Putting hive frames together?

Ruben · January 01, 2006, 07:46:47 PM

Hello, I'm new at this and am getting ready to assemble my wedged hive frames. My question is has anyone ever put hive frames together with a brad or finish nailer? I have one of each and thought about using it, but I don't know if that would give the frame proper strenth or not. This is my first hive and I want to get it right! Thanks

Michael Bush · January 01, 2006, 11:43:43 PM

I glue them with exterior wood glue (Titebond or Elmers) and nail them with 1" long 1/4" crown staples. Brads from a nailer will work just as well. If you're building more than 20 or so it's probably worth building or buying a frame nailing jig.

Ruben · January 02, 2006, 03:22:49 PM

What is the purpose for a frame jig? Does it keep thing straight or make assembly faster? I found a few sites that give intsruction on how to make one, I was just curiouds of it's purpose. I have 50 frames to put together.

amymcg · January 02, 2006, 08:13:23 PM

with the nailing jig you put the frame sides in it, it holds them in place while you pop on the tops and nail them down. Then you flip the whole thing over, and put on the bottom bars. Then you undo whatever device is holding the jig together, either bungee cords or screen door springs and your frames are done.

I'm going to build one. I have about 100 frames to put together this year.

Michael Bush · January 02, 2006, 09:19:21 PM

>Does it keep thing straight

Yes.

> or make assembly faster?

Yes.

> I found a few sites that give intsruction on how to make one, I was just curiouds of it's purpose. I have 50 frames to put together.

It's hundreds of times faster for assembling frames and they are nice and square when you're done.

Ruben · January 10, 2006, 10:51:00 PM

OK when putting these frames together most of them are wanting to split on the bottom ends just a little, I have tried to soak the end in water first and that made no difference. The frames feel sturdy when fully assembled, will some cracking just be normal? The tops turn out great but there is not much wood on the bottom.

Finsky · January 10, 2006, 11:11:29 PM

I do not use glue or jig. I just put them together with small nails. Then strings. When I embed strings with electricity into foundation I put frame in straight angle visually by the help of wax sheet. When wax is on it's place, frame is tight.

It should be 10 mm open gap under foundation so it may expand in peace. Otherwise it often makes curve in lower part.

Let 2 nails be loose and fasten string to them.

Cracking will happen if you use too big nails.