After reading others tout the virtues of this material for numerous uses I decided to give it a try.
I have nucs that I made from some 3/4" band sawed pine. The boxes glued and stapled together nice and square but the lids warped a bit since I didn't fully dry the wood (only two and a half months stickered in the garage). The resulting gaps causes water to leak into the nuc.
Our local lumber yard has tons of this Advantech material in various thicknesses. 1/2", 3/4", 7/8", 1" and 1 1/8". Lumber guy said it is what almost every contractor uses for subflooring since we get so much rain before they can get a roof on. It has a waxy feel to it, cuts like a dream. I bought one sheet of 3/4" for $24.98 and made replacement lids for all of my nucs. Just because I had it laying around and like the look of a white top on my green nucs I threw a coat of exterior latex stain on them. They fit the nucs snug as can be and are perfectly flat and true. Once I get a case of mason jars I will drill a hole for a hive top feeder in each.
I also put some scrap pieces outside to see how they take the weather without any stain at all. Since it has a "50 year warranty" I doubt I see will see much in the way of degradation in the next year or two.
I liked working with this material so much I am going to build some top covers for my normal hives next! Pics to follow...
I think it's better than real wood for top covers - it stays flat, and it's heavy enough to not blow off even without a brick on top. I have some unpainted supers made out of it when I was in a bind for time and equipment, and although ugly as home made sin they are still like new structurally. Prepare from some push back though in the form of "I've never tried that therefore it won't work."
I think your test of this product is a great idea. But don't be mislead by the warranty.
AdvanTech panels are designated as Exposure 1 under U.S. Department of Commerce voluntary product standard PS 2-04 section 4.1.1.2. and therefore are not warranted for exterior uses.
I also bought a sheet this sprting and made several tops for both nucs and regular hive tops because I ran out of made up equipment in middle of swarm season. I used a few untreated and after two rain storms I noticed some delamination taking place. I primed and painted them all and they are now holding up fine.
OSB looks like Advantech, but it isn't. It will swell at he edges and warp easily when wet.
Advantech has a different glue and a waxy substance applied during manufacture that makes it very water resistant.
I messaged Keith through his Youtube account and he replied that his samples are still out in the weather and holding up very well...so wel that he is using it for some more bee equipment.
I've got migratory-style hive covers made of Advantech, primed and painted. They are starting their second winter and look as good as new. We've had the wettest year I can remember since I started beekeeping in 2002.
That's good to hear. I have a lot of plywood migratory style covers that are warping pretty bad. One of my winter projects is to build a stack of new covers using Advantech.
I have used this product in home construction and it is worth the money. I am considering building hive boxes with it. Think a good coat of paint is a wise idea.
I built some migratory covers out of the composite wood chips LP
boards. This is their 4th seasons just a bit faded because I did not repaint or
waterproof them again. No wrap and keeps on going. The LP board is much like
the advantech just a bit cheaper but with the same purpose as roofing material.
The premium osb subfloors of all brands are good materials, however the warranty is based on structural integrity in an interior environment. It will hold well outdoors, especially when painted. But when the moisture finally gets in it, it will go pretty quickly.
I think they would be heavier than I would want. And the edges of the Advantech probably wouldn't hold up as good to a hive tool. But you never know til you try.
I made some hive bodies out of it.
Some painted, some not.
After a few years they are in great condition.
But they are heavy as bricks I won't do it again
I made some hot bodies out of it.
Some painted, some not.
After a few years they are in great condition.
But they are heavy as bricks I won't do it again
I built a few deeps with it. Considerable difference in weight but I didn't weigh them. Probably not a good choice for a migratory pollinator. Just fine for a brood box that rarely moves. I find the wood cuts well enough for rabbet joints but doubt it will cut clean dadoes for box joints or handholds.
I build 5 frame nucs and 10 frame outer covers out of it. I find it needs plenty of paint. I have a few that blistered and swelled up. I would lever build 10 frame equipment out of it. Holy crap is the stuff heavy. A 3/4 sheet has to weigh 100lbs
I've looked at this considering the wood I can get here. This is at 20% moisture content for the pine which will vary greatly. The difference at the box level should only be a couple of pounds. I'm planning on Advantech for covers, but I ultimately bought boxes...
Thanks for the link "Tex". Did a little more browsing on their site and noticed that they list an Advantech sheathing panels in 1/2", 5/8" and 23/32" available in SE (standard or straight edge perhaps?) as opposed to t&g which wouldn't seem to be ideal for hive use. http://www.huberwood.com/advantech/products/advantech-sheathing
Personally, I would love the thicker dimensions but all our lids and bottoms are 1/2" and deviation from that is going to create issues with uniformity in loading. Anyone have experience with 1/2"? According to their specs going up to 5/8" significantly increases the strength.
Availability seems to be my problem. The 3/4" flooring is stocked at a lumber yard (local??, 30+ minute drive), but everything else is special order. The big box stores claim they have it in searches, but then try to sell low grade stuff. This is one of the reasons I decided to only use it for covers. I'll pick up a sheet or two when I'm near a location.
I thought about making boxes with 1/2" stock like the Coates NUC plans, but was concerned about durability. Also, there were other discussions I read about box density and temperature control. The final straw was a change at work that appears to limit my ability to use the shop.
I made deep hives and migratory covers out of 1/2" LP composite particles board.
The advantech board is heavier than the LP boards. There are other thickness of the
LP boards too just like the advantech. The price is a big difference.
I made deep hives and migratory covers out of 1/2" LP composite particles board.
The advantech board is heavier than the LP boards. There are other thickness of the
LP boards too just like the advantech. The price is a big difference.
The painted migratory cover made with the same LP materials lasted for 3 years already.
I did not repaint it for the last 2 years. It is still as good. The secret is in cutting the board with
an angle grinder. But be very careful when handling one. Use the appropriate saw for your safety to
do the job right. I only use the angle grinder when building the migratory covers. The regular deep hive
boxes I will use a wood saw. After finished and painted, the hive is not much heavier than a regular deep cypress hive.
Of course, if you use the thicker LP board then the hive box is heavier when done. There is a member here who
built a bee trailer house entirely out of these composite particle boards. But I'm not sure if it is the advantech or the LP boards.
So if he can use it for the hive boxes inside the trailer then it is good enough for me in a mild winter area.
I do stock my overwinter nucs with lots of big fat nurse bees to keep them warm all winter long. Because I have good results in
using them I will continue to build more this coming Spring.
Hey, didn't I gave out advance warning already!
Not for everyone you know. Even the pros will not go for it-- Too danger they say.
Their fingers are too precious. And they have seen it all. Probably lost one already.
Don't worry, my head and fingers are still intact. At least for now.
"For your safety!"
Beepro- you don't really use an angle grinder to cut boards. Please, say it ain't so.
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