[D Coates]

Here are plans and measurements for nucs I make. I think they are simple and you can make 4 five-frame nucs out of one 4' x 8' sheet of 15/32 plywood that sells for +/-$10 at Lowes or Home Depot. I use them for swarm traps, queen breeding nucs, and I overwinter nucs in them. I also leave the bottom off of some to stack on other nucs to make 10 frame nucs. I use thin 1 1/4 inch nails, titebond III glue, and I paint them to ensure I get many years of service out of them.

http://s196.photobucket.com/albums/aa190/Drew454/Nuc plans/

 

[Mark in Kansas]

Very nice. I might have me a weekend project now !

Dimensions on the entrance hole ?

 

[Aram]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Does the Scrap (2) get used also?
Where?
Thank you,
Aram

 

[throrope]

:applause:Nice! This is the best nuc I've seen yet. I like the quick way you made the frame rest.

At a buck four bits it beats the pants off cardboard and paint can't cost more than shipping.:thumbsup:

 

[D Coates]

Very nice. I might have me a weekend project now !

Dimensions on the entrance hole ?

Under the respective pictures there's a brief description. I make the entrance 2" x 1/2". By slotting it I've found critters aren't interesting in making their nest in there.

 

[D Coates]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Does the Scrap (2) get used also?
Where?
Thank you,
Aram

The scrap is used on the ends of the top. The one's I use are 1/2" x 8". It keeps the top from easily sliding front to back.

 

[Mark in Kansas]

Under the respective pictures there's a brief description. I make the entrance 2" x 1/2". By slotting it I've found critters aren't interesting in making their nest in there.

"DOH!" Big "duh!" on me ! SHoulda scrolled down !

 

[Adrian Quiney WI]

clever.:thumbsup:

 

[Reid]

:thumbsup:
Simple, functional, and inexpensive.
Very nice.

 

[kathygibson]

Nice job...thanks for sharing with all of us! :applause:

 

[Batman]

I like it, except I thought the glues used in plywood, cdx and particle board were suppose to be toxic to bee?

Craig

 

[SamG347]

I hope not as my hive roofs are all plywood

 

[AmericasBeekeeper]

If you are worried about the adhesives coat the inside with propolis or roughen the wood and the bees will coat it.

 

[mherndon]

Do you have a template of how the 4X8 should be cut without wasting any of it? Do you cut out the parts the same way every time or do you just start cutting out parts randomly?

Mark

 

[Steve10]

Thank you very much for sharing this design and the pictures.

 

[Happy Honey Farm]

Looks nice and easy was going to make some nuc boxes this weekend and I'm going to try your way this time:applause:

 

[Batman]

Well if you're using plywood and the bees are still alive, maybe its more of a cdx/particle board issue since the glue would be more exposed and on the surface? Guess I'm off to Lowe's tomorrow morning.

Thanks,
Craig

 

[slickbrightspear]

really nice nuc thanx for the idea

 

[D Coates]

Do you have a template of how the 4X8 should be cut without wasting any of it?

No template, (though I should) but I focus on the sides first top to bottom. They consume a lot of material. Then I focus on the tops and bottoms. At that point I then focus on the fronts and backs. I use the remander for the end caps and scraps. I have the wood cut in half at Home Depot as my Expedition can't handle an 8' x 4' but it can handle 2 4'x4's with no problem.

 

[D Coates]

maybe its more of a cdx/particle board issue since the glue would be more exposed and on the surface?

I guess ignorance is bliss. The first ones I made are from exterior chipboard I tore out of my garage that the previous owner had used as shelves. Some of the shelves even had motor oil soaked into it. I was a little concerned about it thinking they would reject it and obscond. Nope, they don't seem to care and lightly propolised over it like everything thing else in there. I've used scrap and new plywood on the remainders with no problems. With the places I found and seen bee's make hives I've come to the conclusion they are quite hardy