making inner covers

[Ben Brewcat]

How do folks make inners? I see in the plans section the joinery, but how does the middle board get held in place w/ 3/16" gap top and bottom? Does one cut the box joints, and then dado the inside-facing surfaces of the 4 rails for the plywood?

Any help for a poor visualizer appreciated!

And wouldn't a lap or even a butt joint suffice? Seems like a join that wouldn't get much stress, if the rails are glued.

[Michael Bush]

I cut the plywood the size of the box and then add 1/4" spacer to it. Glued and stapled with 5/16" staples or nailed and clinched.

[BULLSEYE BILL]

And don't forget to make a gap in the 1/4 spacer for an exit and ventilation.

The space is nice for adding patties too.

[wayacoyote]

Brew,
I make the rails to length first.

Set up table saw rip fence so that the fence is partially off-center of the rail and run the rail through on its edge. I flip it around and do it again. 2 passes this way gives me the groove for the panel to sit in.

Next, I cut my lap-joints, usually with the table saw with no dado-blade. I don't have one.

Once assembled, sometimes the groove is exposed on the outside of the frame. I'll fill these with match-sticks and glue so that water or pests can't get in and set up shop.

I do like the lap-joints. For when prying off, I can get under the corners and know I'm not tearing my cover apart. I ALWAYS pry at the corners where the laps keep things together.

Waya

[george dilley]

here is a link to hive plans http://members.cox.net/messman123/Links%20Plans%20Bs.htm

[Ben Brewcat]

I like the spacer idea, I did it on a nuc and thought I was cheating smile.gif . One on each side (top and bottom), right?

[BULLSEYE BILL]

>I like the spacer idea, I did it on a nuc and thought I was cheating

If you don't have a hole in the board, (and you don't have to), you don't need spacers on the other side.

[wayacoyote]

Unless you're wanting to take advantage of the insulative benefit of an airspace there. Some folks call it the "pillow" I think. One of the swarms I purchased last year had an inner cover with the spacers only on one side, and I think they were on the top-side at that. I haven't had them glue it down YET, but I took it off recently. So much work went into developing the idea of beespace that I hate to go against it.
Waya

[nursebee]

Ben,
I'd take a side note and ask what your aim is in making an inner cover?

If it is to save some money I'd consider going to a commercial migratory top. For a few bucks (the same few bucks you'd likely spend to make an IC) you can make one. If you ask me, they require much less work to make also as there are less cuts to make. The top is also easily nailed down to move the hive.

If feeding bees through the hold in the IC, I'd just use some plywood with a hole cut in the middle. Paint the top and sides.

[Ben Brewcat]

I briefly considered doing just that, but the high winds here, plus 'coons and skunks, make keeping the jar inside a box important. My inner cover goal is: insulation, bit o' ventilation (I understand the dichotomy there), and ease of plunking on a a jar to feed.

[dgl1948]

We have been using a single cover made of 3/4 inch plywood. A dado blade is used to make a 3/8 by 1 1/2 cut at the edge of the lid that makes a vent and upper entrance. We put a 3/4 by 3/8 lip around the underside. A 2 inch hole is put in the center for use with 2 gallon pail feeders. When not using a feeder a 2 inch plasic cap that they use on hose fittings is used to close the feeder hole. the walls of the hole can be coated with wax so they do not take in liquid. One lid is a lot cheaper than two. A stone or brick is put on to hold the top firm. We have lots of racoons in our area and have not had any problems. The lid is the same size as a super so it lets us put the hives wall to wall for wintering, leaving no space for air between hives.

[Michael Bush]

I haven't been cutting the lip, but I have been thinking about it. The nice thing about shims to hold up the top is that there's room for a pollen patty in the spring and some space for bees on top.

[Bill Ruble]

I tend to smash more bees when using only a telescopeing cover. With the inner cover, I don't seem to smash as many, but maybe it is just me.