Golden Palace Auto Flow Beehive with 7pcs FlowFrame Super Box, Free Outer Hive (7pcs Flow Frame Set)

Great product

After researching FloHives a lot, I learned they were invented in Australia by a clever guy who wanted to extra the honey without having to remove the frames and stick them in a centrifuge (less work, less mess and less violent to the bees). The original outfit in Australia still sells the flohives but they are like $2k. I ordered this Chinese knock-off and am thrilled. Its made of 100% cedar (it even smells amazing). Zero particle board, all quality. I also love the solid cedar roof that is pitched with gables at both ends. Most hives have flat roofs. This is way better: the attic is perfect for supplements/food and it keeps the hive dry.It comes in two boxes: the brood-box/standard hive, and the FloHive super. I ordered two hives for two different colonies. The company made one error: they sent me (4) boxes, but accidentally send (3) normal hive assemblies and only 1 super. It took me a week to get in touch with them in China but they were amazing and rectified the problem in days.A+++. Golden Palace = Zosolate Store (same thing). I will only buy from them now.

Hesitant to buy this after reading the reviews but everything went together pretty smoothly. Some suggestions I would make is to update the visuals in the instructions, all the screws look the same. Also the length of the screw for the knobs on the top key access point are too long, about 1/4in is sticking out and if you aren’t careful you’ll rip out the Kingsert. Aside from that everything fit great, the dovetails are tight enough to where you don’t have to use fasteners. When assembling this make sure you use your tape measure and dead blow hammer, it will save you a lot of time. The smell is really strong right out of the box but if you leave it outside for a few days it will go away. Can’t really complain much about a couple screws being too long when it’s $900 +shipping cheaper to its counterpart. I will update as soon as the bees start to work the super.

Love the concept and design, looks nice, but the quality and the instructions aren't the greatest. Takes a while to figure out how to assemble it (would be easier if pieces were numbered...). Also, once assembled, the boxes and screens are all separate and loose so they easily slide off each other. It needs a stop or corner at the back to stop this. I like that you can take it apart easily tho.There was a Quality problem: The wood looked good when it arrived (tho smelled very strong!) but the wax finish deteriorated (or just wasn't applied completely) allowing the wood to swell (access door would stick) and to get black streaks on various places on outside after just a couple months. The seller sent me a replacement kit for the wood after I sent pictures! I can't say yet if it will hold up better - but the seller thinks it should, that the problems with the 1st one was an exception. Hopefully so! It is a really good price (I paid 569 and see its now even less!) for this type of hive so can't expect it to be perfect.

This is only a post-build review. Hives arrive in May, so we'll see how they accept it and will update then.I got two of these and both arrived on time and to my surprise, not a single broken or lost part. In fact there were a couple spares in the box. Surprised because these are after all plastic, and they took a long journey.Instructions were helpful, but if you weren't good at puzzles as a kid, maybe ask someone for help. Pre drill all your screw holes and don't over-tighten.If you paint (I got schooled from a paint store employee with a beekeeping wife) get the lowest VOX exterior paint you can. Then get a case of beer, a case of sandpaper and a lawn-chair, then camp out in the garage all weekend sanding the wax off. They definitely wax the boxes well. You can shorten the process by using a paint scraper first and a power sander. NO chemicals. Just don't sand or paint the inside of the boxes - the edges should be painted. I used heavy clasps, but we have big critters where we are. These will be secured to a stand as well.Update to follow.