so i've been reading different posts about different materials to use to build your own hive box etc. so my question is for those that have done that - do you have a total cost for building your own box? maybe even a time estimate? trying to figure out if i want to build, or buy used boxes off craigslist.
thanks
alinn,
Welcome to the forum, while some might tell you that you really can't build your own equipment for cheaper, I strongly disagree. I use all 8 frame medium equipment and figure it cost me maybe 6 dollars and change a box. I'd probably have to pay around 15 for the same box not painted.
a 1 x 12 x 12 Board at Menards is 14 bucks. it makes TWO boxes i sell my boxes for 15 ea Painted. Figure in time, nails, glue, paint, electricity etc, I still make about 6 or 7 bucks a Box.
That being said, the only reason I build my own boxes is because I enjoy doing it. To me the time invested wouldn't be worth the savings if I didn't enjoy doing it. Then again, I don't rush the process...For two main reasons, First, as I said, I enjoy it....and Secondly, I still have all 10 of my fingers, and would like to keep them. :-D
I concur, but I feel that you are being Prejudice against those of us who havent got all ten fingers anymore!!! LOL
Well said. I have bees because I enjoy them. Making the equipment to me, is PART of the satisfaction. I have about 15 new boxes ready so far, complete with frames, and have less than a grand invested...
A LOT, depends on how many hives you intend to have. three or four hives? No, probably not worth setting up to build your own stuff.
20 hives? Now your getting into the realm of money savings if you build your own..
Something else to consider.. AS a beek, you WILL get calls once in a while.. bees in a shed or a swarm on an eve.. OR, you will realize if you dont split TODAY your bees are going to swarm... At which point, having an extra set of boxes, bottom board etc will pay for itself. EVEN, if you dont want to KEEP those bees, they could easily be sold if you have the stuff to set them up.
Like everything else in beekeeping.. it IS up to you how far you go and what you decide you enjoy, or dont. If you dont like woodworking, dont do it! if you have a table saw and a skill saw. Then you have what you need to make them.
Then again, as MR Prejudice who dislikes people with less than ten fingers said.. if your always in a hurry, or accident prone.. that 7 dollar box could quickly become a 10,000 dollar box..