When are hivelocks worthwhile?

[mtnb]

Go onto Ali Express, China, you can find Emlock with steel strapping for about $4 USD.

Yup. I was on wish.com the other day and just searched for "beekeeping" and they were selling the locks for about $2 each.

[little john]

I wouldn't trust glue for an exterior environment or for any strap that has nylon in it. 

I take it you're not a sailor then, Brian ?  All modern boats are either made or held together with epoxy or polyester resins, and with very few exceptions all cordage is now synthetic.

This is true LJ but the strength member is fiber glass or carbon fiber not nylon.  Some synthetics can be glued, nylon is not one of them.  Silicone rubber would be the best choice for gluing fabric because it can flex.  Epoxy would be the last choice because it doesn't flex very well.  Sewing is by far the best choice followed by stapling or riveting and then wrapping the joint with vinyl tape.
Nope, I am not a sailor but I have sailed.  I would think all sailors would know how to sew.

I don't know how nylon got into this topic - not from me I can assure you.

Although webbing may all look similar, there are a few key differences between the three types of heavy duty webbing we sell. What works for one application, might not work for another. For example, for use as a recovery strap, choose nylon. Webbing ratchet in polyester will work better for tie-downs as it has less stretch than nylon.

Polyester webbing
Polyester?s lower stretch value makes it ideal for tie-down applications. Sometimes called military webbing, polyester cargo web is strong and lightweight like nylon webbing, but without the stretch of nylon. Its strength and flat profile makes it useful in some applications in place of traditional rope.
http://www.uscargocontrol.com/Webbing

And - just as all nylons are not the same, epoxy (which is only a name derived from a particular type of chemical bond) glues are also not all the same.  For gluing polyester webbing, I use an epoxy which remains very slightly flexible.  And, we're only talking about a short length anyway. 

Yes, I can sew - some of my sail repairs (done by hand, not machine) are works of art. Well, at least I think they are. 

But for a tie-down just to hold a few boxes together ... I'd go for the quick 'n' easy option every time.
LJ

[Oldbeavo]

For attaching the strapping to an emlock we use a clip the is crushed to secure it with purpose made applicator.
If you google any strapping company you will find these clips, they are for nylon strapping but work on poly woven strap.

[little john]

Interesting - I've never seen those.  If you had some buckles, you could also use those - here's a shot of a Russian using just a length of bent metal rod and some buckles:




Possibly the lowest cost option ?
LJ

[Acebird]

I don't think it is the lowest cost if they are buying the straps but it is the quickest to work a lot of hives.

[Jim134]

Interesting - I've never seen those.  If you had some buckles, you could also use those - here's a shot of a Russian using just a length of bent metal rod and some buckles:




Possibly the lowest cost option ?
LJ

     IMHO This product has very little versatility. As compared to ratchet straps..


              BEE HAPPY  Jim 134 

[little john]

     IMHO This product has very little versatility. As compared to ratchet straps..

Fully agree - that's exactly what I said in my reply (#6) of 20th June. 

But the Russian guy doesn't want versatility - those are single-purpose straps, used soley for the strapping-down of hive tops.  Which was the OP's focus when starting this thread:

I'm coming to find a lot of my home-made lids are warping, and from I've gathered, having a pressure placed on the top of the hive can help hold it together. Since then, I've been placing bricks on top of my hive ...

The OP was looking for an economical method of securing hive lids, but hivelocks were considered too expensive.  Versatility wasn't mentioned as a requirement.
LJ

[Jim134]

On average a new beekeeper with just two hives. Will spend about $1,000 for their setup in the USA. The average inch and a quarter ratchet straps will cost you approximately $30 for 3. This is about 3% of the overall cost. If you cannot afford. That I believe you will have a hard time keeping bees. Oh and by the way if I'm spending my money versatility will sell me..


              BEE HAPPY Jim 134 

[Jim134]

Oh and by the way.. if you live where I live. You better be prepared to spend another $300 to $500 for a bear fence.


BEE HAPPY Jim 134

[kanga]

In QLD Emlocks (complete with strap) can be purchased for $9.20 if you shop around, and it is a small price to pay for peace of mind. Only this year I was asked to pick up a hive that had blown over in heavy wind (owner absent on holidays) and as there was no strap it had come apart.

I agree with Jim in that it is just an included cost in setting up a hive.

Kev

[Jim134]

In QLD Emlocks (complete with strap) can be purchased for $9.20 if you shop around, and it is a small price to pay for peace of mind. Only this year I was asked to pick up a hive that had blown over in heavy wind (owner absent on holidays) and as there was no strap it had come apart.

I agree with Jim in that it is just an included cost in setting up a hive.

Kev

  I do know beekeepers around here that cannot get to that bee hives in the winter time. If a Hive Falls over without a ratchet strap. Hive open will up and it will die. 95% of the time .. If it does have a ratchet strap. It will survive the fall 95%.

      BEE HAPPY Jim 134 

[Oldbeavo]

All our wooden hives have wire clips, they hold really well when it comes to hives tipping over. They cost about $1.30 AUD so 2 on each box and if you get 3 or 4 high then the cost is still there, yes, cost of beekeeping.
One advantage is that you are not picking them up off the ground to do them up.