These just in

More gear has arrived. In the picture are a smoker and a hive tool sitting in a top feeder. Got these from Brushy Mountain.

The hive tool was discussed earlier.

The smoker is used to burn (pine needles, burlap, special smoker pellets, etc.) to create smoke, which is pumped into the hive via the bellows. The smoke should not be very hot, and the aforementioned items burn on the cooler side. The smoke calms the bees down. In my limited experience, getting the smoker going and keeping it “at smoke," is a bear of a problem (think like the bee, little grasshopper), possibly the most difficult part of beekeeping. It’s always the details, isn’t it?

The top feeder is used to supplement the hive’s food supply in the early spring, before the Niagara of nectar flow, and in the fall, before the dormancy of winter. One pint of water to one pound of sugar is the formula we will be using for spring feeding. This syrup is placed in this tray; the bees get it from the underneath along the sides (without drowning). This lets them concentrate on building wax comb, which is key to the first year of the hive, without having to spend too much energy foraging at this stage.
*
This weekend should be all about the actual hive. We will be collecting the wood on Sunday and putting together some part of it then. My co-conspirator will be revealed… as much as she would like to be revealed.

The basics: hive tool

A hive tool is essential for working with Langstroth hives. They are used to crack apart frames and pry them up. They are also for scraping excess propolis, pounding/pulling nails, warding off muggers, etc. etc. They are usually made of forged steel, are sometimes chrome-plated, and, if you look hard enough, you can even find ones still made in the U.S. This is the classic hive tool. They usually run from 7-10" long and cost, depending on the vender and quality, from $4-$7. I inspected my first hive with one of these, but I don't have any sentimental attachment to it. In fact, I don't like it. It's said to be good for scraping the bottom board, but I can't speak to that yet. My problem with this type is that it doesn't provide the necessary leverage to pop up frames, so what I would end up doing is crushing the wood of the next frame over.

This one is also called a frame lifter/scraper. And it's well named. It's my favorite so far, for I find it makes the hive inspection much smoother. This type usually costs around $12, but I've seen them from $7-18. Generally about 10.5" long.

This is an Italian hive tool, and like many an Italian thing it does look beautiful. It's 12" long and runs about $13. But I note that it doesn't have that little leverage ledge at the hook end. Not having used it, I can only say it would make a nice gift for a beekeeper who already has a couple of hive tools on hand.