Anyone good at woodwork?

[psafloyd]

Looking to get a few industrial sized hive stands made up from tannalised woosd (some thing like THIS) as although I can do basic lashing and screwing,

a) I have no woodworking skills

b) I have no tools to speak of

c) I have nowhere to do it

d) life's too short and someone else must be able to help me out.

Looking for something like the above link and preferably a little cheaper. I would buy from the buy if I could collect, but he is too far away.

So, is there anyone out there who thinks they could knock up half a dozen of these with some consideration for their time?

If so, please drop me a line as I'd dearly like to get them in place while the bees are clustered.

 

[Outlander]

I made two stands for three hives and a smaller version for single or two nuc. I have no carpentry experience. All you need bolts nuts washers screws screw driver saw pencil and a square. Very simple very strong very cheap and very satisfying... Oh and glue.

 

[Headnavigator]

Might sound daft but I've done it before in order to work something out: get a few strips of balsa from your local model shop and build what you want to scale - easy with knife, pins and glue and you can make all the mistakes and mods you like without ending up with an expensive bonfire. OK I know the balsa will cost a bit - ludicrous compared with timber, but it's quite satisfying and you can be as inventive as you like and incorporate all the refinements in your final construction. You will also know what order to put it all together - more important than you might think.
Oh yes, and sometimes the less tools you have, the better.

 

[REDWOOD]

your local builders merchant will cut the wood for you and a few screws and pan head bolts (coach bolts) job done
if you lived near me I would have knocked them up in 20 mins for you

 

[tonybloke]

2 x 'pot' blocks (concrete) and 2 suitable lengths of 3" x 3" fence post, (about 4ft) no sawing required.
blocks tend to be more stable than 4 legs, and less prone to sinking into ground.

 

[Swarm]

2 x 'pot' blocks (concrete) and 2 suitable lengths of 3" x 3" fence post, (about 4ft) no sawing required.
blocks tend to be more stable than 4 legs, and less prone to sinking into ground.

Sturdiest solution I've used.

 

[oliver90owner]

like this

Not long enough for a start. About 5m of timber and a couple pieces of fascia board or similar, 4 bolts and a few nails/screws in each. Marking/setting out for one would likely take longer than cutting for the whole pile.

I would prefer to see two bolts at each leg (although the board stops may be adequate) and deeper timbers for the sides. Longer to dismantle/fold, but far more robust, and may need two wimps to move them.

 

[alanf]

2 x 'pot' blocks (concrete) and 2 suitable lengths of 3" x 3" fence post, (about 4ft) no sawing required.
blocks tend to be more stable than 4 legs, and less prone to sinking into ground.

Not having heard of 'pot' blocks I thought it might be a regional term so I'd google it. I'm assuming your blocks are not the hemp related ones that turned up at the top of the list.

Something like the 'foundation blocks' sold by Wickes? Other builders' merchants are available.

 

[tonybloke]

Not having heard of 'pot' blocks I thought it might be a regional term so I'd google it. I'm assuming your blocks are not the hemp related ones that turned up at the top of the list.

Something like the 'foundation blocks' sold by Wickes? Other builders' merchants are available.

hollow concrete blocks, lok a bit like a figure of eight stylie thing when viewed from above

 

[richardbees]

hebee

I've now made 6 stands to the same design which work a treat: 5ft long and 15" high ( following Ted Hoopers suggestion that the t6p of the BB should be at hand height).

(imho screw-bolts are better than coach-bolts for woodwork)

 

[thorn]

You handy folk make it seem so easy. Some of us can't saw, drill, plane or sand without ruining the wood.

 

[alanf]

hollow concrete blocks, lok a bit like a figure of eight stylie thing when viewed from above

Hollow dense concrete block in the builders' merchants price lists. Ideal, but not carried by the big diy sheds because they're not used much in residential buildings.

If I was buying materials I'd probably try to make a stand just over three boxes wide. Leave enough space in the middle to put a brood box when moving frames or to stack supers with minimal lifting. 1500mm posts would just about do it.

 

[dpearce4]

Found a Nice guy re roofing his house last month, he gave me all the timbers from that. I have enough wood to make 60 double hive stands for free. Saved him about £200 disposing so he was well happy.

Just need to cut and screw them and sorted. Cost me £1 in bolts each stand.

 

[tonybloke]

what a bonus, Doug!!

 

[user 6228]

stand? wood? nah Steel tube welded

 

[Swarm]

Another benefit of the pot block is that a strap can be run through the holes, allowing the hive to be well secured.

 

[youngyoungs]

Made a couple of the hive stands you pictured last year using old roofing joists for the main sections. I have no woodworking skills, and used very basic tools. Mine are fab (I would say that wouldn't I), very heavy and solid and are the right size to rest frames on whilst inspecting.

If you truthfully don't have the time, skills or the inclination, then concrete blocks are the way to go.

 

[psafloyd]

Sturdiest solution I've used.

What do you secure the posts to, or are they simply sitting on top of the blocks?

 

[tonybloke]

What do you secure the posts to, or are they simply sitting on top of the blocks?

posts just sitting on the blocks, plenty stable enough with the weight of a hive or two on them

 

[Bob Bee]

2 x 'pot' blocks (concrete) and 2 suitable lengths of 3" x 3" fence post, (about 4ft) no sawing required.
blocks tend to be more stable than 4 legs, and less prone to sinking into ground.

I'd agree but get 3x2 tannalised if its slightly cheaper and have them 6ft long for ease of manipulation ( 1 hive each end and room for another complete hive, lid with supers, or even two nukes, in between).