Bee Space Clarification

[Matt Guyrd]

I'm am building my hive boxes from rough-cut pine. I bought and assembled my frames. The deep frames consistently measure 9-1/8".

I am trying to determine the width to cut the boards for my deep boxes. The BeeSource plan indicates 9-5/8". The frame rest is 5/8" deep.

The ends of the top bar are about 7/16" thick.

When doing the math, this gives me a space of about 3/16" from the top of the top bar to the top of the box. And, the space from the bottom of the bottom bar to the bottom of the box is about 5/16".

This gives a bee space between frames of 1/2"...too much.

I was under the impression that the bottom of the bottom frame should be flush with the bottom of the box, but I could be totally wrong.

Common sense tells me to just cut the width of the hive body between 9-3/8" to 9-1/2" to get the desired bee space of 1/4" to 3/8".

Any comments?

Thanks.
Matt

[Alan]

I have built all of my boxes, and these are the dimensions that work best for me:

5/8 deep x 3/8 wide rabbet for frame rest

9 1/2 deep hive body - 9 1/8 frame = 3/8 bee space which is what you want

I would suggest cutting your boxes down with your table saw after assembling them.

Alan

[Matt Guyrd]

Hey Alan...thanks for the response! You've helped to confirm my thoughts. regarding bee space and the width of heitght of the box.

Is there a particular reason you cut your boxes after assembly?

Thanks!
Matt

[odfrank]

Wood shrinks, be careful. Maybe better to have 1/8" extra space to begin with.

[Alan]

When I get my boards from the sawmill they are still wet, usually they have just been cut. So, I make my boxes and stack them up on pallets. After the wood has dried out I cut them down to size.

Alan

[Matt Guyrd]

I see...that makes sense if the lumber is green. My pine sat in a solar kiln for several months. Although not green, I don't believe it has reached a stable moisture content either. I suspect a little shrinking will take place.

Great website you have there, Alan. A lot of your honey is dark...is it buckwheat?

Matt