Bottom Board Question

[Ruben]

I got a bottom board today from Dadant, my question is do you glue the bottom tongue and groove boards, and the sides together before nailing or just nail them together without glue to allow for expansion from temp changes?

[Michael Bush]

Either will work.  If it's a solid bottom board, I probably wouldn't glue it just so water can seep out, however slowly.  But I'd also tip the hive slightly (1/4") forward so the water can run out.  If it's a SBB then the water won't be a problem and I'd glue it just to hold it together better.

[Ruben]

It's not a SBB just a regular Dadant the botton with planks that are tongue and groove. How about drilling a few 1/16" holes in the bottom boards for drainage?

[Michael Bush]

>It's not a SBB just a regular Dadant the botton with planks that are tongue and groove. How about drilling a few 1/16" holes in the bottom boards for drainage?

They will plug with wax and such.  Go for 1/8" instead and it's probably a good idea.  They will still plug but not as much and not as often.  You don't need a lot of them.