View Full Version : Making frames - small scale
I have some frames which must be 60 years old. They look like they where made by hand, very simple tools. The wood used is Silky oak ( Grevillea robusta).
I would like to make some Full Size frames and wonder if there are any instrudtions around, tools best suited, jigs?
I'm not trying to safe money, I'm trying to leave some frames behind another beek will enjoy and marvel over in 60 years time.
I'm living in Australia and have access to some great timber, thanks!
Michael Bush
12-26-2009, 03:00 PM
http://www.beesource.com/build-it-yourself/dadant-type-frames/
But if I were making them myself, I'd reduce them by 1/8" in width:
http://www.bushfarms.com/beesframewidth.htm
In fact making them narrower is the only motivation I have for making my own, as it's too cheap and simple to buy them...
magnet-man
12-26-2009, 03:28 PM
Can you post a picture of an old frame?
Can you post a picture of an old frame?
Difficult - they are in the hives and it is raining ( and we love it!)
Next time I take some some out I will post a picture. The Silky Oak frames look pretty well the same as a pine one...until you look closer. The grain of the timber is magnificant. Also holds nails well.
A lot of boxes and frames are made from Hoop Pine ( Araucaria spp) here in Queensland and it is a great timber. Most of it now comes from plantations and is a little to wide-grained for my liking and can split.
My-smokepole
12-28-2009, 04:47 PM
So Michael what do you like to use when you are building them from sctach. 2x ? or what
Blitzz
12-30-2009, 06:49 PM
Watch the wood fingers of these guys!
Just remember what Norm says at the beginning of each woodworking segment.
Top bars:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qbeR6jych0&NR=1
Side bars:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i5qrHt3NVw&feature=related
Michael Bush
01-06-2010, 07:41 PM
I usually don't build them from scratch. It's too much work. I usually cut down existing ones after I assemble the frames. It gives me a nice hand hold for cutting them. But I would use a two by twelve, cut the block to what I want (grooves for bottom and top etc.) and then cut the slabs off to make the end bars. You don't have to have the fancy taper on them. Straight up and down works.