BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER > GENERAL BEEKEEPING - MAIN POSTING FORUM.
Advice for Beginner Beekeepers
Ben Framed:
Good points on equipment in the last three post by Brian, Michael, and Bill.
Phillip
The15thMember:
--- Quote from: Michael Bush on March 10, 2023, 08:32:14 am ---The most inconsistent (between manufacturers) are deeps, both boxes and frames. The most consistent seems to be mediums. I think part of that is that a 6 5/8" box doesn't come easily from any size lumber but a 9 5/8" box is almost a one by ten. So some companies try to cheat and make them smaller, then they try to fix that cheat with smaller frames. So often frame depth and box depth are inconsistent with deeps. I've never had issues with mediums, though most of mine have been from one company, not all of them have been. I buy most of my equipment from Miller Bee Supply.
--- End quote ---
I use only mediums and have boxes and frames from probably 4 different companies. While some of the boxes have thicker or thinner walls, I've never noticed any difference at all in frames. I just be sure to paint my box edges, so the water doesn't pool on top of the exposed edges of the thicker boxes.
Acebird:
--- Quote from: Michael Bush on March 10, 2023, 08:32:14 am ---So often frame depth and box depth are inconsistent with deeps. I've never had issues with mediums, though most of mine have been from one company, not all of them have been. I buy most of my equipment from Miller Bee Supply.
--- End quote ---
All of my purchased equipment came from Better Bee. However at the time I was buying equipment they changed suppliers. This has been mentioned before, even if the retailer doesn't change suppliers the manufacturer could be getting lumber from someone that doesn't control moisture content. This inconsistency will show up more when the boxes are bigger.
At the beefest a double deep frame was demonstrated for a brood box. If this frame was used as a super (I don't know why you would) the shrinkage and swell of the double deep box would be a problem.
Acebird:
--- Quote from: The15thMember on March 10, 2023, 02:57:49 pm --- I just be sure to paint my box edges, so the water doesn't pool on top of the exposed edges of the thicker boxes.
--- End quote ---
Just so you are aware paint does not prevent wood from shrinking and swelling due to relative humidity. It just slows the process down.
Bill Murray:
So these were the issues I found, And it all began with a beetle infestation, that?s what got me looking. I had ordered 50 to 100 boxes I assembled, painted and put them into service. Long story short the beespace was cut at the bottom not the top like all my existing boxes, so when you mix and match boxes if one of the new ones ended up on top I had about 3/16? gap give or take between cover and frame room for beetles not for bees. The bottom would have double the beespace. Dealing with consequences of the mix and match was quite an educational experience.
As ace pointed out moisture content of the wood is another huge issue. Even if making your own, it seems decent wood is getting harder and harder to come by. Bit the bullet and started wax dipping vs. painting.
--- Quote ---At beefest a double deep frame was demonstrated for a brood box.
--- End quote ---
Im putting one of these boxes with frames into service today. I don?t know how it will mess with the way I manage bees (not true I could give you a list). But its something fun I can work on with Marley.
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