I just ordered 40 -8 frame deep box's from Mann Lake with of course FREE shipping. My shipping info was emailed to me stating my order was 327.4 LBS!
I had ordered 20 of the budget 8 frame deeps a couple weeks ago to see what the quality was. You tell me.
I think the quality of their budgets are better than their selects a few years ago. They use to have hand holds that were consistantly blown out on one side from ether a dull blade or were shoved through too fast.
The only thing thay do that drives me crazy is they have these great sales. I hate to buy too much before it may come on sale, but then if I wait the price may go up! I picked up 60 budget deeps and 60 shallow box's for a great price a few months ago. $8.50 for the deep 10 frames box's, $5.75 for the medium supers and the quality was just as good.
I give Man Lake a thumbs up on quality and customer service:applause:
I also appreciate Mann Lake's equipment. They are my sole source except for the rare item they do not carry. Whether or not their quality is affected by the fact that they are employee owned I am not sure, but I appreciate that facet as well.
If I recall correctly they have a sale on extractors around Christmas every year. They won't confirm that they'll do it again this year. I'm nervously waiting...
I second your opinion on the improved quality of their budget boxes.
I'm very happy with Mann Lake.
I have a love hate relationship with the Bee-Blast e-mails.
Ex. I really hope they have boxes on sale again just please not before Christmas!
I too order most of my stuff from Mann Lake. But not boxes anymore. I started using Shastina Millworks out of Oregon this year at $7.50 per box. Very happy with quality and delivered in 2 days.
Every thing else comes from Mann Lake.
@redhat- I'm not really the person to ask. My first year, with 3 hives, I used a plastic 2 frame extractor. It worked OK but by year 2, with 8 hives, I rented our bee club extractor, a 3 frame beater. It was better, but not great. This year, with 18 hives, I borrowed a Mann Lake 4 frame extractor and loved it. Still, it's a long, slow, sweaty process. I'd love to go motorized but it's not in the budget right now.
My point would be that you're always going to want the next step up, get the best you can afford. Alternately, rent or borrow.
I love ordering from Mann Lake but will not order any more boxes unless they conform the size to match those available from Dadant and most other suppliers.
I order alot from Mann Lake, but can't understand why the plastic bears in the bulk don't come under free shipping when boxes, frames, foundation, ect does, and they are alot heavier??
I just spoke with Ed @ Mann Lake, he was a nice guy and very helpful. I ordered 100 deep frames unassembled, and 100 medium frames unassembled. They look great, and FREE SHIPPING over 100$. This is my first time assembling these frames, they almost square themselves up as you glue and staple they together. I dont have a jig but im gonna do about 20 or so a day. It didnt really take me that long. Im SUPER happy with them, and thats where im going to buy my supplies from here on out. Free shipping is the deal breaker. Great quality frames
What else do you do in the middle of winter in Minnesota. Build frames and supers. I mixed budget and classic and found little difference other than a knot or two I had to be aware of before nailing. With a couple of wood clamps I could correct a bow or square up a box without any problem. But I really did not have to because even the quality of the budget was outstanding. The frames assembled without a hitch. Above freezing for the first time in 6 weeks or so. Might be time to visit the hives, take inventory and plan my next purchase.
I saw that before I posted. I just want to make sure everyone understands that buying SELECT boxes from Mann Lake is the way to go. It's totally worth paying double or more.
Not sure but in another forum I use if you place this symbol "@" directly ahead of a members name they get a notification.
It won't work on names like mine that have a space in them.
@bbvineyard. (like that)
I bought a 5 pack of deeps and a 5 pack of mediums a few weeks ago. I got the "commercial" ones and out of 10 boxes there were only 3-4 very small & insignificant knots. I was very pleased with the quality.
Next time I'll try the budget ones.
Prices have gone up on many items in four years. I previously have only purchase at Mann Lake, but in the future I'll be checking out some of the other suppliers.
I did get some really good deals on their sales though. Glad I bought when I did. Glad I fabricate as much as I do. You can probably see my equipment projects are also a source of entertainment. And yes, those are budget deeps.
Two things that have not gone up in the last couple years are unassembled frames and Bee Pro. I'll be stocking up during the sale, as I would expect those prices to also rise at some point. The worst item for me was the brewers yeast. I paid about $49. with free shipping a few years ago. Today a single bag will cost just over $100. with shipping charges. I feed more dry free choice BeePro than I use to and less wet patties partly because of that.
When I started beekeeping I wondered how Mann Lake could offer free shipping and still beat other supplier prices. I figured it wouldn't last and unfortunately I was right. Still there are deals to be had. I just ordered 75 telescoping covers with inner covers for just under $22.00 with free shipping on their latest sale. That was a very good deal considering the pallet was probably about 600 # or more.
I enjoy watching you build those creations Lauri. I could tell you what will go wrong with that particular one, but since I went through my "build strange creations" phase 40 years ago, I think I'll let you find out on your own.
It still needs flashing over the door and a cover to block the light. I'm trying to get a hive like the one shown below that is more manageable and superable. There's a couple things I'll be looking out for as they build, one of the reasons for the side access door. I can intervene if necessary before they make a mess.
I just picked up two of their 10 frame Growing apiary kits that were $65 off each last week. Pretty happy with them so far. Started painting everything and the only knot was on the underside of the bottom board. Free shipping is awesome!
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