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Joined
Jan 7, 2025
Messages
14
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Location
Hanwell, London
Number of Hives
1
Hello.
I’m thinking of making the base to put my hive on out of galvanised uni strut.

I’m wondering what width ( outer edge to outer edge) to space the two struts which the National hive will sit on.
Also what is peoples best height they have found works off of the ground.
Many thanks
 
The height of the stand ideally depends on the kind of hive and floor. As I use 14x12 boxes my stands are quite low. If I remember rightly, when standing next to a hive, the top of the brood box should reach your 1st knuckle joint. (I think.) I can't remember where I heard/read that.
 
what is peoples best height they have found works off of the ground.
Many thanks
Seriously, only you can guage that as it will largely (but not entirely) depend on your own height and eyesight -not often discussed but the ability to scan the face of the next comb as you pull a frame from the box *can* be a useful aide to your work.

Personally I prefer hives to be sat on two lengths of timber which are laid flat on the ground and kneel down to work but if you have bad knees or other nobility issues this may be impossible.
 
Seriously, only you can guage that as it will largely (but not entirely) depend on your own height and eyesight -not often discussed but the ability to scan the face of the next comb as you pull a frame from the box *can* be a useful aide to your work.

Personally I prefer hives to be sat on two lengths of timber which are laid flat on the ground and kneel down to work but if you have bad knees or other nobility issues this may be impossible.
I understand your point but wouldn’t that dirty / damage the bee suit in the process?
 
I understand your point but wouldn’t that dirty / damage the bee suit in the process?
Genuinely never experienced damage to any bee suit by kneeling but I suppose it's possible. Barbed wire seems to be my weak point where bee suits are concerned. As for getting dirty, work wear does. In fact you'll be far from pleased at the speed you can get a bright new bee suit looking like it needs a good wash.
 
Check out The Apiarist https://theapiarist.org/the-ultimate-hive-stand/
The stands made with scaffold jacks are great, you can adjust the height, cope with uneven ground, takes any amount of weight (I uses 3X3 fence posts as bearers). They're easy to make, can be dismantled for moving and they're not expensive.
Simon
 
Check out The Apiarist https://theapiarist.org/the-ultimate-hive-stand/
The stands made with scaffold jacks are great, you can adjust the height, cope with uneven ground, takes any amount of weight (I uses 3X3 fence posts as bearers). They're easy to make, can be dismantled for moving and they're not expensive.
Simone,
That’s such a great idea, especially for all terrain!! I’ll have to see how much they all cost, I might incorporate it in to a uni strut asssembly( I can get uni for free)
 
Where are you getting scaffold jacks?! Last time I looked they were by no means cheap.

James
Last time I bought some they were about £6 each, just googling.
S
 
I have this kind of stand
View attachment 42069
I find that a height of 18" is ideal for me, the rails (from outer edge to outer edge are 171/2 to 18" apart
They look sturdy enough. I would like something like this to save my back but unfortunately my bees are on a slope. I have had to make do with old pallets with bricks raising the lower end. I've bought myself a hunting stool. Hopefully won't have to bend as much
 
They look sturdy enough. I would like something like this to save my back but unfortunately my bees are on a slope.
two solutions - if the stands are a permanent feature - Cut the legs different height to take into account the pitch
or
a few bricks under the legs on the downhill side (done that at one apiary)
obviously there's a change that the hives will either be below 18" or higher than 18" at one side
 
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we had the guillotine in the UK long before the crapauds stole the idea - lot more efficent than an axe (the sword was another continental affectation) so you can get through a lot more per hour
 
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