My Long Hive Construction Step-by-step

[daknoodle]

After posting pictures of the long hive that I built several people have asked for some sort of instructions on how I built it. Luckily I am in need of building a second one so I'm trying to document it and take pictures.

Due to how many images there are and beesource's limit to 3 per post, I will just give links to them on flikr.com. so here we go.

First of all, I tend to cut corners when it comes to the bee hives. So by all means, make the joints however you wish and modify what I have done.
For the side boards and end boards of the hive, I cheat and let Home Depot cut for me. Since I am doing all medium sizes I get 1X8's for everything.

The side boards should be 45 and 3/4 inches however if you go 48 inches (which I do) you can simply add a couple shims (I'll show later tomorrow) and you can get one or two more frames in. The picture is here http://www.flickr.com/photos/9959001@N04/3440780852/in/set-72157616441011213/

For the end boards I get them cut at 19 and 7/8 inches. Picture is here http://www.flickr.com/photos/9959001@N04/3440779248/in/set-72157616441011213/

Do note that I simply screw them together face to end, I do not do a box joint as I'm just too lazy. If you want to go with a box joint, you might need to change the length of both the end boards and side boards.

I then take the side boards and make two cuts on the table saw to create the lip that the frames sit on. The first cut is made with a face down. The saw blade is up 3/8th of an inch with the fence at 5/8th of an inch. http://www.flickr.com/photos/9959001@N04/3440782406/in/set-72157616441011213/
You should end up with a cut that looks like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9959001@N04/3439969987/in/set-72157616441011213/

The second cut is made to the side edge with the saw blade at 6/8th of an inch and the fence at 3/8th of an inch. http://www.flickr.com/photos/9959001@N04/3439973069/in/set-72157616441011213/

I do all of my saw height settings like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9959001@N04/3440785200/in/set-72157616441011213/

On a quick side note, do help yourself out and make all the cuts needed on each saw setup. Run all the boards through that you want to run so that you are saving yourself time. Then change the setup and run the second cut.

Once you run the two cuts you should end up like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9959001@N04/3439974705/in/set-72157616441011213/

After the cuts I simply take #8 2inch wood screws and drive three screws into each corner like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9959001@N04/3439978951/in/set-72157616441011213/

Once it is complete it should look like: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9959001@N04/3439980323/in/set-72157616441011213/

This evening I'll be picking up the #8 hardware cloth for the screened bottom, the pressure treated wood for the "feet" and stand, the plywood for the covers, the foam insulation, and the boards for the slide out bottoms.

I'll be sure to take pictures of everything and have a complete shopping list posted tonight. And then tomorrow I'll have the rest of the assembly process posted.

Thanks!
Doug

P.S. here is the box completed with a few medium frames in it: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9959001@N04/3439981797/in/set-72157616441011213/
and
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9959001@N04/3439983251/in/set-72157616441011213/

Also, I wanted to show off my new top feeder that I made, still need to add the #8 hardware cloth: http://www.flickr.com/photos/9959001@N04/3440800172/in/set-72157616441011213/ The burns are from a torch I used to melt bees-wax chips that I used to seal everything up. I'm open to suggestions on how to better do that. http://www.flickr.com/photos/9959001@N04/3439984607/in/set-72157616441011213/

[slickbrightspear]

I would melt the wax in a double boiler and pour it in ans slosh it around to seal it without trying to melt it in the feeder. If i tried what you did I would end up with a fire just knowing my luck.

[daknoodle]

Okay, maybe I should change my wording. It wasn't a "torch" it was one of those long reach lighters that you buy at a super market for lighting fires. They really end up hurting when you have to hold the trigger for so long. :)

I wish I had a double boiler to use, however I do not, so I resorted to what I had available. I'm actually considering using a hot glue gun on the next one. Would be far easier, less painful, and less dangerous.

[Cacklewack]

I melt my wax in one of these and it is fantastic:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/415TG4C6NHL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Presto-06000-Kitchen-Kettle-Multi-Cooker/dp/B00006IUWH

Matt

[slickbrightspear]

you can get a double boiler that is used with a regular kitchen pan at walmart for about 8-9 dollars but once used for wax will pretty much only be for that purpose. you put water in a kitchen pan and then put the double boiler on top of that and put the wax in it saving the kitchen pan. Also I can tell you from experience if you spill hot wax on the kitchen counters it is a pain to get up and your significant other will not be happy with you my wife wasn't anyway. by the way love the hive and the feeder.

[HAB]

Great Post! Loved the pics.:applause::applause::applause:

[USCBeeMan]

Melt my wax in a crockpot. Works great and can get one cheap at yard sales.

[J-Bees]

what's going to keep it from spreading / bowing/ apart in the middle?

[USCBeeMan]

Crockpot is made of metal.... :lpf::lpf::lpf:

[daknoodle]

what's going to keep it from spreading / bowing/ apart in the middle?

I assume you are referring to the hive? In the next step-by-step post, you'll see. I have added a screened bottom and 4 "feet" on the underside. The feet have slots cut in them so they can take a bottom board that slides out. They also help with bowing.

[daknoodle]

I'm going to break up this next piece into two posts. This first one will be the complete materials list and the second will be more step-by-step instructions.

First, as mentioned in the first post, you'll need a couple of 1X8's. You need the longer pieces to be either 45 and 3/4 or 48" and the shorter pieces to be 19 and 7/8. Unless of course you want to do box joints. In that case you are on your own on sizes. Make sure you get some extra 1X8 pieces as you'll need these for building the migratory covers.

1 insulation board - http://www.flickr.com/photos/daknoodle/3444128435/in/set-72157616441011213/
1 roll of bug screen used for a storm door. Or you can go find #8 hardware cloth - http://www.flickr.com/photos/daknoodle/3444925734/in/set-72157616441011213/
2 1/4 inch sheets of plywood at 48 inches long - http://www.flickr.com/photos/daknoodle/3444128455/in/set-72157616441011213/
2 1/8 inch sheets of EUCABoard used for the bottom board slide out trays - http://www.flickr.com/photos/daknoodle/3444925728/in/set-72157616441011213/
1 2 x 2 cut into 19 and 7/8 lengths (or just make it easy on the guy cutting and say 20") - http://www.flickr.com/photos/daknoodle/3444096287/in/set-72157616441011213/
1 4 x 4 cut into 2 foot lengths to be used as legs for the stand - http://www.flickr.com/photos/daknoodle/3444925694/in/set-72157616441011213/
2 2 x 4's 2 lengths of 48 inches and 2 lengths of 20 inches. I do recommend going to 50 inch lengths though instead of 48's. Mine are 48's though - http://www.flickr.com/photos/daknoodle/3444128499/in/set-72157616441011213/
Also grab a length of 2 x 6 or 2 x 8 if you want to build your own frames (which I will be going into)

[daknoodle]

Now we have the box complete, we need to add the screen, feet and construct the stand.

Flip the hive over and roll out the screen the length of the hive. Cut the roll away with about 3 inches worth on excess on the end. http://www.flickr.com/photos/daknoodle/3444128481/in/set-72157616441011213/

Then carefully staple one corner (put a couple staples along the edges close to the corner as the corner one will start to tear off if its the only one). Then, stretching as you go, staple along the end board. Then start stapling up the side board starting at the original corner. Once you have one end done and one side done, start stretching a bit tighter as you want it as tight as possible and staple the remaining end and side. You do need enough staples to keep it tight, and to keep the bees from get out. http://www.flickr.com/photos/daknoodle/3444925708/in/set-72157616441011213/

Once it is completely stapled, simply cut the excess off. If you laid it out right, you should have enough for a second hive. http://www.flickr.com/photos/daknoodle/3444146873/in/set-72157616441011213/

Next its time to cut the slots for the feet. I set the height of the table saw blade to 3/8th of an inch and the fence at 2/8th of an inch. I make two cuts as the width of the blade isn't big enough for the bottom boards. I run each foot through on one face and then for the two middle ones I run them through on the opposite face. I then change the fence to 5/16th's and run them all through again. They should look like this when done: http://www.flickr.com/photos/daknoodle/3444128491/in/set-72157616441011213/

Now take the two end feet and attach them to the two ends of the hive body. Make sure to line up the ends of the feet to the side boards and align the back of the feet to the end boards. Should look like this: http://www.flickr.com/photos/daknoodle/3445114832/in/set-72157616441011213/

Next, starting at one of the end feet, measure and mark at 14 and 3/4 inches on both side boards. Then attach one of the middle feet. Make sure the slots are down and that you use a pilot hole to avoid splitting the wood. Also make sure you are exactly parallel to the end board. Then from that middle foot, measure and mark another 14 and 3/4 inches on both side boards, and repeat the attachment process. Once completed it should look like: http://www.flickr.com/photos/daknoodle/3444925698/in/set-72157616441011213/

Now lay out the pieces for the stand. this is how I build my stands, if you want them taller or smaller, or just something simpler, feel free to change things. http://www.flickr.com/photos/daknoodle/3444128451/in/set-72157616441011213/

Assemble the stand using screws, and it should look like: http://www.flickr.com/photos/daknoodle/3444146869/in/set-72157616441011213/

Finally, place completed hive ontop of completed stand. http://www.flickr.com/photos/daknoodle/3444925776/in/set-72157616441011213/

Tonight I will be building the migratory covers and starting on the frames. Do note that this entire project is based on a top entrance. As such, I did forget to mention the need of some shims in the materials list. So don't forget to pick up some.