Why is QX in plastic?

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I read in the forum from a few people that the FH QX in plastic is not a good idea because it breaks very easily…just after a few month…
Question…
I just rec.vd my new FH2 here in Italy… If it would be so delicate and fragile why did they not change it with a metal and still use a plastic one?

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I did not have a problem with the plastic QX in the 3 years plus, but I did recently change to a stainless steel. Mainly because of the concern everyone else was having with plastic QXs. The cost of steel ones are 2 to 3 times the cost of a plastic one.
I would not worry about the plastic QX for the next 3 years or so. They are not that fragile but the plastic ones will age and become a bit warped (in itself not a problem) and brittle.

edited for gobbledy gook in the first and 4th line.

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I have asked that question of Flow Hive myself and have never had a reply. I think it would be great if they offered a metal QX as an alternative with the extra cost.
I have seen heaps of plastic QX’s fail after as little as a year of two, but not in a few months of service. The plastic becomes brittle and can break in removing it off the brood box. When I bough my Flow hives I was very disappointed to see the plastic QX which I regard as junk and assembled my Flow Hives with metal units. The only reason they sell the plastic ones is a cost saving that I can think of.
Cheers

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Hi, well i just asked that question because i read that the Qx in plastic was fragile…
Too bad as they modify the FH2 … with new things…
Do they have the metal one to order on the side ? Do you know the Cost ?

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Hello Helene, for some reason best known to Flow Hive they don’t offer a metal QX. Any bee keeping supply shop will have them in stock and personally would buy one before you HAVE to, sooner or later a plastic QX will fail and it will happen at the worst possible time for you.
Cheers.

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Hi Helene, I had the same question on my mind as well. I have just looked up the price of an 8 frame QX S/S its around $23 AU. Cheers Dave

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SS are about $20 Australian dollars.
I would not panic about it or worry unnecessarily for the next 2- 3 years. Just schedule it in for the most convenient time.

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Thank you all for reply!!:smiling_face_with_three_hearts: I would still have to wait to start my bee school at the 21 January and see how things will go… will have to look what they use in the school…( i am the only one with a different FH so i think i may be in contrast with them… in the future i will also have to see if here in italy they may have the same size QX to buy… in metal… who knows ?
Thank you all.:kissing_heart::honeybee:

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The Flow Hive is the same measurements as a Langstroth hive which is the most popular hive in the world so when you decide to buy one your nearest bee shop will have them and will let you know what price they are in Italy.
Some bee groups even here in Australia where the Flow hive was designed are very much against Flow Hives so you might be wise not to say you have a Flow Hive and just call it a bee hive till you know how they might react. :wink: :wink:
Cheers

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hi @busso you will see that Flow by that time will also ad a metal Qx in there standard orders :crossed_fingers::crossed_fingers::honeybee::honeybee:-

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Hi @Peter48 i will tell you how things will go… but i don’t think they even know of FH… i will keep things as quite as …till the time we may have to buy a brood box for practicing ? will keep you informed as i go on with the course .
:kissing_heart::honeybee::honeybee:

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now i go to rest as it is 2,16 am !!

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Hi Helene, I assumed the plastic option saves a bit on shipping costs. Flow shops all over the world, and isn’t quite the same as a general beekeeping equipment supplier of course. I think the things they include in starter packages are just that - basics to get one started. Then we can customize as we like. I still have my plastic QX from 5 years ago - it’s chipped on the corners from prying off so many times but is still working okay. When I get around to ordering a new one, it’ll be a metal one from a more local supplier. Like @busso says, try not to sweat it in the meantime :wink:

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Ciao @Eva, yes I think that Flow gives starting packages with the equipment that is used to start… My order was just perfect and can’t wait to learn a little on my course so i can put it up in my garden.

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