Mann Lake boxes

[casinoken]

Wanting input on all grades of Mann Lake supers and brood boxes. I gotta order some boxes and thought I might try them since they offer free shipping on orders over $100. Anyone use them? Are they good quality? What about the commercial or "el cheapos"? Just looking for some info before I order. Thanks

[wanderyr]

Can't give a complete answer; have only used their "select" boxes. I get them pre-assembled and pre-painted. The contruction is good, and so is the paint. They don't come with metal frame rests. They come packaged in individual boxes (at least when ordering 4 or less), which are handy to have around.

When I need more, I'll likely get the same ones again!

One piece of advice. If you are ordering any kit that includes a bottom board, the board will be treated with that green preservative (copper naphthenate?). I'm sure you can request it be untreated, if you wish. I have a small pile of treated bottom boards that I don't use, and it sucks to place a second order for just the bottom boards.

Take care,
wanderyr

[Charlie B]

I run 30 hives with all ML budget medium 8 frames. Good milling with knots in non crucial areas. Very consistent joint cuts. You can run 9 frames in 8 frame boxes for brood. Can't beat the price with free shipping.

[JRG13]

Stopped by them the other day and picked up two boxes select grade. Best quality I've seen so far in terms of the handle cuts as well as overall cut and quality of the wood.

[Buckybee]

I have ordered and used both grades and the budget grade works fine. The knots have all been solid and everything goes together well. Due to not being exposed to the weather year round, I use the budget grade for supers.

[BeeCurious]

casinoken,

Before ordering from Mann Lake take a look at Millers. Their commercial boxes are really nice. I ordered a couple of budget boxes to see how they compared and while there were some chipped out hand holds and cuts, there was nothing that I took the trouble fill or repair...

https://millerbeesupply.com/index.php

I asked if they could tell me how many 8-frame mediums could ship in a single box. I was put on hold for a minute or so before being told that 13 eight-frame mediums could ship as a single package so I added three boxes to the order.

[jrbbees]

Just assembled 21 deeps and 20 meds. Commercial. Very solid, well machined.

[camero7]

I just assembled 40 mill run nuc boxes. they were fine, will order more.

[CircleBee]

I've used the lowest grade ML boxes. Like others have said, they are fine quality. When I put them together I did notice on a few of them that there was what I perceived as a large gap between boxes on a side or two. Honestly though after I painted them and put them into use, I and the bees don't even notice. That free shipping is hard to beat!

[cg3]

Been making my own boxes for a while but recently, in a pinch, ordered ML budget boxes. They must have filled the order with select boxes, not a knot, great fit, improved handholds. With a large enough order, priced about what I buy wood for.

[casinoken]

I'm sure Miller makes a fine quality box. I have been ordering my boxes from Rossman to save on shipping, but shipping is still expensive. Wanted to give ML a try due to the free shipping. With prices of wooden ware relatively close industry wide, free shipping means an extra two to four boxes for the same price for my small orders.

[Lburou]

I'm sure Miller makes a fine quality box. I have been ordering my boxes from Rossman to save on shipping, but shipping is still expensive. Wanted to give ML a try due to the free shipping. With prices of wooden ware relatively close industry wide, free shipping means an extra two to four boxes for the same price for my small orders.

The free shipping makes all the difference to me too. The ML equipment I've put on the 8-frame hive is excellent, although there was a quarter of an inch difference in the width of the hive body from Rossman's and the ML super.

[BeeCurious]

Mann Lake's woodenware is 7/8" thick.

I get more boxes by paying the shipping on Miller's boxes....

[jadell]

Got a couple of deep boxes for Christmas from the father-in-law from ML. They were a little bigger than my local supplier. They still stacked, the gap just bugs me.

[the doc]

I have assembled about 40 of the mann lake select illinois (medium) supers

I have been generally very happy with them excellent quality. Last fall I did have a problem with an order as follows.

Some of the boxes were not cut properly and the sides did not match up. i wrote them about the mismatch on the boxes. They assured me they would be checking the milling more closely. Also a few of the boxes were not cut properly and were unusable.
I also wrote them about that and they more than made up the difference, sending me extra mediums for my trouble.

Their customer service was excellent!

[Beagler]

Mann Lake just ran a special on their ten frame deeps for just over nine bucks. I normally run 8 frame but have a few 10's left and could not resist. I had to purchase 11 boxes to get free shipping but where can you get 10 deep hive bodies for $99.00.

[BayHighlandBees]

Mannlake hast to be just killing the competition with the free shipping. I've ordered from them a number of times and even with free shipping, I'll receive my order pretty quick!

I had to purchase 11 boxes to get free shipping but where can you get 10 deep hive bodies for $99.00.

[Dan. NY]

I ordered from them twice now. This last order, 4 8 frame mediums, the bottom board was warped and a good size gap between the box and the board allowed bees to get in and out through it. Not good for defense I dont think, not to mention cold in the winter. I called them and they sent me a new one. Installed it and it was fine. Last weekend I super'ed and that super is also warped and there is a good size gap. I am going to call them again and have a new one shipped. I was kind of disappointed but they made good immediately, with a simple phone call and simple converstaion.

[Charlie B]

Mannlake hast to be just killing the competition with the free shipping. I've ordered from them a number of times and even with free shipping, I'll receive my order pretty quick!

Can you believe that Ollie still thinks ML is too expensive. He just uses old siding left over from his house. What a cheap ........

[Brent Bean]

Can’t comment on their boxes because I make my own, but you will need frames to go with those boxes. Mann Lake makes the best frames hands down. They have increased the frame bottom to a full ½ inch which make them very sturdy.