Cheapest woodenware

[Satch]

Where are some places besides the big namebrand suppliers that you use for woodenware, comb,  etc.

Getting ready to order from hivebodies.com for some deep and medium supers.

Just seeing what others used.

[loumaro]

Look on E-BAY

There an amish outfit that sels the whole hive for $240. FREE SHIPPING
Looks like a good deal to me.

[Jim134]

Mann Lake Ltd.
http://www.mannlakeltd.com/

FREE SHIPPING - Free shipping applies to most orders placed from this catalog over $100 sent standard ground service within the lower 48 states.



   BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

[VolunteerK9]

Humble Abodes

[Jim134]

Humble Abodes

If you live in New England

http://humbleabodesinc.com/

S&H may kill you from Windson,Maine


      BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

[Diogenes]

Depending on shipping, these guys might be worth a look in your area. http://www.westernbee.com/Western Bee Supply

I buy budget woodenware from Mann Lake and the bees haven't filed any complaints about the looks yet.

8-)

[David McLeod]

When I consider time of assembly, painting and annual upkeep my preferred option is Rossman's cypress. I can glue and screw email and put them in the yard. No paint, no maintenance and I get years of service out of them. Shipping is moot since Fred has a truck at both the spring and fall GBA meetings or I can always do a pick up.
I can beat his prices though even buying my own cypress if I don't factor in my time but it's a wash if I do.

[jredburn]

Drive around town just before garbage pick up.  Take all the old drawers out of any cabinets you find and use them for boxes.

[hummelkurt]

PRICE AND SHIPPING MANN LAKE IS MINE.   FREE SHIPPING OVER $100 ....DO THE MATH!!!

[Bush_84]

My garage is where everything besides frames comes from.  I can build a deep for around $3-4 or so. 

[capt44]

I build everything myself including the frames.
I buy the foundation.
I build hives from Pine, cypress, cedar, red and white oak
I build Nucs, 8 and 10 frame Langstroth hives, and a kenyan top bar hive.
Gives this ole man something to do.

[tedlemay]

I have learned to stick with the main companies. Lot less headache!

[greg755]

I try to buy as much as I can at one time so I can barter on the price.
If you dont mind assembeling them yourself then you can buy them by the pallet and save some bucks.  I have done this with friends as well, we get together and buy 5-6 grand worth at a time and save a lot of money...
If you can go to a dealer the next state over to avoid sales tax...

This year after reading a post here about a new box jig I am thinking on making them myself... 

[ralittlefield]

It takes a minimum of woodworking skills to make serviceable hives.  If you have the time and a little equipment, that is the cheapest way to go.

[Caelansbees]

http://www.htkbeesupply.com/.  Quality and price can't be beat.

[Santa Caras]

ummmm..spent $15 for a book of plans for beekeeping equip on Amazon. $20 worth of wood- $12 on mesh- $8 on alum flashing. 15/20/12/8=$55 total and I've built two complete hives from bottom to the telescoping top. for another $20 in wood, i can build two more hives. So 4 complete hives with 1 deep and 1 med each comes out to like $20 each basically. Just cant get cheaper than that. It does help to have a table saw, drill,  router and a few bits in your inventory handy.

[Moots]

ummmm..spent $15 for a book of plans for beekeeping equip on Amazon. $20 worth of wood- $12 on mesh- $8 on alum flashing. 15/20/12/8=$55 total and I've built two complete hives from bottom to the telescoping top. for another $20 in wood, i can build two more hives. So 4 complete hives with 1 deep and 1 med each comes out to like $20 each basically. Just cant get cheaper than that. It does help to have a table saw, drill,  router and a few bits in your inventory handy.

"4 complete hives with 1 deep and 1 med each"...Not sure I would consider 1 deep and 1 med a "complete hive".  :)  Then there's also the expense of frames and foundation....

[alfred]

Just got a quote on shipping from western bee so that I can compare it to Mann Lakes Prices.

WesternBee:
   
WW629 6 1/4 Budget Frame
SELECT FRAME TYPE: WEDGE TOP BAR/SOLID BOTTOM BAR-WAX FOUNDATION   $0.50 x 300    $150.00
   
   
WW619 6 5/8 Supers - Budget
SELECT 8 OR 10 FRAME: STANDARD 10-FRAME (DEFAULT CHOICE)                $5.50 x 50    $275.00

Shipping                                                                                                                      Shipping       $120.00
                                                                                                                                      total        $ 545.00



Mann Lake:

WW-607_b  6 5/8" (16.83 cm) Unassembled Medium Super (Illinois) Budget 10 Frame - Bulk       $7.70        50                        $385.00

FR-832 6 1/4" Unassembled Select Frames - Groove Top  - Case of 100                                     $77.00          3                        $231.00
                                                                                                                                                                            No Shipping Cost
                                                                                                                                                                                 Total: $616.00

So it looks like, to my zip code at least, that even with added shipping western bee beats mannlakes price.

[trapperbob]

Hands down mannlake most times is my best option and at times free shipping. They don't charge your card till they ship so they can find the cheapest shipper. And when the shipping is free I always order extra stuff lol

[OldMech]

  OK, so its been a couple months since last post.. i couldnt help but chime in....

   Once set up... it costs me about five dollars per box, eight dollars with frames to make my own...
   I have a jig for the boxes.. I drop the parts in, glue and nail.. start to finish on a box is about ten minutes from raw board to box..  I usually cut enough pieces to make a dozen, then go to nailing and gluing.  Router the handholds, paint, and drop the frames in.  Once you have done a couple, you get the system down pretty fast. I have nearly thirty hives sitting ready to go just from puttering and tinkering the last two weeks.. I have to slow down or I'll run myself out of things to do when its -20 outside..
   I make and use all mediums, and make my own foundationless frames, and rub wax on them.. the difference at 30 hives is 6000+ dollars commercially, and around 1200 doing it myself.
   I understand everyone doesnt have the tools, or the time... time being the limiting factor.. if you have time but no tools.. imagine how well 5 grand could set you up???
   Then again.. if you only plan to maintain four or five hives I can understand why it wouldnt pay...  but surely you know someone who enjoys making sawdust??