Goldenbee suit veil??

[magnet-man]

My wife has to decide what type of veil she needs to build into her ventilated bee suits. Of the various types what do you prefer?
Square veil with helmet
Round veil with helmet
Alexander Veil
http://www.mannlakeltd.com/catalog/page66.html
Self Supporting Collapsible Veil
http://www.mannlakeltd.com/catalog/page65.html
Goldenbee type
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b78/divemaster920/100_3087.jpg

I would particularly like to hear from the Goldenbee owners if they think the collapsible veil would be better.

She is looking for input on the suit design.

[ December 10, 2006, 07:10 PM: Message edited by: magnet-man ]

[Michael Bush]

I would describe the "golden bee products" veil as an "English hood". That's what most people seem to call it.

[odfrank]

I have a hooded suit from Mann Lake which is a pain in the ***** to put on and use as the veil zipper attaches in the back. So you can't leave it detached and put it on when the bees get bad. If you work with the veil off your head, it keeps swinging around to the front when you bend over.
I also have a hooded Dadant jacket, I get stings on the chin all the time.

[betrbekepn]

I've used three styles.

Square veil with helmet
Round veil with helmet
Self Supporting Collapsible Veil

I started out with square veil with helmet. I didn't like it. I quickly purchased a round veil with helmet http://www.beeequipment.com/products.asp?pcode=704 I felt this veil was a huge improvement over the square veil in regards to visibility. Although the square veil folded up for easy storage. I'm currently using self supporting collapsible veil http://www.mannlakeltd.com/catalog/page63.html It was kind of awkward feeling at first but I like it better than everything else so far. Couple reasons: First, I hated helmets strap that adjusted to fit my head. It was annoying and not being able to reach itch or wipe sweat because of bulky helmet with veil sucked. Collapsible veil solve them issues. Also its nice to be able to quickly flip on and off collapsible veil that conveniently hangs behind head. My only complaint about Mann Lakes Honey Maker® Bee Suit veil is I have a difficult time seeing eggs. The mesh face of their veil is soft, made out of polyester or something. I believe the gauge of the polyester strands that make up mesh face are too thick making it very difficult to see eggs. Brushy Mountains round veil mesh face is made out of metal with smaller gauge metal strands making it Much Much easier to see eggs. I've never used or seen Goldenbees veil. When looking for links to answer your question I came across and new veil I've never seen before. http://go.netgrab.com/secure/kelleystore/asp/product.asp?product=121 Not quite sure what I’m looking at but it kind of looks like Goldenbees veil style. Mind you my experience is one beehive for three years. I’m sure the big boys probably have better veil reviews than I.

[ December 08, 2006, 01:43 AM: Message edited by: betrbekepn ]

[sierrabees]

I don't know what happened with the post I was just typing so I'll start over.

I like the shoulder veil that BetterBee sells. It is light weight, cool in hot weather, fast and easy to put on or take off, and I have never been stung through the veil. I use it with a long sleeved T-Shirt and you need to wear a baseball cap to keep the built-in hat from slipping down but those are the only drawbacks I have experienced.

[BerkeyDavid]

Thanks for this post and the answers. SInce I started I have been using the Mann Lake square veil that zips to the suit.

While I have finally got to the point where I am used to it I am very interested in what doug has described.

For me the ideal veil would have the following qualities, in order

1. Be Bee proof.

2. Bee easy and quick to take off or put on.

3. Bee unobtrusive (good vision)

4. Well ventilated

5. permit you to wipe the drop of sweat that is trickling down your nose.

I am thinking now of trying the shoulder veil doug describes.

[Hobie]

On a similar vein with the shoulder veil. I have the Hobbyist jacket from Betterbee:
http://www.betterbee.com/products.asp?dept=602
I find it quick and easy to put on, but with it you also need a ball cap or a sweat band to keep the one-size-fits-someone-else hat from sliding down.

[betrbekepn]

>magnet-man

I'd like to correct my earlier post stating better visibility using Brushy Mountain Round Veil with helmet compared to Mann Lakes Collapsible Veil. I'd stated I believed poor visibility was do to the thicker gauge strands making up veil mesh face but after examining my veils today I notice that it wasn't the gauge of strands, both veils mesh strands looked the same gauge, but that Brushy Mountains Round Veil Mesh has a smaller thread count. Larger holes to see through. Sorry

[ December 09, 2006, 11:31 PM: Message edited by: betrbekepn ]

[JC]

None of the above veils are my favorites. My favorite is the Mountain/Kelly jacket from Walter Kelly Co. The cloth hat is sewn to the bee veil.

http://go.netgrab.com/secure/kelleystore/asp/product.asp?product=119

[Jim Fischer]

None of the above, including the one above.

Two words: Brian Sherriff (http://www.bjsherriff.co.uk/clothing.asp).

The "S21 Bee Farmer" is all I own in the way
of "protective clothing". Everything else you
can find is nothing but a rip-off of Brian's designs.

Not cheap, but you only need to buy one per
lifetime.

[BerkeyDavid]

Jim I have to say after looking at that web site that the product does seem to meet my criteria.

Do you order it from the UK? Not sure how much that is in dollars. Hard enough around here to keep pounds and ounces straight, let alone dollars and pounds. smile.gif

The dollar has really taken a beating over the past few years so I imagine its a pretty penny. [political anti-administration rant omitted by author :D ]

[Jim Fischer]

Just send them an e-mail, and tell them what
you want to buy. They'll work it out for you.

Brian used to show up at EAS every year, but
I guess he decided that he is getting too old
for that. A pity, as he always had very kewl
beekeeping-related ties for sale when he came.

[JC]

The Brian Sheriff veil is great for working the bees. However, if you are trying to catch a high swarm, you will have to tilt your head back and the screen will be against your face. I prefer not to be in the precarious position of getting stung in the face while on a ladder!

[swarm_trapper]

definatly like the hobbiest pullover from better bee. i got one for my brother (he though he was going to work bees a lot never happend) so i use it wow it is great. and really tough im surprized i work 150 hives with it and no wear showing yet. the with the hat i would wear a baseball cap to keep it from sliding down. so that is what i like in the fall never used it in th summer yet im thinking it could get hot. in summer it is just a tee shirt and a square veil. Or one of those dress white long sleve shirts from good will when the hives are a bit more testy. very light weight and only cost a dollar or two. regards Nick

[Panhandle Bee man]

For Brian Sherrif veils try Mid Con Agri
www.mid-conagri.com (http://www.mid-conagri.com) They are the US distributor, and with the weak US dollar their prices are a lot cheaper. For example the bee farmer like Jim recommends costs $72.00 at Mid Con, and from Sherrif's it would cost $89.32.

[ December 09, 2006, 08:10 PM: Message edited by: Panhandle Bee man ]

[tarheit]

I actually prefer the 'Veil With Hat' as shown on http://www.mannlakeltd.com/catalog/page66.html
(though mine were actually from walter t kelly). It's basically a fabric hat, with a plastic tube sewn into the brim to give it support, and the veil sewn to the hat.

I think it's better supported than 'self supporting' or 'golden bee type' and thus tends not to let the veil get too close to your face, and the hat fits better and is more comfortable than the separate hat & veil types. (Plus it tends not to fall off in the wind or when I bend over. Unless the hat & veil types are adjusted to be uncomfortably tight, they tend to fall off alot.)

I've seen some new versions of the integrated fabric hat and veil that have a slightly wider brim in front to keep the veil farther fom your nose. Could be usefull, but I'm not convinced it's necessary.

I use 2 veils myself, both of the integrated hat and veil, one of which zips to a jacket, and the other just has the drawstring. I still have several of the separate hat & veil type, but I really don't use them much anymore.

-Tim

[BULLSEYE BILL]

MM,
If you had the chance to use a GBP suit you wouldn't be asking this question. It is hands down the best I have used.

The only qualm I have is the thin strip around the neck that is only one ply thick. When I get into compromising positions doing cutouts I have gotten stung while looking down or overhead. Of course I also have masses of bees crawling all over me at the time and they are getting pinned in that fold, so stinging is to be expected. It would be easy to remedy doubling the material in that area.