PeskySquirrel
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Location: Wisconsin
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« on: March 17, 2008, 10:52:03 AM » |
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The amount of protective clothing a beekeeper wears seems to be as varied as the opinions about which type of top feeding works best. I'm a newbee and I don't want to wear (or purchase) more than I need, but I'm wondering what everyone wears for protective clothing. How 'bout a quick poll? What protective clothing do you wear when you work your bees?
A. Nothing
B. Hat and Veil
C. Jacket + Hat and Veil
D. Full suit + Hat and Veil
1. I also wear Gloves
2. I don't wear Gloves
Right now I'm set up with "B2" (that is, Hat and Veil and no Gloves). I'm wondering if I should also invest in a jacket or suit.
This might be a silly question. Maybe the answer isn't so simple, and it varies based on the time of year, the activity of the bees, weather, food stores, etc. Anyway I'd love to hear everyone's opinions.
Thank you.
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Bennettoid
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« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2008, 10:55:12 AM » |
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I have a black and yellow striped tshirt and matching pants I wear at the hives.
Black and yellow suits a fellow.
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« Last Edit: March 17, 2008, 12:36:04 PM by Bennettoid »
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the kid
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« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2008, 11:30:36 AM » |
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try going to menardes or homedepot and buy a paint suit ,,one of those paper ones ,, thats what a lot of keepers are useing for bee suits ,, you have the vail so try a paper suit ,if it dont work for you your only out 6 bucks and you can use the suit some other time... you will find the girls more in the stinging mood ,in the fall when they are protecting stores ,,,
the kid
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randydrivesabus
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« Reply #3 on: March 17, 2008, 11:39:52 AM » |
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i use a jacket hat veil and sometimes nitrile gloves. if i am digging in i go with the gloves. when i get stung i swell up and i don't want the temporary inability to use my hands.
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KONASDAD
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« Reply #4 on: March 17, 2008, 11:47:49 AM » |
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I try to use nothing but smoke. I own a veil and gloves and use occassionally. I am pricing out a jacket, as my apiary is expanding which means I need to do work on hives even when they are testy. As a hobbiest, if they are having a bad day, i get beer and leave them be. I come back another day. W/ expansion, I will be losing this luxury.
I hate bees in my face, and they seem to like me too.
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"The more complex the Mind, the Greater the need for the simplicity of Play".
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bassman1977
"King Bee"
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« Reply #5 on: March 17, 2008, 11:48:41 AM » |
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I'm protected head to toe when I got out there.  |
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(\__/)
(='.'=)
(''')_(''')
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shawnwri
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« Reply #6 on: March 17, 2008, 12:14:58 PM » |
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Depends on the season. Honey harvest (full suit, veil, boots, and gloves) but I do a primative form of harvest by just opening the hive and shaking the bees off the frames. Early sping with a new package, just a veil.
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annette
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« Reply #7 on: March 17, 2008, 12:18:10 PM » |
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I admit that I am a wimp when it comes to bee stings. I dress up head to toe with all protective gear. D1 is the answer for me
Annette
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asciibaron
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« Reply #8 on: March 17, 2008, 12:34:23 PM » |
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i picked up a jacket with attached veil - i figure it has the best chance of minimizing the number of bees that get in the veil and the jacket will protect my arms. i didn't want a jump siut since it gets pretty humid in Maryland come August.
-Steve
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Scadsobees
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« Reply #9 on: March 17, 2008, 12:35:14 PM » |
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Whewwee! Tried it once with just a veil and gloves....by time the hubbub died down, and I got the charges dropped, the stings had faded away! The neighbors still won't talk to me, and my wife was furious for a long time. Since then I make sure I have pants and a shirt on too...  |
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Rick
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dlmarti
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« Reply #10 on: March 17, 2008, 12:38:50 PM » |
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Nothing until recently, now a veil. oh, and my socks.  |
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bberry
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Playing with wool is good for your soul
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« Reply #11 on: March 17, 2008, 12:52:47 PM » |
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I really like the pull over veil/shirt combo-it is easy on easy off. Gloves are good as girls can be (as all us girls) moody. make sure you get the ankle straps tho' if you go with just pants as those lil buggers like to climb up your legs.
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indypartridge
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« Reply #12 on: March 17, 2008, 01:06:25 PM » |
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Usually B1: Hat & veil, no gloves. I picked up a few white shirts at the thrift store that I wear. I usually take gloves with me - just in case the girls are a bit testy. I also have a couple of those paper-painter outfits that I've used when I've had to do extensive manipulation on a day when the girls are extra grouchy.
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annette
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« Reply #13 on: March 17, 2008, 01:16:20 PM » |
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I really like the pull over veil/shirt combo-it is easy on easy off. Gloves are good as girls can be (as all us girls) moody. make sure you get the ankle straps tho' if you go with just pants as those lil buggers like to climb up your legs.
Where did you purchase yours and what is the exact brand/type etc. Thanks Annette |
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Shawn
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« Reply #14 on: March 17, 2008, 01:36:33 PM » |
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Well after the last little bee got me I stopped by the ER to see the doctor that I ordered a hive for. I showed him my popeye arm and he said I am a good canidate for extreme allergic reaction to the next. I guess Ill be wearing my complete English suit, gloves and boots.
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poka-bee
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« Reply #15 on: March 17, 2008, 01:38:04 PM » |
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Nothing until recently, now a veil. oh, and my socks. Hee Hee now that makes for an interesting Far-Side type picture in my sick little mind!! Wouldn't get too warm that way! Sorry!  |
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I'm covered in Beeesssss! Eddie Izzard
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tillie
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« Reply #16 on: March 17, 2008, 02:00:02 PM » |
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D1 for me - suit, zipon veil and hat, gloves, socks tennis shoes. I've just ordered some Dadant kid sized gloves because I'm tired of having an extra 1 1/2 inch of finger in my old gloves - tired of being an awkward, well-covered beekeeper!
Linda T well-covered in Atlanta
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Mici
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« Reply #17 on: March 17, 2008, 02:40:07 PM » |
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B2
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beesbeesbees
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« Reply #18 on: March 17, 2008, 03:11:15 PM » |
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B - hat and veil
2 - no gloves (too clumsy with gloves on.)
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sean
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« Reply #19 on: March 17, 2008, 03:34:46 PM » |
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jacket with the attached veil, no gloves. Dont think anybody in jamaica goes into an apiary without at least their veil. Well except for those ignoramuses who think thwey can pop the top and retreat before the bees get them., of course with the 1st sting they stop running and start flapping their arms. You know what happens next. The rest of the posse arrives  |
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reinbeau
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« Reply #20 on: March 17, 2008, 05:58:12 PM » |
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Full beesuit here, the veil is attached, and gloves. That's if I'm doing the 'going in'. If Greg is doing it, he's in full body armor and I stand off to the side - but I'll get close, hold a frame, etc. without any protective gear.
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 - Ann, A Gardening Beek - ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ  |
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steveouk
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A Brit living in the USA
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« Reply #21 on: March 17, 2008, 07:37:39 PM » |
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it will be C2. In may i have to do a photoshoot for a magazine i take photos for. Another Photographer is taking all the photos as we are using there studio however part of the shoot is a themed shoot, we can dress up in anything we like. My wife suggested my bee outfeet, so going to do that !
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Brian D. Bray
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« Reply #22 on: March 17, 2008, 09:03:37 PM » |
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Nothing until recently, now a veil. oh, and my socks. And what did your neighbors think? Wearing nothing while working your bees. You must know that Beekeepers are already thought of as loony and now you have to do it naked--or did I miss read that? LOL :p :p |
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Life is a school. What have you learned?  The greatest danger to our society is apathy, vote in every election! |
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poka-bee
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« Reply #23 on: March 17, 2008, 09:05:51 PM » |
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It will be on the next cover of "nudist weekly"!! |
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I'm covered in Beeesssss! Eddie Izzard
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Sir Stungalot
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« Reply #24 on: March 17, 2008, 09:53:51 PM » |
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The whole she-bang! Top to bottom, covered up as well as I can stand.
It is a very sexy look...dirty, wax and gunk covered suit- veil with many holes all sewed up with bright white string, gloves ripped out at the wrists now held togeather with duct tape.
The chicks go crazy for me dressed like that. Then again, it could be my smoke&sweat cologne....huhmm...
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Kimbrell
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« Reply #25 on: March 17, 2008, 10:30:26 PM » |
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I wear the full "moon suit" and gloves. I have the kind where the veil zips onto the suit. It works really well as long as you remember to zip the hood on all the way. I left about a half inch open last year and of course one of the girls found her way in! It's a little difficult to get the veil unzipped from the suit with one hand while you're squeezing a bee with the other! it also get awfully hot in August in that suit. I would also like to know where bberry found the pull over veil/shirt. Sounds like it might be a little cooler...
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CTbeeman
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« Reply #26 on: March 17, 2008, 10:40:30 PM » |
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Inspector jacket and nirtile gloves
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If it isn't broken, don't try to fix it.
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Jerrymac
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« Reply #27 on: March 17, 2008, 10:53:03 PM » |
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Full body armor. You never know what might happen. Drop a frame of bees or a whole box. Or perhaps they are just a wee bit testy one day.
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beekeeperookie
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« Reply #28 on: March 18, 2008, 08:22:24 AM » |
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I wear the the english suit, no gloves.
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Sean Kelly
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I Pick; Therefore I Grin
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« Reply #29 on: March 18, 2008, 09:14:07 AM » |
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Depends on the mood of my bugs mostly.
Usually I go in with the "Premium Zippered suit w/round vale" from Betterbee and gloves (cant stand stings on my hands + I'm a banjo picker and it's hard to play after getting stung there).
If its nice hot weather, I just go in with t-shirt, shorts, my old trusty square folding vale, and gloves.
Sean Kelly
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"My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste" - Proverbs 24:13
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suprstakr
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« Reply #30 on: March 18, 2008, 09:59:22 AM » |
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Depends on the work to be done. Just veil ---- peek in hive ( I got head bumping Russians ) Jacket and veil for super removal or adding . Gollden Bee Suit for everything else. Gloves as needed . |
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BeeHopper
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« Reply #31 on: March 18, 2008, 10:22:22 AM » |
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Coveralls Hat Veil Nitrile gloves |
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DennisB
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« Reply #32 on: March 18, 2008, 10:54:44 AM » |
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Jacket with veil and gloves. My old blue jeans do fine on my legs. So far only had one go up the pants .
DennisB
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tbeddy
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« Reply #33 on: March 18, 2008, 02:49:40 PM » |
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A veil, jeans and a short sleeve shirt, in late summer and fall I wear a London Fog overcoat from the Thrift store ($3.00) and bee gloves.
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bberry
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Playing with wool is good for your soul
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« Reply #34 on: March 18, 2008, 04:34:34 PM » |
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Annette-I ripped out the tag so i don't know the exact brand but it cost $75 at my local bee supply store. Here is a link for dadant, can't believe they are more expensive-usually my local store is https://www.dadant.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=34_64&products_id=584 |
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poka-bee
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« Reply #35 on: March 18, 2008, 05:36:18 PM » |
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Anette, thats what I got too, the tag just says CE? It was at my local store for $69, I was shocked cause I'd been shopping online. If they are still on sale I'm gonna pick a Large up for my daughter & as a spare for anyone coming over. looking for the tag I just noticed that the veil/hat zips off! Woo Hoo! Glad I noticed before I actually have to manipulate bees for any length of time!
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I'm covered in Beeesssss! Eddie Izzard
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annette
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« Reply #36 on: March 18, 2008, 09:21:18 PM » |
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Thanks, I think I am going to treat myself to this outfit, because getting those full suited coveralls on is a pain and very, very hot. How stingproof would this outfit be if I wore it over heavy jeans, and wore my high rubber boots?  Thanks for the info. Annette My husband will have a fit when he sees the price, but oh well!!! |
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Michael Bush
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« Reply #37 on: March 18, 2008, 09:26:56 PM » |
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In cool weather, a jacket with a zip on "English" style hood and a pair of leather driving gloves tucked into the sleeves of the jacket. Jeans (usually faded, sometimes a bit "holey"), boots. In hot weather, a Golden Bee Products suit with just shorts on under it.
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JP
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« Reply #38 on: March 18, 2008, 11:30:35 PM » |
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Jacket with zippered veil from Dadant, about $45.00. Get it 2-3 sizes bigger so its roomy. I wear long Khaki pants with this set up, works great.
...JP
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Bennettoid
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« Reply #39 on: March 19, 2008, 09:35:25 AM » |
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Here's my outfit:  |
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qa33010
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« Reply #40 on: March 20, 2008, 01:44:33 AM » |
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I learned my lesson and go fully covered. Not because I have hot bees, but because I have a tendency to hack them off by blundering somehow or I may pick the wrong day or time of day to get in. I do not wear gloves anymore but they are with me if I need them. Same with a smoker... it's there, ready, if I need it. The bees seem to leave my hands alone ... kow!!! For now anyway. Since my clothes are home made I will drop to a just a jacket with attached hood, when I can afford it.  UUUhhhh D2... |
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Everyone said it couldn't be done. But he with a chuckle replied, "I won't be one to say it is so, until I give it a try." So he buckled right in with a trace of a grin. If he had a worry he hid it and he started to sing as he tackled that thing that couldn't be done, and he did it. (unknown)
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