before i knew any better and now i'm stuck with it.

Ain't nothing wrong with having two smokers. :-D

[Course Bee]

Allen is right on!

[rbinhood]

God gave me my gloves.....they are so tough the bees don't bother even trying to sting them.  They easy have that natural feel on everything I touch and they are very easy too keep clean, just a little soap and water.

[beyondthesidewalks]

hatrabbbit, where do you live?  If you live in an SHB area you definitely want to avoid telescoping/inner covers.  They make a great place for SHB to hide.  Migratory covers or just a piece of plywood work much better and cost less.  Shipping is a big consideration.  Dadant has several distributors around the country and you might be able to drive a short distance to pick up your gear.  There are also several suppliers around the country that may be less expensive from a shipping standpoint.

The rest of the suggestions are valid.  Some of it is just personal preference and until you have some experience you can't develop your own preferences.  Jump on in and enjoy the hobby.  Be careful.  It is addictive.

[catfishbill]

I suggest finding a local beekeeper and speak with them,then proceed with the info they give.they will probably assist you with your new future endeavor.good luck   bill