Unfortunately, it looks like Iwoohoo is closing down:
Most items on sale, for example
If you can pick it up at no cost, then you could say it was a…… free bee
Dah, dah, tiiisss!
Sweet deal. This has been up for a few hours already. I thought it would generate more buzz.
From what I can tell the prices are very good and quality is decent. I delt with them before, I had some issues where I hat to return some waxed plastic frames on my own expense although they were partly responsible for the stuff up.
Having said that, the quality and current sale prices are the best value you can get even compared with fleebay/ali etc.
What would be good to buy 2nd hand? Hive boxes? I'm yet to join a local bee keeping club, but this deal won't wait for me, so wondering if I should buy some things new.
I'd buy now. These prices are dirt cheap.
Second hand gear, you're risking carrying diseases like AFB.
+1
These are good prices to the point where is not worth buying 2nd hand. You wont be getting bee suit and gloves 2nd hand anyway. Boxes are likekly to be rotten or damaged, same for the frames.
I got the 3 frames plastic spinner from them, does the job, the tap seals well and it is easy to use. I got it for about $180 3 years ago. The ikea type of hardwood box is good too, easy to assemble and were solid.
@Steve90pct: Ok I was thinking of going poly because I live in cool temperate (~2C at night, down to -2C often in winter). But they have sold out in the kits. So I'll go acacia and look at insulation maybe?
Thinking of going these:
1) https://beekeeping.iwoohoo.com.au/smokers/beekeeping-essenti…
2) https://beekeeping.iwoohoo.com.au/beehives-for-sale-sydney/w…
I now need frames I think. Something like this (x10)?
https://beekeeping.iwoohoo.com.au/frames/assembled-frames/20…
Anything else?
@Corgsta: Following. Interested to know the basic starting equipment for beekeeping.
Note: the frames have a minimum order of 20 pieces ($120)
@nocrocks: Steve90pct isn't responding, and I waited but unfortunately a few items I wanted have gone OOS while I waited. So I'm biting the bullet on what I think I need to start out. I believe I need foundation sheets now, but I can probably get them easily elsewhere, even Amazon sell them.
Here's what I ordered for your ref:
* Brass Eyelets 500pcs
1 x $5.00
* Frame Wire 500g 304 Stainless Steel
1 x $8.00
* Full Depth Frames from Heavy Duty 1st Grade Pine Timber 13mm Grooved Botton Bar Flat Packed
20 x $1.00
* Double Level Full Depth Acacia Beehive, 10 Frame, No Frames. Assembled Lid & Base
1 x $79.95
* Beekeeping Essential Deal incl. Tools, Beesuit, Smoker, Gloves & more
1 x $89.95
Size: X Large
Plus $45 courier cost. I assume the hive is pretty heavy, so yeah.
I might also pick up this book: https://www.amazon.com.au/Australian-Beekeeping-Manual-preve…
I was thinking of buying a 30L stainless storage tank (with tap), but I might see if I can make do with buckets for the time being. It adds another $20 courier (on top of $75 cost - which is cheap for what it is, I had a look around at other sites, similar tanks are $100+ usually).
@Corgsta: Poly is overrated and leaves microplastics over time. Not a fan IMO.
Wood is fine and preferable, especially for those temps - if sub 10 then I might consider poly but otherwise bees will be fine.
Wood is easier to deal with such as prying open and less surface area to crush bees.
Make sure you treat the wood if you want it to last long but for the price it'll be fine raw.
@compound: Thanks compound. Yeah, I was thinking of going over it with Tung oil or something, I’ve got plenty of that at the moment. Need to look at suitable oils. It gets fairly damp over winter so yeah that plus the acacia wood for the hive should be ok for a few years.
@Corgsta: I think if I was to protect it I'll go with paraffin wax dip.
Not that expensive either if you're doing a few boxes.
https://www.aussiecandlesupplies.com.au/products/paraffin-pi…
I'll probably pick up an electric extractor but I think the price in person is a bit different because web is not updated.
Also with the unassembled frames - they're not straight forward to put together and installing wax onto them requires a learning curve. I would go buying them straight off or going with quality plastic frames that you can wax yourself.
What do they sting you for shipping?
Unbeelievable deal
Thanks, just looking to get into beekeeping. Might have a look at second hand stuff too.