How do you all do it without causing undo damage?
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How do you all do it without causing undo damage?
Most hobbyists using inner covers and telescoping covers are able to remove the outer cover easily and then use their hive tool at the corners of the inner cover to break any seal the bees have made. Once the inner cover has been raised a bit at two corners it generally comes off easily. Blow a bit of smoke at the entrance and at the hole in the inner cover before working on the inner cover to remove it.
Push the thin end of the hive tool into the crack between boxes (or inner cover) at least an inch away from the corner, on the SIDE, not the end, of the box. Pry to crack the propolis loose, then lift off the cover or box. You will probably need to do both sides to get the box free.
If you pry on the ends, you are much more likely to damage the thin area at the frame rest.
This is easier if you take a hand plane and cut a shallow taper on the sides of the box near the end when assembling, just enough to get a hive tool in. If the boxes fit together perfectly flat, you damage the wood forcing the hive tool in.
Go gently -- steady pressure is better than a sharp shove on the hive tool.
Peter