Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => CRAFTING CORNER => Topic started by: GSF on December 09, 2013, 07:51:17 am

Title: #6 Aluminum Wire Mesh
Post by: GSF on December 09, 2013, 07:51:17 am
I'm wanting to build me several SHB oil traps using the design from www.greenbeehive.com (http://www.greenbeehive.com). One of the problems I'm having is the cost of the mesh wire. It's almost cheaper to buy it from them. Does anyone have an idea where I can buy some at a decent price?
Title: Re: #6 Aluminum Wire Mesh
Post by: Moots on December 09, 2013, 11:38:56 am
I'm wanting to build me several SHB oil traps using the design from www.greenbeehive.com (http://www.greenbeehive.com). One of the problems I'm having is the cost of the mesh wire. It's almost cheaper to buy it from them. Does anyone have an idea where I can buy some at a decent price?

GSF,
First, are you sure your link is correct?  It takes me to a site saying that URL is for sale.

Second, are you sure you want #6 and not #8 mesh...Bees will fit through #6.

Third, Why do you need aluminum as opposed to galvanized?
Title: Re: #6 Aluminum Wire Mesh
Post by: GSF on December 09, 2013, 07:43:07 pm
First, my bad. www.greenbeehives.com (http://www.greenbeehives.com) I was just going by what they used. It really doesn't matter if it's galvanized or aluminum but I'm sure it's #6. My bees don't go through it. Can the SHB go through #8?
They have a DIY portion on their website that shows you how to build one and gives you all the info you need.
Title: Re: #6 Aluminum Wire Mesh
Post by: Moots on December 09, 2013, 08:43:04 pm
GSF,
As you can imagine, opinions vary greatly on this, and every other beekeeping issue.  :laugh:

I believe SHB can certainly fit through #8 and have been lead to believe that some bees will make it through #7, therefore...certainly through #6.

Here's an earlier thread focused around #7 mesh, but the conversation touches on both #6 and #8.  Maybe reading through it will be helpful.

LINK to previous thread on #7 Mesh! (http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php?topic=25060.0)
Title: Re: #6 Aluminum Wire Mesh
Post by: GSF on December 09, 2013, 10:22:29 pm
When I found some bees in my trap I contacted GBH. They told me there was probably a flaw in the wire and sent me a whole new trap with no static. I took the other one out and sure enough a couple of the wires were bent about half way over and the bees went through that. go figure. Good link by the way. thanks.
Title: Re: #6 Aluminum Wire Mesh
Post by: Joe D on December 09, 2013, 10:38:14 pm
I'm with Moots, all the SBB's I have built have #8 galvanized hardware cloth.




Joe
Title: Re: #6 Aluminum Wire Mesh
Post by: Leather Jim on December 09, 2013, 11:36:16 pm
Shb get though #8 galvanized just fine, the bees chase them right down through it into the oil pans. : )
Title: Re: #6 Aluminum Wire Mesh
Post by: bbbthingmaker on December 11, 2013, 09:24:26 am
I get #8 hardware cloth at a local "mom and pop" hardware store. It's an Ace hardware store.  A lot cheaper than the big box stores. I don't know about #6 , but if it's available they could order it for you. 
Title: Re: #6 Aluminum Wire Mesh
Post by: JPBEEGETTER on December 11, 2013, 03:38:29 pm
What you want to ask for is #8 hardware cloth, all smaller hardware stores have it. There is no reason to want to use alumn. except it will be about 5 times as expensive.  JPP.