Frame assembly jigs: Walter t. Kelley vs brushy mountain

[Runswithbees]

Does anyone know which frame assembly jig is better? The Brushy Mountain one or the Walter T. Kelley. . . .

[BeeCurious]

I have a Brushy Mountain model.

It's OK, perhaps some have experience with both...

I have some Mann Lake pf-120's and a few hundred wooden frames. I believe I may have prefered using all pf-120's... and skipping all of the glue, stapling, wiring....

[StevenG]

I only have the Walter Kelley version, have assembled several thousand frames with it.
Works well. No complaints at all. Periodically I have to scrape the excess glue off it that oozes out of the frame joints.

[ken rice]

I know this is not either of those, but I built this one with minimal tools and it works great (www.myoldtools.com) click on beekeeping page.

[mmiller]

I know this is not either of those, but I built this one with minimal tools and it works great (www.myoldtools.com) click on beekeeping page.

Thats the one I built. Scrap lumber and about 10 minutes of time. Works great!

Mike

[EastSideBuzz]

Thats the one I built. Scrap lumber and about 10 minutes of time. Works great!

Mike

Same here. Its a box with 2 slits in it. Easy peasy.

[Risky Beesness]

I know this is not either of those, but I built this one with minimal tools and it works great (www.myoldtools.com) click on beekeeping page.

Same here. Seems to work great and didn't cost anything.

[pascopol]

Mine is same like yours, works great and "cost" me 15 min to make out of scrap boards.

[Ross]

I know this is not either of those, but I built this one with minimal tools and it works great (www.myoldtools.com) click on beekeeping page.

If you don't have the skills or tools to cut the slots, you can drill one inch holes and use one inch round dowels for the rods. Packing tape or wax will keep the glue from sticking to your rods.

[Cleo C. Hogan Jr]

The one I posted requires no special skills or tools. It can be built with a hand saw. You simply nail the pieces of wood on the top and bottom of the super, (along the sides and front/rear). You can use any width of wood for the spacer and the width. (see photo).

I also have a single frame jig that I like when I am using a crown staple gun and no glue. I will try to get photos in the next few days and post. It is faster than the multiple frame jig, if you are not using glue and nails.( I recommend glue if you are using nails). I assemble most of mine with 1 1/2 inch staples and I don't use glue any more when I assemble frames. With 1 1/2 inch crown staples, you are not going to pull them apart.

cchoganjr

[Mustang]

Does anyone know which frame assembly jig is better? The Brushy Mountain one or the Walter T. Kelley. . . .

I have Brushy's and I have seen Kelley's. Kelley's is better holds the frame tight.

[ryandebny]

The kelley new style use to be great. I've used them for years. Now they redesigned them so they are easier to manufacture. They didn't mention this before I bought 1000 of them. Problem is they don't fit as tight, and the new groove has left a hole that is perfect for a hive beetle to hide in.
Brushy mt here I come.

[ken rice]

Bushkillfarms frame assembly jig

[ken rice]

Look in build it yourself on this forum easy to build works great

[JRG13]

I bought the cheapest super from Mann Lake, I wanted a shallow, but they gave me a medium. I put it together making sure it was square as can be, then chopped about 2" out of the middle. I had two pieces of wood already cut to fit inside a 10 frame box so I just screwed them in place with some end bars in for spacing. Works great, I attach the top bars then remove from the jig and just use two rubberbands to keep all the frames tight to each other and square then attach the bottom bar and done.

[rwurster]

Made mine out of the ribs of used pallets, i do 15 at a time and its made to hold 3/4" thick end bars. If you can I would highly suggest making your own.

Edit: I can assemble deep, medium, and shallows (which i dont use) with it

[Cleo C. Hogan Jr]

Intheswamp..others...Here are three photos of my frame assembly jig. I used a medium as the base. It will hold 1-12 at a time.

As you can see from photo I placed the end bars against each side of the super, then I nailed a 3/4 X 3/4 on the top edge of the super.This leaves a gap of 1 1/8. Do the same on the bottom.

Place from 1 to 12 end bars on each side of the frame jig. This will space them, and keep them straight.

Next you place the top bars on the end bars and glue/nail/staple the top bars to the end bars

Next you turn the jig over and insert the bottom bars. Then glue/nail/staple the bottom bars.

Next you pull the 3/4 X3/4 pieces out, and remove the assembled fram. Place a nail/staple from the end bar into the bottom side of the top bar and the frames are assebled. The jig holds the frames square, and makes it easy to asseble the frames.

I also have a one at a time assembly jig which works great if you are using a nail/staple gun.

Any questions, let me know, cchoganjr@scrtc.com

Hogan Frame Jig (1).jpg

Hogan Frame Jig (2).jpg

Hogan Frame Jig (3).jpg

cchoganjr

[Intheswamp]

Thanks, Cleo!! I think I can knock together one of these. Matter of fact I've got a super that came to me with the shelf hanger rabbet and the handle cut upside down on one of the sides that I can use for this. I'm using all 8-frame mediums so I'll have to cut the box down in size but it shouldn't be too big of an issue.

Thanks again for the pictures, they help me understand your design greatly!

Take care,
Ed