Top dado on supers

[R.L. Bee]

The dado on the tops of my supers where the frames hang are 3/4 of an inch. I looked at plans the other day and they called for 5/8 of an inch .what should they be?

[ March 22, 2006, 08:44 PM: Message edited by: R.L. Bee ]

[NorthALABeeKeep]

I do 5/8 on mine

[bleakley]

I also make mine 5/8 inch.

[NW IN Beekeeper]

Medium = 6 5/8"

Dado = 5/8"
Frame = 6 0/0"
Total = 6 5/8"

This provides for top bee space, instead of bottom bee space (nicer for feeding pollen patties).
Make sure frame "ears" are proper thickness, else bee space will be off.
Some manufactures allow for a steel insert along the frame rail.
If your spacing is really off, you might consider this to make-up the difference.

[Michael Bush]

Some are designed to use the metal frame rests that lift the frame up 1/8" off of the rabbet. These are usually 3/4". When I make nucs or long hives I make them 3/4" to have a 3/8" beespace on the top. The rest I make 5/8".

[R.L. Bee]

Thanks everyone for the info. These supers were given to me and I think they were homemade and to keep from changing there saw they made all there dados 3/4, Ends and top.

[Michael Bush]

As long as ALL you equipment is that way it works fine. smile.gif You can buy the metal frame rests and it will lift them 1/8".

Walter T. Kelley:

182-B (100) Frame Rests 0030 20.00 1.20 ADD TO BASKET
Steel frame rests with double bend and holes punched for nails. 10-frame size only. Ship wt. 7 lbs.

http://go.netgrab.com/secure/kelleystore/asp/product.asp?product=85

Or Dadant like this:

http://www.dadant.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=25_47&products_id=202

Not one like this:
http://www.beeequipment.com/products.asp?pcode=650

Because this one is just "L" shaped and will not lift the frame at all, which with standard equipment is good, but with a 3/4" dado it's not.