I am a fair wood worker and I do not see why you would have to buy a have in a kit and put it together, can't I just build one from a plan? the reason I ask is because the only bee keepers I know tell me I can't do it. Maybe they can't but why can't I. Is there a reason? also how soon do I need to order bees? Grant

-- grant (organicgrange@yahoo.com), January 16, 2001

Answers

Grant- Sure, you can build your own beehives. Several of our local beekeepers build their own hives, frames, etc. I have a booklet of plans that I purchased but haven't had time yet to build any. Plus, I still have some of the commercial ones left that I bought last year. The only thing about building your own is that you must be careful to use the correct dimensions in order to maintain the proper "bee space". I did build a bunch of 4-frame nucs this year from plans that were in the American Bee Journal. I had some salvaged 1" x 12"'s which I used, and they are working out really well. I used a router to rabbet the ends of the boards and they are very strong. Most commercial hives use dovetail joints- I don't know how to make them, so I used what I could learn quickly- don't see a downside, yet. I also build all my bottom boards and top covers from scrap wood which saves me a lot of money, and utilizes wood which would otherwise have been discarded. You can build frames pretty easily from scrap 2" x 4"'s- if you build a jig for the first one you should be able to crank them out really fast. There are some websites which have plans which you can download. Or, look in the ABJ classifieds- I think there is usually an ad for the plans I bought ($10.00 pp). I don't have the web addresses handy- if you want them and can't find them, drop me an email and I'll find them for you. (try Barry's Bees).

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), January 16, 2001.

About the bees- not sure where you are, but in Florida I got bees last year from a Georgia breeder which were delivered on March 28th. Not sure what the delivery date would be for you, wherever you are, but you can place your order any time now. Check your local or state beekeeper's association for more accurate info.

-- Elizabeth (ekfla@aol.com), January 16, 2001.

Grant, do a search on altavist with the words 'top bar hive 'or go to http://www.gsu.edu/~biojdsx/main.htm and learn about a better way to raise bees.

-- oldbeeman (mmen@yahoo.com), January 19, 2001.

www.beesource.com will hive about any plan you will need. Do not bee surprised if the materials cost as much to build as to buy. I tried it and I think everyone should build at least one hive. TBH is good too.

Laura

-- Laura (LauraLeekis@home.com), January 19, 2001.

While the dimensions for frames and hive boxes are important for easy management and top production, building them is not rocket science, as long as you don't think your time is worth much. I've spent long hours assembling, wiring and applying foundation to frames and assembling and painting boxes. I shudder to think at the sheer time and tedium required to cut all those pieces. I have six hives: that's 12 deep bodies and about 20 honey supers: 320 top bars; 320 bottom bars; 640 end pieces. If starting from a stick with the basic thickness and width, a top bar needs at least nine separate cuts on the table saw. The botton bar needs at least five cuts. The end pieces need at least four cuts, two of which have a radius and would probably need to be cut individually on a jig saw. The end pieces also need holes drilled for grommets and wiring. I amazed at how inexpensive they are even unassembled. You should be ready to install your bees by the middle of April at the latest. Check with your supplier to see how far in advance you need to order the packages. Have all your boxes painted, feed syrup mixed and ready to put on, medications ready, smoker, suit, everything tried and tested. Aim to be ready a week before your bees arrive and do a dry run. If you have never installed bees, you will be amazed at how much there is to do. The best weather for bees is when it's warm, and that's when you want to spend the least time sealed up in that suit, eyes stinging from sweat. Save yourself a lot of running around and be prepared. I can hardly wait for spring.

-- Skip Walton (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), January 22, 2001.

I need the site's for the plans to build a beehive thank you Kelley

-- Kelley Tolliver (chiefdog@zoomnet.net), February 27, 2001.