Hive staples

Moonshae · September 03, 2009, 11:10:32 AM

When using staples to move hives, do you just use them to secure the bottom board and slatted rack (if you use one), or do you use them to hold all of the hive bodies together, too? I had a bit of a disaster one morning using just straps...the hive bodies shifted off the bottom boards a little bit, and the bees were NOT HAPPY about being driven somewhere else!

Kathyp · September 03, 2009, 11:18:46 AM

on all. side, and back. have neve had a shift even moving them a couple deep....of course i don't know how you drive :-D

Bee-Bop · September 05, 2009, 08:42:10 PM

Bee Keeping books show placing staples between all boxes, boards, everything.

Two stales are placed on both sides of the boxes, and in oppisite angles \ /

Bee-Bop

Kathyp · September 05, 2009, 09:00:34 PM

also, if you need something quickly, large electrical staples will do just fine.

Michael Bush · September 05, 2009, 10:38:36 PM

A strap is more useful than the staples but both is the most secure.

Moonshae · September 06, 2009, 08:43:23 AM

I'm definitely planning to use both staples and straps; thanks for all the replies!

Bee-Bop · September 06, 2009, 09:35:23 AM

I should have also said above !!

You probably know already;

Close up hive real good, before hammering on boxes. Banging on boxes can make them a LITTLE upset !

Bee-Bop

BoBn · September 06, 2009, 11:52:16 AM

I use wood cleats with sheet rock screws. Easy to make and no hammering on the hive. I just use a regular phillips screwdriver to attach them
[img=http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2112/nonstaples.th.jpg]

asprince · September 06, 2009, 12:16:53 PM

Quote from: BoBn on September 06, 2009, 11:52:16 AM
I use wood cleats with sheet rock screws. Easy to make and no hammering on the hive. I just use a regular phillips screwdriver to attach them
[img=http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/2112/nonstaples.th.jpg]

I too have used the wood cleats. They work good, but I prefer the staples.

Steve

JP · September 06, 2009, 12:37:43 PM

I like staples and straps and nail down the top covers.

...JP

JWPick · September 06, 2009, 01:41:05 PM

Hi all! Staples are good, but have you considered "Z" spring clips? Use your web browser and type in Z springs David Cushman. They are quite nifty and not as permanent as staples and you can attach ALL of your hive bodies, supers, and components together. They are reported to work well during transport or just as a sercuring measure in your own apiary to prevent unwanted raiding by skunks and such, as well as during high wind storms. We don't have any bees or hives yet, but we will next year and we were considering the Z springs for securing all of our components. Just a suggestion.

JWPick · September 06, 2009, 01:48:19 PM

Also, David Cushman shows about how to make your own or just order them. I found a listing by Thorne out of England for them if you wanted to take a look. You have to look under Apiary Hardware fasteners. They show a wide range of them.

Sparky · September 06, 2009, 02:03:39 PM

Hey BoBn is that blood in the pic. Looks like a hobby related accident LOL!!

JP · September 06, 2009, 02:55:35 PM

Hive staples pop right out via a hive tool, they're as permanent as you want them to be.

...JP

JWPick · September 06, 2009, 03:15:56 PM

I only meant that staples, if pulled out and then reattached, would cause another set of holes, or indentions, in your nice wood. With the Z clip the screws would be permanent, but the clip itself allows the user to unclip and reclip at will, as well as add additional components (queen excluder, etc.) without causing additional holes to his/her hive components. Sorry....

Kathyp · September 06, 2009, 04:04:40 PM

i wouldn't mind having something permanent on a few setups for cutouts. especially boxes that i have to leave and pick up late at night or early in the AM. then again, they seem to stay in those boxes and i'd have to keep putting new clips on.....

JWPick · September 06, 2009, 06:06:20 PM

....it was just an observation of staples and thier results compared to Z clips. I was looking at the overall hive and how to safely secure the the boxes to one another for transport with ease of being able to open your hives later and securing them afterwards without causing any additional holes or damage to the wood. I guess I would prefer the clips to staples. I also considered the fact that one could possibly drop and lose the staple, but the Z clip is still fastened to the boxes by one of the screws, kinda like a little hook lock on a door. After inspecting your hives, you could just re-fasten the clip with either your fingers, hive tol, or pliers, depending on the stiffness of the steel clip. I am new to all of this, but just wanted to put the info out there for anyone reading.

JP · September 06, 2009, 06:12:21 PM

With the staples, you can pry one end loose, then swing the staple over when inspecting boxes. When or if you need to move them swivel the staple back over and with a little tap its secured again.

...JP

JWPick · September 06, 2009, 06:37:27 PM

Thanks JP, now I understand how the staples are used correctly. All of these discussions should really help Moonshae understand the many aspects of securing hives. It's wonderful to actually discuss this and receive responses from such experienced people! Thanks again JP!

JP · September 06, 2009, 06:42:56 PM

No problem JW. If you ask a question on this site you will get feedback, quickly!

...JP