New Hive Designs Ideas

[PaloAltoMark]

Hi Folks:

I recently saw a web site that showed illustrations of hive designs -- most from the 1800 and early 1900's.  The "advantages" of the various design were not described, so it's hard to know what the inventor thought was novel.  However, there were some interesting designs where the advantage was more apparent.  For example,  a hive where the frames opened up like an accordion so you could view a frame without actually lifting it up.

Aside from Top Bar Hive designs, is anyone aware of any novel designs or features?  If so, please post the web site.

Thanks

[shakd]

I am a huge fan of the Langstroth Hive! Anyone not seeing any benefits to this type of hive?

[AllenF]

The lang is old and boring, well proven and the most used hive in the western hemisphere.  Everyone wants something different.

[Bellavista2]

A lady I know Has a problem lifting, Heck it's hard enough for me to lift a 10 frame deep off. I was looking around and saw several interesting ideas but quite a bit of work to try any of them though. One had  double walled boxes that pulled out on drawer guides another had a post on the corner with brackets attached so the boxes swung out independent of each other. I think she is leaning towards trying a couple long boxes next spring.   

[wd]

Bee Hive Journal may help give you some ideas

[ArmucheeBee]

I kept several hives in medium nucs last year.  Easy to lift.  The bees built up really fast due to the increase in heat, so there is more labor in swarm management.  I kept them about 5 nucs high (chin level for me).  I took honey off quickly and would add it to Langstroth hives nearby and I would also take and add frames of brood to weak hives if needed.  This kept the brood chamber open.  They are great for raising new queens (splits).  I am running 11 hives and plan to go to 20 next year raising splits in tall nucs.  Another beek with 55 years in bees liked them "cause it is similar to a holler log!"

[Robo]

a lady I know Has a problem lifting, Heck it's hard enough for me to lift a 10 frame deep off. I was looking around and saw several interesting ideas but quite a bit of work to try any of them though. One had  double walled boxes that pulled out on drawer guides another had a post on the corner with brackets attached so the boxes swung out independent of each other. I think she is leaning towards trying a couple long boxes next spring.   

http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,8627.msg54305.html#msg54305

[Michael Bush]

http://www.bushfarms.com/beeseightframemedium.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeshorizontalhives.htm
http://www.bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#lighterboxes

[Buckwhite]

I am the editor/creator of the beehivejournal at beehivejournal.blogspot.com

I am always looking for more designs for the site. Hive designs are usually the product of of one of the following motivations:
Looks
Production - honey or bees
Advancement in ideas or thoughts
Advancement in, lack of or surplus of materials
Climate/location
Beekeeper manipulation
Pest control or hygienics
Money

While there may be others these are the top ones.  The large amount of early designs attempted to exploit the conversion from box/gum/straw hives into the "modern" hives of today.  This coupled with the wide spread acceptance of the Italian bee drove it.

Today, most beekeepers focus on the following:
Weight
Cost
Pest control
Ventilation/temp control
"Natural" beekeeping

The site is geared right now to provide a visual identification of a known hive by name.  It does have modern hives from around the world. Links are provided for more information when available and to manufacturer/retailers of hives also.  Some products such apiary ant control products, pest control and hive components are sold there also.  General information related to beekeeping is also available. Drop me an email there (question link on right) for what you are looking for and I will see if I can help. I have many more designs, time is what I'm short on.

[Robo]

Buckwhite,

How about adding Ed Clark's constructive hive?   I have some CAD drawings somewhere if your interested.

Also, you might want to consider switching webrings -> http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,31364.0.html

[Robo]

Never mind, I see you have it.   My search of Clark didn't find it initially.