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??