The Flow Hive 2 Bee Hive unboxing, How to put a Flow Hive Together step by step.

[@FrederickDunn]

UPDATE: after receiving a few comments and an e-mail from viewers, I did put an exterior finish on the FlowHive 2 and though the exterior Helmsman Spar Urethane (exterior) finish I used is clear, the FL2 is now VERY dark in color and just in time for the rains to hit us. You can now barely see my pyrographics on the box and that's ok... See the finish I used here: EXPENSIVE!!! amzn.to/2JpY0Qt

[@james-57264]

Hi

[@lipanescu]

how u winterize the flow hive?

[@skeetorkiftwon]

That's a far cry from the first one you got.

[@timothylewicki7381]

Hey Frederick, I have the same hive and have yet to put it out. What was the reason for applying the urethane? And what do you think about clear water based polyurethane?

[@Joesmith-fu4ps]

I've been a carpenter, woodworker, maintenance person for 50 years. Helmsman is CRAP and you live to regret using it. Of course you don't believe me so go to some woodworking site like www.lumberjocks.com/forums.......and ask what they think.

[@bradgoliphant]

Thank you so much. I also wanted to give you a huge shoutout of gratitude for single handedly being such an incredible mentor to me. I feel like I'm getting closer to being one myself and passing it on. Along with you generous help, I got my first FlowHive2 through it first season thriving--and I mean thriving. They are still packing in the honey on my super!! And zero SHBs and Zero Varroa!!!! I'm truly grateful for all you do for me and for everyone. Your an incredible teacher Frederick, and I feel blessed having known you. Brad--a fan.

[@FrederickDunn]

That's a great report Brad! I hope they manage winter well.

[@RaySarasin]

I took 21 boxes to the local school and let the Art class go crazy on them no restrictions and wow you should see the results each one was different. Looking forward to putting them out this year cheers

[@FrederickDunn]

That was a great idea Ray!

[@charlesdeens8927]

Boxes look great. Excellent presentation. Flow Hive should make this their official demo vid.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much! :)

[@johnnixon1026]

night and day over the older offerings. nice to see a company putting money back into what they make. thank you for this professional presentation

[@RunningWithSauce]

Saw the best comment ever regarding anything beekeeping not being natural: "When it comes to natural bee keeping, I remember something I heard from an old bee keeper who had more years in bee keeping than most people have been alive. He said there is nothing natural about bees living in a wooden box."

[@FrederickDunn]

A solid truth...

[@williamcarpenter569]

I am more and more enthralled with each additional video I watch. Thank you so much. My wife and I are moving to "higher ground" and I can't wait to get settled and get to work (with the bees).

[@si_vis_amari_ama]

Just a note; the timber is not Australian Cedar per se, it may be cedar grown in Australia, but Australian Red Cedar (Toona Ciliata) is a precious furniture timber and would not be used on a flow hive. The timber used is Western Red Cedar, native to the NW of America.

[@FrederickDunn]

You are correct, I did misunderstand the origin of the cedar for these hives, they are indeed from the United States. :)

[@vernonhuffman3595]

Beautiful. Mine arrives this week. So excited. Thank your sharing.

[@FrederickDunn]

That's great, I hope it works out well for you and your honey bees :)

[@artjunkie19]

i love the way you personalize your bee hives with your artwork. thanks for your video. I really like all the updates so this will be my next bee hive.

[@FrederickDunn]

That's great Mary Ann... thank you so much! I do enjoy burniing images onto my hives :)

[@montewhite9677]

Fred, thanks for your video’s. I just received my first flow hive, and I am putting it together. I am brand new to beekeeping. I am planning on doing one flow hive and one traditional langstroth hive. My primary goal is to learn about bees and increase the population. Honey will be secondary. Anyway I better get started.

[@FrederickDunn]

Welcome to my Channel Monte and I wish you all the best with your hives and bees :)

[@jeremylemaster6357]

Hi Fredrick, I got mine at the beginning of last week too. Having one of each now I can say that I feel the 2.0 version is inch better as well. However one thing I did notice and I’m sure you did too, was that in the instructions it shows both the brood box and the flow super having observation windows. Mine only has these windows on the super as well. I did coat mine in in tung oil and it looks great. That’s a great idea to use the mason jars with the top on them, for harvesting. This is my first year keeping bees and I’m already having a lot of fun and have actually been lucky enough to be able to split one of my hives because I actually had one hive with two laying queens! Really weird, but one of them now has a new home now with some frames of capped brood and stores. Well thanks for the good videos, good luck this year!!

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Jeremy... hmmm, I was part of the pre-release review of the FH2 and originally the plan was to have a window included in the brood box. That was later abandoned and the windows are just on the super as you've mentioned. I guess the cover image for the plans as well as the brood box assembly pages still have the side windows included. I'm not sure if the plans will ultimately be changed to reflect a plain box, or if the boxes that come later on will have the additional windows. I'm perfectly fine with the brood boxes being solid, but you're right, the pans show a very different box design.

[@jeremylemaster6357]

I agree! I really thought about how much heat loss there would be through those cutouts during the winter time. In theory you could insulate the heck out of it and mitigate it.... but I think that realistically it’s better off with only having the window in the super.

[@FrederickDunn]

Agreed.

[@darcksage1]

This new flow hive looks a lot better than the first one! I'm impressed how much improvement there is.

[@FrederickDunn]

I also like it! :)

[@HenBasketFireAlarms]

I don’t think I could be a beekeeper, given my fear of bees from being stung multiple times in the face as a toddler, but these kinds of videos are just so enticing and interesting. Keep up the good work!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for sharing!

[@HenBasketFireAlarms]

@@FrederickDunn no problem!

[@jesseloflin2380]

It's really interesting, I had the same fear from an episode in my teens. But after this summer, was tending to some foraging bees, they now like me! They come let me know when they need water, amazing interspecies communication!

[@simplerecipe86]

This video is great and easy to digest, thank you for sharing your valuable knowledge...........

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much for watching and taking a moment to comment :)

[@jessemalan748]

You are fantastic! Thank you for your experience here.

[@leet0809]

Great video. Narration was very detail and organized. Very helpful.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much Thomas :)

[@Holmseee1]

Thank you. I score this 100 out of 10. Legend.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you, Michael :)

[@fredrikmudas]

This like when 80's architect meet autocad for the first time. This will be a huge topic for another 10 years between old way and flowhive tech

[@phillipthomas253]

Another terrific video...thank you. I just finished assembling my Flow Hive 2 and only wish I had seen your video before starting my work. The Aussie's videos are quite good, but you have added to them. And you are especially right to mention the squaring up of all the boxes - without that, things don't quite fit as well. However, mine all came together and now it is outside, loaded up with lemongrass oil, waiting for its first inhabitants! Thank you for all your videos - they are making a difference in the world of new beeks!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much, Phillip! I do hope that a swarm finds your FH2 and the lemongrass oil does the trick. I'm using swarm commander (which basically seems like lemongrass oil) and I have lots of scouts... maybe we'll both have some success there! Thank you for taking time to comment and view my videos :)

[@JamesCT153]

Beautiful videos man I can tell how much effort and attention to detail you put into everything you do. Huge props to you for that!

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi James, thank you so much for that awesome comment! :)

[@CharlieRocRevolution]

Good vid. Great quality and lots of info. Such an awesome channel!! Thanks.

[@dominiqueroy9512]

I already use a L pipe for my honey extraction. I made them last year. Good to see they updated.

[@FrederickDunn]

Yep, they are sure handy for draining the honey :)

[@dominiqueroy9512]

Frederick Dunn true

[@danyman7456]

Absolutely excellent presentation man.

[@mattanderson2053]

Great video Fred, I use Tung oil on my boxes and rub wax into and cracks / knots ect. Thanks for sharing. Thumbs up!!

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks Matt, I did end up using Helmsman's Exterior Finish on all of my Flowhives this year. Lots of people do like the tung oil as well... thanks for watching and taking time to comment!

[@johnmcneill923]

Aussies make gr8 stuff, m8! Wonderful video. Very good endorsement.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks John, I'm so glad you enjoyed it and yes, I'm very impressed!!!

[@charger440]

Now ,You just need a metal enclosure to keep the bears out to protect this beautiful free flow house and of course,the bees!

[@FrederickDunn]

They have an electric fence now :)

[@rajinbin]

I have been working through your flow hive views, I wanted to know if it is mandatory to take the flow hive top box off clean and store for the winter? I saw you did that in one of your videos or could you just leave it in place inspect and let it stay in place for the winter after the last harvest of the season and if yes would it work just fine the next season?

[@FrederickDunn]

You should take them off for winter if your are in a cold region where the bees need to cluster.

[@maxmcneeley74]

Thank you,very informative video, thanks for taking the time to share with other beekeepers.

[@FrederickDunn]

You're very welcome :)

[@ThelaziaCafe]

Great review Mr. Dunn! They sent the email announcing these right after i bought my flow hybrids. I was ready for them but my wallet wasn't. I think my favorite part is the built in level.

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes! the build in levels AND those adjustable feet, I honestly wish all of my hives had these adjustable feet!

[@Off-Grid]

We have had bee hives on our off-grid homestead for a while now and people who buy our honey always asked about these types of hives. I'm torn since I don't hear good things about their longevity. Some of our hives have been in use for 8 years. I've heard these will only last a season or two because the combs get clogged or break as they are plastic. I'd still try one out if I got one for free but think I'll stick to my wooden boxes.

[@FrederickDunn]

Whoever told you that they only last a season and break, must not own one. I've been using them since 2016 and not a single unit has reached its end of useful life.

[@hamsamich9]

I really wish I had the property for one of these. They seem like a lot of fun.

[@hamadghanim3776]

Thank you so much ... It was simple strait clear very good educational video ... thx again

[@FrederickDunn]

You are very welcome, thank you for taking time to watch and comment :)

[@hugodupuis7634]

Thank you very much for all videos. You convicted me. I will ordered those hives. Best regards from Québec, Canada

[@AussieMikesBees]

Beautiful production as always Frederick. Only a detail, it's made in Australia from sustain-ably harvested WRC from the US. We don't have WRC in Australia. I look forward to your next videos.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you, you're absolutely right, I was told that it was from Australia, but have since learned that they get the cedar from the U.S.. I should probably correct that in the video description :) Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@Tigers9596]

Awesome! Looks like this year will be a good year for swarms!

[@FrederickDunn]

I think so also... I have two hives showing swarming activity tonight!

[@danskisbees7348]

I didn't realize how nice the flow hives truly are, thanks Fred!

[@FrederickDunn]

Dan, are watching all of my videos? :) and yes, they are more like garden ornaments than beehives :)

[@danskisbees7348]

Fred, I learn what I can as time permits, your videos are suggested by Utube and they don't disappoint. They truly are a work of art! Thank you for the time that you put into them.

[@braxenaeurasiers]

That bee you burnt in is beautiful!!!! Do you do custom work if we sent you a panel? Thanks!!

[@FrederickDunn]

I'm so sorry, I don't have the time for commissions these days, but thank you for that compliment. :)

[@braxenaeurasiers]

@@FrederickDunn Ah dang, well we arent ready for a few months still, will you have time by then? ;-)

[@adoptedchineseboy]

You da man, Fred! Another awesome video! ;-)

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks so much!! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)

[@Ajkillam528]

I love your videos! Im very interested in starting. Oh my gosh you could make a killing with thay beautiful art work.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much Angie :)

[@angetodac]

no wasps and no flies can get to your honey with the corner tube...great idea! how come the inventor didnot think about this?

[@gm5605]

I'm looking to start beekeeping. I have been watching many videos on how to get started but I live in west Africa and for now still don't have enough knowledge and experience to start. We have a very big field in the rural regions, and have started planting MANY fruit trees and many plants in it, so I'm thinking bees will not only be good for delicious honey (I'm a big fan 😁), a nice hobby, and most importantly fertilizing plants and trees. This seems like a nice option but it's still not bulletproof and I think I would still have to worry about pests and diseases, although it looks less prone to getting those than traditional beehives. It is also very expensive. Would you recommend getting one for a beginner or buying the bundle from the website you mentioned in another video? The extraction process is also very attractive because it looks easy and doesn't seem to disturb the bees. Sorry for the long comment and great video! Thanks for your review and eventual response! :)

[@FrederickDunn]

You can always start off with a traditional Langstroth design to see how your honeybees do in your region, then if they succeed, you can always add a Flow-Super and continue your honey bee adventures! Sounds like a beautiful location!

[@gm5605]

@@FrederickDunn Yes I think I will do that, safer investment for now. It is very nice but VERY hot and dry, which is why I must research a lot before getting set up! Thank you for the answer and useful videos, good day to you.

[@movieguy1831]

When you stack the boxes on top of each other, how do they stay on, does it stick together or does it just sit on top with nothing to secure them together?

[@FrederickDunn]

The bees glue them together no their own :)

[@movieguy1831]

Frederick Dunn thanks.

[@floydlholt9829]

I was on the fence between a flow hive and a Chinese knockoff. But you convinced me to get a flow hive.

[@FrederickDunn]

That's a good thing :)

[@meddounane2269]

اريدواشتري كيف اتصل بكم

[@jaymee.lee23]

What would you suggest for feeders for the flow hive 2? I know the rapid round doesn't fit under the roof on the flow hive with 6 flow frames. Thank you again for the videos! I truly am inspired.

[@FrederickDunn]

I suggest putting a feeder shim over the flow-super. As is, it's not really set up for a feeder at all.

[@BrandonsBees]

Hi Frederick! As a fellow early adopter of the first Flow Hive, I was happy to see they made these improvements to version 2.0. I have not purchased one (mostly because of the cost) but it looks like a quality product. How does the shelf for holding the collection jars attach to the box? I see the frame "door" doubles as a shelf but where do the brackets attach? Are they extra pieces or also a reused part of the hive? Thanks for the video and best of luck this upcoming season.

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Brandon, the shelf supports are included and they have a metal plate on them which slides onto the hive body screws.... you have to unscrew them partially so the shelf brackets key onto them.. I probably should have shown that closer.. the parts are all included.

[@JheregCG60]

Been waiting for this video, thanks Mr. Dunn!

[@FrederickDunn]

I'm glad you've been looking forward to it and you're VERY welcome!

[@markryder9657]

Your artwork is amazing

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much Mark!

[@bbqridge]

Hi Fred, another great video. I have a question for you. I last took honey from my flowhive in early March. I have been checking their progress since then to see if they are close to filling the frames again . I could not see any of the frame ends getting filled so I decided to do an internal inspection . I found that the frames were mostly filled but they had not gone all the way to the frame ends. Then I found that they had gone through the hole into the roof of the hive and it had a lot of honeycomb in it filled with honey. Not sure why they did this , but I guess I should block that hole to stop them getting up there. Should I consider getting an additional super so I would have two supers sitting on one brood box ?

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes, I always add a medium super above the flowframes when they are doing a great job filling them. It can prevent your colony from being honey-bound. It is funny that they didn't run their honey up to the ends, but they do that at times even with natural drawn foundationless comb... leaving edges unfinished. You can also tell by the physical weight of the super.

[@bbqridge]

Thanks Frederick, yes I will do that. I see FlowHive have them on special right now.

[@FrederickDunn]

They do and if you use the link I provided, you get a discount :)

[@nazimmerzoug6960]

It's beautiful

[@marktechsci]

Thank you for your videos. I just ordered my Cedar Flow 2. Will 2 90 degree clamps suffice? How many bar clamps should I order and what size? Thank you.

[@FrederickDunn]

.

[@SPNX]

I've literally been waiting for your videos on this

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad your wait is over :) I'm looking forward to installing the bees, or having a swarm move in. There were scouts in it today... :)

[@SPNX]

That's awesome! Can't wait for some updates :)

[@gcpd727]

Just got my flow hive 7 all put together, ? For ya tho. I'm in Georgia and I have a super package of bees coming from Barnyard bees, I believe it is 6 pounds of bees with a queen. Do you think I should add a medium brood box above the brood box or is 6 pounds about right for a single flowhive brood box?

[@FrederickDunn]

HI Jake, I'd put them all in the brood box and wait for them to build out the comb and begin a solid brood pattern... then, after they are well settled in the brood box, I'd add a medium super. If you super too soon, you run the risk of the brood beginning in the super instead of the lower brood box. I hope that helps! I will also talk more about this on Friday FAQ 51.

[@gcpd727]

@@FrederickDunn Thank you, I love your videos

[@Cany0many]

It's a very nice video man, many thanks from IRAQ.

[@mountainflower7753]

I love this whole idea having your own honey with the flow box. My question is I have a one of these box in In the backyard in the city limits with that work

[@FrederickDunn]

If it's legal to keep there, they produce very well in cities, better than you would think.

[@kennethhowejones7145]

Fred, I'm just now assembling my two FlowHive 2 boxes. Have you had any trouble with bees (robbers, etc.) becoming a nuisance during your harvesting? I can picture hundreds coming in to get at that free-flowing honey! Thanks. Ken Jones

[@FrederickDunn]

HI Kenneth, I have had one instance when I underestimated the amount of honey and some ran down the back of the hive. That caused a minor feeding frenzy which was completely my fault. Here is my video on that episode and I wish you all the best with your hive! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmPTdmythNSJr80

[@kennethhowejones7145]

@@FrederickDunn Frederick, Thanks for these immediate replies! I saw a special looking top on your honey jar, that the bent spout seems to fit over. How do I get one of those?

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi again Kenneth, here is a video all about those with links in the video description : kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZovdaGaknpend5Y I am very VERY happy with that configuration.

[@marzukibintan4433]

Really interesting 👍👍👍

[@marzukibintan4433]

I'm from Indonesia How can I get it.. ? Can you guiding me..?

[@FrederickDunn]

The link is in the video description.

[@DZodiark10]

Man, i dont know what to think anymore. I plan on keeping bees in a few years, so im trying to learn all i can. When i saw the flow hive, the idea of being able to unobtrusively get the honey without accidentally squishing bees caught my attention - but ive heard a lot of bad coverage (especially concerning the price), so i began to believe it wasnt worth it. Now im doubting that again lol. Ugh

[@FrederickDunn]

If you're strapped for money, therea are lots of other hives that are much less expensive. Thare are also many ways to remove the surplus honey.

[@lovetofly32]

So I was watching a KZbin video about winterizing a chainsaw and a flow hive ad was one of the ads on the video! I usually skip ads but Id never seen one of these hives!! And I LOVE honey bees! I watched the ad and decided to buy one as they had a sale. They showed they were originally almost $500 but were having a sale of $109. So i went through with the order and now I think Ive been scammed as they haven't said anything about when i will get it or a tracking number and they only answered my email once about a mistake saying i made two orders when I only made one. They wont tell me anything about shipping other than it was free.. Anyone else fall for that ad?? Or think it sounds fishy?? 🤔 The video they had was of the Australian guys that designed it! Seemed like the real deal! The Email im getting from them is "Medino Market."

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi James, the only seller of Flow-Hives is by "Flow" if any other website, or seller is part of the ad, it's an illegal seller at best, at worst, it's one of those selling "market sites" where many sellers can post anything they want. If that's what it was, there is a very good chance that your money has been taken and your credit card is now compromised, if you used one for the purchase. I've mentioned these scams several times and the selling site accepts no responsibility for individual sellers. Please let me know if you actually ever get anything. I suggest changing all of your credit card information, maybe let your credit card company know about the sale and replace the card, yes, it's that bad.

[@lovetofly32]

@@FrederickDunn yeah I called them a few days ago about it to make sure they didn't charge me twice because they thanked me in an email for a second purchase!🤔 Funny thing is at the end of this very video it was THE SAME AD! Same Medino Market ad.

[@preachwins1500]

excellent video

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you very much!

[@bradgoliphant]

Hey Frederick, I just received my new flow hive 2 and they forgot to include the square bit to assemble the hive with. All of the screws have a square head . Could you let me know know what bit that is and I'll go purchase one---unless it is unique . Thanks.

[@bradgoliphant]

Never mind. The hardware store had one!

[@FrederickDunn]

Glad you found one Brad, yes, they are standard. Odd that one was missing, how frustrating.

[@denisedeiro]

Amazing video, Frederick! Thank you so much. Btw, I loved you pyrographic bees. Do you have a template for that or did you do them by hand?!

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Denise, here is my method :) thank you for commenting! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmOrYmaHnpV9adU

[@dukmn2000]

Hi Fred. Our first flowhive 2-+ will be here this week. Is the correct size acorn frame the 9 1/8” frame the one I need?

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes, that's the right size for the Flow-Boxes :) I hope you have a great beekeeping year!

[@hummerstk]

Very nice video, I enjoy this very much. Your voice and tone and the speed you talk and the so nice colours you can see in the video reflecting how much any can be levelled by doing things in nature like this, I would love to get this mute too. The look is awesome and I guess it is enormous enjoyable to assemble these parts and see how it ‚grows’. Think about to start with beekeeping too. Do you have any difference in taste with the honey from ‚plastic‘ flow frames in comparison to the regular wax build combs? You said something about the branding you did, I could not really get it. Maybe you can give me a link to that device you used for doing that nice pics in the wood? Have you experience how long the plastic frames stay in shape. How many years they last, do they start easily cracking after a year oder two, after you used the opening mechanism several times? Thanks for the infos and regards from Germany...

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Stefan, I am in my 4th year with the flowframes and they are not showing signs of wear or damage. WE don't know how long they will last. There is no flavor difference from flow-frames compared to wax extraction, if anything the honey from flow frames is more pure as it is not filtered and does not go through the extraction process of spinning and filtering. The images on the box were burned and here is a video where I explain that process kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5zbqoF-nNVsqck Thank you for watching and I wish you all the best in beekeeping!

[@beckieeldred5816]

Good for you

[@montypierre]

The cardboard box seemed to also provide a very nice blueprint for those pyro etchings you favour for decorations. Thoughtful yes?

[@FrederickDunn]

Hadn't thought of that.. good idea! :)

[@mightaliphon5556]

Awesome! Great Job

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you so much!

[@HornadySetiawan]

Wow! Very nice.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks, I agree :)

[@bradgoliphant]

Hey Frederick, could your recommend the Pyrography tool you used for this?

[@FrederickDunn]

It's the Razer system... www.woodworkingshop.com/product/rz00002/?inMed=GSTORE&dfw_tracker=18711-RZ00002&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0MD_BRCTARIsADXoopbdTb3RSL8DmmL6cpxHiwCH9ZeUyNmdUdqAD5ykI4jyGoPED2-73M8aAkXuEALw_wcB

[@bradgoliphant]

@@FrederickDunn I had completely forgot about this but my father used to use this and make signs for clients for $.

[@HughGRexshin_]

I’m subscribing just cause you said you got an ndt background, great review tho I’m really convinced on buying a flow for the convenience and me being a novice bee keeper

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks Rene, why were you impressed by NDT? Is that your profession?

[@HughGRexshin_]

Frederick Dunn yes sirrr, I got a ndt technical diploma and a degree in QC

[@FrederickDunn]

That's excellent Rene, I'm sure you'll find many job offers in that field. We always had a backlog of companies looking to hire NDT Inspectors and Examiners.

[@matthewvanduker3847]

Really should put some natural tung oil on that. I did and it looks amazing. It's going to be gray and weathered by next season.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@Q-BinTom]

Thanks for sharing.

[@FrederickDunn]

You're welcome!

[@beckieeldred5816]

Nice

[@reyatv5667]

God bless you sir

[@learnjcbskidsterchickensga7594]

If it's a different company why do we still see the originators on the page? Can you explain? I am glad they are still getting credit. Did they just change manufacturers?

[@FrederickDunn]

The original Flow Hive comes from one source. www.fredsfinefowl.com/flowhivediscount.html

[@Jerfish1]

Have you checked out Vermont natural coatings? I’m going to try their Caspain Clear polywhey when my Flow 2 cedar comes. Question on brood frames as you are nearly as North as me - are you using double deeps or singles for your brood chamber?

[@FrederickDunn]

This year I'm using Eco-Wood as my finish... Single deeps for most of my brood, though I do have a couple of hives with double deeps on and that's just because it was convenient at the time I supered them.

[@justnelson1634]

Man hope they shared some kind of blueprint buying one and shipping it to Colombia would be imposible

[@FrederickDunn]

They do share all of the dimensions and specifications at HoneyFlow.com

[@justnelson1634]

@@FrederickDunn thank you

[@kennethhowejones7145]

Frederick, another question. Isn't FlowHive harvesting particularly influenced by outdoor temperature to "flow" properly? Around here I assume it would be too late too harvest in the late fall right?

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Kenneth, you "can" harvest on cooler days, it just takes a looooong time for those jars to fill and once you start a frame, you can't just close it off. When we have days in the 80's and up, it's great for opening those frames of honey that are ready to go. That was also true when taking off honey frames and uncapping, super warm days made all the difference in how quickly and thoroughly they spun out. It's also why many honey houses are heated.

[@janicehelton659]

Great video and what gorgeous property! Where are you located? Many thanks for all the information you share!

[@FrederickDunn]

Hi Janice, thank you sooo much! I'm in the northeastern United States :)

[@beecurious5435]

6:42 with what did they drew that bee? Looks awesome

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you, here is a video where I show how I do that :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5zbqoF-nNVsqck

[@slypig24]

Thanks for independent evaluation of the Flow Hive. How long does it take you to do your Bee design on your boxs?

[@FrederickDunn]

I spend one to three hours burning images on my boxes... this year I'm doing a more elaborate version for a box/hive decorating competition :) that should take up an entire weekend. If you'd like to see my wood burning process, here is a video I made about that kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5zbqoF-nNVsqck

[@Makermook]

Did you wind up with a volunteer swarm moving in?

[@FrederickDunn]

Nope, I had to stock the hive with a package of bees.

[@fredrikmudas]

So before i purchase this i guess i need to plant some flower enough to not starving the bee and make them travel too far from the box. Right? I living in sub urban area.

[@FrederickDunn]

They will travel for miles in every direction as they forage for flowers. Unless you can plant thousands of flowers, though that's a good idea, it won't be meaningful in the way of nectar.

[@emmanuelanfako375]

is it possible to have 1 brood box and about 2-3 flow hive supers?

[@FrederickDunn]

Depending on your climate, you could do that, but if your bees will be needing honey to get through a long winter, you'll want to have two deep boxes and just one flowhive. If a FlowHive fills with honey, you can take it off and there really isn't a need to have several flow-supers on the same hive.

[@emmanuelanfako375]

i was thinking about how to make it commercially viable, hence my question.

[@FrederickDunn]

There are commercial beekeepers using the flowhive, but they have a high-end clientele at a local Whole Foods store who are willing to pay a premium for the honey. Works for them, so if you have a prime market for RAW honey that will pay a high price, you may make a go of it.

[@sarmy3d]

Can you wax dip the Flow 2? Is it bad since it could make the hive nonbreathable through the wood?

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes, you can dip flowhive components in wax. I would not dip the flow-frames.

[@sarmy3d]

Gotcha thanks. Yeah if I'm going to invest in one of these I wanna make sure it lasts. Though being in socal I guess we only get moderate rain.

[@learnjcbskidsterchickensga7594]

I am in northern Illinois and wonder when last swarm has enough time to get ready for winter?

[@Rinahugo]

Please name the process to etch your hives. I am building my first hive thinking of ordering another hive. Very impressed with methods and quality of construction. I just entered bee keeping and will have three hives with my Flow.

[@FrederickDunn]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmOrYmaHnpV9adUsi=RMXrilyXX1_3hYmV

[@lizbjanson42]

This is very helpful! Where do you get the food grade 90 degree plastic elbows?

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you Liz, there is a link to the elbows in the video description but I think they are VERY overpriced. I tried to write a review on the Amazon listing but somehow Amazon has blocked reviews on that. I thought they were expensive at 11 dollars each and now I think they are actually twice that amount.

[@lizbjanson42]

@@FrederickDunn Yikes! Expensive indeed! I'll search elsewhere. Thanks for your quick response.

[@FrederickDunn]

@@lizbjanson42 I tried to leave a review on those overpriced elbows and it was not allowed, I'd like to find them fairly priced somewhere, so if you find them, please feel free to post a link here :)

[@learnjcbskidsterchickensga7594]

do you have a video starting with just adding flow frames in our regular hives to start?

[@FrederickDunn]

Flow Frames don't fit into standard Langstroth boxes at all. But you do start with a standard deep brood box.

[@learnjcbskidsterchickensga7594]

@@FrederickDunn that’s not how it was advertised

[@mit1346]

I understand why you glue and clamp but I would have thought the components would be engineered square tight and eliminate the need for clamps once glued and screwed.

[@FrederickDunn]

what I did was probably overkill and not necessary.

[@michaelrabinowitz4149]

What type of Acron frame do you use size ? and Wax thanks

[@FrederickDunn]

Deep Acorn Foundation that has been double-waxed.

[@Tonia.lynn2411]

Do u have a video showing the swarm finder stuff ur talking about how u added it to the box?

[@FrederickDunn]

Oh, are you asking about the swarm lure? I use swarm commander, you just spray it on q-tips, put those q-tips in a ziplock baggie inside the hive on top of the frames and scout bees will be attracted to it. I've actually had swarms move into empty boxes without a lure, but Swarm Commander works as well as lemon grass oil if you can get that?

[@Tonia.lynn2411]

Frederick Dunn yes! Thank u so much

[@FrederickDunn]

@@Tonia.lynn2411 You're very welcome! :)

[@learnjcbskidsterchickensga7594]

Can you add a link to the wood stamper you mentioned?

[@FrederickDunn]

Wood Stamper? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jmOrYmaHnpV9adUsi=yhXL3KsNUFmci2gV

[@CalebLLShow]

I really wish I had 780$ to buy one

[@drinny26]

Ask your friends/neighbors to chip in and share the honey with them.

[@hhardwick3]

You can just get the flow super and add it to an existing hive, which saves a few hundred $- I have watched Frederick collect a gallon of honey from 2 full frames and where I live, that’s enough profit to pay for itself in a year and maybe then some if you have a productive hive.

[@PharmSilver]

Any issues with flow hive use in colder overall climates like new England ? I’m assuming you need to add additional traditional boxes beneath etc for population growth ?

[@FrederickDunn]

Yes, an additional deep would be optimum as you cannot leave the flow-frames on during winter. I do hope that they produce a 7 frame (10 frame Langstroth) version in the near future. I like to run at least the deep and one medium super beneath the Flow-Super.

[@krazykracken1159]

Why is the side to side critical!? I am a little concerned because one of my two bee hives is unlevel from side to side

[@FrederickDunn]

Bees draw out natural comb based on gravity, so it your hive is tilted to one side, you'll have comb that doesn't follow the frame edges and begins a wonky wax comb building mess :)

[@Thomas-yk1dv]

Is a flowhive worth buying if you're a beginner looking to become a beekeeper

[@FrederickDunn]

HI Tom, it's really a matter of how much disposable income you have and how certain you are that bees will be your thing for a while. Sometimes I recommend that new beekeepers first buy a standard hive kit and see if honey bee management is truly for them. Then, if it is, they can add a flow-super to their Langstroth hive system. For some individuals, the cost isn't a factor and for them I say go ahead and get one. IF you are depending on the honey sales to pay for the hive, a FlowHive takes two years to pay for itself where I live :)

[@billingram1310]

The link to the heavy wax frames is broken. Wondering which frames on amazon are the right ones for the flow2 hive??

[@FrederickDunn]

Standard deep frames work fine. Thanks for the update about the link? I'll check into that asap....

[@FrederickDunn]

amzn.to/2LermRU there is a good one, these are the frames I purchased.

[@codybottoms2579]

Did the split swarm into this hive on their own or did you move a swarm by hand?

[@FrederickDunn]

Ultimately I had to put them in myself.. I did not get a volunteer swarm.

[@cklau9991]

Hi, your video is so inspiring and now I feel like I want to start beekeeping. But not being in the USA might make it difficult. Also I am staying in a residential area where the nearest forest/woods is about a kilometers away. Would that be ideal for beekeeping?