Hive Body Assembling & Popsicle Stick Questions

[DayValleyDahlias]

I rec'd my order of unassembled mediums today.  Just took them out and tried to put them together for fun...the little dovetails (?) don't fit.  Is it common to have to sand them down in order for them to fit?  Also, what type if nails should I use.

And how does one use popsicle sticks as a starter strip...would tongue depressors work?

Many tx

[tillie]

The last ones I ordered from Brushy Mountain I had to use a rubber mallet to hammer the dovetails together.  They didn't just slip into place like the larger hive boxes I had ordered from Dadant - is this 8 frame equipment?  If so, you and I are having similar experiences.  In the end it's quite a snug fit but nothing is knocking those boxes apart!

Linda T in Atlanta

[Angi_H]

I have not had the problem with Dadants Deeps Meds or shallows. They all nailed right togather. ANd I used glue. Do not be afraid of using a rubber mallet. Just be careful not to break off the dove.

Angi

[Michael Bush]

>And how does one use popsicle sticks as a starter strip...

Glue them into the groove on the top bar.

>would tongue depressors work?

Probably, but they are a bit wide.  The craft stores sell the popscicle sticks in packs of 100s or 1000s or something on those lines.  They are cheap.

[DayValleyDahlias]

Tillie, yes these are 8 frames, guess I should be grateful for the tight fit.

Angi these are from MannLake not Dadant, the frames are coming from Dadant as MannLake was all out.

Michael, that is encouraging about popcicle sticks, seems much quicker than placing strips of foundation in...

Thanks all, I will be out in my shop with a rubber hammer very soon!

[Joseph Clemens]

I rec'd my order of unassembled mediums today.  Just took them out and tried to put them together for fun...the little dovetails (?) don't fit.  Is it common to have to sand them down in order for them to fit?  Also, what type if nails should I use.

And how does one use popsicle sticks as a starter strip...would tongue depressors work?

Many tx

Actually they are called "finger" or "box" joints, dovetails can and are used, but usually only in homemade or custom woodenware. See: Dovetail Joint.

Commercial woodenware, especially box jointed supers can vary greatly in their precision, and prior to assembly wood will continue to slightly change dimensions, mostly due to changes in moisture content. Most can usually be assembled without major damage, using a rubber mallet or block of wood and a hammer.  :-D

[DayValleyDahlias]

Thank you all. I assembled six mediums this morning. I used the rubber mallet.  It was much fun.

Just now inside from painting and cleaning up the wood stuff

[johnnybigfish]

Did you use gorilla glue?....("Mutley" laugh.)
your friend,
john

[DayValleyDahlias]

nope...gorilla glue will be for the frames  :-D

[wtiger]

Wood will vary significantly in size depending on moisture/humidity.  I do a lot of precision millwork for one of my customers.  The parts have to fit very precisely into 2 aluminum fixtures one for each side I made especially for the job.  One day it will be dry and everything fits perfectly as it should.  It rains and the humidity changes and I have to break out the rubber mallet to fit the parts into the fixture.  The parts are only 3/4 where they fit into the fixtures, but will expand/contract .001-.003" depending on the humidity.  I'd imagine you'd run into the same problem with with your woodware.  It's the same reason an unfinished laminated pieces of wood will slowly work themselves apart unless they're finished or in strictly humidity and temperature controlled environment.