Re: Joints on hive bodies
I'm guessing you are wanting to try and build up your bee yard as least expensive as possible or you would be using 1 by pine like most of us buy our build. I'd say give it a try and let us know how it goes.
I'd rethink using deeps for honey supers because they get very heavy. Guess you could use a cart to move them. By the time you move one into the garage full of honey you will know what I'm talking about. Suppose you could start with deeps and then use them for brood chambers later if they are too heavy for ya. I use deeps for brood and mediums for honey supers. The mediums can be used also when using a top feeder that requires an empty box around them so they are not all just sitting around when not being used to collect honey. I've never meet anyone at our bee club that uses deeps for honey supers but I'm sure someone must because they want to keep their equipment standardized. Most of the reading and posts I've read on the subject of standardized boxes folks are using mediums.
Could use commercial tops which are less costly to build than telescoping covers. Costs a ton in sugar to feed hives so any honey they made would have to be kept for feed until they build out all the frames with comb and your bee numbers get up in count.
I've built my bee equipment in groups of four or five at a time which cuts down on my saw blade changes and you get to know what small pieces are usable as you cut up your materials. Keep the small pieces that are not the correct width to be used as cleats for handles.
In terms of box joints I use finger joints and built a jig to cut them. Sometimes I have to caulk a few wide cuts because my jig is not that great. I did consider using rabbit joints or joints with biscuits. They are strong as heck. Most of the plans I've looked at when people use plywood they go with butt joints.
They do make 3/4" plywood or cdx. Best stick with using 3/4" stock for boxes because you will find your measurements easier to deal with as they relate to bee spacing and how other equipment (such as frames) are built for 3/4" stuff if you buy them.
Last edited by MDS; 03-06-2011 at 09:18 AM.
Try living life with the attitude it's not about what you want to do but what you should do!