Making Endbars

[Jon McFadden]

I was curious if my method of making endbars was unique.
I use 2X4s.
1. Cut 2X4s to correct length.
2. Drill holes for support wires. I have a drill guide I made so that all the holes will register correctly with my foundation embedding system.
3. Groove both ends for top and bottom bars with dado blade.
4. Create clearance on bottom of endbar with the joiner.
5. Slab 2X4 with bandsaw.
6. Bevel one edge of endbar with plane.
I generally make 150 to 200 at a time.
2X6 could be used, too, but it would take a longer drill than I have.
Jon

[Frohnho]

Sounds pretty close to what I do. Not sure what step #6 is for. I also plane down wood to 1 3/8 as my first step. I use 2x6 or 8 or 10 or 12 anything I can scrap off of construction sites. Wider wood seems to be better quality with less knots. I cut out 2000 deep endbars this past winter

[scsasdsa]

that is a new one on me.I usualy cut the pieces from 1x and stack them together to make the dado cuts.

[magnet-man]

I generally make 150 to 200 at a timeHow long does it take?

Do you also make your own top and bottom bars? If so, what are your steps?

[Jon McFadden]

Frohnho,
Step 6 is to reduce the area that makes contact between two frames. Bees will propolize frame endbars together. If you allow 100% contact, it makes it more difficult to break this joint. When I assemble frames, I make sure these are alternated so I can replace the frames any way I want.
The technique is straight forward.
1. Clamp a hand plane in a vise.
2. Draw the endbar across the plane at 45%. It takes two strokes with blade I have exposed. Lean the endbar 45% the other way and finish with two more strokes.

<I also plane down wood to 1 3/8 as my first step>

Excellent idea. I assume, since you do this as your first step, you do the entire board before cutting to length.

Jon

[Jon McFadden]

Magnet-Man,
<How long does it take?>
I do this many in one evening after coming home from my regular job. Very therapeutic.

<Do you also make your own top and bottom bars? If so, what are your steps?>
Yes, I make all my equipment. My 1X naterial goes through classification steps.
1. Hive sides if it is long enough, wide enough and clear enough.
2. Hive fronts.
3. Top bars.
4. Bottom bars.
I collect the appropriate classified pieces until I have enough to process.

With top bars, the most important step is cutting to length. Since I don't process the two ends at once, the length keeps the precision in the process.
I will start another thread for the top bars since this one was only for the end bars.
Jon