CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
Tapered (4) 2x6x8s in 15.5" lengths to make end bars for 120 frames. That fills up the dust collector quickly.
Beekeeping
- Thread starter LittleBittyBigJohn
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ponytug
Super Member
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
Actually dado blade on the table saw. The jointer won't remove that amount of material.
Taper... The 3.75" at the top keeps the frames from swaying when a hive or trap is being moved, and helps to keep bee space consistent between frames (they won't lean). The taper creates bee space so bees can get around the edges of the frames.
It's fairly labor intensive to build frames from scratch... But assembled frames are about 6x as expensive as the materials used.
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
We have a lot of local folks interested in keeping bees in these hives. We have hosted a few already, and have another visiting today. I will admit, as much as I love talking bees with new beekeepers, I do enjoy the zen of working hives alone and in peace when I have the chance.
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
I am looking at buying a thickness planer. The surfaces of many of these pieces is simply nowhere near flat. I had to use the table saw to plane them true, so I could get a consistent taper with the dado blade. A technique that works, but I don't feel very comfortable doing.
ponytug
Super Member
I hear you on wood quality.
In my book, any operation on a table saw that can be avoided by using a different technique is a good one. I realize others are more comfortable with table saws, but to me their primary use is breaking down sheet goods. I would rather use a joiner or planer to get pieces flat/square.
All the best,
Peter
In my book, any operation on a table saw that can be avoided by using a different technique is a good one. I realize others are more comfortable with table saws, but to me their primary use is breaking down sheet goods. I would rather use a joiner or planer to get pieces flat/square.
All the best,
Peter
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
Agreed. The 2x6s had large humps across the surface of one side, soI really needed to true them up. I'm really particular, even when it comes to building a box for bees. I can obtain a nice, 12" wide, thickness planer for $300 USD on marketplace. The alternative is possible injury, and or copious amounts of time to remedy the issue in other ways, or producing more scrap. Having the right tools, makes life so much more enjoyable
OP
LittleBittyBigJohn
Veteran Member
I got a Dewalt 735 planer last year. I am happy with it. It's insane how much sawdust it generates.
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
Does it have a dust collection port? I do have a 2hp collection system.
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
One of our girls
OP
LittleBittyBigJohn
Veteran Member
It has a port and a strong blower. When I planed the lumber for my trim in my new house I did not have a dust collector so I Jerry rigged a dryer vent into a laundry sack.... I have a dust collector now and it's much better...
It's said on the interwebs that the blower impeller can be removed to gain a little power if you have a good dust collector. But, I haven't found that it's needing power badly enough to go to those lengths. It's had plenty of power for everything I've done with it up to this point.
Looking at your frame sides, that may be a good candidate for a bandsaw with a resaw fence and blade?
It's said on the interwebs that the blower impeller can be removed to gain a little power if you have a good dust collector. But, I haven't found that it's needing power badly enough to go to those lengths. It's had plenty of power for everything I've done with it up to this point.
Looking at your frame sides, that may be a good candidate for a bandsaw with a resaw fence and blade?
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
Probably. The table saw works ok, but probably costs me in kerf and dust, dearly
OP
LittleBittyBigJohn
Veteran Member
I was more meaning for the relief cuts that you used the dado stack for. Not sure what the time difference would be though. I just got a bandsaw 2 weekends ago and have not gotten a resaw blade yet.
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
Ohhh... Hmm. I don't know. It would be easier to cut a chunk of wood rather than chip away at it
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
After some YT videos I think a band saw could be a more efficient answer. The cost of a larger unit is daunting. I did install a better filter on my dust collector today. Went from 5 microns to 1. I'll do a couple hours of sawdust making this evening and see what the workbench surface looks like afterwards
ponytug
Super Member
If you plan to use the bandsaw to trim boards to size, you might want to look for a bandsaw specifically designed to take resaw blades that are much wider than a standard bandsaw blade. That gives the blade better stability, with more uniform cuts. If you are trying for curves, it is not what you want. If you know what you want, and can organize transport, used is often a good way to go, as bandsaws are beyond lots of folks transport skills. (Heavy, and top heavy)
All the best,
Peter
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
Yeah, I saw Id need a pretty robust unit for those cuts. I'm trying to save myself some man hours... But at what cost?
I would not cut the curve. I'd end up making the corner square. Not as eloquent as what I have now.
What I do now works, it's just not very efficient.
I would not cut the curve. I'd end up making the corner square. Not as eloquent as what I have now.
What I do now works, it's just not very efficient.
ponytug
Super Member
You could use a shaper and follow a template. But lots of chips/sawdust, which is, I believe one of your original issues...
You could also clamp a bunch together and use a CNC router to make the legs while you are doing something else. (You could start from a wider piece of wood and make two legs nestled together. Then a quick saw/plane to get the legs apart.)
I do think it comes down to how you want to spend your time/money.
All the best,
Peter
CloverKnollFarms
Super Member
Actually I'd love to cut them from a sheet with a laser! 
Finished up 264 of them tonight. I'm keeping track of all my work time at the shop now so that I make sure I'm billing accordingly. The rest of the parts are easy peasy.
Finished up 264 of them tonight. I'm keeping track of all my work time at the shop now so that I make sure I'm billing accordingly. The rest of the parts are easy peasy.
