Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: malabarchillin on January 12, 2009, 05:46:56 PM

Title: seal ply for migratory tops
Post by: malabarchillin on January 12, 2009, 05:46:56 PM
What do you use to seal the edges of your migratory plywood tops ? I have not been happy with just trying to let paint soak up. I did not want to hassle bending alum covers. Anyone glue up cypress fence pickets and cut to fit ? I could thickness plane cypress pickets and glue-up, but not sure if it would want to warp and curl up. I am in Fla so there is always a lot of humidity and rain to deal with. Saw a tv show that had phenalic layer on plywood for concrete forms. I assume that is what my bought cover is made from. Any source for that type of plywood ? I always seem to not have enough bottom boards and tops for swarms or temp needs and wish to build quite a few extras
Thanks
Mike
Title: Re: seal ply for migratory tops
Post by: Michael Bush on January 12, 2009, 07:13:15 PM
I "boil" mine in beeswax and gum rosin.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesdipping.htm
Title: Re: seal ply for migratory tops
Post by: justgojumpit on January 13, 2009, 06:05:51 PM
I built mine from scrap 3/4" thickness pine.  I just put the pieces side by side, and then put a strip across the top and bottom at each end to hold it all together.  I'm wondering how well paint will fill the cracks between the boards.  I'm sure after a few coats, it will be waterproof.  I'm sure these will last longer than plywood, in any case!

justgojumpit