Beekeeping

[CloverKnollFarms]

Also, last winter I did start sending all of my 2x material for frames through the surface planer, to get it all within a few thousands of an inch. That way it all mates up well in the assembly jigs with the other components. I've had beekeepers buy frames from me, and throw out ones they have bought from other providers, simply because the attention to detail is so poor from other wood workers.

Yes they are boxes for bees, but it doesn't take a significant amount of time to make a precise part vs a non precise part.

 

[ponytug]

Also, last winter I did start sending all of my 2x material for frames through the surface planer, to get it all within a few thousands of an inch. That way it all mates up well in the assembly jigs with the other components. I've had beekeepers buy frames from me, and throw out ones they have bought from other providers, simply because the attention to detail is so poor from other wood workers.

Yes they are boxes for bees, but it doesn't take a significant amount of time to make a precise part vs a non precise part.

I think that having/making standardized inputs yields all sorts of benefits in the subsequent processes. Very wise.

You have a sawstop saw, right?

All the best, Peter

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I think that having/making standardized inputs yields all sorts of benefits in the subsequent processes. Very wise.

You have a sawstop saw, right?

All the best, Peter

I do not, no. I have a well tuned DeWalt job site saw. 7491RS

So speaking of standardized... I use digital calipers to check widths and thicknesses for parts. Some parts are intentionally cut .010" undersize to aid in assembly.

When you start stacking tolerances, things go wonky pretty fast. Stretching a tape on these smaller parts isn't enough.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

Harvested 140 pounds today. All 11 hives are tucked in for winter.

 

[drumminj]

Harvested 140 pounds today. All 11 hives are tucked in for winter.View attachment 4274876

You harvest in fall, eh? Have a fixed # of honey frames per hive you want for them, taking any excess?

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

You harvest in fall, eh? Have a fixed # of honey frames per hive you want for them, taking any excess?

We harvest in the fall, because summer seems an odd time to harvest from a bee colony.

Also, honey from the fall will help with fall allergies, spring honey will not.

I leave each colony with 30-35 pounds of honey for winter. We never feed sugar.

That usually equates to leaving a total of 10 frames in a hive.

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

A couple hives probably have 50ish pounds for winter, because this year they stacked a lot of honey in the brood nest, so that was all left.

 

[drumminj]

Also, honey from the fall will help with fall allergies, spring honey will not.

I didn't think about that. My allergies this fall have been kicking my butt...maybe I should go steal a frame from each of my hives

 

[CloverKnollFarms]

I didn't think about that. My allergies this fall have been kicking my butt...maybe I should go steal a frame from each of my hives

Not a bad idea.

Yes, the summer honey harvest will do little, if anything, for fall allergies.

 

[fishin coyote]

I harvested mine 2 weeks ago. Got honey from 8 out of my 10 hives and ended up with 237lbs to go with the 75lbs I got in July. Yields were down but still a pretty decent amount considering the drought conditions for out area.