Need advice on hive stand construction

[journey11]

Hi. I am working on this design for a new hive stand I want to build and need some advice on how to put it together so it will be sufficient to bear the weight.

This is what I've got so far, what I'm going for basically:



It occurred to me after I scanned the drawing that the stringers would actually need to be turned so the 2" side is up, for strength. But then I am not sure how to fix them to the cross pieces... I guess I could use landscape timbers instead. Those are 8', I think. The cross pieces I will probably secure to the 4x4 legs with deck bolts.

I'd like to use some 10' 2x4s I have, hoping this would be enough to hold 5 hives. But I can go with 8' (4 hives) if that would work out better. I really don't have enough construction experience to be sure what would bear the weight. (Only built stuff like chicken coops, dog houses, etc. before.)

I like this guy's hive stands that I saw on this Youtube video. His are on 4x4s and he paints the legs with a vaseline/baby oil mixture to keep the ants down. (Or I might use tanglefoot.) Except I wanted a bench instead of just a single hive stand.

So any thoughts on this, improvements on the design? I don't want to go on a wish and a prayer and have the whole thing topple over on me! Thanks.

[rlsiv]

If you don't cantilever the 2x4's so much (move the support legs closer to the ends of the "bench") you wouldn't have to turn the 2x4's up on edge. If I did that, I'd probably add a 4th support leg though (although I tend to way over-build things).

I'd make sure you set those support legs in/on concrete or something - and use treated lumber.


Nice design - I like it.

[jrbbees]

You need to add a support peice at a 45 degree angle from the legs to the crossbars.
Other wise the weight will shift to the front or back over time and the crossbars will start to lean down leading to failure.
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[Ardilla]

Definitely add diagonal braces and make sure the posts are in solid. Heavy hives + wet soil after big rains could equal a big mess.

[NasalSponge]

Yea, I am not a fan of hive stands with legs, you go into a bumper year and each hive can weigh hundreds of pounds then like mentioned above get a good rain and.... @ a minimum I would use 6 legs.

Plus, if cement is used they can not be moved and things can happen in the future.....

But this is PURELY my opinion, you of course are free to make any hive stand you want..

Nice drawing!!

[lenny bee]

The stand looks good, But when I worked off a stand like this I found it a little hard to get use to. A bit high and hard to work from the sides. So I had to lift boxes from the front or back of the hives.Was hard to get levage to lift.

[AstroBee]

Hope this doesn't sound critical, but I'd go with a different design. Mine are very close to those seen here:

http://www.beesource.com/forums/show...ighlight=stand

The problem I see with your design is that you need to sink the posts, plus there would be a fair amount of stress based upon the cantilever style arms. Simple is better. Portability is also good.