Built five boxes out of 4 eight foot 1 x 12's, They look good, same size and all. Bottom boards and telescoping covers will be easy enough but what about inner covers? Do I buy masonite? I also want to try top entrances, any ideas on incorporating them into home built inner covers or top covers? Thanks Harv, Did a silly thing too. Called Central Dispatch and put my name on the list for picking up swarms if they get any calls. Why did I do that? I am now up to six hives with five boxes sitting in the barn waiting to paint or varnish! and 3 bait hives out in the woods!! I think I am getting a little carried away here!
Borrow some equipment from a fellow beek. If we were closer I would be glad to loan you some equipment.
Place a rush order.
Get into high gear in the wood shop.
Share the swarms with another beek.
Good Luck,
Steve
If you build it, they will come. And you can paint it later. Bees don't care if you are painting if you do it at night without a light. Or wait until it turns cold. I have painted boxes in the winter with bees in there. You can use plywood for the inner tops also. 1/2" cut to fit into the top will work. You don't need any finger holes because they will glue the top down to the inner cover.
I would recommend the free plans for the all season inner cover from Honey Run Apiary. It is ventilated, has an upper entrance, and you can put 1 or 2 inch stryrofoam in the top to insulate for winter and even winter feed the bees easily.
Plans here. (http://www.honeyrunapiaries.com/beekeeping_plans.phtml)
You can see a post with a pic here. (http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,25593.msg200357.html#msg200357)
Jay