Okay where to start?
I have read all of the reviews for this hive and realized some people are either confused, or just don't understand wood joinery. I see people complaining the miter joints don't line up correctly. These are not miter joints, they are dove tail joints and they are supposed to be extremely tight, hence the need for a rubber mallet to set them correctly. See how they kinda' look like little dove tails?
Unfortunately our Chinese friends aren't really that great at cutting these joints and some of them are actually looser then they should be. I'm guessing this is why they sent along a bag of nails which you should NEVER need when working with properly cut dove tail joints.
So let's jump right in. The fit of 95% of the dove tail joints were very good, the other five percent are just too loose and you will need some sort of fastener. Speaking of fasteners they send you a bag of nails . . . throw those in the trash.
Any wood working project worth doing requires screws, and this is a project which requires screws. Remember this is going to be outdoors year round and variations in temperature will cause the nails to pop, and back right out of their holes. Eventually the whole thing will loosen up and get wobbly. Screws solve this problem forever.
The directions tell you to drill pilot holes, if you're going to bother drilling pilot holes you should put screws in them NOT nails. Also you only need screws on one side of the joints, always drill through the wide side of the dove tail not the thin side.
That being said, some of the parts come pre-assembled, the base, the inside lid, and the outside lid. Again our Chinese friends cheaped out and used staples to fasten these together. Fortunately their cheapness works to our advantage. On all the pre-assembled parts anywhere you see a staple is a perfect place to drill a pilot hole and sink a screw.
Yeah I know you're saying 'damn that seems like a lot of work" but trust me when you can take a cheaply made product like this and turn it into a solid product it's worth the time.
The last thing I want to address is the top cover. It's well made (it needs screws) however I did notice they soldered the corners to make it water tight but they didn't get the very top of the corner (see the pics), I'll probably hit them with a dot of solder just to close up the hole.
All in all, its a good kit provided you are willing to put in the work to make it a great kit. I gave it a five because I was able to work with it and turn it into a great kit. If you don't want to go to all the trouble, then spend the extra few bucks and buy an American made kit.
Hope this review helps.
Oh and I used Power-Pro Outdoor Wood Screws 8 x 1-3/4
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Product Description
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Complete KitWith our Langstroth beehive kit you will have all the elements needed to start and keep a successful bee colony. The 2-tier design has 1 deep hive body box for your colony to live in and 1 medium super box to collect surplus honey. The frames for both boxes are included as well as a queen excluder that will keep the queen from going into the super box. |
Top to Bottom ProtectionThe telescoping galvanized metal cover and bottom board work together to protect your beehive and colony from the elements. The bottom board also keeps the hive and entrance directly off the damp ground. Both components will help in extending the life of your wooden hive. |
20 Frames & FoundationsTen deep brood frames & ten medium super frames are included with this Langstroth beehive kit. The frames are made from solid wood and the beeswax coated plastic hexagonal foundations help support honeycomb. |
Be a BEE-liever
Bees are such a vital part of our lives, whether we realize it or not. Every day we do or see something that’s directly related to bee pollination - from the food we eat to the flowers we stop and smell. With the population of bees on a decline it’s up to us to help ensure they thrive once more. Here at Honey Keeper our main goal is to provide a wide array of products to not only help bees, but to ensure their colonies thrive. Whether you’re just starting in the hobby or have a fully functioning apiary, we have products for every aspect of beekeeping - from protective clothing & hives to maintenance & honey extraction tools. With Honey Keeper you’ll be able to keep and expand colonies of bees in no time. Make your mark in the world and BEE the change you want to see.
Customer Questions & Answers
Customer reviews
Okay where to start?I have read all of the reviews for this hive and realized some people are either confused, or just don't understand wood joinery. I see people complaining the miter joints don't line up correctly. These are not miter joints, they are dove tail joints and they are supposed to be extremely tight, hence the need for a rubber mallet to set them correctly. See how they kinda' look like little dove tails?Unfortunately our Chinese friends aren't really that great at cutting these joints and some of them are actually looser then they should be. I'm guessing this is why they sent along a bag of nails which you should NEVER need when working with properly cut dove tail joints.So let's jump right in. The fit of 95% of the dove tail joints were very good, the other five percent are just too loose and you will need some sort of fastener. Speaking of fasteners they send you a bag of nails . . . throw those in the trash.Any wood working project worth doing requires screws, and this is a project which requires screws. Remember this is going to be outdoors year round and variations in temperature will cause the nails to pop, and back right out of their holes. Eventually the whole thing will loosen up and get wobbly. Screws solve this problem forever.The directions tell you to drill pilot holes, if you're going to bother drilling pilot holes you should put screws in them NOT nails. Also you only need screws on one side of the joints, always drill through the wide side of the dove tail not the thin side.That being said, some of the parts come pre-assembled, the base, the inside lid, and the outside lid. Again our Chinese friends cheaped out and used staples to fasten these together. Fortunately their cheapness works to our advantage. On all the pre-assembled parts anywhere you see a staple is a perfect place to drill a pilot hole and sink a screw.Yeah I know you're saying 'damn that seems like a lot of work" but trust me when you can take a cheaply made product like this and turn it into a solid product it's worth the time.The last thing I want to address is the top cover. It's well made (it needs screws) however I did notice they soldered the corners to make it water tight but they didn't get the very top of the corner (see the pics), I'll probably hit them with a dot of solder just to close up the hole.All in all, its a good kit provided you are willing to put in the work to make it a great kit. I gave it a five because I was able to work with it and turn it into a great kit. If you don't want to go to all the trouble, then spend the extra few bucks and buy an American made kit.Hope this review helps.Oh and I used Power-Pro Outdoor Wood Screws 8 x 1-3/4
Images in this review
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on March 27, 2019
Okay where to start?
I have read all of the reviews for this hive and realized some people are either confused, or just don't understand wood joinery. I see people complaining the miter joints don't line up correctly. These are not miter joints, they are dove tail joints and they are supposed to be extremely tight, hence the need for a rubber mallet to set them correctly. See how they kinda' look like little dove tails?
Unfortunately our Chinese friends aren't really that great at cutting these joints and some of them are actually looser then they should be. I'm guessing this is why they sent along a bag of nails which you should NEVER need when working with properly cut dove tail joints.
So let's jump right in. The fit of 95% of the dove tail joints were very good, the other five percent are just too loose and you will need some sort of fastener. Speaking of fasteners they send you a bag of nails . . . throw those in the trash.
Any wood working project worth doing requires screws, and this is a project which requires screws. Remember this is going to be outdoors year round and variations in temperature will cause the nails to pop, and back right out of their holes. Eventually the whole thing will loosen up and get wobbly. Screws solve this problem forever.
The directions tell you to drill pilot holes, if you're going to bother drilling pilot holes you should put screws in them NOT nails. Also you only need screws on one side of the joints, always drill through the wide side of the dove tail not the thin side.
That being said, some of the parts come pre-assembled, the base, the inside lid, and the outside lid. Again our Chinese friends cheaped out and used staples to fasten these together. Fortunately their cheapness works to our advantage. On all the pre-assembled parts anywhere you see a staple is a perfect place to drill a pilot hole and sink a screw.
Yeah I know you're saying 'damn that seems like a lot of work" but trust me when you can take a cheaply made product like this and turn it into a solid product it's worth the time.
The last thing I want to address is the top cover. It's well made (it needs screws) however I did notice they soldered the corners to make it water tight but they didn't get the very top of the corner (see the pics), I'll probably hit them with a dot of solder just to close up the hole.
All in all, its a good kit provided you are willing to put in the work to make it a great kit. I gave it a five because I was able to work with it and turn it into a great kit. If you don't want to go to all the trouble, then spend the extra few bucks and buy an American made kit.
Hope this review helps.
Oh and I used Power-Pro Outdoor Wood Screws 8 x 1-3/4
I have read all of the reviews for this hive and realized some people are either confused, or just don't understand wood joinery. I see people complaining the miter joints don't line up correctly. These are not miter joints, they are dove tail joints and they are supposed to be extremely tight, hence the need for a rubber mallet to set them correctly. See how they kinda' look like little dove tails?
Unfortunately our Chinese friends aren't really that great at cutting these joints and some of them are actually looser then they should be. I'm guessing this is why they sent along a bag of nails which you should NEVER need when working with properly cut dove tail joints.
So let's jump right in. The fit of 95% of the dove tail joints were very good, the other five percent are just too loose and you will need some sort of fastener. Speaking of fasteners they send you a bag of nails . . . throw those in the trash.
Any wood working project worth doing requires screws, and this is a project which requires screws. Remember this is going to be outdoors year round and variations in temperature will cause the nails to pop, and back right out of their holes. Eventually the whole thing will loosen up and get wobbly. Screws solve this problem forever.
The directions tell you to drill pilot holes, if you're going to bother drilling pilot holes you should put screws in them NOT nails. Also you only need screws on one side of the joints, always drill through the wide side of the dove tail not the thin side.
That being said, some of the parts come pre-assembled, the base, the inside lid, and the outside lid. Again our Chinese friends cheaped out and used staples to fasten these together. Fortunately their cheapness works to our advantage. On all the pre-assembled parts anywhere you see a staple is a perfect place to drill a pilot hole and sink a screw.
Yeah I know you're saying 'damn that seems like a lot of work" but trust me when you can take a cheaply made product like this and turn it into a solid product it's worth the time.
The last thing I want to address is the top cover. It's well made (it needs screws) however I did notice they soldered the corners to make it water tight but they didn't get the very top of the corner (see the pics), I'll probably hit them with a dot of solder just to close up the hole.
All in all, its a good kit provided you are willing to put in the work to make it a great kit. I gave it a five because I was able to work with it and turn it into a great kit. If you don't want to go to all the trouble, then spend the extra few bucks and buy an American made kit.
Hope this review helps.
Oh and I used Power-Pro Outdoor Wood Screws 8 x 1-3/4
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on November 29, 2016
Just finished my assembly of one of the two hives I ordered. Aside from smashing my thumb with my rubber mallet and my regular hammer...hehehe I was able to assemble one in about 2 hours...or so. Per instructions, I DID use Titebond Premium glue in every joint of the hive bodies' dove tails and also my frames. The frames come with the foundations and I am going to split those into 2" strips. Lots of sites/videos suggest beeswax foundations and even using a paint stick. The foundations have one size cells and that makes it harder for the drone cells to be drawn. I also purchased 2 extra deep bodies in preparation of expansion. The medium bodies will be for honey production...maybe. I am also building a large 3 hive stand. I added the image for those who might want to try it. I'm using 2x6 lumber. Also 4x4 posts. 5 - 8foot 2x6 and 2 - 8 foot posts. Too heavy to move assembled, I have it with 4 legs and single screws to support the hives until they are complete. Then I will take it out in pieces and finish the assembly. My bees are set for me to pick up in April 2017. 2 nucs of italian bees.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on April 2, 2019
Very poor quality wood for the boxes. I'm no novice to boxes, bee keeping, or wood working. I caught so many swarms this year that I was one box short, and felt this might fill the gap until I can build more. I can build a deep for 12-14$ depending on lumber prices... This deep and the other box are both covered in knots, tare out, and jointed boards. The quality wood that I could make for a couple dollars.
These are a recipe for disaster. Here is what will happen with most of those knots, once a few months go by and the temperature and moisture change, it will cause these knots to fall out. Worse some of these nots are on the dovetails! That is a slap in the face to any quality wood working.
The wood that was glued together also has started splitting. It looks like they used tongue and groove joinery, but did so with wood that wasn't dry.
Some of the dovetails slots are too tight, you need to shave the wood some for them to fit.
The inner cover, telescope lid, and bottom board look to be good quality. These boxes are not.
These are a recipe for disaster. Here is what will happen with most of those knots, once a few months go by and the temperature and moisture change, it will cause these knots to fall out. Worse some of these nots are on the dovetails! That is a slap in the face to any quality wood working.
The wood that was glued together also has started splitting. It looks like they used tongue and groove joinery, but did so with wood that wasn't dry.
Some of the dovetails slots are too tight, you need to shave the wood some for them to fit.
The inner cover, telescope lid, and bottom board look to be good quality. These boxes are not.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on July 24, 2017
Top reviews from other countries
Greg Fitzpatrick
Not yet assembled, but impressive quality, craftsmanship and packaging.
Reviewed in Canada on February 22, 2019
