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biobee · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 6:17 pm Post subject: Simple hive-building jig

Having built the small TBH, it occurred to me that the process could be simplified by using a simple wooden jig to keep the sides in position while drilling holes and tightening screws. Can't think why this didn't occur to me years ago, but...

The jig comprises two simple boards with ends as shown. The only critical dimensions are the length of the board, which is the same length as the top bars (17" in my case) and its thickness, which is also the same as the thickness of the top bars (3/4" in my case).

This shows the addition of two follower boards to act as guides for the sides, ensuring a good fit, as shown below.

This is how it all fits together for drilling.

This is the other part of the jig, showing a drilling layout, ready to lay over the end boards so hole positions do not have to be guessed at.

FollowMeChaps · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:13 pm Post subject:

Sorry Phil, it's no good to me - I can't dance! Shocked

Gareth · Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 8:22 pm Post subject:

Cheryl · Guest

Don't you worry, I'll bring in that midwinter sunrise! Oh, wait, that's for predicting the midwinter sunrise. Well, a jig is good.

dragonbee · Guest

Wait a minute--isn't that the missing piece of the da Vinci code?

Norm · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:08 am Post subject:

Phil,

Have you thought about getting together with a local woodworker and making these to order. With the jigs and all and using economies of scale, they could be turned out for a reasonable price with some profit. We know there is a market for them.

Jay · Guest

Isn't it amazing how the simplest solutions always seem to take the longest to find?
Smile

biobee · Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:19 pm Post subject:

Cacklewack · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:32 am Post subject:

Our mill uses similar jigs when assembling top bar hives. They really help!

Matt

John · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 8:35 pm Post subject: jigs

Been away for a while, but I must have missed this post becos it wasn't that long ago. Excellent! Time to make some more TBH's.

Ladysmeader · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 3:21 pm Post subject: Follower board accuracy

I have just constructed a TB hive from a kit of pieces of wood provided to me. Unfortunately it did not come with a jig or instructions. I had a tough job putting the sides and ends together accurately. I now find that one of the follower boards does not have a snug fit. There is a small gap, probably large enough for a bee to crawl though, for a couple of inches of its length near the top of the board.

Is this going to be a problem ? Should I make another follower board that does fit the space snugly?

thanks

Charles

newwoman · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 4:03 pm Post subject:

Don't worry about the gap under the follower board
The bees won't mind -they will have a looksee but will not stay there
Pat

Ladysmeader · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 4:22 pm Post subject:

Thanks Newwoman. Just to be clear, the small gap I have is between the side edge of the follower board and the side of the hive, not at the bottom. Are any bees likely to attempt to escape from central space into the end space?

thanks

Charles

newwoman · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 4:37 pm Post subject:

Yes they will 'escape/investigate' any gaps so simply make sure that you fill in the space at the top of the hive with top bars -ie keep all the top bars in place in your hive from end to end and they will not use this as an entrance/exit and so will go back into the main part of the hive with the rest of the gang
Pat

Ladysmeader · Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 4:39 pm Post subject:

Thanks Pat.

I can rest easy now !

Charles

Uwe in USA · Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 2:45 pm Post subject: Feeding option

What do you build for feeding?
The one I bought had a opening for that.
Now I am building my own and need some suggestions.

Thanks

Uwe

biobee · Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 5:56 pm Post subject:

You need my latest book - published on Monday!

Invision · Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 5:06 pm Post subject:

Where can we get it?

biobee · Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 6:49 pm Post subject:

http://www.lulu.com/shop/philip-chandler/balanced-beekeeping-i-building-a-top-bar-hive/paperback/product-21295333.html

exmar · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2014 10:34 pm Post subject:

Very new to all this. Building my first TBH. Built the "spreaders" and then cut the sides and ends and made sure they were square. I tend to do the more difficult things first, even though the instructions clearly state to make jigs to hold the sides first. Was getting ready to make those when, by chance, my eye noticed an "appliance mover" (large hand truck with a strap clamp) in the barn. Hmmm, put the spreaders in position, laid on the sides, and put the strap around and slowly tightened it. So far, so good, very easy to adjust things. This may cause the spreaders to be a tight fit when the ends are attached, however a little sanding will address that, as a snug fit is required?

"Spreaders," may be the wrong term, separators or dividers perhaps?

ingo50 · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2014 10:17 pm Post subject:

I have just built my first TBH body using Phil's instructions. Making two jigs from scrap pine worked a treat and helped align things very well. My woodworking skills are very basic and the most difficult task was doweling and glueing the 15cm cedar planks together. My advice is to take your time, measure twice and cut once. I have used Phil's two books as well as the free plans off this site. Making a second one will be much easier.
Are there any plans on the web for various roof designs? What is the best insulation to fit into the roof in winter?

trekmate · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 6:37 am Post subject:

madasafish · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 8:54 am Post subject:

obcarskas · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 1:03 am Post subject:

oh my oh my ! da vinci code drawings eeek ja !

yes yes the comment about having these hives made and flat packed so that they can be ordered pleases me enormously !

i am in tangles trying to untangle these plans to know what to get and how to do it ! then i thought ouff once done hey for all that effort i may make some more and flog them on ebay ! to soothe my pains of it all

i will sleep on it again.

having slowly come to think these dimensions are meaning PLANKS OF WOOD 4 inches wide to nail together somehow ! how do i nail planks together ? oh my oh my i cant get my head around this yet.

Adam Rose · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 6:57 am Post subject:

You use wood glue and a clamp to glue three four inch planks together to form a single 12 inch plank.

obcarskas · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 8:38 am Post subject:

ah ok thx yes. i am not giving up ! i will master this ! eeek ! ouff ! daylight so back on the theme today !

trekmate · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 11:28 am Post subject:

obcarskas

hive cutting tool found ! safe ! easy ! light ! has jigsawblade, circular blade and sanding facility ! depth to 26mm ! plenty !

now to do ? HIVE OUT OF DISCARDED FENCING PANELS AND A DOOR LEFT IN CARPARK OF NEIGHBOUR WHO SAID I CAN TAKE THE WOOD ! jaja !

cost 55GBP from b and Q...cuts under doors !

this avoids the over heavy circular saw monstrosity that i couldnt handle

this is light ! not heavy ! no risks of kickbacking at me and most of all i can hold it ! unlike a circular saw heavy monstrosity !

and i found wood glue...name...ouff...incredible hulk...ouff...gonzilla...aha GORILLA !

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