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Author Topic: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?  (Read 13064 times)

Offline contactme_11

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What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« on: February 11, 2009, 05:45:48 pm »
Just curious what you all keep in your tool kits for checking hives. Might be nice to share ideas of what works for you best.

Offline rast

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2009, 07:08:37 pm »
 I'm looking forward to the answers.
 I carry a smoker, hive tool, frame lifter, brush, long handle needlenose pliers, oyster knife and a propane torch. Smoker fuel is in a separate bag.
Fools argue; wise men discuss.
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Offline JP

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2009, 09:06:02 pm »
Hive tool, knife, frame rest, of course smoker (propane torch to light), hairclip queen catcher, queen cage.


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Offline TwT

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2009, 09:28:50 pm »
smoker, hive tool and queen cage, I got a little tool box, fits in my pockets  :-D , what a load rast is carrying :roll:
THAT's ME TO THE LEFT JUST 5 MONTHS FROM NOW!!!!!!!!

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Online Michael Bush

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2009, 09:34:09 pm »
A J21 stapler and staples.  Some #8 hardware cloth.  A hammer.  Some nails from tiny to 8p.  Some 2" deck screws.  A screw driver.  Some burlap.  A lighter.  A self igniting propane torch.  Some shingle shims.  A hive tool, of course.  A smoker.  A queen catcher.  A marking tube.  A marking pen.
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Offline rast

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2009, 09:40:52 pm »
 Talk about me Twt :-D, look at what Michael is carring. Oh yeah, mine is in one of those behind the cab aluminum toolboxes on my truck. Thats just the bee stuff that is in there.
Fools argue; wise men discuss.
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Offline johnnybigfish

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2009, 10:01:51 pm »
I dont have anything in my bee box...Its scattered from one end of my land to the other...or in the kitchen...or in the computer room...or in the laundry room or on the deck....I always have to look for it if I need it !....hmmmm...its the same with all my tolls too!

your friend,
john

Offline TwT

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2009, 10:08:34 pm »
Talk about me Twt :-D, look at what Michael is carring. Oh yeah, mine is in one of those behind the cab aluminum toolboxes on my truck. Thats just the bee stuff that is in there.

I thought tool box for hives is what you carry with you when you check them, understand in a truck though but with MB post, didn't know we was talking about what we have in the shop for bee's   :shock: , that would be to much to list, he did say for checking hives in the first post MB, not for build some :-P !
THAT's ME TO THE LEFT JUST 5 MONTHS FROM NOW!!!!!!!!

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Offline Jessaboo

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2009, 10:59:52 pm »
Hive tool, gloves, brush, escape, coffee cans for burr comb and propolis. A spray bottle of sugar syrup/water (1:1) and a dentist's kit with pics, tweezers and an angled mirror. Side of hive frame holder. Frame lifter. Velcro pant leg cuff closers for when I don't have socks on to tuck into. Veil. Entrance reducer. Denver's Sting Stopper. Powdered sugar and small sieve for shakes. Usually a camera. Sometimes a notebook.

That starts to sound like a lot but I think its a pretty easy kit to carry. 

I do have a smoker and fuel but I seem not to use it that much. If I really need something I give them a little sugar water spray - it doesn't make them as angry as the smoke does.


Offline iddee

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2009, 11:05:10 pm »
a self igniting propane torch, smoker, burlap bag, or what's left of it, hive tool, for checking hives.

Now for removals, I have a truck mounted tool box full, a 5 X8 trailer with ladder rack, large tool box on trailer, all full. Two empty hives, two empty nuc boxes, and my hooded jacket behind the seat, where it stays most of the time.
"Listen to the mustn'ts, child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me . . . Anything can happen, child. Anything can be"

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Offline poka-bee

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #10 on: February 11, 2009, 11:10:02 pm »
toolbox? :? :roll: I carry my hive tool & smoker, gloves shoved in pockets... J
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Offline Brian D. Bray

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #11 on: February 12, 2009, 12:30:43 am »
I always considered a pair of bib overalls the ultimate tool box, never without it.  I can go from working the bees to building the chicken house without changing clothes or gear.   Want to Know how many times you want to use a tape measure while inspecting your newly installed packaged bees to guage comb buildup?....
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Offline JP

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #12 on: February 12, 2009, 12:33:53 am »
a self igniting propane torch, smoker, burlap bag, or what's left of it, hive tool, for checking hives.

Now for removals, I have a truck mounted tool box full, a 5 X8 trailer with ladder rack, large tool box on trailer, all full. Two empty hives, two empty nuc boxes, and my hooded jacket behind the seat, where it stays most of the time.

Hahahaha, that sounds like me


...JP
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Offline Two Bees

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #13 on: February 12, 2009, 03:53:38 pm »
Two hive tools.........always misplacing one while at the hives.
Smoker and fuel
Needle nose pliers
Push type brad nailer
Nails for frames
Wooden shims for ventilation
Duct tape.........to tape up gaps in clothing that bees could crawl into.
Rubber mallet
Frame grabber
Queen tube and markers
Tack hammer
Epi pen

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Offline BeeHopper

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #14 on: February 12, 2009, 04:17:09 pm »
Hive Tool, Smoker & Fuel, Bic Lighter.

Offline CapeCod

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #15 on: February 12, 2009, 04:22:37 pm »
Smoker,Propane Torch,Cut Up Burlap,Baby Powder,Queen Cage,Hive Tool,Bee Brush,Scissors

Offline annette

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #16 on: February 13, 2009, 01:26:49 am »
No toolbox, just a toolpail filled with hive tool, burlap and paper, propane torch, benadryl liquid, queen catcher, towel to cover the supers when inspecting, gloves, small pocket knife, frame lifter and bee brush. All I can think of at the moment.

Don't forget the Benadryl just in case!!

Offline JP

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #17 on: February 13, 2009, 01:46:57 am »
Hey Annette, get you a frame rest, you'll love it!


...JP
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Offline annette

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #18 on: February 13, 2009, 01:48:45 am »
Hey Annette, get you a frame rest, you'll love it!


...JP

I have a frame rest, but I never seem to use it for some reason. Will give it a try again.

Offline JP

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Re: What do you keep in your hive toolbox?
« Reply #19 on: February 13, 2009, 02:00:11 am »
Its great for setting frames aside while checking your hives, love 'em!


...JP
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My website JPthebeeman.com http://jpthebeeman.com