Mr. Coates,
Good morning. I have been wanted to commend you on your 5 frame nuc design. I am just starting out in beekeeping and have been trying to figure out what I consider to be "best practice" equipment. I made four of your nucs and they turned out great! I even went a step further and made Michael Bush's feeder tray to fit the nuc. Very slick.
Looking at your profile and reading your posts, you and I are very close in age, and it appears that you have a jump start on me in queen rearing.
My 11 year old son and I were unable to get any bees this year so I decided this would be our learning and prep year, and next year we'll get our packages. Then it is onto queen rearing.
Take Care.
Mike Miller
Clifton, NJ