After watching "outofaclearbluesky"'s videos on YouTube, I saw his effort at making a top bar frame using dowel rods.
That got me to thinking about trying my hand at a top bar frame. As I was looking over a couple follower boards I cut out, I got the idea to draw a line 3/4" all the way around from the outside edge and cut out the center of the board from that line. This left me with a frame that fit pretty much exactly into the hive with a 3/4" thickness all around. I attached these to some top bars and hope to get some use from them in the spring. I made about ten of these so far.
I'll post again then to say if they work out or not.
Big Bear
Sounds like a great idea! There were a few times this past season that would have really come in handy. I'll be looking forward to hearing how they work. Could you post a picture sometime?
sure, soon as I get a camera. ( I have one somewhere, now to find it)
Big Bear
Could you post a link to the video? Pictures? I'm trying to picture making top bars out of dowels...
top bar frames (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uIj78zig9gM)
Those look pretty nice.
Too much work....
I don't think they are too much work for a cutout. But I wouldn't build them for just regular bars in a hive.
no, me either. I only made ten of the solid board cutouts figuring that should be a 'starter' pack. I can make some as I need them but you are right, these a are not something you go nuts and make dozens of just because.
Big Bear
I also saw that and made up frames for cutouts. I am not sure if I can post links here yet though. I put up a post about this on another forum.