The snelgrove board is great to get a couple of queens. I don't use them myself but know people who swear by them.
I would not be put off by the cost. My grafting tool is a 000 sable paintbrush which costs £2. A dozen base cups, inserts and cell cups will cost you about a tenner.I don't blame folk for not buying all the queen rearing paraphernalia on spec
Use an old frame to make your cell bar frame.
That's all you need to get started.
the biggest expense is likely to be the apideas/mini nucs but if you have the time and the skills you can make them like Stephen does.
The major advantage of the group is access to quality genetics and getting a good mating site for your apideas where you have flooded an area with drones.
One person can graft for 50 group members from a couple of quality queens.
Buy 10 Apideas and sell 10 queens and you have them paid for and they will last you for years.
In a good season you get 2+ queens from each Apidea.
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