xC0000005
07-11-2007, 01:03 PM
So I had a couple of (legally acquired) plastic signs (like you see for political ads or roofing companies) and some scrap pine and decided to see how well pine + plastic makes a nuc. There may have been a thread on this before - I failed to find it.
Cut the pine to length (a deep + 1 inch) and cut a frame rest in it using the table saw. Then I used a rotary cutter to slice the plastic signs (in retrospect the size cuts would have been easier on a table saw. Stapled with a electric stapler. Entrance is a 7/8 hole. Top is a flap on the sign with velcro to hold it down. Easy to make, really light. I loaded some capped HSC frames into them to find out how sturdy the thing is (blasted bees don't understand my master plan for the broodnest versus the supers). Turns out that it's sturdier loaded with heavy frames than empty. If I make more of these I'll screw on cleats. Not sure which direction though - short end makes them stack together nicely, long end would make them sturdier. I know you can buy these cheaply but it was fun to do and if you have the materials, it works.
http://www.voiceofthehive.com/Pictures/ccnuctop.jpg
http://www.voiceofthehive.com/Pictures/ccnucside.jpg
http://www.voiceofthehive.com/Pictures/cpnucinside.jpg
Cut the pine to length (a deep + 1 inch) and cut a frame rest in it using the table saw. Then I used a rotary cutter to slice the plastic signs (in retrospect the size cuts would have been easier on a table saw. Stapled with a electric stapler. Entrance is a 7/8 hole. Top is a flap on the sign with velcro to hold it down. Easy to make, really light. I loaded some capped HSC frames into them to find out how sturdy the thing is (blasted bees don't understand my master plan for the broodnest versus the supers). Turns out that it's sturdier loaded with heavy frames than empty. If I make more of these I'll screw on cleats. Not sure which direction though - short end makes them stack together nicely, long end would make them sturdier. I know you can buy these cheaply but it was fun to do and if you have the materials, it works.
http://www.voiceofthehive.com/Pictures/ccnuctop.jpg
http://www.voiceofthehive.com/Pictures/ccnucside.jpg
http://www.voiceofthehive.com/Pictures/cpnucinside.jpg