inner cover

Started by JRS, September 17, 2006, 10:48:19 PM

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JRS

September 17, 2006, 10:48:19 PM
What is the purpose of the inner cover? I've seen guys online that didn't have one just a tele. cover over the top.?Also does anyone have plans on a queen excluder I know it's a simple design but not sure on the opening size.
The only stupid question is the question unasked,thanx for the help.

Michael Bush

#1
September 18, 2006, 12:04:35 AM
>What is the purpose of the inner cover?

It can serve a lot of purposes, but the primary one is to create a double wall for the top to prevent condesnation in the winter.  It also makes it easier to puff a little smoke in the top before you open up and lets you feed through the opening and put wet supers above it to get them cleaned.  Telescopic covers are difficult to remove without one, because you can't get under them to pry them up.

> I've seen guys online that didn't have one just a tele. cover over the top.?

More often you'll see a migratory top.  Mine are just a piece of 3/4" plywood cut to the size of the hive with a shingle shim glued and nailed on each side to make a top entrance.

>Also does anyone have plans on a queen excluder I know it's a simple design but not sure on the opening size.

It's not practical to make a queen excluder.  The precision is too much for the do-it-yourselfer.  The metal ones are nice and smooth and don't tear up the bees wings.  The newer style plastic ones also are.  The old punched zinc and punched plastic ones are pretty rough.  I can't imaging trying to make one that would be better.

You CAN use #5 hardware cloth as an excluder.  The problem is that it's even tighter than a regular excluder, roughter, and it strips pollen from the bees.

Personally, I don't use excluders.
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Brian D. Bray

#2
September 18, 2006, 01:20:01 AM
The excluder opening is 7/32 inches but like MB indicates, it is very hard to make a good one.  Ther percission needed to make a smooth surface is usually beyond the amatuer woodworker.
Life is a school.  What have you learned?   :brian:      The greatest danger to our society is apathy, vote in every election!

JRS

#3
September 18, 2006, 09:37:21 PM
Well actually I'm a professional wood worker (cabinets,interior trim work, stuff like that ) so the fine measurements is not a problem it's just the design.But the excluder was for the cutout hiving I've been talking about.Thanks for the insight on the inner cover. :lol:
The only stupid question is the question unasked,thanx for the help.
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