Spring 2011 Dadant Order Arrives!
I have built my own hives this year, but decided not to build my own frames.
I did build a few frames to see what it's like. It's not hard, but it did take me about 15 minutes per frame since I'm only using a table saw and/or router. Since I've got a few other projects around the house going right now, I've decided to buy frames to save some time.
I have a friend I work with, Mike R, who told me he was going to be in the area of Dadant's Hamilton IL branch and if I wanted to order any supplies, that he'd be happy to pick them up for me.
If you've ever ordered from a supplier before, you know the shipping charges can quickly add up to match (or exceed) the price of the actual products!
Excited to save on shipping costs, I placed an order for the following:
I just met with Mike today, who brought the supplies back home with him. Thanking him profusely, we loaded the supplies out of his truck, and into our van to take them home.
The first box I opened was the plasticell foundation. It smelled very sweet and pleasing with it's layer of wax coating.
I chose plasticell over pure wax for my first year because it's easier to work with (no wires in the foundation/frames) for a first year beekeeper.
If you looked closely at the last sheet, you can see the honeycomb pattern of the plastic/wax foundation.
The next couple of boxes contained the frames. I ordered the un-assembled frames, knowing I could put them together pretty quick.
The last of the boxes contained my new suit.
I've heard from a lot of experienced beekeepers that say I really don't need the suit, and a pair of long sleeves and veil will work fine. Although if a suit makes you more comfortable, or use it until your more comfortable.
I took that advice and ordered a suit. I'll use it until I'm more comfortable with my bees, and then will work with a veil, and use the suit for others who want to watch/visit the bees.
Did you see my small helper in the lower left corner of the picture above? Oh yeah. He is a ham. And he wanted to be held and see what all the fuss was about.
Then once he had his fill of the suit, he discovered he could climb up onto the boxes on the floor and play with them.
I did build a few frames to see what it's like. It's not hard, but it did take me about 15 minutes per frame since I'm only using a table saw and/or router. Since I've got a few other projects around the house going right now, I've decided to buy frames to save some time.
I have a friend I work with, Mike R, who told me he was going to be in the area of Dadant's Hamilton IL branch and if I wanted to order any supplies, that he'd be happy to pick them up for me.
If you've ever ordered from a supplier before, you know the shipping charges can quickly add up to match (or exceed) the price of the actual products!
Excited to save on shipping costs, I placed an order for the following:
- 60 Deep size grooved top bar and bottom bar frames
- 60 Medium size grooved top bar and bottom bar frames
- 60 Deep size Plasticell Wax coated foundation
- 60 Deep size Plasticell Wax coated foundation
- 1 Dadant Bee Suit, fencing style
I just met with Mike today, who brought the supplies back home with him. Thanking him profusely, we loaded the supplies out of his truck, and into our van to take them home.
The first box I opened was the plasticell foundation. It smelled very sweet and pleasing with it's layer of wax coating.
I chose plasticell over pure wax for my first year because it's easier to work with (no wires in the foundation/frames) for a first year beekeeper.
If you looked closely at the last sheet, you can see the honeycomb pattern of the plastic/wax foundation.
The next couple of boxes contained the frames. I ordered the un-assembled frames, knowing I could put them together pretty quick.
The last of the boxes contained my new suit.
I've heard from a lot of experienced beekeepers that say I really don't need the suit, and a pair of long sleeves and veil will work fine. Although if a suit makes you more comfortable, or use it until your more comfortable.
I took that advice and ordered a suit. I'll use it until I'm more comfortable with my bees, and then will work with a veil, and use the suit for others who want to watch/visit the bees.
Did you see my small helper in the lower left corner of the picture above? Oh yeah. He is a ham. And he wanted to be held and see what all the fuss was about.
Then once he had his fill of the suit, he discovered he could climb up onto the boxes on the floor and play with them.
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