build your own beekeeping equipmnent
DESCRIPTION
A presentation given to the New Castle County Chapter of the Delaware Beekeepers Association at their October 2011 monthly meeting.TRANSCRIPT
Making Your Own Beekeeping Equipment
October 19, 2011
Making Your Own Beekeeping Making Your Own Beekeeping Equipment : “Winter Projects” Equipment : “Winter Projects”
Making Your Own Beekeeping Equipment
October 19, 2011
After Fall Management is done …After Fall Management is done …
• Inventory your equipment.• Decide what needs to be repaired/replaced.• Decide what additional equipment you need
or would like for the spring.• Do you have enough supers?• Do you want extra equipment for a split, new
hive, etc.?• Do you want other accessory equipment like an
observation hive, hand truck super base, nuc, etc.?
• Make your “Christmas or Wish List”
• Make to-do list of needed equipment & repairs.
• Consider building your own (or asking a friend or family member that enjoys woodworking).
Making Your Own Beekeeping Equipment
October 19, 2011
Cold Dark Winter Nights are great for Cold Dark Winter Nights are great for working on Beekeeping Equipment ! ! ! working on Beekeeping Equipment ! ! !
You may get a great deal of satisfaction from building/repairing your own equipment, will be well prepared for spring, and can often save money.
Making Your Own Beekeeping Equipment
October 19, 2011
A Range of Build-It-Yourself ItemsA Range of Build-It-Yourself Items
Making Your Own Beekeeping Equipment
October 19, 2011
Simplicity of the Langstroth HiveSimplicity of the Langstroth Hive
•Simplicity of hives & square angles make easy projects.
•Build to fit standard size equipment.
•Respect 3/8 Inch Bee Space between fixtures and parts.
•Simple Joints & Dados.
Making Your Own Beekeeping Equipment
October 19, 2011
Basic/Simple ToolsBasic/Simple Tools
Making Your Own Beekeeping Equipment
October 19, 2011
Lot’s of Free Woodworking Plan’s Lot’s of Free Woodworking Plan’s AvailableAvailable
Making Your Own Beekeeping Equipment
October 19, 2011
Power ToolsPower Tools
• Table Saw (Will do most of what is needed!!!)• Dado Blade useful.
•Miter Saw•Router• Jig Saw•Drill•Nail Guns• Plainer• Joiner
Making Your Own Beekeeping Equipment
October 19, 2011
Projects & Level of DifficultyProjects & Level of Difficulty
Easy•Hive Stands•Hive Boxes• Supers• Bottom Boards• Entrance
Reducers• Inner Cover• Top Cover• Foundation
Form Board• Imirie Shim
Moderate• Solar Melter• English
Garden Top Cover
•Oberservation Hive
•Assembly Jig• “super type”
Feeders
Difficult• Frames• In cut handles
on hive boxes & supers (may use a strip of wood).
Making Your Own Beekeeping Equipment
October 19, 2011
WoodWood
•Oak/Hardwood is heavy!!
•Cedar/Cypress last long but is expensive!
•Pine easy to work with and least expensive.
•Plywood useful for top covers, bottom boards, etc. (can also be used for bodies).
•Bees don’t seem to care, so consider cost, availability, and personal preferences.
Making Your Own Beekeeping Equipment
October 19, 2011
Cutting “Rabbits”Cutting “Rabbits”
Tablesaw with Standard Blade
Tablesaw with Dado Blade
Handheld with Router
Making Your Own Beekeeping Equipment
October 19, 2011
Other MaterialsOther Materials
•Patterns made from measurements of standard equipment.
•Aluminum Flashing
•1/8 inch Screen/Wire Cloth
•Nails
•Deck screws
•Glue
Making Your Own Beekeeping Equipment
October 19, 2011
Things to Keep in MindThings to Keep in Mind
•Build your equipment to fit standard size equipment.
•Always Respect BEE SPACE – 3/8 inch between parts.
• If greater than 3/8, bees will build comb• If less than ¼ inch, bees will glue it.
•Hive joints are important. •Simple rabbit joints work just fine.
•Avoid Green Lumber•Cost out supplies and consider your time. It’s not always less expensive.
Making Your Own Beekeeping Equipment
October 19, 2011
DBA Member DiscussionDBA Member Discussion
Build-it-yourself Q&ABuild-it-yourself Q&ABuild-It-Yourself Equipment Build-It-Yourself Equipment Show & TellShow & TellOther General Beekeeping Other General Beekeeping Questions (Fall/Winter Questions (Fall/Winter Management)Management)