View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
biobee Site Admin

Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 1063 Location: UK, England, S. Devon
|
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. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
FollowMeChaps Golden Bee

Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 1554 Location: North Somerset, SW UK
|
Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 7:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Sorry Phil, it's no good to me - I can't dance!  |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Gareth Wise Bee

Joined: 29 Oct 2008 Posts: 3060 Location: UK, England, Cotswolds
|
Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 8:22 pm Post subject: |
|
|
FollowMeChaps wrote: | Sorry Phil, it's no good to me - I can't dance!  |
Don't be silly; it's for predicting the mid-winter sunrise! |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Cheryl Guest
|
Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 10:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
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. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
dragonbee Guest
|
Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 11:53 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Wait a minute--isn't that the missing piece of the da Vinci code? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Norm Moderator Bee

Joined: 15 Jun 2007 Posts: 2974 Location: UK in winter, Sweden in summer
|
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. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Jay Guest
|
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 2:59 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Isn't it amazing how the simplest solutions always seem to take the longest to find?
 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
biobee Site Admin

Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 1063 Location: UK, England, S. Devon
|
Posted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:19 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Norm wrote: | 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. |
I have a couple of woodworkers who have expressed interest - we'll see! |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Cacklewack Scout Bee

Joined: 03 Jul 2008 Posts: 282 Location: Portland, OR
|
Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 7:32 am Post subject: |
|
|
Our mill uses similar jigs when assembling top bar hives. They really help!
Matt |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
John Scout Bee

Joined: 08 Mar 2008 Posts: 270 Location: England / London & Kent
|
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. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Ladysmeader New Bee
Joined: 29 Apr 2012 Posts: 8 Location: Cheriton Fitzpaine
|
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 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
newwoman Golden Bee
Joined: 19 Apr 2011 Posts: 1165 Location: UK/North East Wales
|
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 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Ladysmeader New Bee
Joined: 29 Apr 2012 Posts: 8 Location: Cheriton Fitzpaine
|
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 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
newwoman Golden Bee
Joined: 19 Apr 2011 Posts: 1165 Location: UK/North East Wales
|
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 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Ladysmeader New Bee
Joined: 29 Apr 2012 Posts: 8 Location: Cheriton Fitzpaine
|
Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 4:39 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks Pat.
I can rest easy now !
Charles |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Uwe in USA Guard Bee

Joined: 08 May 2013 Posts: 69 Location: Arlington, Virginia, 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 |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
biobee Site Admin

Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 1063 Location: UK, England, S. Devon
|
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 5:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
You need my latest book - published on Monday! |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Invision Guard Bee
Joined: 11 Jul 2013 Posts: 71 Location: Poulsbo, Washington USA zone 8b
|
Posted: Mon Dec 02, 2013 5:06 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Where can we get it? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
biobee Site Admin

Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 1063 Location: UK, England, S. Devon
|
|
Back to top |
|
 |
exmar Nurse Bee
Joined: 16 Apr 2014 Posts: 28 Location: SE Ohio, USA
|
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? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
ingo50 Scout Bee
Joined: 30 May 2014 Posts: 311 Location: Newport, Gwent, Wales, UK
|
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? |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
trekmate Golden Bee

Joined: 30 Nov 2009 Posts: 1137 Location: UK, North Yorkshire, Bentham
|
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 6:37 am Post subject: |
|
|
ingo50 wrote: | Are there any plans on the web for various roof designs? What is the best insulation to fit into the roof in winter? |
If you make your own hives, save the saw dust and shavings and place in an old pillow case. Warm and flexible.
Sheep fleece is great if you can get it.
Avoid anything that isn't permeable as moisture can find it's way up through smal gaps between the top-bars, condense and fall back onto the bees. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
madasafish Silver Bee
Joined: 29 Apr 2009 Posts: 882 Location: Stoke On Trent
|
Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 8:54 am Post subject: |
|
|
ingo50 wrote: | 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? |
I make all new roofs from Kingspan or similar insulation with a simple frame of wood round the sides. Cover with felt - or paint it. MUCH much lighter... It does need to be strapped down in windy conditions...
I place a 35mm - or 50mm sheet of Kingspan or similar (edges sealed with tape) on top of the bars. Or old carpet underlay.. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
obcarskas Guard Bee

Joined: 27 Mar 2015 Posts: 54 Location: chester, england, uk
|
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. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
Adam Rose Silver Bee
Joined: 09 Oct 2011 Posts: 589 Location: Manchester, UK
|
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. |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
obcarskas Guard Bee

Joined: 27 Mar 2015 Posts: 54 Location: chester, england, uk
|
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 ! |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
trekmate Golden Bee

Joined: 30 Nov 2009 Posts: 1137 Location: UK, North Yorkshire, Bentham
|
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 11:28 am Post subject: |
|
|
Adam Rose wrote: | You use wood glue and a clamp to glue three four inch planks together to form a single 12 inch plank. |
Or if you're not confident about gluing & clamping, just use battens to join the planks, or short pieces of plank across the long pieces, and screw them together.
John |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
obcarskas Guard Bee

Joined: 27 Mar 2015 Posts: 54 Location: chester, england, uk
|
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 5:40 pm Post subject: hive cutting tool found ! safe ! easy ! light ! has jigsaw |
|
|
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 ! |
|
Back to top |
|
 |
|