Kelley's deep boxes.............

[G3farms]

Went to the co-op and bought some Kelley's deep boxes since I was out and have two cut outs lined up. Bought a carton of five deeps, got them home to assemble them and what a mess. Out of the five hive bodies only two were cut out correctly. Kelley's advertises their deeps at 9 9/16", well these came up a little short................

[iddee]

I would get on the phone to Kelleys asap. In over 35 years of buying Kelleys boxes, I have never seen that or any other problem. I'm sure if they really are Kelleys hives, they will make it right and appreciate the feedback.

[apisbees]

How are the corner finger joints if the all align the 9 9/16 and the 9 3/16 sides then they were cut wrong if the finger joints don't align when the wide and narrow ends and sides are put together then it is shrinkage. Either way what a pain.

[Perry]

When I get my stuff milled, I ask for 9 3/4" X 7/8" dry pine. By the time my boxes are cut and assembled (and dried out even more) it usually ends up right around 9 1/2", sometimes 9 5//8".
It's hard to judge the moisture in the wood, even if you bought kiln dried stuff, as soon as you put it out in the weather there would be some swelling.

[blueblood]

Ironic the difference is 3/8...wonder if that was a result of a brain fart.  I agree, what a pain.

[G3farms]

If it was lumber shrinkage then it would still be Kelley's defect for purchasing green wood. Moisture meters are readily available, you would think that would be part of their quality control procedure. Sent them an email this morning, will see what happens. Going to do another cut out near the co-op, will see if they are willing to work with me.

[blueblood]

I have to tell ya, Kelley has always did right by me even though I don't care for their shipping prices.  I called one time and told them they shorted me a box of medium foundation.  They sent out another box no questions asked.  After that, I received a damage telescoping lid and bottom board.  Again, no questions asked, they sent out replacements and told me to keep the damaged product.  They filed the claim with UPS.  I ended up with double the equipment.  I was able to easily repair the items.

[Slowmodem]

Yep, they sent me ten frame stuff instead of eight frame stuff once.  Told me to keep the ten frame stuff.  Made good door prizes at the bee meeting.   

[Bamabww]

I've had good luck with them as well. Hope you do.

[G3farms]

Sent an email to Kelley's asking them to call me. Around lunch time I got the call and explained the situation and where I had gotten the boxes at. Sondra from Kelley's said there would be new boxes shipped out that day, then called back an said to just go back to the co-op tat they had plenty of boxes and pick out what ever measured up. Stephanie at the co-op took good care of me. All is well on my side but we did find many of the box sides that were short.

[Slowmodem]

If I had a company, I would really appreciate customers like that which let me know when something had gone wrong with production.  You can't fix that which you don't realize is broken.

I'm glad they took care of you.  I've always been treated well, too.

[blueblood]

Truth.  Well, glad you got it all worked out G.  Did they offer any explanation as to how it happened in the first place?

[G3farms]

Stephanie at the co-op said that Kelley's said that they might have gotten in some green wood. You would think Kelley's checked the moisture content of boards before they milled them, but you can not catch everything. Kelley's has always done me right also, been buying from them since the early '70s.

[Lburou]

.... All is well on my side but we did find many of the box sides that were short.

That raises Kelley stock in my view, thanks for the complete report.

If I was to guess what actually happened.....maybe a new machine operator, or the trainee filling in for the journeyman, or an operator who had his wife leave him the day before.  We are all, every one of us, human and we do human things and make human mistakes.   

[LazyBkpr]

or an operator who had his wife leave him the day before. 

   Now THAT right there could make anyone mess up! How are you supposed to cut boards when your so excited?