Beehive Birthday Present

[toolmaster]

     I told my brother that I wanted to try beekeeping as a part of my hobby farm in my large back yard here in Coastal NJ.  Since, I do not have the cash to purchase prebuilt hives. I sent him plans from beesource.com to see if we could build one from scrap 3/4 plywood we had. He reviewed the plans and some other photos on the web and said "Hey, I like that. I will make it for your birthday. But I want to make it my way." To which I said, "Alright, I am just trying to make one. So what ever you want to do is fine." He responed with "The worst that can happen is I end up spending the day making firewood" ;)

     This is a 10 Frame Langstroth Beehive with 1 deep hive body and 1 medium super. He made all the parts, body, super, and frames. The body and super have dove tailed corners (which are glue and nailed) for added strength and beauty. He added his own flurishes like the overly large telescoping top with air holes for ventilation. A nice feature as we don't get a lot of rain or snow. But when we do get rain it's usually downpours or driving snow that a flat roof won't shed easly.  A little overhang over the entrance. A decorative feature only. As I don't think it is going to shade to much. But it looks very antique-ish. A wider bottom board and the body has the 3/4" band around the top to hold the super in place and act as a handle. We don't have any bears in the area. But, we do have raccons, opussums, strong winds and such that will knock the hive over. Hopefully these modifications will keep them safer. He put a coat of primer on it. Which I am going to cover with semi gloss to keep the wood from soaking up water.

     To quote my brother "this was a fun and easy project. I can’t wait to see if the bees like it…?". However, he said he would never make frames again, because of the time consumed making them. Is there a fast/easier way to make them? He had such a good time making it. He wanted his own. But my sister-in-law told him to forget it.

     I am hoping that I can get him to make some 5 frame NUC's as bait hives and leave one is his yard and one in mine. I don't have anything to lose by trying - right!





     I am also looking for your comments, suggestions, feedback and questions about design modifications and improvements.

Thanks

[Brian D. Bray]

He added his own flurishes like the overly large telescoping top with air holes for ventilation. A nice feature as we don't get a lot of rain or snow. But when we do get rain it's usually downpours or driving snow that a flat roof won't shed easly.  A little overhang over the entrance. A decorative feature only. As I don't think it is going to shade to much. But it looks very antique-ish. A wider bottom board and the body has the 3/4" band around the top to hold the super in place and act as a handle.

He sounds very intuitive.  I think you'll like is innovations.  The inset made by putting the handles at the top of the box will aid greatly if your hive ever starts to lean and will help in putting the hives back together. 
Years ago, in the Seattle area, there was a beekeeper who made all his hives that way--he even sold some to other people but the idea didn't catch on.  Welcome to the forum and to beekeeping.

[Cindi]

Toolmaster, welcome to our forum.  What a wonderful Brother you have, he must love you dearly, that shines through.  You have found the place to present any questions that you want to ask, to make your life with the bees more easily understood.  There will be many questions, lean on us, we will all help in our little own ways.  I got a laugh when you said that he wouldn't make frames anymore because they were too time consuming, that was a cute comment.  Anyways, tell us more about yourself when you have some time.  We love to hear things about new forum friends that come here and would love to hear your experiences with your new life you will have with the bees.  Have the most beautiful, wonderful day, Cindi

[JP]

Hey, could I borrow your brother for my next birthday? lol. What a great brother you have.


...JP

[jimmyo]

welcome to the forum.  Now about this brother.... Can I borrow him sometime too?  :-D Mine mostly breaks stuff.   
JimmyO

[BeeHopper]

toolmaster,

Welcome to the forum  :-D Also nice to have another New Jersey Beek  :-D :-D