Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: blakester on November 02, 2014, 01:55:58 PM

Title: My Observation Hive Project
Post by: blakester on November 02, 2014, 01:55:58 PM
Hi, my name is Blake and I'm 15 years old. I am currently a life scout working on my eagle scout project. I have chosen to build an observation hive for my local library in an effort to educate the public on the importance of honeybees. I have received approval for the project and have designed the observation hive. There will be a video kiosk, and will be built to withstand public usage. Right now I am in the process of raising funds to build it.

I will keep you informed of my progress. You can see more details of my project at http://www.blakeoverton.com/eagle-project (http://www.blakeoverton.com/eagle-project)

(http://blakeoverton.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ObservationHiveSidebySideWhite500x331.png)
Title: Re: My Observation Hive Project
Post by: iddee on November 02, 2014, 03:18:05 PM
Go get'em, Blake. You're doing a great thing. We need more young beeks.
Title: Re: My Observation Hive Project
Post by: hjon71 on November 02, 2014, 04:14:56 PM
Hi Blake. Have you considered using crowd source funding sites like http://www.gofundme.com? (http://www.gofundme.com?)
Good luck on your project. You've found a good resource here to draw from.
Title: Re: My Observation Hive Project
Post by: Culley on November 02, 2014, 07:19:10 PM
Very cool, Blake.  :)
Title: Re: My Observation Hive Project
Post by: blakester on November 02, 2014, 09:48:55 PM
Quote from: hjon71 on November 02, 2014, 04:14:56 PM
Hi Blake. Have you considered using crowd source funding sites like http://www.gofundme.com? (http://www.gofundme.com?)
Good luck on your project. You've found a good resource here to draw from.

Yes, I have crowd source funding set up at http://www.donationto.com/Crew-63-Eagle-Scout-Project-Observation-Beehive (http://www.donationto.com/Crew-63-Eagle-Scout-Project-Observation-Beehive)
Title: Re: My Observation Hive Project
Post by: hjon71 on November 03, 2014, 11:09:44 AM
Quote

Yes, I have crowd source funding set up at http://www.donationto.com/Crew-63-Eagle-Scout-Project-Observation-Beehive (http://www.donationto.com/Crew-63-Eagle-Scout-Project-Observation-Beehive)
Very good.

I notice this post made it to the facebook group. Good job Admins.. I'm going to share it and donate now. Come on Beeks, lets get this scout the help he needs.
Title: Re: My Observation Hive Project
Post by: jmblakeney on November 03, 2014, 11:24:49 AM
That's an awesome idea!  Good luck in your endeavor.
Title: Re: My Observation Hive Project
Post by: blakester on November 10, 2014, 06:26:40 PM
Hi everyone, thank you so much for the support. Since the Hive will be in a public place, I need some sort of safety glass or Lexan to withstand the tapping. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with either, and possibly the price difference.

Thank You
Title: Re: My Observation Hive Project
Post by: Michael Bush on November 12, 2014, 01:06:29 PM
> I was wondering if anyone has any experience with either, and possibly the price difference.

When making my own I've used Plexiglass, Lexan and regular glass.  I don't recommend the regular glass.  It is too fragile.   I've bought them that had Plexiglass and safety glass.  The Plexiglass is tougher to clean but cheaper and easier to work with.  The safety glass or tempered glass has to be ordered in the exact size you need and you can't cut it.  It's very expensive, but I can't say exactly how much.  You'd have to contact a glass place for that.  The glass can be scraped with a razor blade scraper to clean it.  The plexiglass I clean with a rubber spatula to get the bulk off and then soak it in mineral oil laxative (no perfume) and after it's greasy and clean I wash it with glass cleaner.  It works and can be cheaply replaced when it gets too scratched.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beesobservationhives.htm (http://www.bushfarms.com/beesobservationhives.htm)
Title: Re: My Observation Hive Project
Post by: CH05EN on November 17, 2014, 12:27:27 AM
QuoteThe plexiglass I clean with a rubber spatula to get the bulk off and then soak it in mineral oil laxative (no perfume) and after it's greasy and clean I wash it with glass cleaner.

Glass cleaner generally contains ammonia, and ammonia causes acrylic to react to it with surface crazing.  That's where the whitish scratchy looking haze comes from over time.  The best thing to use for a final cleaning of acrylic is simply dish detergent and water.
Title: Re: My Observation Hive Project
Post by: hjon71 on November 17, 2014, 02:26:59 AM
Quote from: blakester on November 10, 2014, 06:26:40 PM
Hi everyone, thank you so much for the support. Since the Hive will be in a public place, I need some sort of safety glass or Lexan to withstand the tapping. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with either, and possibly the price difference.

Thank You

I have no experience with observation hives but I wonder, wouldn't it be easiest to use Plexiglas and make it easily removeable from the inside. Keep a couple extras on hand, and swap it out instead of trying to clean it there. Would a good pressure washer be effective at cleaning any buildup on the Plexiglas?  Just tossing out ideas.
Title: Re: My Observation Hive Project
Post by: iddee on December 06, 2014, 04:52:03 PM
Only 18 days left. I sent mine. Have you?
Title: Re: My Observation Hive Project
Post by: blakester on April 06, 2015, 08:08:05 PM
Hello, I?ve been busy with school work, but I've been working on my project.  Fundraising continues and I have created a plan on what I am going to do, and what time frame I plan to do it. I plan to use a raspberry pi instead of a tablet for kiosk because it is less expensive and I can have a larger display. A raspberry pi is a small computer that is programmable to do many things, in this case, show a presentation. It is around 1/3 the price of tablet, so it is a better all around option in my case. I'm hoping to start the physical construction of the hive in May. Thank You.
Title: Re: My Observation Hive Project
Post by: hjon71 on April 09, 2015, 09:59:31 PM
Thanks for the update.
Title: Re: My Observation Hive Project
Post by: Maggiesdad on April 09, 2015, 10:21:29 PM
Rock on, Blakester!  :grin: