I recently purchased the Bonterra Plans and have decided I'd like to go with a Swing View double deep with 8 Frames and I have a few questions for anyone that might have experience with them. Specifically mounting to the wall, changes to the pivot mechanism with a top entrance, and the debris jar on the bottom.
My biggest question is I'd like to go with a top entrance and out the top of a double hung window (Window AC unit in lower part of window during summer). My first thought was just to flip the bottom hinge/pvc entrance to the top (making the necessary changes to the hive itself) but I guess I'd have to make some modifications on the top hinge/bolt to pivot smoothly on the bottom. Has anyone here done anything like this or maybe have some suggestions/advice.
With the mounting, they suggest cutting out the drywall, and adding 2 "backing plates" spanning between 2 studs, replace the drywall/repaint and then mount to these backing plates. Alternatively you can make finished backing plates to match the hive and mount them spanning the 2 studs on the inside of the wall. I guess I'd go with option 2 to save myself some hassle but is all that really necessary? Could I just use 4-6 lag bolts into the same stud vertically up the wall mount?
Finally the debris jar at the bottom. I have my doubts whether it would be sufficient or should I add a mostly screened bottom with a drawer underneath?
Any other advice would be greatly appreciated as I am only in the planning phase at the moment.
Thanks in advance!
My biggest question is I'd like to go with a top entrance and out the top of a double hung window (Window AC unit in lower part of window during summer). My first thought was just to flip the bottom hinge/pvc entrance to the top (making the necessary changes to the hive itself) but I guess I'd have to make some modifications on the top hinge/bolt to pivot smoothly on the bottom. Has anyone here done anything like this or maybe have some suggestions/advice.
With the mounting, they suggest cutting out the drywall, and adding 2 "backing plates" spanning between 2 studs, replace the drywall/repaint and then mount to these backing plates. Alternatively you can make finished backing plates to match the hive and mount them spanning the 2 studs on the inside of the wall. I guess I'd go with option 2 to save myself some hassle but is all that really necessary? Could I just use 4-6 lag bolts into the same stud vertically up the wall mount?
Finally the debris jar at the bottom. I have my doubts whether it would be sufficient or should I add a mostly screened bottom with a drawer underneath?
Any other advice would be greatly appreciated as I am only in the planning phase at the moment.
Thanks in advance!