The precision of manufacture required of Lang-Dadant-National-etc hives is their biggest economic drawback, even when viewed for a self-labor perspective. Ultimately, it's frames that drive the hive manufacturing business. Any idiot with a circular saw and carpenter's square can make boxes, lids and floors of respectable quality, but frames are another matter. To a lesser extent, this is also true of inner covers and queen excluders, but these are less universal tools.