Fiberglass tops and bases

[Johnny253]

I am planning to get a few more hives and am considering getting fiberglass tops and bases. Has anyone had any experience with them? Are they worth going for? Does anyone know of a supplier on Australia?

[Mardak]

If you can build them yourself, they are affordable alternative. A bloke up Queensland way makes and sells them via Ebay. ($85 each I think) Not cheap but certainly outdo normal timber tops and bottoms unless the wood ware is wax dipped.

[derekm]

if its just for the weather/rot  proofing, Use epoxy resin on the wood. best done both before and after the floor , roof is assembled , then a coat of paint for UV protection. Epoxy on wood is used in modern boat building because its rot proof, water proof, long lasting and looks good.

[OzBuzz]

Or just wax dip? i'd prefer to stay as close as natural as possible personally...

[derekm]

Or just wax dip? i'd prefer to stay as close as natural as possible personally...

this threads about fibreglass epoxy coated wood is  more natural, the best of both worlds.
you use less resin and you use less wood because it doesnt rot.. Whats natural about wax dipping if the wax comes from an oil refinery? unless you  are beeswax dipping? 

[Mardak]

Valid point about where the wax comes from. The set up costs of either way versus painting the wood ware needs to considered. have seen boxes over 50 years old that were wax cooked and they are still in use today. Depends whether you want to sell on or give the gear to the next generation as to which type of treatment you use. Most fibre glass breaks down after five or so years in the sun and this probably applies to painted boxes.

[Anybrew]

I have some Plastic Hives complete with tops and bottoms and I find them great! I purchased them directly from the manufacturer and they posted them to me "Parker Hives"

Cheers
Steve

[derekm]

... Most fibre glass breaks down after five or so years in the sun and this probably applies to painted boxes.

fibreglass breaks down after 5 years I dont think so... there are a lot 25+ year old fibreglass boats around