Beekeeping

[Eaglesfate]

Just curious as to the material you use for your main hives? Pine? have you tried hard woods like Maple, oak, etc.?

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Just curious as to the material you use for your main hives? Pine? have you tried hard woods like Maple, oak, etc.?

Pine. I have considered using hardwoods for the dimensional lumber pieces.

 

[Eaglesfate]

I must have had a bad batch of pine this year boxes didn't hold up well this year, been thinking hard woods may fare better.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I must have had a bad batch of pine this year boxes didn't hold up well this year, been thinking hard woods may fare better.

Well my exteriors are all 3/8 pine plywood... With three coats of high quality exterior latex paint. Also, the gabled roof keeps the exteriors pretty dry

 

[Torvy]

As for bench building. A miter saw on a stand would be awesome for the dimensional lumber cuts. Circular will do it, just not as repeatable.
My MDF I cut to size with a circular saw and a long straight edge clamped to the surface. That is how I break down all of my plywood too. I wanted to make sure the top was square, because I use it to lay out sheet aluminum for rooftops

Almost done. Need to put mdf on top. Seriously considering drawers. The bottom shelf I cut from scrap cedar fence panels.

Wife is going out later to feed the bees. She wants to relocate the hive (not too far). Also wants to get a frame of honey.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Nice bench! We are bottling tomorrow.

 

[Torvy]

Here's what little she got.

 

[Torvy]

Frames in the extractor. She only used 2 frames. Left plenty for the bees.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I'm hoping to get maybe a 5 gallon bucket

 

[Torvy]

I'm hoping to get maybe a 5 gallon bucket

How many hives are you operating?