Not fish related: Looking for a woodworker

Fieryfrog · Apr 3, 2016

Hey all.

I am looking for someone to build some Warre Bee Hives for me. I have the plans and would buy all the materials. I am just not a great craftsman. And I really don't want to pay the price for pre-assembled Hives.

dorky · Apr 5, 2016

How much is the pre assemble? Thought it a lot simpler and cheaper than making from scratch

Fieryfrog · Apr 5, 2016

$350 - $400

dorky · Apr 5, 2016

Ouch I can see why you want to go the other way lol but have u thought bout this? http://www.beethinking.com/products...=CNae9fDo-MsCFcMbgQodj9MBqw&variant=451348541

Fieryfrog · Apr 5, 2016

Yeah. I have looked at Beethinking.com But that price is for a single box. I would need the whole hive which is $250 and then two additional boxes at $65 each.

Fieryfrog · Apr 5, 2016

I have the Miter box, Table saw and the other tools. I am just not great and don't want to waste wood. But I think I am going to give it a shot.

jsker · Apr 5, 2016

Waste the wood, and have fun learning. You have the equipment to make what is pictured and you total wood outlay with waste should be no more than $120. Remember when you have someone build for you, they have insurance, taxes, licenses, rent, equipment that they bought, and a family to feed. This is the thing that this country has forgotten and that is why we no longer have craftmens and we have trillions that we owe.

cowboy · Apr 5, 2016

Jsker makes a very good point coming from a construction family people really have forgotten about all of the other expenses Involved to have someone build that for you can get very costly quick. Also you have all the tools needed for this project, even a novice should be able to assemble that box with little waste and really have fun with it.

jsker · Apr 5, 2016

Oh yes forgot to say ware safety glasses and keep your fingers out of the way.

flounder · Apr 5, 2016

I'm a bee keeper and made my own stuff, but its almost bee season. I'd buy kits from mannlake. Its about 25% more than buying your own, but its ready tomorrow. If you dont have wood skills you won't be happy with your results and it will probably take you a solid week or so.
Then this summer practice wood stuff so that next year you can whip out bee boxes

Fieryfrog · Apr 5, 2016

So Flounder, do you run Warre, top bar, or Langstroth? I just want to make sure warre is the way to go. With viewing windows and all.

flounder · Apr 6, 2016

Langstroth for the past 5 years but would like to try topbar next year. I dont think I'll switch over all my hives, but just try one and see.
I'm not sure what your goal is with a window. But it'd only show you 1/20th of the hive. And bees do the least activity on the outside frames verses the core of the hive. Plus it should be pitch dark inside the hive when you look in you window. So i've never really been tempted to go that route.

Fieryfrog · Apr 6, 2016

Well, my reasoning is two fold, when it comes to the windows.
First, I would like to be able to see what is going on for curiosity and learning.
Second, our girls have an unreasonable fear of bees. They don't know why they are so afraid of them. they just know that they are. So I am ordering suits for them and it would be fun to allow them to see what is going on. Maybe that will get them interested and that fear will fade away.